fibre space

New Fall Yarns from Rosários 4

Kel — Wed, 09 Sep 2026 23:00:26 +0000

Based in the small Portuguese town of Mira del Aire, Rosários 4 have been dyeing and spinning since the 1970s, carrying on a rich regional heritage of textile production with yarns designed for knitting, crochet, embroidery, and traditional Arraiolos tapestry work. With an ever-growing lineup of eco-friendly natural fiber yarns, we’re always excited to see what they’ll come up with next!

In for Fall, we’ve got three gorgeous new Rosários 4 yarns for you: meet Bio-Wool, Cânhamo Tweed, and Terra Print!

Part of Rosários 4’s Ecofriendly Collection, Bio-Wool is spun from 100% organic wool and Global Organic Textile Standard certified. This plush, heavy worsted to aran weight yarn is perfect for cozy sweaters, accessories, and children’s wear. The conveniently sized 50-gram put up is perfect for smaller or multi-color projects.

Another member of the Ecofriendly Collection, Cânhamo Tweed is a DK weight blend of Merino wool, hemp, alpaca, and viscose rayon, in tweedy Fall shades just right for cool-season cardigans and sweaters.

Joining shop favorites Terra, Terra Moulinet, and Terra Tweed, new worsted-weight Terra Print is a colorful addition to Rosários 4’s sustainable yarn lineup, spun from 100% Merino wool and dyed in colorfully speckled space-dyed colorways. Mix and match it with the other Terra yarns for multi-color projects!

Stay tuned for more details and our pattern recommendations for each of these fabulous yarns—shop them exclusively in our Alexandria store!

The post New Fall Yarns from Rosários 4 appeared first on fibre space.

Just Landed: New Sock Yarns from Laines du Nord

Kel — Fri, 04 Sep 2026 13:45:04 +0000

Based in the small northern Italian town of Avigliana, Laines du Nord have been making yarn for over four decades, with a focus on natural fibres, sustainability, animal welfare, and eco-friendly production.

Just in time for sock knitting season (although when is it never not sock knitting season?) we’ve got three fabulous Laines du Nord yarns you’ll love for socks, sweaters, shawls, and so much more!

First up, meet Summer Socks Fancy, one of the rare wool-free sock yarns on the market! This sturdy, machine-washable blend of cotton and nylon knits up in fun tie-dye-like colorways, with each ball cleverly designed to knit up into two perfectly matching socks. (That’s some serious dyeing magic right there!)

Summer Socks Fancy Yarn Details

Fingering weight
88% cotton, 12% nylon
360 yards (329 meters) per 80-gram ball
US #1-2 (2.25-2.75 mm) needles or B/1 – D/3 (2-3mm) crochet hook
31 stitches & 42 rows = 4”
Machine or hand wash, dry flat
$23, available in-store only

For the self-striping sock fans, we’ve got Indulgence Socks, a cozy, machine-washable blend of soft Merino wool and nylon. As with Summer Socks Fancy, each ball is designed to give you two perfectly matching socks—all you have to do is knit and watch the magic happen!

Indulgence Socks Yarn Details

Fingering weight
Indulgence: 75% Merino wool, 25% nylon
458 yards (419 meters) per 100-gram ball
US #1-2 (2.25-2.75 mm) needles or B/1 – D/3 (2-3mm) crochet hook
31 stitches & 42 rows = 4”
Machine or hand wash, dry flat
$28, available in-store only

Last but not least, celebrate the fun of sock knitting with special edition Christmas Socks! This self-patterning yarn is a machine-washable blend of soft Merino wool and nylon, designed to knit up into matching socks that look like colorwork, without all the work!

Yarn Details

Fingering weight
75% Merino wool, 25% nylon
458 yards (419 meters) per 100-gram ball
US #1-2 (2.25-2.75 mm) needles or B/1 – D/3 (2-3mm) crochet hook
31 stitches & 42 rows = 4”
Machine or hand wash, dry flat
$28, available in-store only

Our Pattern Picks

Tubescent Socks

This sized-for-the-whole-family sock features easy worked-in-the-round heel shaping that’s perfect for self-striping yarns.

Sizes

Newborn (Baby, Toddler, Child, Youth){Adult S, M, L, XL}; finished circumference 4 (4.5, 5.5, 6, 6.5){7, 8, 9, 10}”.

Tip: To ensure a good fit for socks, choose a finished size that’s about 10% smaller in circumference than the widest part of your foot.

Yarn

80 (110, 160, 225, 275){320, 420, 520, 640} yards color-changing or self-striping sock yarn

Gauge & Suggested Needles

32 stitches & 44 rows = 4” on US#0 (2 mm) needles, in stockinette stitch worked in the round after wet blocking.

Sideline Wrap

Mix & match solid & self-striping sock yarns for this beginner-friendly head wrap’s easy-to-knit garter & slip stitch design. The pattern is easily modifiable: add a few extra repeats on the side for a wider wrap, or leave out the button hole and end a little sooner for a cute scarf!

Sizes

One size (customizable); Width (measured at the wrap’s full width after the increases are complete) 3.5” and length: 49” (measurements are post-blocking).

Yarn

Color A Approximately 248 yards/227 meters fingering weight yarn

Approximately 200 yards / 183 meters of sport or fingering weight color-changing or self-striping sock yarn

Gauge & Suggested Needles

32 stitches and 49 rows = 4” on US#3 (3.25mm) needles, in the Basket Stitch Pattern worked flat. (16″ circular needles used but can be worked on straight needles)

Furrow Socks

Crocheters can have cute socks too! This beginner-friendly pattern is perfect for color-changing and self-striping sock yarns.

Sizes

Adult XS, S, M, L, XL; finished circumference 7.5, 8.25, 9, 9.75, 10.5″.

Yarn

400-450 yards color-changing or self-striping sock yarn.

Gauge & Suggested Hook

21.25 stitches = 4” on E/4 (3.5 mm) hook, in single crochet after wet blocking.

Find more fun sock yarn patterns here!

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British Breed Bonanza: Garthenor Organic Number 2

Kel — Wed, 02 Sep 2026 14:00:15 +0000

Today we’re taking a deep dive into one of our favorite breed-specific wool yarns: Number 2 from Welsh yarnmakers Garthenor Organic!

Sourcing organic wool from rare British sheep breeds (including their own heritage flock), this independent, family-owned company spins their yarns in their own mill in Cardigan—the first worsted-spinning mill in Wales, and the first in the UK to make yarn that’s certified organic from sheep to skein. (Fun fact: The team names all of their mill machines, many sourced and restored from historic woolen mills around Europe: from Clint the Comb, Florence the Spinning Frame, and Fish the Gillbox (get it?), to Chapman the Carder and Volti the Twister.)

Tracing its roots back to Garthenor’s very first farm-market yarns, Number 2 is a worsted-spun sport weight yarn that’s smooth, bouncy, and delightfully sheepy. The lofty 2-ply structure gives the yarn balance and strength, trapping air in the twist for warmth and lightness, with just the right elasticity for colorwork, lace, and textured stitch patterns.

Spun from undyed organic wool, each Number 2 shade is influenced by the natural color, texture, and fibre characteristics of fleeces from specific British breeds. The Garthenor team says:

Our yarn always begins with fibre. Never planned backwards, always thoughtfully moving forward from the fleece. It’s a slower, more considered process—but for us, it’s the only way to craft truly exceptional yarn.

The fibre itself is breed-specific, though not always single breed. We sort and blend according to what the fleece tells us, a certain handle, a particular length, a shade that wants to shine. Shetland is a regular star here (we’re a bit biased, with a flock at home), but you’ll find plenty of character across the range.

Let’s take a look at some of the Number 2 breeds, blends, and colors, and see how they affect the finished yarn!

Shetland

Garthenor founder Sally King’s own flock (seen above) is mainly made up of this small heritage breed from the Shetland Islands, prized for their fine, soft fleeces that grow in an impressive variety of natural colors and marking patterns. The finished yarn has a soft sheen and silky drape, ideal for lace and elegant garments.

Chalk: Pure, creamy white Shetland wool, soft and fine.
Charcoal: A soft, cool-toned brown.
Driftwood: Delicate, silvery beige.
Goshawk: A striking marl of Chalk and Charcoal.
Pebble: Soft, heathery taupe, soothing and serene.
Peregrine: This silvery-beige shade gets a touch of texture from springy Hebridean wool.
Sandpiper: A deep marl of soft, deep-brown Shetland and robust black Hebridean wool.
Shaela: A traditional Shetland shade, deep, frosty grey-brown.
Smoke: A steely-grey blend of soft Shetland and robust Hebridean wool.
Wagtail: This natural black and white marl gets extra crispness from a touch of Hebridean wool.

Shetland x Cheviot:

Second-generation Garthenor co-owner and creative director Jonny King says: “While Shetlands are renowned for their silky softness, Cheviots bring strength, structure, and a rugged beauty. Together, they produce wool that’s both warm and bouncy, soft yet robust. Our Shetland × Cheviot ewes were fiercely protective mothers, loyal yet more than a little wild—able to leap a six-foot gate without blinking. While we’ve since returned to purebred Shetlands, our admiration for this remarkable cross has never faded.”

Granite: Boldly textured and robust, half Shetland × Cheviot and half Black Welsh Mountain.
Mist: Intriguing soft flecks emerge thanks to a touch of Black Welsh Mountain wool.
Oatmeal: Warm, rustic, and inviting, thanks to the gentle addition of Manx Loaghtan fleece.
Snowcap: Pure Shetland × Cheviot, a subtly cool-toned white.

Hebridean

This primitive Scottish island breed shares its diminutive size with its Shetland relatives to the north, but grows a very different fleece—dense, black, and durable (not to mention the horns!). The finished yarn is boldly textured and robust, perfect for hard-wearing projects like hats and mittens.

Cocoa: Robust black Hebridean wool warmed with soft, plush Manx Loaghtan.
Peppercorn: Pure Hebridean wool, a deep, springy black-brown.

Manx Loaghtan

Hailing from the Isle of Man, this rare primitive breed is in the same family of Northern European short-tailed sheep as Shetland and Hebridean sheep. Their soft, lustrous “mouse-brown” (lugh dhoan in Manx) fleeces spin up into plush, cozy yarns ideal for cold weather projects.

Kestrel: Plush Manx Loaghtan and sturdy black Hebridean wool blend softness and strength.
Moorit: Pure Manx Loaghtan wool, a warm, soft reddish-brown.
Pintail: A touch of Shetland wool highlights the natural luster of Manx Loaghtan in this soft chestnut blend.

Lleyn

This rare Welsh breed from the Llŷn Peninsula is descended from English Leicester Longwools crossed with native Irish breeds. Their dense, lustrous, white fleeces have a similar hand to their Bluefaced Leicester relatives, with plenty of natural bounce. The finished yarn is springy and durable with a soft sheen, perfect for long-wearing garments and accessories.

Chiffchaff: Warm, creamy beige, a soft blend of springy Lleyn and plush Manx Loaghtan.
Cuckoo: This natural brown and white marl blends springy Lleyn, soft Manx Loaghtan, and sturdy Hebridean wool.
Dunnock: Soft silver-beige, a blend of soft, springy Lleyn and plush Manx Loaghtan wool.
Nightingale: Rich, warm beige, a springy blend of plush Lleyn and soft Manx Loaghtan.
Owl: A touch of Manx Loaghtan adds creamy warmth to natural white Lleyn wool.

And that’s not all! Other British breeds you may find in Number 2 include springy, durable Black Welsh Mountain, lustrous, golden Cotswold, dense, fluffy Hampshire Down, and strong, crimpy Romney. Come in and discover them all at our Alexandria store!

Yarn Details

Sport weight
100% certified organic wool
186 yards (170 meters) per 50-gram skein
23-26 stitches = 4″ on US#3-5 (3.25 – 3.75 mm) needles or US D/3 – F/5 (3.25 – 3.75 mm) hook
Hand wash, dry flat
$17, in-store only

20 stitches & 32 rows = 4” on US#6 (4 mm) needles, in stockinette stitch after wet blocking.

See more pattern ideas for Garthenor Organic Number 2 here!

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New! Halo Beanie by Olga Buraya-Kefelian

Kel — Tue, 01 Sep 2026 19:44:00 +0000

Nothing says Fall like cozy caps popping up all over! Now you can knit one of your very own with the new Halo Beanie pattern from our favorite local designer Olga Buraya-Kefelian!

The ultimate must-have accessory for cold weather, this quick and simple ribbed-brim hat is designed for circular knitting newbies. (It’s great for gift knitting too!)

Know how to knit and purl? You can make this! Work from written or charted instructions, with options for making your hat shorter or longer to suit your personal style.

(Need help getting started? Sign up for one of our upcoming Beyond Basics: First Hat classes!)

Knit the Halo Beanie in a soft bulky weight yarn like De Rerum Natura Cyrano or Spincycle Yarns Plump, available in-store and on our capsule—perfect for keeping your head cozy all winter long.

Halo Beanie

Download the pattern here!

Sizes

Child (Adult S, L, XL); to fit head circumference 20-21 (21-22, 22-24, 24-26)”.

Yarn

One-color version:
95 (114, 124, 135) yards bulky weight yarn like De Rerum Natura Cyrano or Spincycle Yarns Plump.

Striped version:
MC & CC: 48 (57, 62, 68) yards each bulky weight yarn like De Rerum Natura Cyrano or Spincycle Yarns Plump.

Gauge & Suggested Needles

14 stitches & 18 rows = 4” on US#11 (8 mm) needles in stockinette stitch worked in the round, after wet blocking.

Share your project online with hashtag #fibrespacehalobeanie, and favorite/add to your queue on Ravelry!

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New! Space Lace Shawl by Olga Buraya-Kefelian

Kel — Fri, 28 Aug 2026 21:32:28 +0000

Want to knit lace but not sure where to start? Our favorite hometown designer Olga has just released the perfect pattern: Space Lace Shawl!

This effortlessly elegant shawlette is worked side-to-side with easy geometric lace patterning to create a visually striking and quick-knitting accessory.

Know how to knit and purl? You can make this! Work from written or charted instructions, with options for making your shawl smaller or larger to suit your personal style.

(Need help getting started? Sign up for one of our upcoming Beyond Basics: Lace Shawl classes!)

Knit the Space Lace Shawl in a single ball of worsted-weight De Rerum Natura Gilliatt, available in-store and on our capsule—the round multi-ply twist and soft, snuggly Merino wool are perfect for showing off Space Lace’s textural stitches!

Space Lace Shawl

@ fibre space

Download the pattern here!

Sizes

One size; 38½“ x 17″.

Yarn

1 ball De Rerum Natura Gilliatt (100% Merino wool; 270 yards/250 meters per 100-gram ball).

Gauge & Suggested Needles

7 stitches x 12 row lace repeat = 1½” wide x 1¾” long on US#8 (5 mm) needles, after wet blocking.

Share your project online with hashtag #spacelaceshawl, and favorite/add to your queue on Ravelry!

The post New! Space Lace Shawl by Olga Buraya-Kefelian appeared first on fibre space.

One year later: Our amazing Alex’s legacy

Danielle — Wed, 26 Aug 2026 16:05:50 +0000

Today marks one year since our friend, yarnista, amazing manager, instructor, and all-around incredible human, Alex, passed away after battling metastatic breast cancer for over a decade. Alex left us with so much, through the way she touched so many of our lives and the lasting impact she has had.

For those who had the fortune of taking her classes, her patience and kindness created a supportive space where they could learn and better their craft. But what many did not witness was her fortitude and her strength. Alex defied all predictions, all expectations of her illness. She continued to teach, showing up for her regular students every week, even while sick from intense treatments. Her trunk show modeling on socials was legendary (and no one has been able to bring themselves to take the job on, self included). She could make any hand-knit piece look runway-ready. She was so exceptionally put together every single day, even when getting dressed in the morning was a huge struggle.

Not only did Alex give her all to the community she loved and was passionate about, but she also showed up for this team and for me until the very last days. Her biggest lasting impact here has been stability. We are able to weather any storm with grace and confidence—taught to us by Alex who saw every major change as an opportunity and approached it with excitement and a plan. She helped me to let things go, trust others, and have faith in the team I’ve built and what they are capable of.

And she gifted me with Susan, her incredibly strong and resilient mother! Susan is now a big part of our string community AND also my personal family. It feels like what Alex would have wanted but never asked for, and I can’t imagine it any other way. It allows us all to share her stories, memories, and have some laughs, even while we still feel immense pain from her not being here.

Last year, you all posted so many memories of Alex on our blog, Instagram, etc., honoring her, and these stories and tributes have continued to hold her mom, Susan, and the whole fibre space team through this past year. Some of you described her light and radiance, something that I miss deeply; her aura was undeniable, and those who knew her strive to carry a little bit of that with them every day, even though our everyday lives feel a bit dimmer without her in the shop. There isn’t a day that goes by, however, that we don’t carry her with us.

We’ve kept the comments open below if you’d like to add a memory.

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Just Landed: Seeknit Knitting Needles

Kel — Tue, 11 Aug 2026 16:18:25 +0000

Way back before opening fibre space, shop owner Danielle taught knitting classes around the DMV area—and sold her favorite bamboo knitting needle brand out of the back of her car. (Kel still has her set!) Now you can get Danielle’s favorite needles right in our Alexandria shop: welcome to Seeknit!

Eco-friendly and sustainable, bamboo needles are appreciated by knitters all over the world for their lightness, flexibility, and natural grip, ideal for beginner knitters and for working with slippery yarns like cotton, linen, or silk.

©Seeknit

Crafting their needles in Japan from carefully selected mōsō bamboo, an especially hard and resilient variety with excellent luster, Seeknit’s team of skilled artisans meticulously finish each piece to create long lasting, high-quality fibre tools. After going through a unique high temperature and pressure treatment, each needle is carefully polished with natural plant wax for extra durability. The time required from bamboo harvesting to final product can vary, with some items taking over six months to complete.

https://fibrespace.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/37971fd5f1274c57b021ff4f3937ef04.HD-1080p-7.2Mbps-38672093.mp4

Seeknit’s Curve interchangeable needles have a seamless stainless steel swivel join, with a gentle curve that allows your yarn to slide easily from needle to cord for fast, effortless stitching. The “Koshitsu” wax finish is sleek and smooth, so your yarn doesn’t stick to it, nor slide off by accident.

Discover our Seeknit Curve interchangeable sets exclusively at our Alexandria shop:

2.4″ Mini First Set: 2.4″ tips, 8 sizes US#2-8, with 2 sets 4.7”, 7” & 11” cords, stoppers & cord joints, mini canvas case
4″ Mini First Set: 4″ tips, 8 sizes US#2-8, with 2 sets 8″, 16″ & 24″ cords, stoppers & cord joints, mini canvas case
4″ Mini Grand Set: 4″ tips, 8 sizes US#4-15, with 8″, 16″, 24″ & 32″ cords, stoppers & cord joints, mini canvas case
5″ First Set: 5″ tips, 8 sizes US#2-8, with 2 sets 14”, 22” & 30” cords, stoppers & cord joints, canvas case
5″ Grand Set: 5″ tips, 8 sizes US#4-15, with 14″, 22″, 30″ & 37.5″ cords, stoppers & cord joints, canvas case

Tip: The 2.4″ needle tips are perfect for socks, toys, and other small-diameter projects, the 4″ tips are ideal for small projects like accessories and hats, while the 5″ tips work beautifully for garments and shawls.

More interchangeable sets and individual fixed circular needles arriving soon!

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Just Landed: Malabrigo Sock

Kel — Mon, 10 Aug 2026 18:08:15 +0000

Joining stunning kettle-dyed (and machine washable!) siblings Arroyo , Rios, and Torzal, give a warm fibre space welcome to Malabrigo Sock from Uruguay’s Malabrigo Yarn!

This smoothly plied, light-fingering-weight yarn is spun from Malabrigo’s luxuriously soft Uruguayan Merino wool and treated to be machine washable for easy care. Don’t be fooled by the name—while it’s certainly a treat for the feet, this delightful yarn is also a favorite for lightweight garments, shawls, and scarves, in a gorgeous range of semi-solid and multi-colored shades. Malabrigo Sock’s next-to-skin-soft, machine-washable wool means it’s easy to take care of and to wear, making it a great choice for colorful children’s and baby items!

Yarn Details

Light fingering weight
100% Uruguyan Merino wool
440 yards (402 meters) per 100-gram skein
US #1-3 (2.25-3.25mm) needles or C/2-E/4 (2.75-3.5mm) crochet hook
32 stitches = 4”
Machine or hand wash, dry flat
$22.25, available in-store only

Tip: When working with kettle-dyed yarns, be sure to purchase enough yarn at one time to complete your project, since dye lots may vary from bag to bag and skeins may vary even within the same bag of yarn. To ensure even color distribution, work from two balls of yarn at once, alternating rows or rounds.

Pattern Picks

Sockhead Slouch Hat

THE classic beginner-friendly beanie pattern! Grab a skein of Malabrigo Sock in your favorite color and stitch one up for everyone in your family from babies to adults. Complete the set with the matching cowl and fingerless mitts!

Sizes

Baby, child, teen, adult S, M, L, XL; to fit head circumference 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23″.

Yarn

All sizes: 1 skein Malabrigo Sock (100% Uruguyan Merino wool; 440 yards/402 meters per 100-gram skein).
Tip: 1 skein will make 2 baby or child hats.

Gauge & Suggested Needles

32 stitches & 46 rows = 4” on US#2.5 (3.5mm) needles in stockinette stitch worked in the round, after wet blocking.

Feya Vest

Don’t fuss with trying to fit wiggly baby arms into sleeves, just knit them a cute vest instead! (There’s an adorable matching bonnet too!)

Sizes

0-3 mo, 3-6 mo, 6-12 mo, 12-24 mo, 2-3 yr, 3-4 yr; finished circumference 17.5, 18.75, 21, 22, 23, 25.5″.

Yarn

All sizes: 1 skein Malabrigo Sock (100% Uruguyan Merino wool; 440 yards/402 meters per 100-gram skein).

Gauge & Suggested Needles

27 stitches & 37 rows = 4” on US#4 (3.5 mm) needles in stockinette stitch worked in the round, after wet blocking.

I’m So Basic Socks

A good sock pattern is built on structural genius! Simple stockinette stitch lets multicolored yarns like Malabrigo Sock show off while you relax and enjoy the knitting. Video tutorials and photo instructions make this a great first sock pattern.

Sizes

S, M, L, XL; finished circumference 7, 8, 9, 10″.

Yarn

All sizes: 1 skein Malabrigo Sock (100% Uruguyan Merino wool; 440 yards/402 meters per 100-gram skein).
Optional: Approx. 50 yards light fingering weight yarn for contrast cuffs, heels & toes.

Tip: When stitching socks in a yarn that’s 100% wool, we recommend reinforcing toes and heels with a nylon or other synthetic thread. We carry Jawoll Reinforcement Bobbins in store ($1.75, various colors).

Gauge & Suggested Needles

40 stitches & 28 rows = 4” on US#1 (2.25 mm) needles in stockinette stitch worked in the round, after wet blocking.

Marram

This eye-catching tuck stitch vest can be worn front-to-back as well as inside out for four different looks! The accompanying video tutorial helps you get the perfect finish on the folded twisted-rib neckband and armholes.

Sizes

1 (2, 3, 4) {5, 6, 7, 8}; finished circumference 34.75 (39.5, 44.25, 46.5) {52.75, 57.5, 60, 63.75}”, suggested positive ease 4-5″.

Yarn

MC: 2 (2, 2, 2) {2, 2, 2, 3} skeins Malabrigo Sock (100% Uruguyan Merino wool; 440 yards/402 meters per 100-gram skein).
CC: 1 (1, 1, 1) {1, 1, 1, 2} skeins Malabrigo Sock (100% Uruguyan Merino wool; 440 yards/402 meters per 100-gram skein).

Gauge & Suggested Needles

20 stitches & 40 rows = 4” on US#3 (3.25 mm) needles in tuck stitch pattern worked in the round, after wet blocking.

Felixstowe Cowl

Gauge & Suggested Hook

Gauge is not crucial for this project, G-6 (4 mm) hook recommended.

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New Helpdesk Hours!

Heather — Fri, 07 Aug 2026 20:52:32 +0000

We’ve updated our Help Desk hours as we head into our busiest season! An integral part of our education program, as well as a service to our local fibre community, our Help Desk has been an important part of the shop since we opened in 2009.

At the Help Desk, we provide 10-15 minutes of free assistance to get you back on track with a project, pick up a dropped stitch, figure out a chart, or fix something else that has gone wrong. (Please be patient when visiting the Help Desk, as our yarnistas are also assisting other customers.)

If you require more time or dedicated assistance with your project, our Independent Study classes offer in-depth help from our experienced knit & crochet instructors (for just $30 per two-hour class period).

Our Help Desk is now open:

Monday-Wednesday: 11 am – 5:30 pm
Thursday: 11 am – 7 pm
Friday-Saturday 11 am – 5:30 pm
Sunday, 12:30-5:30 pm

The post New Helpdesk Hours! appeared first on fibre space.

Celebrating the Life and Legacy of Elizabeth Zimmermann

Kerry — Fri, 07 Aug 2026 16:00:46 +0000

When visiting space, you might have noticed a little placard we keep at the front desk:

“Knit on with confidence and hope through all crises.”

It’s a phrase we all have held dear in the last several years—there’s been a lot going on in the world, and sometimes all we can do is knit on with hope. It’s a reminder to all of us that when faced with all the terrible things in the world, dropped stitches included, that we should continue with confidence. We don’t always think about the woman who gave us those words. She gave us so much that we take for granted in knitting today. Did you know that “i-cord,” the beautiful clean edge to so many shawls and cowls stands for “idiot-cord”? This technique was popularized and celebrated by one woman. Ever knit or wear an infinity scarf or Moebius cowl? That’s also a signature style spotlighted by our star of the month and the mother of modern knitting.

August 9 will mark the 116th birthday of Elizabeth Zimmermann, one of the first true knitting celebrities. Born in London in 1910, Elizabeth grew up in England and attended design schools in Germany and Switzerland before moving to the United States, where she settled in Wisconsin with her husband. A lifelong knitter, Elizabeth was a true multi-cultural stitcher, skilled in both English and continental knitting.

Elizabeth Zimmerman. Photo from Schoolhouse Press, the publishing house she founded and now run by her daughter, Meg Swansen

From the 1950s on, Elizabeth Zimmermann set the standards that guide our craft today. There is no way to overstate her accomplishments or influence. Every time we pick up our needles, scroll through social media, or gather together as crafters, we are in a world she helped to shape. The home she made in Wisconsin became the headquarters of Schoolhouse Press, publisher of knitting books and guides, as well as one of the first suppliers of circular needles. On this property, Elizabeth also hosted an annual summer Knitter’s Camp—the first of its kind. If that wasn’t enough, she also hosted her very own PBS series, Knitting Workshop. All of these programs, along with her newsletters and patterns, helped shape a legacy of excellence.

If there is only one book you could ever read on the subject of knitting, you would find us recommending Knitting Without Tears, first published in 1971 and as fresh today as it was then. This is one of the great guides, focusing on seamless garments, and it features Elizabeth’s distinctive, conversational writing style. We might then guide you to Knitter’s Almanac, a follow-up guide to a year of knitting projects, before convincing you that while you asked for one book, there were actually three you needed. That would bring us to The Opinionated Knitter, a collection of Elizabeth’s newsletters and patterns. Published posthumously, this collection of her wit and wisdom also features one of her signature patterns, the Baby Surprise Jacket.

This garter sweater is an engineering delight, with only two seams to make the jacket come together—a deceptively simple project with a huge payoff.

Elizabeth also delivered the first Aran Sweater featured in an American magazine in 1957.

Elizabeth advocated for seamless sweaters and circular needles (then relatively new!) and developed a sizing method called the Elizabeth Percentage System (EPS) to help knitters adjust patterns to their own needs.

As a trailblazer in the field, Elizabeth offers one of the greatest lessons we can learn: knit confidently. She encouraged knitters to work without patterns, think for themselves, and make design choices that worked for them. This is a craft, and we should see ourselves as part of a great tradition of craft, not just copyists. Embrace your own creativity: play with patterns, colors, and yarns. Her lessons were not about getting locked into tradition or just one way to do anything. She wanted us to learn the skills and mechanics of knitting so we can knit confidently. A crisis is easier when you fully embrace the experience of learning, all the successes and failures that we encounter, and still hold on to home

Each time I welcome a new group of students into an Introduction to Knitting class, I like to ask what has inspired them to come to the craft. Lately, I have been hearing a desire for help in building a little peace in our lives—there’s too much chaos and too much stress, and a need for something to keep us going. Whether providing a creative space of our own, something to share in our community spaces, or a retreat for a little quiet, craft has always been a practice where we can stretch our creative muscles, develop our skills, and maybe even snag a bit of emotional regulation along the way.

In space, we’ve been thinking a lot about crafting as a way to slow down and connect. Stay tuned for upcoming events and stitch-a-longs inspired by Elizabeth Zimmermann and the wisdom she gifted us.

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