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Nancy Bush

Nancy Bush found her way to traditional knitting techniques and uses of ethnic patterns via a degree in Art History and post-graduate studies in color design and weaving in San Francisco and Sweden. She has published articles and designs in Knitter’s, Interweave Knits, Vogue Knitting, and Threads. She has been the knitting contributor to PieceWork Magazine and is currently a member of the editorial advisory panel. She teaches workshops in the United States and abroad. She owns The Wooly West, a mail order yarn business in Salt Lake City, Utah. She is the author of Folk Socks (1994), Folk Knitting in Estonia  (1999), Knitting on the Road, Socks for the Traveling Knitter (2001), Knitting Vintage Socks (2005) and Knitted Lace of Estonia: Techniques, Patterns, and Traditions  (2008), all published by Interweave Press.

This workshop will cover three interesting cast ons for knitting socks from the top down. Each one has a link to traditional knitting from Northern Europe, is elastic enough for the top of a sock, and is also very decorative.

Learn about Estonian knitting traditions through their socks. Students will begin a sock, learning some interesting Estonian techniques: a special cast on; unique cuff treatment; and knitted braids. A variety of Estonian sock styles will be discussed.

This workshop will begin with a discussion of the patterns that were written for sock and stocking knitting in the 19th century, drawing extensively from the Weldon’s Practical Needlework journals. We will look at styles that were popular and how they translate into modern times. We will also discuss the patterns, how they were written, and how best to translate them into 21st century knitting language. Students will make a sampler in this class, using techniques adapted from Nancy’s book, Knitting Vintage Socks (Interweave Press. 2005), including a very interesting heel and toe shaping not commonly used today.