Twist Collective

I’ve got farm yarns on the brain these days, having just written a new book, The Knitter’s Book of Wool (due in October), which may explain why Jennifer Appleby’s hat, M’Gonigle, called to me. With its simple ribbing, wandering cable motifs, and classic wooly look, it begs to be knit in an old-fashioned farm yarn. M’Gonigle presents an ideal opportunity to wander through a variety of sheep breeds and spinning techniques to illustrate how using fiber from different breeds can give you strikingly different results from a single pattern. READ FULL ARTICLE

During World War II, my parents gathered in New York with many other European expatriates and their families. Two of their closest friends were Arnold and Elizabeth Zimmermann, who became my godparents. READ FULL ARTICLE

Like so many other knitters, my knitting touchstone is Elizabeth Zimmermann. For the past 25 years, I have relied on her sensible advice, been entertained by her writing, and have been inspired by her to “knit on through all crises.”

Still, nothing in the world prepared me for these words spoken by a new customer at Stix-n-Stitches in Montclair, New Jersey:

“My godmother, Elizabeth Zimmermann, knit a sweater for me years ago that is really falling apart. Do you know anyone who could repair it?” READ FULL ARTICLE