• Home
  • Suggest A DIY
  • DIY Newsletter

Knitting

Patterns, projects and techniques


CraftGossip.com may earn a commission when you buy through links on our site.
  • About CraftGossip
  • Our Network
    • Bath & Body Crafts
    • Candle Making Ideas
    • Crochet Ideas
    • Cross Stitch
    • Edible Crafts
    • Felting Patterns
    • Glass Art
    • Home & Garden Ideas
    • Indie Crafts
    • Jewelry Making
    • Kids Crafts
    • Knitting Patterns
    • Lesson Plans
    • Needlework
    • Party Ideas
    • Polymer Clay
    • Quilting Ideas
    • Recycled Crafts
    • Scrapbooking
    • Sewing Patterns
    • Stamping
    • DIY Weddings
    • Not Craft Ideas
  • Giveaways
  • Roundups
  • Christmas
  • Search
  • Our Store

Remembering Annie Modesitt

October 3, by Sarah White. 2 Comments

The losses just keep piling up this year, and it was announced that knitwear designer, teacher, yarn maker and proponent of going your own way with knitting, Annie Modesitt, died October 1.

She had been battling cancer for years, and she last posted on her blog late in August that she as undergoing a last-ditch chemotherapy treatment. Since that time she had entered hospice care.

Annie was a self-taught knitter who used what’s known as the combination style of knitting, which allowed her to knit very quickly and with even tension. She says in her book Confessions of a Knitting Heretic that her first project was a colorwork sweater from Vogue Knitting designed by Deborah Newton that involved 37 colors of yarn (despite the yarn store owner’s insistence that she start with something simpler). She finished it in less than a week.

Her mantra can be summed up by other words from that book: “If you are getting the fabric you want from your knitting, then you are knitting the Right Way for you!”

This is why she called herself a heretic, because at the time most teachers insisted on what’s known as the Western method of knitting and the word “wrong” was thrown around quite a bit. She felt the most important thing was to empower new knitters to find their own way of doing things and to understand how knitting works so that their interest could be ignited into a passion.

As a designer she gravitated to feminine, colorful and technical designs. She called on her millinery experience to knit amazing hats that might have been seen at a tea party at Downton Abbey.

She trusted knitters to use their intellect to be able to knit patterns, rather than suggesting that some patterns are better for beginners. (See that 37-color sweater for instance.)

She was the author of seven knitting books and contributed to many books and magazines through the years. Her flip books showing knitting techniques are delightful, and all her designs encourage knitters to try new things and be a little fearless.

She also launched ModeKnit Yarn, an independent yarn company producing vibrant colors that look great together.

She will be missed.

[Photo: ModeKnit Yarn staff selfie, via the ModeKnit Yarn website.]

Next Pattern:

  • Remembering Cat Bordhi
  • Remembering Pearl Chin
  • Remembering Eisaku Noro
«
»

Comments

  1. peggy says

    October 4, 2020 at 5:05 pm

    i met her many years ago when our LYS had her teach a couple classes. i found her to be a delight and hilarious. she will be missed in the community of true knitters. she had a pov but it didnt interfere with her knitting.

  2. Vicki T. says

    October 7, 2020 at 3:26 pm

    My heart breaks hearing this. My schedule never allowed me to meet Annie or to participate in one of her classes. She will be missed. Condolences to her family.

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Have you read?

Knitting Pattern – Waffle Stitch Hoodie Sweater

Knit Ariana Grande’s Giant Sweater

Free Knitting Pattern – Mod Triangle Knit Blanket Pattern

Learn to Knit: Cable Cast On

Heart Hats to Knit for Valentine’s Day

Explore

Beginner Book Reviews Craft News and Events Free Kntting Patterns Hats Knitting Articles Of Interest Knitting Patterns Knitting Technique & Ideas Quick scarf shawl patterns Sweaters

Support Us




RSS From The Network

  • Gingermelon’s Embroidered Animals: Heirloom animal dolls to sew, embellish and treasure
  • Valentine’s Day Activities and Decor for the Classroom
  • Knit Ariana Grande’s Giant Sweater
  • Free Knitting Pattern – Mod Triangle Knit Blanket Pattern
  • Free Crochet Pattern – Shawl Collar Baby Cardigan
  • Valentine’s Day Bookmarks to Cross Stitch
  • Learn to Knit: Cable Cast On
  • Fun ways to recycled sewing tape measures
  • Valentine’s Day Fabric Envelope Sewing Tutorial
  • 32 Argyle Quilt Patterns

Trending popular ideas

What to Do with Single Skeins of Sock Yarn
How to Knit: The Knit Cast On
A Gorgeous Cowl for Using up Odd Balls
Seed Stitch Knitting Patterns
The Basics of Knitting a Baby Blanket
An Easy Way to Knit a Bandana Cowl
Wrap Cardigan Knitting Pattern
Knit a Quick Hat that's Full of Love
Baby Bear Bonnet
Beautiful Baby Blankets to Knit

Pick Your Blog

  • Sewing
  • Knitting
  • Quilting
  • Crochet
  • Home & Garden
  • Recycled Crafts
  • Scrapbooking
  • Stamping
  • Polymer Clay
  • Cross-Stitch
  • Edible Crafts
  • Felting
  • Glass Art
  • Indie Crafts
  • Kids Crafts
  • Jewelry Making
  • Lesson Plans
  • Needlework
  • Bath & Body
  • Party Ideas
  • Candle Making
  • DIY Weddings
  • Not Craft
  • Free Craft Projects

Copyright © 2023 · CraftGossip | Start Here | Contact Us | Link to Us | Your Editors | Privacy and affiliate policy