Member Interview

A Fiber Guild of the Blue Ridge member was featured in The Knitting Guild Association (TKGA)’s March 2022 newsletter, K2TOG. This is an abridged version of the newsletter article.

Laura Lindsay: TKGA and FGBR member

Name: Laura Lindsay
Ravelry Name:
lindsayla18
Laura became a Certified Master Hand Knitter in December, 2021.

How long have you been knitting? Where/How did you learn to knit?
About ten years ago my daughter came home for the holidays, knitting needles in hand, and spent most of her time making a hat. I was intrigued. I found out the owner of my local yarn shop offered one-on-one lessons, and I was off and running.

What types of projects do you like to work on?
I like to have a couple of projects on the needles so I don’t get bored. One project is usually a pair of socks because I can take them with me anywhere I go. I love knitting sweaters, too. And I’ve always enjoyed learning new techniques and stitch patterns.

I sometimes joke that I’m a “selfish knitter” because I make a lot of things for myself, and while I was working on the Master Handknitting Program I didn’t have time for much else. So once I finished that, I decided to devote some of my knitting time to charity projects. I’ve knit hats for a local organization that supports homeless young adults, and squares to be sewn into afghans for Native American Lakota Sioux residents of South Dakota’s Pine Ridge Reservation.

How long did it take you to work through the Master Hand Knitting program?
It took me 3 years, 11 months, and 7 days, but who’s counting? 😀 I started on December 31, 2017, and became a certified Master Hand Knitter on December 7, 2021. At first, I wasn’t sure if I would complete the program, but once I passed Level 1, I was all in. Every time I submitted my work I thought, “I’ll take a break when I pass this level,” but when that day actually came, it motivated me to dive into the next level right away. When I started Level 3, I realized the two-year deadline would coincide with a “milestone birthday.” I was thrilled to become a certified Master Hand Knitter a couple of months before that milestone.

What did you learn from the program? Do you have any goals now that you’re certified?
Before the Masters Program, when something went wrong with my knitting, I had no idea how to fix it, so I’d usually keep going and hope it would all work out, or at least not be obvious to anyone but me. Now, I’m better at solving problems, and I’m willing to unravel my work and re-do it so it will look right. I’ve learned that swatching is your friend, whether it be for gauge or to try out a technique before using it in a project.

Laura’s Level 3 Hat

From the beginning, I was in it solely to develop my proficiency. I wanted to deepen my knowledge of theory and technique and be able to diagnose and correct problems. I was open to the opportunities that certification might bring, but along the way I realized I wanted knitting to remain a hobby and not a profession. However, I really enjoy mentoring other knitters, which I hope to do through my local guild.

What else would you like to share about yourself?
My husband and I are both retired, with two grown daughters. We enjoy gardening and wildlife, and spend a fair amount of our time on projects in and around our 1791 stone farmhouse.

When we moved from Philadelphia to Northern Virginia in 2021, I left behind a lovely social knitting group, and I really miss those friends. But as luck would have it, I found the Fiber Guild of the Blue Ridge. It’s really inspiring to be in the company of so many talented crafters, so much so that I bought a rigid heddle loom and learned to weave while my Level 3 Master Hand Knitting work was being reviewed. I’m having a lot of fun both expanding my fiber arts repertoire and making new friends.

Laura’s Level 3 Sweater