I was the last of my sisters to become a knitter. At the age of six or seven we were all taught to knit (Garter Stitch, potholder after potholder, on summer vacations with Grandma and Sophie). When we were teenagars, a wonderful little yarn shop opened near Grandma’s cabin in Northern Minnesota. Unfortunately, I missed the first few excursions there. So from the outside of this cozy knitting circle, I watched as colorful balls of yarn were transformed first into scarves, and then very soon, sweaters of all kinds. My sisters were clearly born to knit. I remember leaning over Rachel’s shoulder intrigued by what looked like a new, backwards moving stitch she was deftly executing. “What are you doing?” I asked her. “I’m unknitting” she scoffed, reveling in her superior mastery. But ultimately they let me in (this mysterious craft is best enjoyed when shared with others).

Sophie’s Yarns, established in 1995, is a design and teaching oriented knitting shop, dedicated to providing natural fiber yarns and high quality tools to knitters of all skill levels. Our blog Dragonflyknitter (established 2007), is created in the same spirit of sharing as our shop. Please send us photos of your finished work, information and links of interest to knitters, and any free patterns you would like to share. Occasional recipes, book and movie suggestions are also welcome.