Tara Manning

I am a fiber artist, instructor and writer. I love to play with wool (and silk and mohair and thread...). I love to teach others to make with their hands. And in their making access the beauty of flow state that pairs so well with slow stitch arts.

I am the published author of five books of hand knitting patterns and topics in hand knitting. I have extensively taught all things knitting - history, culture and advanced techniques. Recently I have been exploring possibilities in felt, learning natural dying, and dabbling in book making - both paper and cloth.

My experience is rich and varied. I have owned retail businesses, worked as freelance writer in the craft space and published five books on knitting. I have worked in galleries and as an independent art instructor specializing in fiber arts. I have extensive experience in customer service and managing a small staff. I have developed and taught advanced retreats and workshops involving crafts and fiber arts and have written about the intersection of making and mindfulness.

I hold a BFA in drawing and painting and a MA in apparel design, Fiber Arts and Historic Preservation. I wrote my master's thesis on the development of Aran Knitting and presented a contemporary collection of garments in the Irish knitting style. I am certified by The Knitting Guild of America as an instructor. I learned all aspects of retail management, merchandising and product curation as small retail business owner and currently as a member of a small art cooperative gallery.