Five Questions for Deborah Norville

Deborah Norville is an author, an anchor on Inside Edition, a volunteer ... and a craft enthusiast with her own yarn line that you can find at Jo-Ann Fabric & Craft Stores!

We have a few questions for Deborah, but we want to know: What craft question do you have for Deborah Norville? Let us know on our Facebook page!

1. What's your current craft project? (Or should we say projects?)
Doing a couple of things right now! I am just finishing a needlepoint pillow I designed as a thank you for some friends who invited us on a Nile River cruise. How do you thank anyone for THAT? I figured a beautiful pillow with cartouches of their names in hieroglyphs in luscious wools would be just the thing (and one CAN'T buy it!). It's finished and I can't wait to give it and see their reactions!

I am also finishing a beautiful baby blanket for my niece who is having her first child--in fact she's in labor as I write this! It will be my dad's first great-grandchild! It's a lovely pink and white confection in the new Chunky Sprinkles yarn called "In The Pink." It's super soft so the baby will love it and totally machine wash and dry so whatever gets on it, her mom won't have to worry about tossing it in the dryer.

My grandmother was always the one who knit baby things in our family -- and as she's passed on, I have designated myself the official "Norville family knitter!"

I am also doing a ripple crochet afghan to match my daughter's newly redecorated bedroom.  It's in three shades of Deborah Norville Worsted. I already did afghans for my two older sons so it's my daughter's turn! When one of them opened the gift at Christmas, he was first silent and then said, "wow, this must have taken you forEVER!" I said it did take a while and I thought of you every stitch!

2. What's your advice for someone learning a new craft?
Take it slow and don't worry about mistakes. I find I have learned more from the 'boo boos' than from getting it right!

When you DO make a mistake - and you will - just unsew/unknit and put it aside until you calm down and then start again.

3. Who inspires you?
I would have to say my mother, who died when I was 20. She helped run the family business, raised four daughters, kept a lovely house - and still found time to sew for her girls and teach me to knit.

I wish she were alive to see how well her children --and grandkids -- have turned out!

4. Why are handmade objects important to you?
I think handmade objects appeal to me -- they reenforce the connection between individuals. One generally thinks of the recipient when one is making something ... And to me, there is no more special way to tell someone you care.

5. Which yarn in your line is your personal favorite?
That's like asking which child is your favorite!  I love Chunky Sprinkles, one of the newest in the Chunky line. It's really fun to work with. Chunky is a great yarn because it works up so fast!  I can't wait to use the new Serenity Chunky Glitter which has great lurex threads spun into the yarn. I think I will make some holiday things with that.

Fashion Jeweltones is another fave -- I have a gorgeous grey tone shawl which has the ever-so-subtle sequins on the yarn.  I want to make a ruby colored shrug which I think would look amazing on television!

Find Deborah Norville's yarn in Jo-Ann stores, and learn more about her crafting passion at: www.DeborahNorville.com and www.PremierYarns.com!


Meet Deborah Norville during the Grand Opening Celebration of our Scarsdale, NY store from 11am-1pm on Saturday, September 17!