Elizabeth Zimmermann

Elizabeth Zimmermann
Elizabeth Zimmermann (photo by Walter Sheffer)
Born
Elizabeth Lloyd-Jones

(1910-08-09)9 August 1910
England
Died30 November 1999(1999-11-30) (aged 89)
Marshfield, Wisconsin
Known forKnitting, designing, writing, teaching
ChildrenMeg Swansen

Elizabeth Zimmermann (9 August 1910 – 30 November 1999) was a British-born hand knitting teacher and designer. She revolutionized the modern practice of knitting through her books and instructional series on American public television.[1]

Though knitting back and forth on rigid straight needles was the norm, she advocated knitting in the round using flexible circular needles to produce seamless garments and to make it easier to knit intricate patterns. She also advocated the Continental knitting method, claiming that it is the most efficient and quickest way to knit. During World War II, German or continental knitting fell out of favor in the UK and US due to its association with Germany. Many English-language books on knitting are in the English or American style. Elizabeth Zimmermann helped to re-introduce continental style knitting to the United States.

  1. ^ Martin, Douglas (12 December 1999). "E. Zimmermann Is Dead at 89; Revolutionized Art of Knitting". New York Times. Retrieved 17 October 2011.