Location: Boulder, CO



Occupation: Writer and Director/Marketing/Social Media Consultant at the company I co-founded and co-own, VOCO Creative



A significant difference between California and Colorado: In California, I cry and curl up under massive blankets when the temperature hits 55. In Colorado, I laugh and go bare-legged. Also, rockabilly is apparently still alive here.



My current guilty pleasure: “Keeping Up With The Kardashians.” I keep hoping another one of my friends will start watching so we can have conversations about gender roles, nouveau riche-ism, and the male gaze, but nobody seems to want to play. So I just keep watching for the pitifully manufactured faux-drama and the privileged whining.



Most overrated “literary classic”: A close tie between Thackeray’s Vanity Fair (the end reads like a punch line) and A Tale of Two Cities, in which Dickens confirms that he was, indeed, paid by the word.



Two reasons its okay to be at the mall are: Kittens at the pet store that desperately need visitation. Ample people-watching opportunities hone my snark while increasing my appreciation of the human race.



Something I’ve learned from Roller Derby: The current incarnation of amateur flat-track roller derby is nothing less than a microcosm, a place where people test, replay, and challenge the boundaries and realities of the outside world. Also, if you pace yourself while keeping an eye on the accomplishments of others, you might just achieve once-unheard-of things.



Best thing about writing one’s first book: Giving in to the weird process of calling something into being that only exists in your head, and seeing what happens.



Worst thing about writing one’s first book: Realizing that everyone around me has their own expectations about what my book will contain, mean, or say, and knowing that I’m bound to disappoint a few.



The cover album I secretly want to record features some of the following songs: I Want The Waiter With the Water [for my Daughter] (Ella Fitzgerald), Miss Chatelaine (kd lang), Groove is in the Heart (deeeLite), Memories Can Wait (Talking Heads), Everything She Wants (Wham!), Lucky (Britney Spears), Baby Boy (Beyonce), Odorono (The Who)



Running your own business is kind of like: Being in a long-term relationship. You have to meet great fear with even greater love, day in and day out.



A favorite memory of my precocious childhood: Somehow convincing the powers that be that instead of making up 11th grade English (I was an exchange student as a junior) I should instead write what amounted to a mini-thesis on Theodore Dreiser’s Sister Carrie. This turned into at least one semester of languid library-wandering and campus-walking, secure in the knowledge that my obtuse project made me immune from any rules or expectations.



Kj and I: have had a lot of dual birthday parties. She’s part of my childhood in a very intrinsic sense and even though I don’t see her or speak to her often enough, I know that much of who I am is because of her, and vice-versa.



Making The Scarf: What more can I say about Erin that isn’t blatantly apparent in the above interview? That she’s brilliant, erudite, irreverant, astute, luscious, fierce and insanely talented? I think that all comes across pretty well. But Erin and I have been bosom-friends (thank you Anne of Green Gables) since we met in sixth grade. Erin was working on a sequel novel to The Phantom of the Opera and I was obsessed with prehistoric Europe and ancient mythology. Also, we liked to sing along to the radio version of “Beauty and the Beast.” Needless to say, when Erin was the first to reply to my Twitter offer to knit someone a scarf (last summer?), I had tons of inspiration to work from. I ended up starting over three times and I think it finally arrived for her birthday at the end of September.

Some of my first inspirations were the colors of leather book bindings, mixed with the memory of the rust-orange carpet in the San Diego house she grew up in. I also wanted some jewel tones to accentuate her Irishy hair and eyes. But in the end, roller derby pink won out, giving some monster-mama color to the mostly earth-tone bookish scarf. The scarf’s title is inspired by Ann Radcliffe’s late 18th century novel “The Romance of the Forest,” fused with all the images I get when I think of Erin: jazz clubs. open books, knee pads and triumphant laughter. I love you Erin!



Find out more about Erin’s upcoming book and her writing process at The Heroine’s Bookshelf.

Location: the jewel of the Emerald City, Crown Hill

Occupation: student of the christian studies, environment-friendly house cleaner, housemate to the best home in all of the Emerald City, and boyfriend to an amazing woman

Favorite kind of cupcake: Trophy Cupcakes Hummingbird, which is a Banana Pineapple Coconut cake with cream cheese frosting… it is a circus in my mouth!!!

When shopping at REI, be sure to: go in there when you are broke, otherwise you will leave that place with lots of great things

The key to successful backyard barbecuing is: great company, plain and simple!

When it comes to Apple computers, I: treat them better than a new born baby, sorry new born babies.

My lady sure knows how to: do it all! she can cook amazing food, she hike like the best of them, she can make me laugh until i snort/almost choke on my own snot, she pushes me to be a better man, and the list goes on and on and on and on….

A basic Green practice I wish everyone would start doing is: composting… it helps reduce the amount of waste in landfills… plus, it is a great way to replenish the earth with all the natural nutrients.

Otter Pops vs Ikea Raspberry Cookies: i love Otter Pops… i spent almost an entire year solely eating Otter Pops, dozens at a time. the Ikea Raspberry Cookies are amazing. i still have at least 15 packs of them in dresser drawer. and every time someone i know goes to Ikea, they return with a few sleeves of those precious Ikea Raspberry Cookies. i think if there could be a way to make an Otter Pop flavor of the Ikea Raspberry Cookie, then i would be set.

Something I’d Like to Say: thank you for letting me ramble…

Kj and I: where to begin? it is an amazing honor and privilege to know Kj and an even bigger honor and privilege to live under the same roof. she has taught me many great things, such as how to really watch a movie, how to see things in a contextualised manner, and showing me the beauty in things that i would overlook. i love when the house is quiet and i can hear her laugh at a show or movie she is watching, her laughter is soooo contagious and it lifts my mood all the time.

i have been enriched by Kj… i am certain that i will never know how deeply she has made an impact on my life. i look forward to the growth of our friendship.

Making the Scarf: Well what can I say after that? It was a joy to create this scarf for the above gentleman. At first he’d suggested having me make a scarf in the colors of the Brazilian flag, but when I explained that being scarfed means submitting to my interpretation of you- he said go for it, do whatever you want. Thus, Brazil stayed in my mind as I started. I wanted to capture JB’s playful spirit but also his debonair chic that peaks out from time time. The colors largely came from the feel of a Brazilian restaurant he took us all too last year. I think this is the hottest scarf I’ve made yet- inspired by a place that would rarely require the wearing of a scarf and by someone who looks hot wearing one . It’s been a delight to watch JB build a life here in Seattle, to see the way he gives his time to the people in his life who matter and pursues his passions and beliefs against all odds. (And the odds have been frequent, forceful and odd). JB’s a fighter, and as you can read, or Kaitlin can attest- a great lover of people. He’s one you want on your side. I’m lucky to have him upstairs. Love to you Yannni!!

PS: JB did all the fun photo stuff on these shots. And I still can’t believe this is our backyard.

Then as I continued to scroll, Boom! There were pictures of my scarves as examples of said sticth. I love sharing blog mentions with Gianfranco Ferre.

thanks for the love, Kimmy

Location: Seattle

Occupation: Graduate Student

Place I Think of as Home: Anywhere here in the Emerald City.

The Worst Movie I’ve Ever Seen is: The Fighting Temptations. I try to be gracious about films I don’t like, only this one failed on every level, but without the usual bad movie charm.

When I Think Of Beauty, I Think of: The way the smell of baking cookies reminds me that I’m home and that I’m loved. The feeling I get when the lights go down at a movie theater. The way my friend Rob speaks of his daughters. A well told story. The belly laughter that can only happen when we know we belong. The crack of a bat when the ball hits that perfect spot. Good drinks and long conversations… I could go on like this for a really long time.

If I Had to Choose Between Theology and Baseball, I’d: Probably just explode.

Were it Not For My Wife, I’d Know Nothing About: The reality that cooking is like art, and baking is like science.

Please Don’t Ever Ask Me to: Sing a solo in public.

I’d Love a Chance to: Write for a living.

Something I’d Like to Say: I’d like to say I know what my talents are and where I am headed. I’d like to say that, but I can’t yet.

Kj and I: Are probably seen by some to be overly passionate about mundane things. What they don’t realize is that we just so happen to be exactly as passionate as one should be.

Making the Scarf: When I submitted a “Kj will make a scarf for you” option to our school’s annual art auction, I was a little nervous that I’d be interpreting a scarf for someone I’d never met. How stoked was I then, when I heard that I was gonna get to scarf the awesome and increasingly impressive Scott Small! Last year I took a selected readings course on theology and emerging network theories in science and evolution, and after the second week, I remember walking out and saying to someone, “Um, so is Scott Small a super genius?” They assented.

Ever since, I’ve enjoyed every conversation I’ve had with him- I always feel smarter afterwards, as well as in a better mood than before. Which is the only reason I can come up with to explain why when I heard I’d be making a scarf for Scott that I immediately had the name “Arcade Philospher” come into to my mind. Not that I’ve ever seen Scott play Asteroids, Pac Man, or Halo for that matter, but there’s something about Scott that makes me picture him holding a soft drink and slice of pizza at the edge of a pinball machine while discussing ecclesiology and fractals. Thus, his scarf was inspired by the colors of Atari, mixed with “deeper” colors as well. I tried twice to punch it with a bright yellow or lime green, like a digital laser gun, but in the end, it wanted to stay cool and dark. (I didn’t know it would match so well with an Obama T-Shirt!)

And as you can see from the above interview, Scott has a point of view that both inspires, enlightens and welcomes you as you listen. I can’t wait to go to his first book signing.

Location: Edmonds, WA

Occupation: RN in the perinatal arena (ie: antepartum, labor & delivery & postpartum)

Best Music to Cook By: My husband does most of the cooking in our house (but I enjoy baking bread to the likes of Iron & Wine)

In Heaven There Will Be: no dogs

I Wish I Had More Time To: Excel in the domestic arts

One Thing My Daughter Has Learned From Me Thus Far: The proper name for our gentle parts

One Thing I Have Learned From My Daughter Thus Far: Most things can be fixed with a hug and kind words

Top Two Names I Will Not Name My Unborn Child: Jennifer & Deb

If I Could Live in a Movie, it Would Be: A Room With a View or Anne of Green Gables

Jazz Hands Come in Handy When: Remembering my childhood

Something I’d Like to Say: I am so glad Obama won and I love Kj

Kj and I: Are Seeesters

Making the Scarf:
I was stoked to knit for my SEEEESTER in law Rebecca. I knew pretty quickly that I wanted to make a Pacific Northwest feeling scarf for her, since her recent return from living in LA has confirmed how much this branch of the Swansons loves and belongs to Seattle. I also wanted to use colors to complement her dark red hair and green (?) eyes. At least in my memory they are green, but maybe that was just that time in high school when she wore tinted contacts. (Did that even happen?) Anyhoo, I turned to colors of misty mountains, rocks and water, with still a punch of bright prettiness to match Rebecca’s own bright prettiness. And what else can I say about Rebecca other than she is brilliant, good at everything, and that together, we both laugh at all the same things and have a penchant for doing pas de bourees in the kitchen. I love you Rabonko!

Location: Seattle, WA

Occupation: Retail Manager / Pastor

Book I’m Most Into Right Now: The Sparrow/Children of God by Mary Doria Russell

The Key To Building Fences is: Letting your engineering-degreed housemate do most of the work

I’ll Be Patient As Long As: it takes

My Favorite Sunday Morning Activity Is: Getting up early on a cold day with my wife, reading a good book with hot cup of coffee together while cozying down under a blanket (or a fancy new scarf!)

One Thing A Pastor Needs to Be is: paid

My Wife Laughs At Me Most When: I am a little spazzy, which is most of the time

I Laugh With My Wife Most When: She’s a little spazzy, which is most of the time (but you didn’t hear that from me…)

The Celebrity I Wish Would Run Out of Gas In Front of My House: Henri Nouwen, but only if he was still alive, otherwise, it’d be a little too creepy.

Something I’d Like to Say: (silence is golden, he thinks)

Kj and I: I want to be Kj when I grow up

Making the Scarf:
I was so excited when Paul asked if I’d knit him up a KjPeopleProfileScarf. Paul is one of those super-radiantly cool people who is made all the more cool by their authenticity and humility rather than by flaunting their awesomeness. As such, I decided to make a scarf that would broadcast Paul’s cool factor in louder tones than he uses himself.

My early memories of seeing Paul around campus have him with purple hair, though it’s likely that my memory is a bit off, but nonetheless, I knew right away that I wanted to use colors that evoked “Purple Hair” to me. (Which apparently means black). Also, when I think of Paul, I think of the many parts of his life, be it wearing a barista apron, sewing hipster T-shirts or praying over Eucharist, and I wanted to reflect those dynamics in the scarf. Hence, this scarf feels a little more Indy-Punk and Neon sign than I’ve done previously, but still maintains a cheery bright blue “I’m Approachable” feel. It’s a scarf inspired by Paul’s quiet nature and electric spirit. I wouldn’t mind being him when I grow up either.

Location: Lower Queen Anne Seattle, Wa

Occupation: Nanny to rich kids/Counseling to poor kids…pretty much the same thing

The Best Job I Ever Had: Is still in the works. But the most appalling job I ever had included ironing a grown man’s briefs…I quit soon after.

Tea Time Means: A year of Wednesday nights filled with off color humor, solving the world’s problems, and deep love for each other.

The Key to Hospitality is: A well used air mattress, a toilet that always runs, and a window that people use as a door

You Can Recognize My Husband By: The way you will never be the same after loving him.

While I’m Driving, I Listen To: Usually hip hop/rap until I hear “ho” one too many times and then I switch to NPR

Washington vs. Illinois: The current Illinois governor scandal has nothing on the 2004 governor election in Washington

If I Were a Flower, I Would Be: A Dalia

Something I’d Like To Say: I am ready for springtime

Kj and I: are the greatest “we never hang out but when we do sweet love and inspiration fill the room” friends

Making the Scarf:
For Stacy, who has the awesomest last name (pronounced “Peach”) I had a none-too-subconscious thought to make a Peach-inspired scarf. I’d also been in the mood to put some white in a scarf, and Stacey’s shining self confidence and welcoming, loving spirit seemed like a good match. I loved the combo of the mauvish pink and the honey yellow. Together, the colors felt chewy and richly sweet to me, like a piece of fruit you’d pick off a tree in Willy Wonka’s floor room. Basically, rather than finding a peach tone yarn, I used colors that, if combined on a palette, would turn out peachy. I like the effect.

I have at times described Stacey as the eschatological realization of a cheerleader, so the scarf carries some of that energy as well: something meant to lift the spirits of one who always lifts mine. Stacey is an elegant combo of soulfull and joyfull, and when she asked for a scarf to help brighten gray winter days before spring, I did my best to give her some sunshine. (And yes, there is still some gray in there. It is still Seattle, after all).
I Heart Super Stace!
Photos kindly offered by Kim Roth Howe

Occupation: Barista, Theatre Concessions

Locale: Seattle

My Favorite City is: Seattle

I Wish I Spent More Time: not regretting the things I haven’t done.

Best After Dinner Treat: No food after dinner is a greater treat than a great dinner . . . but hot apple pie with a scoop of vanilla ice cream comes pretty close.

Frisbees are Great Because: : ) they allow me to fly with them. to leave the ground and soar as they bend and turn and coast through the air, as my imagination becomes their reality.

Why Don’t More People: get it?

You Know I’m Happy When: I can’t stop myself from smiling.

Something I’d Like to Say is: ? . . . hard to tell

Kj and I: don’t like people who need us to pretend that we’re their friends while we sell them candy or coffee.

The Making of: This scarf has a complicated history- as complicated as the man himself. Back in March or so, Chase let me knit him a scarf. I was sort of stumped as to what colors to work with and what would best suit him while also expressing something about him. Chase is a complex, deep-thinking, ruminating sort who tends to have A LOT going on under the surface that will blow your mind once he gets talking. This guy can make poetry out of tossing frisbees (see above) and crack you up with his uncanny comic timing- like a frying pan suddenly hitting you over the head. Chase is always asking tough questions of himself and bristles under requirements to be anything that he is not (aka shallow). As such, I wanted his scarf to reflect that, and admittedly (to him and to myself) I kind of jumped overboard first time round. I tried, with a 5 color spectrum, to capture some of the Chase dynamic. But when it came to actually wearing it, Chase felt there was just too much going on.

(the rejected “Enigma” scarf)

So this time round, I met Chase at the yarn store and let him pick out the yarns (still a collaborative process) and what we ended up with were some nice wood, rust and steel colors. Once I knit it up, I realized that this made more sense. Don’t give more complexity to a contemplative, give him the basics. So here’s the Existentialist’s Essentials, for my favorite Chasey-Pooh! I hope this one works out for you.

Also, the return of the “reject” scarf solved my own problem of being totally stumped as to what kind of scarf to knit for myself. Turns out its easier to just wear something you made for someone else than to figure what you’d like. Me and reject scarf are feeling pretty happy about each other so far.

Locale: About to move from NYC to San Diego

Childhood Dream Job: Gemologist

My Favorite Lunch: Anything on a patio

I Always Say Yes to: Lunch

Something I’d Like to do by the End of this Year: Find a place to live in San Diego

When it Comes to Singing in the Car, I Need: To focus more on the driving

The Oscar Should Have Gone to: “Babe”

Here’s Something I’d Like to Say: Vote NO on California Prop 8

Kj and I: Never seem to tire of each other

The Making of: Richard’s scarf was the last I knit before my summer hiatus and also my first long distance scarfing. But though we were states apart, I wasn’t lacking in info or inspiration for Richard, since we’ve been acting like childish adults together since we were 11. However, the key to this one was a comment my NYC roommate Kiko made about Richard (he magicly moved to NYC while I was there too) when she said he reminded her of Snow White’s Prince. We all concurred. Hence my yarn reinterpretation of Disney’s primary-coloured Prince for one of my most dashing (and simulatneously absurd) friends. As a San Diegan, its hard to know when Richard will ever get to where this, but I loved the chance to make it for him. What better way to show your love for someone who’s let you call them Spmulragus (Sugar Lumps spelled backwards) for the last eighteen years?

Joelle is an amzing artist, entrepreneur, human being and owner of Purl Soho where I spent many an hour sitting and knitting at the big table in the coziest spot on Sullivan Street.

Not only am I gearing up for some PeopleProfileKjScarves, but I’m gonna experiment with being some outsourced knitting labor for KIM in New York. Wish me luck.