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When I moved to Colorado, it was summer.
But not for long.
A late August day dawned chilly. I put on a sweater, went out
looking for a new pair of boots, and bought a case of Western
Slope peaches at the Green Market. That afternoon, it began
snowing in the High Country.
The cold weather alternated with barefoot days until May, but
what an inspiration it was for a knitter! The weather, and the
outdoor life, inspired me not only to knit, but also to begin
designing practical, wearable cold-weather knitwear--some
whimsical, some classic--for skiing, snowboarding, and the
chores of daily living in a place with cold weather, whether
you’re going to be in a lift line at Vail or a commuter train to
Manhattan.
I joined a knitting group. I made sweaters, socks, mittens,
scarves, hats, even a blanket. Within a year, encouraged by
group members, I began writing out and printing up some of my
designs, and selling them through a couple of local yarn shops.
In another year I had enough to start this website. Many of
these patterns have extensive color charts, and many more make
wonderful and welcome gifts to anyone living where winters are
cold. Where newer knitters may need careful instruction on areas
of technique—on thumb increases, turning a sock heel, felting a
hat, for instance—these things are in the patterns. Good
photographs and detailed charts should help you to succeed with
whatever you chose to make.
Rather than burden you giving me contact information, and then
with an e-mail newsletter, I’ll ask you to check back
occasionally for new patterns, and occasional corrections,
thoughts and tips about knitting, and other news.
If you find a mistake in a pattern, I apologize, and ask that
you let me know right away, via Contact Us, so I can correct it.
If you send good photographs of what you’ve knit, I’ll be
delighted to see them, and will post as many as I can so other
people can see them, too. If you have a suggestion, do the same,
on Contact Us.
As Elizabeth Zimmerman said, “Knit on, with confidence and hope,
through all crises.” I’m a long way from being the innovator,
the teacher, or the knitter that she was, but, like her, I
believe that knitting isn’t mysterious, and that knitters are
smart enough to plan their own variations, and enlarge upon what
I’ve been able to do.
Yours with thanks and best wishes,
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