A POPULAR knitting workshop held in Exbourne in the spring is being followed up with four more this autumn. Tricia Holman, who is the niece of Elizabeth Zimmermann, one of the most innovative knitters of her generation, is returning to the village hall this Saturday for the first in a series of workshops based around her aunt?s methods. The day workshops are for knitters of all abilities. The Elizabeth Zimmermann method uses circular needles, a minimum of purl and very few seams. Mrs Zimmermann lived in America where her careered blossomed with a TV series, several books and an annual summer school for knitters. From the late 1950s, copies of her twice-yearly newsletters, written for her American customers, arrived regularly at the Lewdown home of her niece Tricia Holman where they were eagerly read and new techniques tried out. Mrs Holman decided to run her first workshop in Exbourne because people were so interested in the garments she made. She has also seen a resurgence in the popularity of knitting. ?No longer do we knit out of necessity because sweaters are cheaper to buy ready-made nowadays, but knitting itself is therapeutic and the end product is a designer garment, a one-off work of art that is the envy of all your friends,? she said. For details about the workshops contact Louise Webb on 01837 851374.
