I want to make it clear upfront that knitting is not something I personally engage in. However, like many passionate knitters, my mother taught me the craft during my childhood. I can still recall the satisfying click of the plastic needles and the joy of creating neat rows of magenta wool, a color choice only acceptable to my younger self.
There is something powerful about the tradition of women passing down knitting skills, which have the ability to nurture, warm, and soothe. Even if forgotten, these skills can be rediscovered through friends, online tutorials, or social media platforms. It’s truly wonderful that the knitting community celebrates participants and freely shares knowledge. In this article, we have gathered stories from six knitters who describe their love for yarn and their proudest knitting projects.
Kim McInnes, the grants and scholarships coordinator from Myrtleford, Victoria, knitted a jumper for her high school textiles portfolio back in 1983. It took her two school terms to complete. She followed a basic pattern for construction but designed the bird motif herself, inspired by Australian designer Jenny Kee. Rediscovering the jumper 40 years later in her mother’s cupboard brought her immense joy. Now, she proudly wears it on weekends and social occasions, much to the embarrassment of her adult children. McInnes returned to knitting a couple of years ago to help with her rheumatoid arthritis, relying on YouTube tutorials to refresh her skills.
Elena Gomez, a writer and editor from Melbourne, mastered the technique of stranded colorwork after five months of practice, which she used to complete her proudest knitting project. Tasked with knitting two strands at once to achieve the colored pattern, she had to watch numerous videos and take it slow until her fingers got the hang of it. Trying on the finished jumper filled her with immense pride and satisfaction. Although her mother attempted to teach her knitting at a young age, it was through online videos and the guidance of a patient friend that she truly embraced the craft. Despite never really knowing her grandmother, a skilled knitter from Nagpur, India, Gomez feels a certain connection to her when she knits.
Kirsty Nottle, a senior executive in aged care service from Melbourne, enjoyed knitting a jumper with a particular pattern so much that she replicated it for her cousin and even her dog. The idea sparked when her dog got a super short haircut and needed something to keep warm. Although it started as a joke, the dog jumper receives many compliments. Nottle used hand-dyed yarns of various weights, enjoying the color effects achieved by blending different shades. Knitting serves as a relaxing activity for Nottle, whether at home or while spending time with friends over morning coffee or at a monthly knitting gathering at the pub.
Jacinta Den Besten, a senior physics lecturer, began her knitting journey with a never-ending scarf in primary school. Now, she looks for more challenging projects that teach her new techniques and can’t be found in stores. Her latest project was a patterned tunic, which involved colorwork and the use of a two-color brioche stitch or a fisherman’s rib with ombre yarn. Inspired by her doormat, Den Besten designed the piece herself, opting for a geometric pattern instead of the typical floral designs found in colorwork patterns. The intricacy of the project meant progress was slow, with only one row completed most nights. Den Besten enjoys working on multiple projects simultaneously, using them as inspiration for each other.
Michelle Sanger, a studio manager of a creative agency, knitted her favorite green jumper during the depths of the Melbourne lockdown. Unable to visit a store for the right-colored yarn, she improvised by unraveling an old garment and adding a green mohair strand from her stash. The design incorporated the wide neck of another garment but was fitted through the body. Sanger modified a top-down pattern to achieve her desired style. Knitting every night in front of the TV, it took her around six weeks to complete the snuggliest and most comfortable jumper she owns. Knitting initially learned from her mother, Sanger rediscovered the craft when she had her son and wanted to knit him warm jumpers. Now, she knits with friends once a month and finds inspiration in their creations.
Stephanie Morrison, a medical receptionist, knitted a cardigan twice to get the perfect fit. The first time she completed it quickly within six weeks, but it remained unworn due to discomfort around the shoulders caused by the colorwork section. Undeterred, Morrison unraveled the cardigan and started again, going up two sizes and using larger needles to achieve the desired fit. The second attempt only took a month to complete. Now, she wears the cardigan as often as possible and takes pride in her accomplishment. Morrison describes herself as obsessed with knitting and finds herself constantly thinking about it, using any spare moment to indulge in her passion.
These stories highlight the joy and satisfaction that knitting brings to individuals. It is a craft that not only preserves tradition but also allows for personal creativity and self-expression. The knitting community’s support and willingness to share knowledge and inspiration make it a truly special endeavor.
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