Nicky Epstein | Textile Artist

Nicky Epstein BFA 1974 CCAD’s 24th book, Knitting in Circles: 100 Circular Patterns for Sweaters, Bags, Hats, Afghans, and More, has been published by Random House.

Epstein earned her BFA from Columbus College of Art & Design in 1974 with a double major in Fashion Design and Advertising & Graphic Design. She took her first step into the professional knitting world 20 years ago in California when she took first prize in a McCall’s magazine sweater contest for her “Unicorn in the Garden” design. “Once the design was printed in their magazine I kept getting calls from other needlecraft magazines, and the offers kept coming,” Epstein says.

She currently lives in New York City and travels extensively, teaching and lecturing. “I teach techniques and shortcuts and try to inspire knitters to exercise their creativity and not be afraid to think outside the box,” she says. Although her patterns and designs seem advanced, Epstein explains that one of the secrets of their success is that they can be learned by and adapted to all knitting levels.

She has written dozens of popular knitting and crocheting books, including historical, travel, and pattern books, as well as knitting resource guides. She is a regular columnist for Vogue Knitting and teaches knitting workshops as well.

Epstein says her CCAD education was the foundation of her creativity. “I got to appreciate the talent and diverse artistic abilities of my peers in a creative environment,” she recalls.

By Katlin McNally