Norah Gaughan (born January 30, 1961, in New York City) is an American hand knitting pattern designer.
Norah Gaughan | |
|---|---|
| Born | January 30, 1961 |
| Nationality | American |
| Known for | knitting |
Early life
editShe is the younger child of Phoebe Gaughan, artist and needlework illustrator, and Jack Gaughan, illustrator of fantasy and science fiction books and magazines. Gaughan first learned to knit at the age of 14, while she and a friend avoided a heat-wave by staying indoors for the day, knitting to pass the time.[1]
She studied Biochemistry and Art at Brown University and, remaining in Providence, Rhode Island, was associated with hand knitting designers Deborah Newton and Marjery Winter.[2]
Knitting career
editAs a freelance designer, she published designs in "Vogue knitting" and "Woman's World" magazines and the magazines and single pattern flyers of Reynolds and Bernat yarn companies.[3] She also worked for Adrienne Vittadini, JCA Yarns, and was the design director at Berroco Yarns from 2005 to 2014.[4][5][6]
Design
editAlthough previously known to hand knitters for her knitting patterns, following the 2006 publication of her book Knitting Nature: 39 Designs Inspired by Patterns in Nature[7] she became internationally known.[1]
Her designs are often based upon the mathematical expressions underlying natural patterns as opposed to naturalistic visual impressions. They are complex in origin but not necessarily so in execution or appearance. She has an innovative use of texture and combination of stitches, often creating new knitting stitches for her designs. Her work is noted as very recognizable on sight;[8]
References
edit- ^ a b Melanie Falick (2005). America Knits. Artisan. pp. 37–. ISBN 978-1-57965-287-6.
- ^ Knit 'n Style February 2009 page 14
- ^ Knitting Nature page 5
- ^ Vogue Knitting International, Winter 1990-91, Article: "Norah Gaughan's Knitting Equations' page 28
- ^ Clara Parkes (2011). The Knitter's Book of Socks: The Yarn Lover's Ultimate Guide to Creating Socks That Fit Well, Feel Great, and Last a Lifetime. Potter Craft. pp. 200–. ISBN 978-0-307-58680-3.
- ^ "Norah's Knits: À bientôt". 21 April 2014.
- ^ Gaughan, Norah (2006). Knitting Nature: 39 Designs Inspired by Patterns in Nature. ISBN 1584794844.
- ^ Lisa Souza (10 May 2011). 10 Secrets of the LaidBack Knitters: A Guide to Holistic Knitting, Yarn, and Life. St. Martin's Press. pp. 161–. ISBN 978-0-312-61200-9.