Designer Knitspiration: Lutz and Patmos

This is the second in a series of pieces about knitwear designers who inspire.  

I first came across Lutz and Patmos in an article in the September 2008 issue of O magazine.  The article featured a chunky knit jacket (below in lilac) that made generous use of my beloved textural garter stitch. 

It was this piece that inspired me to enter the contest to design pieces for the window mannequins at my LYS, Knit 1.  For more on that, see my very first post.  

Tina Lutz and Marcia Patmos, the genius partnership behind this brand, started their brand in 2000.  Nine years later, they have a full line of basics as well as seasonal collections.  My favorite from the spring collection is the beach shell cardigan.  It makes me want to learn to crochet.  

They have also collaborated with many national retailers, including household accessories at West Elm.  

Another thing I just love about Lutz and Patmos is that they are truly knitterly designers.  What do I mean by that?  Several things.  First off, knitters genuinely and passionately care where their fiber is sourced.  Lutz and Patmos supports the local economy in Uruguay, where the yarn is sourced and hand-knit, hand-loomed or crochet by a group of local artisans.  

Lutz and Patmos design not for seasons, but for years.  Doesn't that ring true?  When you go to all the trouble to knit a sweater you want to be able to wear it for a long, long time.  Last, and this is a biggie for me, hand-drawn schematics of each piece appear next to the photos on their site.  Remember that lovely beach shell cardigan?  Here's the schematic posted next to the piece.  
I just love that!  That schematic gives you an idea of how the piece is constructed, which is helpful for design inspiration as well as for customers.

The only thing Lutz and Patmos hasn't done is write a book of knitting patterns.  So, to them I say, "Pretty please write a pattern book.  I promise I'll buy it."