Meg Swansen and Elizabeth Zimmermann - Ep. 57 - Fruity Knitting 

I'm a long time knitter who just found this vlog. I cannot tell you how much I enjoyed your interview with Meg Swansen - it contained the sort of deep dive into her work that is lacking by most interviewers, abd I appreciate the preparation this must have taken. I find Schoolhouse Press to be such a comforting presence in the knitting world, and I'm glad that Meg's son and family are continuing the tradition. The knitting world is filled with flashy projects and yarns, but SHP has stayed the course with their calm philosophy and classic wools. Loved, too, seeing your completed KH cardigan. I'm considering knitting one of her sweaters (despite a deep aversion to knitting in pieces), and your FO gave me the inspiration I needed! Bravo to the two of you for such a wonderful channel. Thank you!

Watching in 3024. What a great interview with Meg Swanson. I used to watch Wool Gathering on PBS when I was young and loved Meg and Elizabeth.

Thank you for introducing me and my 11-year-old son to Elizabeth Zimmerman and her lovely daughter Meg. My goodness, this episode has a wealth of information unmatched by anything I have come upon thus far. We are headed down to the library this afternoon to check out Schoolhouse Press and these two lovely ladies. We appreciate the work the two of you produce; excellent!

I have long been a great devotee of Elizabeth Zimmermann and Meg Swansen. I can never get enough of either of them, so this was such a delight to see an interview with Meg. I think this is my favorite episode so far. I found myself smiling and giggling all the way through because I have personal experience with so much of what you and Meg were saying, especially about Elizabeth. I too can say that Elizabeth Zimmermann changed my life. Such a delight!!!

Elizabeth's Knitting Without Tears opened a new world of knitting for me.

Brilliant episode 👍👍👍 You had me laughing at the end of ‘under construction’ when Andrea just dropped Andrews cuff knitting in his lap to focus all attention on her ‘bring and brag’ 🤣🤣🤣 I just love your show. Can’t wait to go back an watch Meg’s interview again! As a matter of fact......it’s Friday night and I think I’ll spend my weekend binging on old episodes 😁😁😁 💕💕💕

This is by far the best Knitting podcast on RU-vid. Actually it is a great video magazine. I have been catching up watching all your past podcasts. I have just become Patron. I hope this works for you.

Lovely episode. I remember using long double pointed needles to knit in the round on a yoke. I thought nothing of it until I found out there was such a thing as circulars. I do love Meg Swanson.

I'm a great admirer of both Meg and Elizabeth and I can't believe that I haven't seen this interview until now! Love and thank you very much, An and An!

This is my absolutely FAVORITE episode.. the intro of Elizabeth’s daughter brought tears to my 👀 .. HUGE THANKS 🙏🏻 for such an amazing and generous work

I'm watching this video on 3/7/24 (listening mostly) in Central Kansas, USA. I taught myself the knitting basics last year. This year I plan to work on new and exciting lacy stitches and complete at least a Spring and Autumn project. Thanks for a great video.

I don't know how someone could give this episode a thumbs down! This was FABULOUS!!! Thank you

I'm so happy I've found this episode. It's so interesting! Thank you!

Incredible Meg Swanson, so generous! And Andrea with nerves of steel to disassemble that ribbing, so inspired!

Andrea! I love that sweater and want to knit it! Thanks, Angels for being there ❤️ when I need Love and Knitting!

I finally got to see Meg Swansen. What an interesting woman and what brilliant knitters in that family. Your Pcast is so inspiring, so much so that I bought a Drachenfels kit. 👍👍👍👍

Elizabeth Zimmerman is royalty. I think she would like the garter stitch grafting. 😉❤️

Andrea, you are a true teacher! I never understood garter stitch grafting before. Your explanation was so clear. Thank you!

Thanks to you two, I have publicly humiliated myself at the gym by snorting extremely loudly at Andrew's lemmings documentary conspiracy theory and Andrea's succinct "yes, well, back to me." Oh my goodness: Fruity knitting makes the world a better place! Thank you for making my workout hilarious!

Again a wounderful episode - Thank you, Andrea! I love your tutorials ❤ The interview with Meg leaded me in my youth.

Meg’s designs are amazing. I hope to be able to knit them some day. Elizabeth’s attitude of “you can do it” and “it’s just knitting” allowed me to put aside what i call perfection paralysis. Thanks for posting this interview.

Thanks for another great podcast - you saved my day! Elizabeth's Almanac is with me for decades. Wonderful Meg: thank you for sharing memories and knowledge. Andrea, Andrew - you finally got me, signed in Best wishes from Westerwald/Germany

Thank you for this interview. I was first introduced to Elizabeth and Meg through their video tape. The interaction between mother and daughter was so sweet that I have recommended viewing to even nonknitters . Andrea, your Cardigan is so attractive, excellent work as always.

Thanks for the interview with Meg Swansen, surely she's just as charismatic as her mother seemed to be . Hearing her telling stories of her mother has to be the next best thing to actually having met Elizabeth Zimmermann herself.

I loved the garter stitch part of the interview - I turned this on to keep myself company while I knit my first mitered squares for a blanket. Meg gave me a new mathematical appreciation for what I'm doing at this very moment!

The interview with Meg was so interesting & inspiring. Reading your knitting is something it took me a long time to realise. Thank you Andrea.

Greetings, Andrea, from another Andrea. I have to comment when you used the word "classy" to describe Meg Swansen, for I completely agree with you - but having watched 2 or 3 of your outstanding podcasts, would also choose that same word to describe you! Your knitting and your presence are luminous. I will enjoy continuing to check in. Thank you for the treasure of your interview with Meg Swansen.

Yet another full and interesting episode. Great to learn about Elizabeth Zimmermann that designer knitters hold in such awe. Thanks for the cutting and grafting tutorial!

Fabulous episode. Ironically, or providentially, while watching Meg's advice about what to learn, I'm unknitting my brioche row and figuring out how far back I have to go to get back in pattern. Thank you for Fruity Knitting.

Candice, here again.....I loved the cutting and grafting tutorial. I love it when we are encouraged to be courageous with our knitting.

Meg is an amazing woman. So kind and generous. I attended her 44 knitting camp last summer.... people from all over the world attend. It was amazing, if you can go do it. You won't regret it...tons of one on one help. I hated to knit flat in pieces...sewing up edges... Elizabeth Zimmerman and Meg are truly the best you can learn from if you want explode your knitting skill set! Thanks for bringing us Meg Swanson...your podcast it really becoming very professional!

Beautiful. Andrea, Andrew, you are doing an amazing job. Very entertaining and interesting. You deserve to be supported by patreons. There is not a single minute of unnecessary blabla. And the interview was an absolute joy. Thank you.

I just happened to stumble across this episode and am thrilled to have done so! In the early 1960’s, I learned to knit at by a cousin who was a bit punitive in her instruction. I am left handed and she a ‘righty’ so she insisted I learn to knit right handed. Later in the early 1980’s I came across EZ’s newsletters in old magazines my mother in law had kept over the years. I went to the library and researched all I could about EZ. I was thrilled to learn Continental knitting and knitting in the round! Her philosophy changed my perception of knitting completely! Today I not only knit right handed and Continental, I have gained confidence knitting “backwards” as a true lefty! Thank you so much for the great interview with Meg. She’s reminded me how much her mother influenced my knitting.

Thank you for the best Podcast yet. Meg Swansen and her mother Elizabeth have changed my knitting. They are an inspiration to knitters everywhere. I have been lucky enough to attend several Knitting Camps, and can tell you that they are one of the best experiences you can have. The knitting content is inspiring, encouraging, and supportive. The knitters are treated like family, and the environment is open to discussion, individual interpretation, and exploration of many knitting techniques. Meeting and knitting with Elizabeth and Meg has been a highlight of my knitting experience. I treasure it dearly. Your interview was wonderful. Thank you.

So much to cover.... your knitting and interests touch so much on English& Scottish traditions,I wish you had touched on all the fabulous titles Schoolhouse Press has brought to the US when they where not to be found elsewhere in the countrye. They also brought in cobwebs lace yarn and lopi wheels. What a great legacy.

What a wonderful interview. Meg Swansen is such a warm and comforting personality. I found myself wanting to hear more of her stories. Thanks so much for the opportunity to learn more about her families legacy to knitting.

Excellent episode. Meg Swansen can only be bested by her mom. Loved the grafting tutorial, thanks, it will come in handy.

I enjoyed this whole episode and especially liked hearing Meg tell us how putting some “hidden” purl stitches on the right side of colorwork when over a stitch of the same color in order to keep the stockinette colorwork from curling. Wow, that is a stroke of genius and I can’t wait to try it. Thank you!

WOW....awesome episode. I loved your interview with Meg and the conversation regarding her Mom. What a PIONEER!!!! Love!!!

This is the most interesting contest report I have seen yet on a knitting podcast. I quite enjoyed seeing all the garment modifications with the original designs. The prizes were fun to see, as well.

Loved this episode as I do each and every one. But the interview with Meg Swansen and her memories and history of her mother brought back wonderful memories. I am a grand mother who has knitted most of my life. I have always tried to challenge myself and visited every knitting store within my driving radius or when we traveled. At our local knitting store in No. California, we used to watch her shows at their store, and several people were always talking about her books or her sweaters. She was an icon, a trail blazer an inventor and Meg is certainly carrying on with her own beautiful knitting works, education and style. Thank you for asking great questions and bringing her to your podcast.

Thank you, thank you for sharing an interview with Meg Swansen! I would happily listen to her talk about the weather but of course knitting is much more interesting ;) She's such a treasure!

So interesting to learn about Meg and her mom. I am a new knitter here in the US and so happy to learn about these two legends. Thanks so much! Judy

To me, the best circular knitting needles are made by Denise. They are plastic and modular. IMO, plastic needles are the best for me because they allow me to be fast and kind of grip the yarn so I don't have to look while I'm knitting. Elizabeth Zimmerman is my guru in knitting. I'm self taught and her approach gave me the confidence to allow myself to be the "boss" of my knitting. I hardly ever see a pattern that IMO, needs changing. Also, I am totally self taught by books. I'd read them and kept seeing her name in reference so I borrowed "Knitting Without Tears". It warped my mind! LOL!

Cutting and grafting in lace work for the win!

Thank you so very much for this episode and especially for the interview with Meg Swansen. This episode absolutely took hold of me and put me back right into my knitting zen.

Wonderful program today. First, the interview with Meg Swansen was inspirational. Her mother was my motivation to start knitting so many years ago, and I love seeing that Meg has carried on her mother's legacy and expanded it in her own right. Second, the Hearten sweater you are wearing is absolutely gorgeous! The yarn and color is most attractive on you. Can you post (or re-post) the yarn and color you used? Bravo on a great knitting job. Love the Hargreaves designs. Third, I struggled through your grafting tutorial. I would probably have ripped it out and re-knit it, but now I see a better solution so thank you for letting us learn through your mistake. Still learning after all these years. And last but not least, as always watching you interact with your sweet hubby is a delight to watch. Thank you for a wonderful series or programs.

Hi! You can find Elizabeth Zimmerman's PBS series at library. She was an amazing knitter. I live in Colorado USA. And I have been able to watch the series. There is also and Elizabeth Zimmerman Club.

Hello from the future 2024! Obviously I've heard of Elizabeth but didn't really understand what she was about. This interview was fabulous! And I didn't know about the website. So smack in the middle of the interview I went to Schoolhouse Press and ordered the a-line coat. I've wanted something like that for years and it will look classy but not fussy forever.

This podcast was the best to date Andrea. I had to watch it in two sittings as I was totally transfixed during your interview with Meg Swansen. All your podcasts have been great but this one was particularly tailored to my interests. Thank you 😊 from Angela

Had to come back and rewatch. Such a great interview. Thanks.

Thanks, Andrea and Andrew, for another fascinating episode. My mother introduced me to Schoolhouse Press in the 90's, when I took up knitting again. I've been a fan ever since. Also, your tutorial was excellent.

An hour and a half well spent. So many fun things. I found it funny that Andrew is now covering you with pictures. 😉 I am with him in a very definite preference for metal needles. Andrea, I loved the grafting lesson from you. This is such an important thing to know and I did it on the very first sweater I ever completed for myself. I needed to and just did i it! And of course, Meg is lovely as always. She has such a lovely voice and way of speaking. I had the privilege of taking a class from her several years ago and seeing many of hers and her mother’s sweaters in person. It was such a treat.

I agree with others! This is the best episode! Love your new cardigan too. Xxx

Thank you so much for this podcast! Not just the excellent interviews but your lovely mistake also. I greatly appreciated your section on how you corrected an error in the middle of your work. Very clear and concise instructions, definitely an episode I will down load! As always I so look forward to your next podcast, thanks to you both!!👏👏👏😍😍😍

Every episode is better than the last! Engaging and informative.

wonderful interview with Meg and tyvm for the grafting demo

Amazing interview with Meg Zimmerman!!!! She has so many experiences to share!!!! Thank you!!!😘💞💞💞

The cardigan is my favorite of Andrea's knitted garments, because the color and where it hits on the waist is so flattering on you. RunWay worthy. AS Tevye would sing, If I were a rich man...Yada da dum. Every episode I want that pattern, book, or yarn. But , alas poor Yorik.

I just wanted to express how much I enjoyed this episode! So very fun and interesting!

Such a wonderful episode, especially the interview with Mag Swanson. As one who loves to do colourwork, I am inspired by her expertise and warm style of communicating!

Another great episode and thank you for doing an in-depth interview with Meg Swansen. Elizabeth & Meg continue to inform and amaze me. Your new sweater is lovely and yummy color!

Loved the interview!

Awesome value on all counts: humour, learning, stitch learning (I think I can graft, I think I can, I think I can LOL!).

Oh my. Andrea, your cardigan has turned out smashing. I haven’t done any cabled garments yet, but that pattern might have to be my first! So elegant and romantic indeed!

Lovely episode. The interview with Meg was an unexpected treat. Looking forward to part 2.

What a great interview thank you. Just love the podcast.

Fabulous episode!!

Thank you for the garter grafting tutorial! Loved it! And the rest of the content, too, of course :)

Wonderful episode with one of my very favorite interviews! Thank you for the timely tutorial as I had put aside my Unst by Marie Wallin because I made a glaring mistake in the ribbing, but had already knit up the colorwork by a good 8 inches before noticing my mistake.

Just discovered your podcast and think you are both delightful. I’ll be tuning in to see more.

I have only recently discovered your channel and have to say that this is the best! I have a plan to watch all your episodes. I love Elizabeth Zimmermann and had no idea about some of the publications being still available. As soon as I am able to return to work I will become a patron as I don't ever want your channel to go away. I am also going to tell all my knitting friends about this channel and let them know that becoming a patron not only supports your show but offers some nice perks. So thank you both and keep up the terrific work. Very nice job!

This is my very first podcast...is this a podcast? Anyway this is the vey first one I've watched from, start to finish, and I'm so happy I did! I've recently purchased several of Zimmermann and Swansen's books and have been trying to 'unvent' my own sweater creations. I have a certain level of respect for Elizabeth Zimmerman, like I knew her personally; I think it's because of the way she speaks to us in her books. Because of this I was thrilled when Meg Swansen replied to my posting on Facebook! lol I'm excited about watching more of your interviews. I don't know how I'll ever catch up.

Wow! I just discovered you today. I am so grateful. Thank you!

Fantastic episode just Watching it in december 2019🤗🤗

I think this was my favorite episode so far!

What a great episode! Thanks x

I'm continuously inspired by you podcasts and am enjoying catching up with all of them as I am very new to your channel. You are causing me to lose sleep but in a happy way! I am learning so much. Hopefully. I'll be able to afford to be a patreon soon to help support your channel. Thank you! :o)

Fabulous pod cast yet again.

This is the best episode yet! So good!

Devil's paintbrush is an orange coloured wildflower so I think the points go to Andrew for this one. LOL, my husband and I don't see colours the same way either.

Andrea, Such a beautiful sweater!

Thank you ❤️ An excellent and inspiring episode.

Thank you so much. Excellent episode.🌷🌷🌷🌷🌷

As always, lovely episode! I will be looking up the stockinette grafting episode to make some adjustments on an ugly top I recently made. Though it is so ugly I might just frog the whole thing and use the yarn for something else. :) I absolutely loved the interview with Meg Swanson, and hearing about Elizabeth Zimmerman. She is so ubiquitous in the knitting world that even Stephen West references her in his silly ode to Brioche song, calling her “Lizzie Zimmerman.”

Another awesome video and I really enjoyed Meg's interview. Your sweater turned out lovely.

Fantastic episode

I wear my Rib Warmed every day too! It is perfect for cold weather here in the South (Georgia).

Best episode ever ❤️

Brilliant interview with Meg Swansen. 🐨🇦🇺🏖

Wonderful episode! This is the first time I have seen a video of Meg. I still have 10 original Woolgathering newsletters from Elizabeth, produced by hand, not publications. They are smallish, on off white paper stapled, without color. Mine are March 80 through Sept 84, numbers 22-31. I lived in Alaska then, so I have never seen the TV shows, but I have all the books and I certainly made a lot of EPS sweaters! I have a duplicate of issue 27. If you have never seen one of these, I could send it to you for you to have. They are charming, and representative of an early, and very different, part of knitting history. I am a patron of your excellent podcast. Thank you for producing it!

OMG I didn't understand a thing you were saying about the grafting, but Oh boy am I glad to know about it just in case. That couch of yours has a sense of humour if it lulls you into doing more rows than you need, how funny.

A&A - thanks for the content as always. And for the discounts. I ended up buying some of the unspun Icelandic to knit a pattern from Ambah. Always love your show.

Carbeth is a great design. I made the pullover, and I love it. Can't wait to see how yours turns out.

Oh yes the unspun Plôtulopi is the best yarn ever and wow i get so happy to see that other pepole like it you should all try it and wow my heart sings when i see Meg holding up a plate ohhhh yay =0)

Loved this episode! Knitting Camp Alumni 2000 and 2001 :) Meg called me Miss Canada :) It’s an adventure getting to camp in the middle of Wisconsin :)

I just want to publicly thank you for changing my knitting forever, when it comes to cabling. I am working on an Aran cardigan with three different cable patterns, and using the method you illustrated. It was a small learning curve, but I am almost finish with the back. Thank you, thank you.

I used to buy vogue knitting be cause of Elizabeth we can’t buy it in the uk anymore love your cardi the colour is glorious

Thank you!

Such a lovely episode, ones again 😘 Thank you! Hugs & sunshine 🌞 N