Anne Hanson has spent decades exploring every angle of knitting—from designing patterns to creating her own yarn brand, Bare Naked Wools. In a recent conversation, she shared experiences and ideas that any knitter can apply to their own craft.
Here are three standout lessons.
1. Know Your Fiber—It Changes Everything
Anne is fascinated by the unique “energy” of each wool. With over 1,400 sheep breeds worldwide, every fiber behaves differently—some bloom and expand, others drape and flow.
Her takeaway: choosing the right yarn isn’t just about color or softness; it’s about how the fiber’s natural properties will influence the finished fabric.
She encourages knitters to explore breed-specific, minimally processed yarns. These reveal the fiber’s true personality and can teach you how structure, crimp, and even natural color impact stitch definition and durability. By working with a variety of fibers—especially ones outside your usual choices—you’ll develop a deeper understanding of how to match yarn to project.
2. Swatching Is Your Superpower
Over the years, Anne has learned that even the most beautiful yarn or stitch pattern can disappoint if the fiber and fabric don’t work together. The only way to know for sure is to swatch—thoughtfully.
For her, swatching isn’t just about hitting gauge. It’s about testing how the yarn behaves: does a cable lose its definition? Does a textured stitch vanish into the fiber? Does the fabric drape the way you expect?
Her takeaway: treat swatching as your project’s rehearsal. Use it to answer questions before you commit—especially when substituting yarn. A few extra rows now can save you hours (or days) of disappointment later.
3. Lace Can Be Easier Than It Looks
Many knitters are intimidated by lace, but Anne insists it can be surprisingly accessible. With just a few techniques—basic decreases and yarn overs—you can create designs that look intricate but are easy to memorize and work.
She sees lace as “drawing with yarn,” where motifs tell a visual story. Once you grasp the rhythm of a pattern, lace becomes both meditative and creatively satisfying.
Her takeaway: don’t write off lace as too complex. Start with a simple lace project to build confidence, then explore motifs with personal or cultural meaning. You may find it’s less about perfection and more about enjoying the rhythm and narrative of the stitches.
Conclusion
Anne’s work is a reminder that knitting is about more than just making stitches—it’s about understanding the materials, honoring the process, and embracing techniques that enrich your experience.
This conversation only scratches the surface of her stories and insights. In the full interview, Anne dives deeper into her design process, shares more about sourcing rare wools, and reflects on the unexpected turns in her career.
🎥 Watch or listen to the complete conversation here to hear it all in her own words—and don’t forget to join us at the Fearless Knitter Summit (Aug 21–24, free to attend) where Anne will be teaching sessions on lace knitting and understanding yarn characteristics.
Get your FREE ticket using the link below…