Meet the author: Sachiyo Ishii

Sachiyo Ishii was a money broker in Wall Street and London, but discovered the joy of handcraft after her second son was born, and was very much influenced by the Steiner education system. She has been involved in many different creative activities, and her Waldorf-inspired dolls and knitted toys are well known and loved by many. Her work has appeared in knitting and parenting magazines. She lives and works freelance in West Sussex, England.

Where were you born?

I was born in the Tokushima prefecture which is in the Southwest of Japan.

What is your educational background?

I studied foreign relations and French language in Sophia University ,Tokyo.

What first got you interested in craft?

I madly fell in love with Waldorf dolls when my children were still very small and wanted to take lessons to learn how to make them.

How long have you been crafting?

I started after my second son was born. It has been about 14 years now.

Where do you get your materials?

I get most of my wool from local craft shops. I sometimes order online, but I enjoy looking and touching wool when I shop.

How/Where did Search Press discover you?

Actually, I discovered them. I thought the collection of my animals has the potential to be in a book and, I submitted a book proposal.

What were your first thoughts when asked to write a book?

I was over the moon, of course! It has been one of the best thing happened in my life!

Has publishing a book changed your life in any way?

It has boosted my confidence and, I enjoy creating much more than I used to.

Any tips for beginners?

Relax and enjoy knitting. It is only knitting and, you don’t need to tear your hair out if things don’t go the way you want. You are more than welcomed to improvise my patterns. I only made these up and, you should be allowed to do the same.

What is your favourite craft tool?

The pair of my bamboo 2.75mm (US 2) knitting needles. This is one of my first pair I bought. The needles got slight bent and they fit snugly in my hands when I use them.

Have you travelled for your craft?

I have travelled to farms to buy sheep fleece. I also visited trade shows, exhibitions and shops.

Where does your inspiration come from?

I get inspiration from everywhere. When I walk in town, looking through books and magazines, shop windows, everywhere! Illustrations and cartoons, felted work and sugar craft are good sources, too. Most of these are already in simplified forms and, it is easy to make them into knitted characters.