Do you love color? Do you love innovative, flattering, wearable garments that are made in colors both subtle and splashy? Then get to know Toby Roxane, an independent knitwear designer based in the Hudson Valley of upstate New York. After graduating from Sarah Lawrence College in 2009, Toby studied knitwear design at the London College of Fashion.
Toby finds inspiration for her designs in many places. Her London Underground series of books takes its inspiration from time spent traveling around London. Each of the beautiful shawl patterns in the books is named after a stop on London’s Underground. Her second book, also featuring shawl designs, was inspired by certain cards in the Tarot deck. Music, literature, and locations both near and far form the inspiration for Toby’s lovely designs.
Some of the yarns themselves inspire Toby. The beautiful and varied mixture of color and tone in hand-dyed yarns “tell” her what they want to be. She’s been known to sleep with skeins near her bed to stimulate ideas for new designs.
Whether they are patterns based on vintage themes or clean, contemporary shapes, all of Toby’s designs are flattering and wearable. They appeal to many tastes and are sized for pre-teens up to plus-sized. With an eye toward great fit and perfect proportion, Toby mixes unique elements, stunning color, and simple construction to make garments that are easy to wear and a joy to make.
Toby delights in meeting all of the people who love her designs. She teaches classes in knitting techniques as well as knit-alongs for her own designs. At her trunk shows, Toby loves to share the inspiration behind her designs.
Toby’s beautiful patterns can be found on Ravelry, her own website, tobyroxanedesigns.com, and in local yarn shops nationwide.