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guests
get inspired by our amazing guests
We can't wait to welcome all these wonderful and creative people to knitfest 2025!
Our guests will be involved at knitfest as teachers, speakers, designers, influencers & more!
Stay tuned for more details on what each guest will be doing at knitfest 2025.
Lærke Bagger is a unique blend of a Jutlandic, Danish, and international superstar!
With over 230,000 followers on Instagram and clients like Miley Cyrus, her platform is enormous, while her DNA is infused with values such as closeness, creativity, and a celebration of imperfection. Lærke has impressively turned knitting and handicrafts into something far greater on a global scale. It’s also about telling your own story, about women's liberation, rock 'n' roll, and strength.
Lærke is not only a designer and author but also a gifted communicator. A lecture or workshop with Lærke is both professionally inspiring, a kick for anyone fascinated by original life stories, and a push to think outside the box.
Moa is the fiber artist, business and yarn store owner behind Honse.
Using her crochet hook in a way that sparks conversation and creativity, she has taken on the mission to revolutionize the public opinion on crochet. With 25 years of experience, a wonderful use of color, and a great sense of humor, she crochets in ways you've never seen before.
Cinthia lives in Nantes with her husband, kids, furry companions and a lot of woolly friends!
With an aesthetic rooted in her passion for kids literature, she designs knitted animals with an original method that fully reinvigorates the experience of toy knitting and she writes patterns to empower every knitter to make their owns.
She’s the author of Mouche and friends, seamless toys to knit and love, published by Laine Publishing.
Julia Wilkens (she/her) grew up in Germany and moved to Amsterdam some 20 years ago. She has been working in contemporary art many years which remains a source of inspiration. Crafts, especially textile crafts, have been a long-standing tradition in her family. Julia started knitting at an early age, taught, and encouraged by her mother. She has been experimenting with making her own garments as a teenager but only started writing down her knitting patterns in 2019 while working at a yarn store. Since then, she has published her own patterns and written designs for magazines.
Hi! My name is Sandra.
I am a knit and crochet designer from Mexico. I love creating garments that fit well and my passion lies in proving to others how amazing crochet can be!
I have been designing full time for over 6 years and my commitment to well-fitting and size-inclusive garments has solidified in that time.
I live in Spain with my two daughters and husband and I love traveling more than anything in the world!
Hey folks, I’m Marlene.
I love getting creative with my hands – whether I’m spinning, sewing, or especially knitting. Quilt patterns fascinate me, and a good cup of coffee is always part of the process. I’m passionate about connecting with fiber friends and sharing my yarny travel adventures.
Under marlene.knits, I enjoy hosting a making podcast on YouTube and curating a visual journal on Instagram — documenting my projects, inspirations, and all the little challenges of creating your own handmade wardrobe.
Happy knitting!
Leonie Kramer writes cozy, woolly crime novels.
She grew up at the foot of the Bavarian Wetterstein mountains. Everything important—like knitting and storytelling—was taught to her by her grandmother. Leonie studied folklore, worked as a milliner, and is now a conservator and expert in unusual handcraft techniques. She lives, knits, and writes with her family near Munich.
So far, the crime novels MASCHENMORD, WOLLWUT, and ZWIRNTOD have been published.
Hi! I´m Marina, a knitwear designer from Greece, now living in Germany with my husband and our two kids. I love designing modern, playful garments that are both wearable and joyful to knit—often with a twist like colorwork, lace, or reversible details. My passion is to make knitting feel fun and accessible, no matter your level!
I’ve been designing professionally for four years, always focusing on size-inclusive patterns and building a warm, creative community. I’m a passionate learner, always eager to explore new techniques or combine them.
I’ve been featured in Laine, Making Stories, Knit Picks and other publications, and I’m always excited to connect with knitters around the world.
Judit Gummlich is the author of the best selling book "Embroidery on Knits", a multi-talented crafter who has worked in theatre costume departments for more than 20 years.
She is a passionate knitter, gardener, beekeeper and nature lover. Judit lives with her husband, bees and two cats in Hamburg, Germany.
Maaike van Geijn was born in the Netherlands and grew up between the US and Haarlem. She now lives with her family in Schoorl, a small town by the sea, dunes and woods. Maaike studied theatre costumes and did her master's degree in Theatre Studies. She opted for a career as a curator in the theatre and enjoyed doing that work for many years.
When Maaike was pregnant with her daughter, she picked up her knitting needles again and hasn't stopped since. In her designs Maaike looks for elegance but also likes her work to be playful, either in shape or colour. Her starting point is always the yarn: it’s structure, colour and composition. Above all, Maaike wants her designs to be a pleasant knitting experience, so that knitters can really enjoy the process.
Maaike’s work has been published by Laine magazine & books, La Bien Aimée, Kate Davies, Erika Knight yarns, John Arbon Textiles and PRU yarns. And in the future her patterns will be featured by a.o. Laine magazine, Moondrake yarns and La Bien Aimée.
Lisa Meissner is an architect from Zurich and absolutely addicted to knitting. Her creations are known for their colorful and geometric patterns. A few years ago, she fell under the spell of double knitting—fascinated by the idea that knitting could be done without a "wrong" side—and has since been creating new designs using this technique.
At the same time, her work is about pushing the boundaries of traditional techniques and translating them into modern contexts. Over time, she has built up a small collection of special methods—such as ladderback jacquard—which she incorporates into her work to "make the impossible possible."
My name is Barbara Seidenfaden and I am a knit designer and knit coach. The art of knitting has been with me throughout my life. I create elegant, nature-inspired creations that blend timeless style with a touch of magic.
As a coach, I am passionate about empowering others to explore their creativity through knitting, guiding them to master their skills and bring their own visions to life.
My name is Sarah.
I am active on social media as It Is A Sarah. I love to knit, I love to crochet and I love to talk. So I spend a lot of time doing all three things.
I make weekly episodes on YouTube in which I share my 'handwerkperikelen' ... that's a Dutch word for crafty adventures. It is the perfect opportunity to talk endless about knitting & crochet and to connect with other people worldwide.
Christina Serra started teaching needle-felting workshops nearly 15 years ago in Western North Carolina, where she also had her wool paintings displayed in gallery shops and shows.
Christina loves sharing her love of fiber arts with new people, and is excited to help more people discover the satisfaction that comes from learning how to make their own art pieces.
Since childhood, Christina has been drawing, painting, and making things with her hands. In addition to the fine art textile wool paintings, she also spins, weaves, sews, embroiders, carves wood, and volunteers at castle museums.
Sometimes, magic begins with a simple thread. A thought. An idea held in your hands.
Hello, my creative name is Ran, and I am a trained primary school teacher. My passion lies in working with textiles and traditional crafts. I love experimenting with different materials and techniques. Aesthetics, joy, and the magic of handmade creations are at the heart of my work – and that’s exactly what I hope to share in my workshops.
I had my first experience with the knitting machine during my fashion design studies in London. After that, I was fascinated by knitting machines and their endless possibilities. Just change one setting and the textiles changes completely.
Back in Switzerland, I gradually acquired various knitting machines from the Swiss brand Passap.
Since 2021, I have been giving regular knitting machine courses in my studio in Basel, as well as semester courses at the Basel Vocational College. I have also been teaching textile design and technical crafts at an elementary school since 2022.
I've been knitting for as long as I can remember. Some years I use very little wool, and other years I go through a lot. I sometimes spin my own yarn, preferably from lesser-known sheep breeds—Merino I can always buy. I'm very interested in knitting traditions from other cultures, especially from the Baltic states. Besides knitting, I also enjoy sitting at the loom or the spinning wheel. I'm also passionate about embroidery—especially silk on linen. I'm currently planning a book project titled *"Knitting Like in the Baltics."* My vision is to pass on both my old and new knitting knowledge.
The name behind Swissneedleworker is Lotti Pfyl.
Thelma is a knitwear designer and indie dyer with focus on sustainability, quality and modern knitwear.
She is raised and born in Reykjavik, Iceland. Her design elements are highly influenced by the harsh natural elements that thrive in Iceland.
Thelma is an environmental conscious fashion designer which focuses on craftsmanship in the creativity.
Her designs are highly motivated by her cultural background, mimicking the biomimicry approach in the design structure. Influenced by the Japanese Wabi Sabi aesthetics which centeres on the acceptance around the imperfection. Those elements and her playfullness with colours have been implemented into her hand dyed yarns.
Creating with my hands—that’s my passion. Textile craft was practically woven into my DNA: even my great-grandmother was known for her fine knitting technique. My family includes knitters, master weavers, sock manufacturers, seamstresses, and sewing enthusiasts. For many, textiles became a profession; for others, a lifelong calling.
I am particularly fascinated by the knitting traditions of the Shetland Islands. The beautiful play of all the colors of nature in the Fair Isle tradition and the mysterious world of the finest hand-knitting techniques in the world—both born on the rugged, windswept islands of the North Atlantic.
After many years in China and the textile hub of India, and after traveling the globe, I’ve now made myself at home in the Bernese Oberland. My greatest passion is knitting, followed by embroidery, crochet, and historical sewing techniques.
To me, freedom means being curled up in my favorite chair, wrapped in a warm blanket, gazing out at the lake and mountains—while creating intricate knitting patterns.
Claudia Eisenkolb is a passionate knitter, knitwear designer, and fit mentor. A trained engineer who worked in IT for 28 years, she has become self-employed to fully dedicate herself to her mission: to teach knitters how to knit upper garments that fit their body shapes so that they sit well and help them feel comfortable and confident. She has already shown over 500 women in her workshops and online programs, as well as in her SPIEGEL bestseller „Maßgestrickt – Der Weg zur perfekten Passform“ (Tailor-Made – The Path to the Perfect Fit), that it’s not their fault if a top knitted from a pattern doesn’t fit well.
Norman has been knitting with great passion for over 35 years and is the face behind the widely read blog Nimble-Needles.com.
On his YouTube channel, over 250,000 followers regularly tune in to his detailed tutorials, where he shares new knitting techniques and patterns every two weeks — always with a love for precision and crystal-clear close-ups.
His favorite thing to knit? Socks.
Midori Hirose is a celebrated Japanese knitwear designer living in Germany, known for her playful patterns that blend tradition, texture, and a strong sense of design. Her work is beloved by knitters worldwide for its creativity and wearability.
Her top-down pullover Ranunculus has become one of the most popular garment patterns on Ravelry, with over 19,000 projects and a steady presence in the “Hot Right Now” list for several years. Its elegant yet approachable design, wide size flexibility have made it a true modern classic—many knitters have made it more than once!
Other popular patterns by Midori include the colorwork-inspired Paul Klee Sweater and her latest floral design Botanica.
I am Luca Mast. I started knitting (apart from school) in 2018 and have been working intensively with stranded colourwork and sweaters since 2023.
My art combines aspects of craftswo*manship (stranded colourwork and sweaters of a high quality) with aspects of art (texts and pictures, ""food for thought"", mostly local language). Generally, I try and knit things onto sweaters that you would not expect to find there. In my course, I would like to share my techniques with you.
Hi, I’m Inga from KnittingTraditions!
I’m a 31-year-old knitter, doctor and mom from the beautiful west coast of Norway, where the mountains meet the sea and wool is a way of life. I learned to knit as a child, taught by my grandmother—her hands passed down more than just stitches, but a love for tradition and slow craft.
Today, I go by KnittingTraditions to honor that legacy. I share my knitting journey on YouTube, where I talk about projects, fibers, and the quiet joy of making. I’ve recently started dabbling in pattern design, drawing inspiration from earthy colors, rustic textures, and the comforting feel of “woolly wools.”
woollentwine fibrestudio is a creative space thats all about botanical dyeing and natural materials. We cherish the natural resources of our planet and want to offer the most sustainable products for fibre crafters, respecting the world around us.
At woollentwine, we create custom spun yarns from natural fibres within Europe, using no synthetic or artificial additions, keeping the ecological footprint as small as possible. Our yarns are then lovingly hand dyed with botanical dyes in our little studio in Hamburg, Northern Germany.
I'm Simone Kuhn, a textile designer and the owner of *fraukuhn*, the yarn specialty store in the city of Bern.
My heart beats for color, fibers, and the world of yarns. For many years, I’ve been teaching courses in the field of design – always centered around color and materials, artisanal techniques, and the joy of experimentation.
Iris, the designer behind hirismakes offers a range of modern and size inclusive knitting patterns (typically to fit bust sizes 30-62” / 76-158 cm). Her designs are modern, fun, and engaging with a range of pattern suitable for beginners and experienced knitters alike, from cosy winter jumpers and hats through to summer crop tops, there’s something for every season.
As well as a knitwear designer Iris is also a neuroscientist, where she studies the mechanisms that make animal brains work.
My name is Lydia and I love sharing my knitting adventures and designing timeless, beginner friendly knitting patterns. I live in Marburg, Germany with my husband and am always happy to chat about knitting, Lord of the Rings or Scotland. Connecting with people all over the world through yarn is my favourite!
For around 30 years, Janne Graf has worked as a craft editor and author – and yet she still picks up her knitting or crochet needles almost every day. “I especially enjoy relaxing projects where my mind can just wander,” she says about her personal crafting preferences.
As the editor of the German-language edition of The Knitter magazine, however, she caters to a slightly different audience: experienced knitters who are eager to try new techniques and enjoy a challenge now and then. She also reports on the vibrant world of crafting, shares news from the knitting community, and highlights the people behind the stitches. “In my editorial work, it's always about appreciating the cultural techniques of knitting and crocheting. I believe that crafting is a wonderful thing from so many perspectives, and I want that to come across clearly,” she explains.
This core attitude also runs through her latest book: Strickpower (Knitting Power), published by Christophorus Verlag in September 2024. In it, she explores the question of why knitting is more than just a hobby for many people – and what role it plays in health and well-being. What exactly is therapeutic knitting? How can it help with stress, pain, or difficult life phases? What makes group knitting so bonding – and how is knitting used as a form of political protest or solidarity? Strickpower offers well-researched and accessible answers to all of this.
The book is complemented by 16 designs from knitwear designer Käte Stödter: timeless pieces that make smart use of techniques and are just as enjoyable to knit as they are to wear. Each design comes with an introduction that not only explains what makes the piece special, but also delves into fascinating topics related to knitting – like how to recognize good design, why “knitting pride” brings happiness, why handmade gifts are so personal, and how knitting connects to sustainability and the slow fashion movement.
