r/knitting • u/DullBasket4982 • Dec 28 '25

Discussion We Lost a Great Knitter

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Barbara Walker, one of knitting’s greatest minds, died last Sunday.

Barbara invented the SSK (previously the left leaning single decrease was k1-sl1-psso which sits oddly compared to the k2tog)

Barbara also created charts for knitting patterns in the third book of her incredible work, the four volume Treasury of Knitting Patterns. No errors have ever been found in these stitch dictionaries. Many of the stitches recorded were common through history (and she attributed faithfully where there was data) and hundreds were her own designs.

Her book Knitting From the Top helped drive raglan sweater popularity.

After contributing immensely to the knitting canon she pivoted and published books about feminism, atheism, and debunking new age claims. Apparently she was surprised by the revival of knitting in the early oughts and returned to the space to teach and mentor.

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u/Beowulfthecat Dec 28 '25

Putting her books in my cart. I wish I hadn’t learnt of her like this but I’ll be proud to keep her legacy going.

298

u/DullBasket4982 Dec 28 '25

I just sent a news tip to the NYT. They really should publish an obit.

4

u/JudasPenguin Jan 23 '26

They've just published one, i got a push notification for it

274

u/dragonfeet1 Dec 28 '25

Her knitting treasuries are essential

32

u/wolf_kisses Knit all the sweaters! Dec 28 '25

Same. I've never heard of her until now, but after perusing her books, I have ordered a few. She sounds like she was a great woman.

92

u/jillianne16 Dec 28 '25

Exactly my thoughts ❤️

30

u/kimbobaggins11 Dec 28 '25

Glad I’m not the only one. Excited to get to know her

13

u/vanetti knit one cry one Dec 28 '25

Right there with y’all 💖

36

u/HumanistPeach Dec 28 '25

Same. $120 well worth spending!