We'll Miss You, Witt...

Wednesday night. I've had a terribly difficult time this week packing and wrapping up work. Between the general lack of focus, my sinus' and the high from the MSKR, it's been tough.  All I was able to muster tonight was two episodes of Season 1 of "Doctor Who" and untangling a ball of yarn from MSKR (because the swift is packed). It was sunny today, and it'll be sunny tomorrow, but I'll be seeing clouds for a while.

I learned through Ted that Witt Pratt passed away last night, for which I am deeply saddened by.  We'll miss you, Witt.

I first met Witt at a Knitting Group in Logan Circle --- it was Logan Circle Knit 'n Crochet back then, before we became part of Stitch 'n Bitch.  I remember meeting him and being amazed - he had hanks and hanks of Manos he'd bought (somehow he scored a Wholesale account). We talked a lot that night - I was so glad to know there was another male knitter out there somewhere. 

Witt and I crossed paths again and again from then on, often at times I least expected it. I'd see him every once in a while at Yarns International (when it had a physical space in Bethesda), where he worked and taught.  We took a class together there, once, with Nora Bellows on designing felted bags.

I often saw Witt at knitting groups - and more and more when we started MenKnit in DC. He'd come, often working on an amazing project... he was close with Cat Bordhi at a time, and loved her moebius knitting. I remember watching him make one of those striped philosopher wool shawls --- he made more than one if I remember correctly.

Witt knew everyone, everywhere in the knit-world.  Without him, I would have never written 'Knitting with Balls' --- he played a key role in lending me books from his library, helping to stir the creative juices, and offering help at every turn. He introduced me to my tech editor for the book, Karen Frisa, who has become a great colleague and a good friend. He has had designs published - I found 2 on ravelry, but I know there are more. When we talked about the fiber-y world, he seemed to know everyone on a first name basis. I greatly respected him - and still do.

Today, I'm thinking about Witt and where he's been since I saw him last --- more than 3 years ago, when I'd understood he moved to Virginia. I'll miss Witt - in a phrase, he changed my life as a knitter.

A few links for folks who knew Witt...
Kvetching Up who received word from Gary (my thoughts are with him!)
Dan's Blog, photos of Witt, as I remember him...

Comments

[Mel]

Just now getting to blog posts and e-mails and this was the first I'd heard the news. Witt touched a lot of people's lives and you're right, we will miss him terribly.

[Dave Daniels]

Michael, I'm so glad you posted this. I didn't know he had passed. It was because of him that I even got involved with knitting in the first place. I was an avid quilter, and we had corresponded because he loved some of my quilts. When he told me he was a knitter, and I showed an interest, he sent me a totebag with needles and yarn, my first ever. And you know the path I've been on ever since.
This is really sad news to hear...I, too, will miss him greatly.

[Ken]

So sorry to hear about Witt's passing. Though I never knew him myself, I enjoyed his work. As a male knitter he was certainly an inspiration.