Day in and day out, the women of Knit1 Oxford – Patsy Engelhard, Lynn Wells, Marty Dunbar, Kathy Berkshire, Sinclair Rishel, Ann Jones Saxon and others – nurture fiber artists from hundreds of miles around.

As a knitter for more than 13 years and a former knitting instructor, I realize how incredibly lucky we are to have a yarn shop and the Fiber Arts Festival here in our community. Before Knit1 Oxford opened its doors in 2010, we had to drive to Memphis or go online for supplies and inspiration and there certainly were no fiber arts festivals within driving distance!

It has been such fun to watch Engelhard and her team grow her idea for a local Fiber Arts Festival into an event to look forward to every January. The festival is an incredible opportunity to get inspired, learn something new, ask questions of the experts and meet others who love the craft. And we have Patsy and her team to thank for having the vision to start it and working so hard to make it better every year!

I know I speak for the many fiber artists in our community when I express gratitude to Patsy and Knit1 Oxford for creating the Fiber Arts Festival and for all they do to introduce newcomers to the craft, nurture fledgling artists, and keep us all equipped and inspired to do what we love.

Meridith Wulff

Oxford