Yarns are the threads that bind us. Spun from animal fibres, farmed from nature, innovated in labs or unravelled from waste, they are currently at the forefront of contemporary culture with the exciting return of creative knitwear and crochet — simultaneously an expression of craft, resilience and protest but also a trendy way to combat the onslaught of digital technology and intelligence. Come learn more about how yarns relate to identity, circularity, diversity, empowerment, environment and social change. Now, more than ever, we will savor their federating power and celebrate the knit of togetherness.

Curated by Philip Fimmano as part of New York Textile Month, this special online conference brings together speakers from around the globe, continuing our dedication to textile creativity and education by offering this exciting program free to all students and teaching faculty. 

An international lineup of speakers features Li Edelkoort, Philip Fimmano, students from Polimoda’s Farm to Fabric to Fashion Masters, and many more. The event also includes the announcement of the 2023 Dorothy Waxman International Textile Design Prize, proudly supported by Mohawk Group. 

Program

9:00 AM THE KNIT OF TOGETHERNESS

Philip Fimmano, co-founder, of Talking Textiles

9:05 AM SWADDLING: Autumn/Winter 2024–25

Li Edelkoort, trend forecaster 

9:40 AM CONSCIOUS CASHMERE

Charlotte Björklund, founder, Linnea Lund

10:00 AM FARM TO YARN

Polimoda Textile Masters Second Year Students: Georgia Pfaff, Priya Deep, Marinela Yzellari & Sabrina Stadlobe

10:20 AM FAIR ISLE KNITTING

Helen Wyld, Senior Curator of Historic Textiles, Global Arts, Cultures & Design, National Museums Scotland

10:40 AM MAXHOSA AFRICA

Laduma Ngxokolo, fashion designer

11:00 AM ANDEAN KNITTING

Aymar Ccopacatty, artist

11:20 AM WOOL FIBERS

Hasnain Lilani, Co-Founder of Datini Fibres in conversation with Cynthia Hathaway, Woolmarch

11:40 AM REVOLUTION & KNITTING

Amy Twigger Holroyd, Associate Professor of Fashion & Sustainability, Nottingham Trent University 

12:00 PM MENDING & KNITTING

Celia Pym, artist

12:20 PM OPEN SOURCE KNITTING

Ruth Herring, knitwear & crochet designer

12:45 PM SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT 

Dorothy Waxman International Textile Design Prize Announcement with Royce Epstein, Mohawk Group

1:00 PM approximate end

General Admission: $50

Students & Faculty:  FREE (please register with your institution email)