Along with woodworking and photography, knitting is on my list of skills to learn. A friend tried to teach my daughter and me years ago (she even brought over her wheel on which she spins her own yarn), but with two young kids and a full-time career, the timing wasn’t right for my knitting debut.
But millions of others do knit. And their numbers are growing. One of the most inspiring websites for yarn-curious crafters is Modern Daily Knitting (MDK), which I discovered last year through a friend. Based in Nashville, MDK has a global following and for good reason. Their patterns, yarn, blogs and instructionals—provided by artisans from around the world—are gorgeous, educational and inspiring. And their website is a treasure trove of stories, instruction and conversations to welcome readers into a creative community.
Co-founder Ann Shayne is a longtime Nashvillian. She and her New York-based business partner, Kay Gardiner, began their friendship in 2003 as online pen pals chatting about everything yarn-related. Their back-and-forth dialog sparked two hard-copy books and eventually grew into MDK’s online platform, which sells knitting pattern guides and supplies, hosts knit-alongs and workshops, and is anchored by a chatty blog celebrating knitting in particular and creativity in general.
In real life, MDK will host its second Nash Yarn Fest April 17-18, bringing speakers and vendors from across the U.S. and beyond to a wild and woolen weekend of crafting camaraderie at the Fairgrounds.
MDK’s “world headquarters” occupies a soaring two-story warehouse at 441 Atlas Drive, off Nolensville Pike. Once home to a sewing studio, the cheerful workshop bustles with MDK craft gatherings, knitting classes and other events, hosted among a colorful and cozy inventory of woolens, specialty yarns, crafting tools and notions. MDK shop is open weekdays, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
In the spirit of long winter nights spent knitting, here is a slow-cooked favorite, for a low-maintenance meal that won’t interrupt your favorite crafting pastime, which, hopefully, soon will be my favorite, too.