Asturian-American Migration Forum

Nicky Epstein, celebrated by knitters the world over is celebrating her Silver Anniversary of knitwear design. In a recent article in Vogue Knitting Holiday 2008, Nicky was interviewed by Daryl Brower who summarizes: “With eighteen top-selling knitting books, a new line of knitting products in the works, countless workshops and classes under her belt, her own book imprint and thousands of published patterns to her name, Nicky Epstein just may be the busiest designer in the industry.”

This article goes on to say: “Nicoletta DeFazio Quinones grew up in the Spanish-Italian enclave of Spelter, West Virginia, a place she describes as brimming over with beauty.”

Brower describes Nicky’s influence by a woman from Spain, Josephine, who moved into her neighborhood. Nicky traded English lessons for knitting lessons and believes she got the best of the deal as she learned to be fearless in her knitting, always being urged to try anything. She pays beautiful tribute to Josephine.

When I read this article I immediately focused on the name Quinones, Spelter, West Virginia, strict Spanish father (rules like mine!) and Spanish influences. I e-mailed Ms. Epstein inquiring whether she might be “one of us” and she responded that, proudly, indeed she is! Her father is Benjamin, age 82, and they visited some years back. Nicky shared that she was named after her great, great grandmother on the Spanish side, Nicoletta.

Nicky Epstein is one of my favorite designers and I am pleased to introduce her into our Asturian Hall of Fame!

Betty

Thanks for bringing Nicky Epstein to our attention, Betty. Knitting is no longer a "survival" skill, like it used to be in cold, rainy Asturias, but the joy of knitting, especially with good patterns, will never die.

The memories of long winter evenings sitting in my granny's kitchen around the coal stove, while the women chatted easily and yet their knitting needles seemed to fly, is something I will always cherish.

Betty wrote:Nicky traded English lessons for knitting lessons and believes she got the best of the deal as she learned to be fearless in her knitting...

I like this notion of 'fearless knitting', as if it were an extreme sport. And I had no idea there was a publication titled Vogue Knitting Holiday. My mother, from Wyoming, used to 'knit fearlessly' on La Nora beach in Asturias with a local woman called Tina on sunny wintry afternoons. I can still see Tina's red hair ablaze through the windows of El Polainu, knitting into oblivion.

And I had no idea there was a publication titled Vogue Knitting Holiday.

For the want of a comma.... I must correct the name of the periodical. It is actually: "Vogueknitting" the particular issue was Holiday 2008. Their Holiday issue is always a treat!
Betty

Our daughter Susan is enrolled in a masters degree program for library science, and as part of one course had to carry out a "teacher as learner" project. She chose to learn how to knit, and asked her mom to teach her. Since then's she's been at it with a vengeance, knitting items for one and all just because she enjoys it.

I know that there is a difference between the American and British style of knitting (how the needles are held and used) and wonder what the Asturian style is like.

En efecto, seguro que ese estilo que la lanzó a la fama fue gracias a su sangre asturiana

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Indeed, certain that the style that was launched to fame thanks to his asturian blood : lol:: lol:: lol:

Since then's she's been at it with a vengeance, knitting items for one and all just because she enjoys it.

I totally understand! I came to knitting as a way to use the llama fiber from my animals, then spinning the fiber to get more yarn to knit more items. Then began to dye the fiber to spin more yarn .. you get the picture. My nieces look forward to their Christmas gifts each year and truly appreciate the love that goes into each stitch, as I am sure your family does too, Bob!

I, too, wonder whether Asturian knitters use the American or European method, or I might say the "throw" or the "pick" method. A couple of years ago I took a class in a Portuguese method which is yet another process with the yarn going behind the neck and a tension guide. There is another very well-known designer, Anne Modesitt, who teaches what she calls Combination Knitting. I am sure there are more.

Maybe some of our Asturian knitters will share which method is used in Asturias.
Betty