An interview with Kaffe Fassett

Kaffe Fassett moved to England in 1964. The Beatles were hitting the headlines, England had entered the European Championships for the first time and Kaffe was edging his way into textile design. With the world as his oyster Kaffe's career took off. He spoke about his experiences and why he believes knitting is becoming so popular.
Music: Hawks and Other Birds: / 91270053506

[@Uunimahavatara]

I've been in love with Kaffe's magnificent colors & patterns since late 70s or early 80s. I had his first knitting book. Think it was called GLORIOUS KNITS. I just went mad with adoration. Then the quilts began. I've always had an obsession for fine patterning & color. I'm so thrilled this beautiful elegant gifted lover of beauty is still sharing. I just love him. A treasure beyond measure.

[@Amy4000]

After watching this great interview, knowing how to knit makes me feel like a million bucks.

[@scrapbagstudios]

pattern and colour and texture are my passions. I have explored these in knitting, sewing, fabric surface design, embroidery....... and more recently in mixed media work. Can't get enough of it.

[@scrapbagstudios]

I did a patchwork design workshop with Kaffe in the late 90's/early 2000s (not sure when now) and I love the quilt that I made out of that.

[@virgorising7388]

I love this gentleman. I always wondered how much we owe the Beatles for the Kaffe we see today? In 1964 everyone wanted to go to England. I love that he can articulate what makes him tick. I love the crock with all his needles in it.

[@karenowen7854]

Kaffe's artistry is balm for my eyes ! I'd like to see Kaffe's color quest.

[@jocharbonneau2797]

I also just love England. I must have lived there during the Victorian ear in a former life. I’m deep into the needlework crafts of that era... knitting, tatting, etc. Love this man’s creativity!

[@shannafleenor3769]

Oh my i wish he had a show here in the United States with his knitting, quilting, and his other creative crafts. Please Please Please

[@cindywagner4623]

How wonderful to knit with no pattern, just imagination.

[@michellefuqua9582]

To me knitting is a beautiful art and to top it off you can knit things are useful. Whoever thought that with two sticks and a ball of string you can create such beautiful and complex designs! Wow!

[@raggmopp857]

And it has gone on. The festivals got bigger after 2012, now they are waning a bit. Yet, there are more small knitting retreats than there were before. I do see more people getting into home sewing, which seems a natural transition. What I think is, knitting has been around for thousands of years, it's not going to end. It will just evolve. There will be waxing and waning in popularity, but it's not going to disappear. Thank you Kaffe Fassett. You were the first knitwear designer that got me excited about knitting.

[@janlewis567]

Love this man's energy and passion for what he does (& life itself). I could listen to that voice all day :)

[@ooohlaa13]

Kaffe and Brandon are such dolls, talented lovely people that have inspired and helped me a lot, to see my knitting as such a blessing, privilege and celebration. I love to knit, I don't care if its one color or lots of colors, it all pleases me. And I love these men for showing me how to hone my skills and am grateful for how they both point out how lucky we are to be able to participate in this wonderful craft. Thank you so much. I do have one problem and that is working with stockinette, my scarfs roll up and curl, they do not stay flat to be able to enjoy the artwork. What am I doing wrong?

[@judithjanes5738]

I just watched an introductory video on intarsia knitting, and the woman said to knit the first row, then when you get to the end and turn your work to purl the next row, KNIT THE FIRST STITCH as it will keep the swatch from curling up, and finish off the row of purling with a knit stitch as the last stitch in the row. Hope this works for you.

[@christinacrimari3543]

Love Kaffe! I could never get my head round knitting (no patience, and I was always a "crochet" person), but I have always found him so wonderful to listen to and enthusiastic about what he does...I could listen to him talk all day about art and colour!

[@ailatanotos]

I recently discovered this wonderful artist! thank you so much!

[@susieannei5641]

Color MASTER!!! Very interesting video...thank you!!!

[@daydreamdesigns989]

Love his view of knitting and how comforting it is!

[@sontamay1]

Always loved his work, wonderful colors and textures. Now, watching him makes me like him all the more. We think similarly on knitting, antiques, and arts. Very talented man seems very personable.

[@filmgirlpipes]

I absolutely loved watching this fabulous documentary and this eloquent and fascinating man! Thank-you for sharing.

[@patriciacrowther3771]

Thank you Kaffe. Very informative, very interesting. Well done.

[@jennief2108]

Thank you so much I worked with Kaffe in the UK

[@karinberryman2009]

The most spectacular piece of knitting that grabbed me 40 yrs ago, was of a part time medical orderly who used every spare minute to create sweaters for clients. A couple of years later he qualified as a doctor. Heaps of knitters are incredibly intelligent. It’s only from tradition that women could fit it into their never ending home duties, males were occupied in long time blocks. Knitting is creative and requires a creative brain. Males don’t seem to discover their creative sides unless they got into them very young and continued. The feminine requirement involved in knitting is patience. Patience is a virtue, possess it if you can. Seldom in a woman, never in a man.

[@zsuzsannaorthodoxouknitwear]

This was a GREAT interview, thank you 😊

[@MAKErecycled1]

Beautiful hands ☺️

[@sheilamesick6082]

PBS needs to bring your television programs recorded by the BBC to the States.

[@NinjaSimpleton]

Sheila Mesick this was something that I did for my uni degree so it hasn't been broadcasted anywhere. Wish it was aired on the BBC though... that would have been amazing!

[@georginabird9354]

This man was my hero, I had all of his books and loved it so thank you for sharing this interview with us , then day of sadness I got robbed , what did they take , all of his books , so I just hope who ever took them , enjoyed them as much as me xx best wishes

[@sheilamcintyre5936]

are the bbc mad...... you would get a huge audience to see this amazing guy...... look at the sewing bee....

[@curlynoodle2929]

The BBC are clearly out of touch with what is going on with knitting and the huge uptake of yarn related crafts at the moment. I'd watch him for hours and hours Shelia xx

[@ruthmaxwell60]

Curly Noodle I totally agree, he’s one of the best, if not THE best. 💖🐢

[@JennieFatnavarrow]

Thank you * adore kaffe *

[@cindywagner4623]

Up cycling is wonderful. Awesome his family upcycled sweaters for yarn. Same for me, I cannot will not do one color anything. It would be so boring and would NEVER get done. Perfect is not a word describing a human. The point is to continue and never stop learning. I knit so many Cowichan sweater coats until the yarn became unavailable. Black, grey, beige. But I loved the yarn.

[@Veronicamarie1000]

I think it is wonderful that men knit. I am going to try and find his TV work and watch that.

[@lemonsquishy8400]

+Veronica Marie He has TV work? I would love to see that too! Why doesn't PBS have him? They always have the same old stale programming for the arts.

[@Veronicamarie1000]

In the interview he spoke of having made TV programs about color and knitting. I would watch it in a New York minute.

[@judithjanes5738]

Call your local station up and request it! They love to use BBC material, anyway. If enough of us do this, they just might put it on the air!

[@susanbeckham9586]

What an artist!

[@lauraleecreations3217]

Awesome guy!

[@hategreed1]

I'd love to see an interview of this quality with Louisa Harding...who knows how to design enduring garments FOR women, that don't go out of fashion. No knock on Kaffe the artist, he is truly a great, fine artist. Louisa Harding's knitting designs for women are the quintessential knitwear designs for women.

[@NinjaSimpleton]

hategreed1 I would love to do an interview with her... sounds fascinating! Will see if I can get in touch.

[@fredricful]

Dæsken va mange fine farver du har kult.

[@nousdeuxetdeux]

Merci

[@jeangreenfield5993]

BBC should do a new series with him or show his other series. We have craft based shows now on BBC TV 📺 Come on BBC !!

[@rawforyou5514]

does anyone know where i can find this documentary Kaffe talks about, about knitting with this wonderful lady?

[@NinjaSimpleton]

RawForYou Hi I made this for my university journalism degree... filmed, interviewed and edited down. It hasn't been published anywhere other than KZbin at the moment.

[@andrearossiello9969]

Where can you find this series on knitting? Is it on DVDs that you can purchase?

[@pamelamckenzie2685]

You i always loved i say you are great knitter and i love you are a colourful knitter that i love i love colour.

[@emilywong4601]

Does he sew bowls?

[@tonitoliver7685]

I.thought.Kaffe.was.a.woman.This.is.so.intriguing.

[@peterlilley6836]

I’ve been knitting since I was nine my colour pallett is loud as my family call me I’ve leatnt to do tanisian knitting

[@ovh992]

who the hell uses the term "Primitive Societies"? ? ? The term is indigenous cultures of Guatemala/Africa/Etc.

[@Royalbrettania]

who let you on a plane with Knitting Needles ? I feel the same about flying ... awful !

[@emilywong4601]

Knitting was invented by fishermen making nets.

[@jennief2108]

Thank you so much I worked with Kaffe in the UK