Numerous people aided and abetted me in the conception and completion of this project, and they deserve my heartfelt thanks.
First and foremost are the knitters who gave generously of their time and expertise to create the samples that illustrate this book. You brought to this project unflagging enthusiasm, helpful suggestions, a willingness to confront unfamiliar techniques, and the ability to combat frustration with humor, for which I am eternally grateful: Debbie Brame, Carol Haskell, Nancy Lutz, Leanne Mitchell, Lawre O’Leary, Pat Polentz, Cecilia W. Riegert, Jeanne Rippere, Phil Sponenberg, Christy Straight, Joanne Strauch, Cheryl Sweeney, Linda Tegarden, Tracy Watson, Darcy Whitlock, Corrie B. Whitmore, Catherine WingfieldYeatts, and one who shall remain anonymous.
Thank you also to all my colleagues who took the time to answer my questions about specific knitting problems and techniques, especially Joan Schrouder and Leigh Witchel.
The colorful, lustrous mohair and wool yarn used throughout the book was generously provided by Kid Hollow Farm in Free Union, Virginia, owned by Pat and Steve Harder (www.kidhollow.com). The yarn is a blend of their own kid mohair with fine wool, spun to their specifications and dyed by hand at the farm. I am very grateful to Pat and Steve for their support and enthusiasm, and especially to Pat for responding repeatedly to my desperate calls for more yarn, some of it custom-dyed.
In addition, the following businesses generously supplied additional yarn, equipment, and other supplies used in the creation of this book: Adriafil SRL (www.adriafil.com), Black Water Abbey Yarns (www.abbeyyarns.com), Briggs & Little Woollen Mills Ltd (www.briggsandlittle.com), Brown Sheep Company, Inc. (www.brownsheep.com), Cascade Yarns (www.cascadeyarns.com), Cherry Tree Hill Yarn (www.cherryyarn.com), Coughlin’s Homespun Yarns (717-896-9066), Ellen’s ½ Pint Farm LLC (www.ellenshalfpintfarm.com), Honeypot Yarns, Kathleen Hughes Hand Dyed Originals (801-277-5318), Lawre’s Laine, Lorna’s Laces (www.lornaslaces.net), Mountain Colors (www.mountaincolors.com), Plymouth Yarn Company Inc. (www.plymouthyarn.com), Strauch Fiber Equipment Company (www.strauchfiber.com), Tess Designer Yarns (www.tessyarns.com), Yarns International.
I offer my sincere appreciation to the authors and teachers whose work has expanded my knitting knowledge and specifically informed this book: Gladys Thompson, Deborah Newton, and Barbara Walker for bobbles; Sherry and Keely Stuever and Lucy Neatby for intarsia; Alice Starmore for wrapped steeks; Rick Mondragon for crocheted steeks; Joan Schrouder for knitted bindings; Merike Saarniit for Estonian pattern stitches; and, of course, Barbara Walker for mosaic knitting and more pattern stitches than could possibly be included.
Many thanks also go to my editor, Gwen Steege, who immediately saw the potential for this book when I suggested it and nurtured it through writing, editing, and production with understanding and excited anticipation, and my project editor, Erin Holman, whose knitting knowledge complemented, and whose editorial expertise far exceeds, my own. Thanks, too, to the team of designers, photographers, artists, and models who contributed to its success.
I am very grateful to my agent and fellow knitter, Linda Roghaar, whose knowledge of knitting and of publishing has helped me to accomplish current goals and to catch a glimpse of the future.
Last, but certainly not least, I thank my family — David, Anna, and Allegra — who listened, sympathized, and encouraged, over and over again.