A History of Knitting, with Elaine Mary Fortin, Wednesday June 3rd, 2pm -4pm, The TAUNY Center,

The TAUNY Center 53 Main Street Canton, NY

A suggested donation of $10 which can be done here or at the day of the event

This talk is an entertaining look at how knitting began in the 11th century and has evolved since then.  Samples of knitting techniques from all corners of the world will be displayed, along with many stories of the social purposes that knitting served.  

Among the many fascinating facts: Learn of Charles Dickens’ Madame LaFarge who knitted the names of guillotine victims into her scarves; the knitted encrypted code sent to soldiers over enemy lines in WWII.  Get the opportunity to touch historical garments used by various cultures, knitted cloth used as currency in Iceland, and hats used as political statements around the world.

Elaine Fortin holds two Master’s degrees - in knitting from the Knitting Guild Association, and in Information Technology from Harvard.  SInce the age of 5, she has been active in fiber arts.  In 2023, she and her husband moved to Potsdam from a fiber farm in Vermont, where in retirement, she raised fine wool sheep, cashmere goats and French Angora rabbits. Her home overflows with fiber which she processes from raw fleece into spun and dyed yarn.  She has taught knitting and wool handling to community groups in Vermont and was heavily involved with the Vermont Sheep and Goat Association.

Elaine will also be teaching knitting s Fall at the TAUNY Center.