Sandi Rosner Tells ALL on today’s episode of Yarn Thing podcast with Marly Bird for which we are grateful, as it was short notice and she really has a lot to share with us.
Sandi says she learned to knit at age 18, when magazines (considered women’s publications) included a design with full instructions to knit. She wanted a vest she saw in the magazine, found the exact yarns and created. Her mother had crocheted and taught her much earlier, so she followed the instructions without fear, and then began experimenting. One summer, in her twenties she explored Barbara Walker’s stitch dictionaries and making swatches that looked interesting. In 1999, at a point in her career in financial services, when her son was very little, she quit that work and opened a yarn store, quite a leap having never worked in retail. After 8 years, closed the yarn store and focused on designing, teaching, editor. (She mentioned editing for the Twist Collective, she’s worked behind the scenes at the Knit and Crochet Now! show.)
Sandi began in the autumn of 2014 as Creative Director of Premier Yarns. Premier has been a topic of conversation on the Yarn Thing before, especially when Deborah Norville made time to share her yarns with us. They are also busy with the Isaac Mizrahi yarns, Universal Yarns and the new Downton Abbey. Just in the Premier collection are 30 brands of yarns! They work with in-house designers, she designs on occasion, too, and finding names for designs or colorways on occasion can be a big challenge.
Marly asked a question that we may have all wondered, does she get star-struck when a celebrity works with her on a yarn line. She admits she hasn’t met Isaac Mizrahi yet as that’s all handled through others for the fashion line, but with Deborah Norville, who is very hands on (as we heard in 2014 and 2013) in the yarn lines with her name on them. Even Sandi’s mother was excited that Sandi got to meet Deborah Norville. But when Premier Yarns was approached about offering a Downton Abbey line, Sandi broke out her happy dance around the office!
The Downton Abbey yarns include four lines named after Matthew, Lady Mary, Lady Sybil and Branson. The collection also offers patterns that are available as FREE Downloads, that includes afghans, a cardigan, vest, shrug, shawls, collars, hats with matching mitts. The Ravelry group is currently doing a Knit a Long/Crochet a Long (KAL/CAL) at THIS LINK. There is a twice-a-week newsletter from Premier yarns available in your e-mail and while the show is airing the new episode will feature that and offer the yarn packs for the various designs…
Please click on one of these graphics to be taken to the website the links will let premier know who sent you!
We can follow Sandi Rosner at her designer page in Ravelry. Premier Yarns is much more visible, recommend following all they are up to at the website www.premieryarns.com/yarnthing, also the Ravelry Group, Facebook, Pinterest and they have a YouTube channel.
If you missed hearing this live, you can still listen to the archived episode where it aired originally: https://www.blogtalkradio.com/yarnthing/2016/01/19/sandi-rosner-tells-all or with your favorite podcast catcher like iTunes or Stitcher Radio.
I absolutely loved today’s show. Loved hearing about the new Downton Abbey yarn and it’s backstory. I have also been a fan since the first episode and the Dowager Countess is possibly my favorite character. She does get all the best lines.
Another great show Marly! It was nice hearing Sandi’s story. I’m obsessed with Downton Abbey. I will be so sorry when it is over. The Dowager Countess is one of my favorite characters. She delivers her lines so well. You just have to chuckle.
I’m anxious to try out Premier’s Downton Abbey yarn line. It’s nice to know that it will be easy to find in my local stores.
Fabulous podcast! I used to visit Sandi’s store when it was open so this was a great listen.
Of all the characters on the show the Dowager Countess is my favorite.
I listen to your show as a podcast every week. I am always fascinated about the inner workings of the yarn craft business, and I had a great time listening to this podcast with Sandi Rosner. I love yarn colorways inspired by Downton Abbey, and Maggie Smith is one of my favorite actresses. She does a great job as the Dowager Countess.
Great podcast and I was so happy to hear more about the Downton Abbey yarn line! I saw people with the tote bags at Vogue Knitting Live but with so much to see there I couldn’t find the source. So glad that the spirit of the show will live on in the yarn and I can’t wait to work with it! I’m a big fan of the show and even when the plotlines would get tiresome the Dowager Countess kept me coming back for more.
Another wonderful interview. It was fascinating to hear how the Downton Abbey collection of yarn was developed. I especially loved how the personalities of the characters reflect the characteristics of the yarn. Dame Maggie Smith is incomparable as the Dowager Countess.
It’s interesting how many people consider Dowager Countess their favorite character! I am way behind on my Downton Abbey watching, but looking forward to seeing this yarn in the stores. Thanks!
This was such an enlightening podcast. I had NO idea that premier had its fingers is so many pots. I’m amazed. I have knit with some of it but not the new DA line. I am smitten with the Dowager Countess. I wish I could throw down some of her pithy lines. She has the Ability to put a person down and leave him or her wondering what just happened. Great chat !
Loved this episode! So interesting to hear about the development of the Downton Abbey yarn line. Love the show & the yarn looks beautiful! I’ll leave you with wise words from the Dowager Countess, perfect to knock you out of the winter blues, “You’re a woman with a brain & reasonable ability, stop whining and find something to do.” {or crochet!}
The dowager countess has grit and gumption. A most fascinating character!
Great podcast! I loved hearing about the Downton Abbey yarns. I must admit, I have never watched Downton Abbey, so I’m not quite certain who the Dowager Countess is. This might be just the push I need to get tuned into the show!!
This was the first time I’ve listened to your podcast, and thoroughly enjoyed it and learned a lot about Premier Yarns! That Dowager Countess always gives me a chuckle….never know what’s going to fall out of her mouth next!
Fascinating to hear about Premier Yarns (and Turkey.) I had no idea…
I envy the Dowager Countess her wit and her posture (unless that’s all due to corsetry, in which case I just envy her wit)
I loved hearing the back story of the Downton Abbey yarns. I’m a couple seasons behind in the viewing of the show since I watch on Netflix or Prime and just watch the season episodes back to back. The comments of the Dowager Countess are priceless!
Hi Marly! I love listening to the podcast. This one really kept my attention as even though Downtown Abbey is going into its last season, I am a brand new viewer and am halfway through season 1 and am LOVING it! I love all the characters, but the Dowager Countess is a real delight! And I am looking forward to more of her as I continue watching. Am looking forward to trying the yarns as well! Thanks for all you do Marly!!!
I happened upon the Downton Abbey yarns and patterns recently and immediately fell in love the Vintage Lace Collar. That’s a total”must make” for me!!…I have to admit that I haven’t been watching the show all along…so I don’t know who the Dowager Countess is…but I’m looking forward to finding out=)!! Thanks for another lovely show and interview=)!!
DVDs of the previous seasons are available at my local Public Library. Try the library in your town.
I don’t know who the dowager countess is, but I am going to start watching it if I can find the first season. I would love to win this gift.
I love, love, love Downton Abby, including the Dowager Countess! I will be so sorry to see the series end this season. Great podcast and interview. Thanks.
I’ve already downloaded the patterns! Love Downton Abbey and the Dowager Countess is my favorite!
I absolutely love this yarn, especially Sybil. I plan on making the Crochet cowl and crochet cloche
I agree that the Dowager Countess gets all the best lines, and delivered so well by Dame Smith. The mind boggles about the size of the mill in Turkey…wonder if there are any pictures on line…? hmmm….
I really enjoyed listening to the show! The Downton Abbey line of yarn sounds wonderful. It appears that they have matched the yarns perfectly to each character. I am only sorry that they didn’t make a Dowager Countess yarn. I would have loved to hear a description on that one!!
I adore Maggie Smith and her portrayal of the Dowager Countess is flawless. She is an amazing actress. I will most certainly shed many tears when Downton Abbey comes to an end. I’ve cried in nearly all the episodes already. Love that show.
I didn’t know there was “official” Downton Abbey yarn! That’s really neat that the show came to you to make yarn. I personally think Lady Sybil is more feisty than the description of the yarn matched with her- she wore PANTS! And participated in organizing! I hope a Dowager Countess yarn could be made in the future. Lots of purple!
I love Downton Abbey and hate to see the show go. The Dowager Countess is definitely a memorable character and one of my faves. I’m anxious to look and touch the Downton yarns.
I have been fondling this yarn line at Meijer when I take my Mom grocery shopping every week. Since downloading those great FREE patterns, I have a few skeins on my grocery list for this week. I think they need to add a Dowager Countess line. I am with Tammy, lots of purpley color ways to commemorate her name (and maybe some ACID green to complement her acerbic wit!)
It was great to learn about the Premier Yarn line and the Downton Abbey yarns.
I would love to see the Dowager Countess added to the current 4 yarn offerings. Shades of purple would be so appropriate and beautiful.
I would be happier than the Dowager Countess to win this wonderful prize package!!!
I cannot wait to try out the Downton Abbey Premier Yarns. I really enjoyed the descriptions of the yarn. It had me running to the computer to look at them and plan my projects! The dowager countess is so witty and I love watching her on the show.
I learned so much from listening to this podcast. I love Downton Abbey and I didn’t know there was a yarn line associated with the show. The Dowager Countess is the best! Her quips and barbs are the high point of many shows.
I want to thank Sandy for all that she shared. I would love to travel to Turkey with her to see the mill and experience the culture. I also loved her bread analogy. It is dead on.
I love Downton Abbey and started watching it after it had been on a few years. I’m so glad it’s on Amazon Prime and I can get my Dowager Countess fix! I’m checking out the patterns and can’t wait to start knitting a few of them.
Dowager Countess sounds like an awesome character, and the yarn looks amazing.
I really loved this episode. The Downton Abbey yarns look amazing. The Dowager Countess is definitely one of my favourite characters.
I so glad to learn about Downtown Abby along with the yarn, patterns and Sandi.
The Dowager Countess is a wonderful character.
Today’s episode was wonderful as usual. Being a fan of Downton I am so excited to hear about the creation of the yarn. Like Sandi, my favorite character is the Dowager Countess after all she does have the best lines.
Very interesting podcast. I learned alot about Premier Yarn and Dowager Countess.
Although the Dowager Countess is one of my least favorite on Downton, I love some of the knit / crochet pieces on there. Lady Mary’s over shirt was fantastic last week, I kept looking at it to see how it was constructed.
Loved the podcast. The yarns by Premier sound like something I need to try, especially for some new sweaters I want to knit. Does the Dowager Countess wear any cool sweaters?
I found it very interesting that Premier yarns are so diverse. I have downloaded several of the Downtown Abbey Collars to crochet. Does the Dowager Countess have any favorites that are crocheted?
I agree, the Dowager Countess has the best lines. Loved learning about the new yarn line, now I want to try it out.
Funny timing, my friend just says she gets her yarn from premier yarns.
I love Downton Abbey and Premiere Yarns! How did I not know there was a connection. I feel like the Dowager Countess would have a great snarky one liner for me, but atlas I’m not the clever.
Omg! I am buying this yarn ASAP! I’m a Downton Junkie! And my fave is the DOWAGER COUNTESS!!! Thanks for another wonderful podcast!
I love that there is a for-real, official yarn line based on all of the Dowton Abbey characters, including the Dowager Countess. What an informative podcast. Thanks for sharing with us! –KnittingDaddy Greg
I love Downton Abbey and the Dowager Countess. Trying to catch up on your episodes and this one was such a great surprise, going to check out the line on the premier website. So cool to hear about all the inspiration drawn from the show and characters to make the line. Thinking about making a collar to go over a dress per Sandi’s recommendation.
I love Downton Abbey and the Dowager Countess adds so much to the show. The yarn sounds lovely and seems to fit the characters very well.
Downton Abbey is a wonderful show and the Dowager Countess is a very interesting character. I look forward to try the Premier’s Downtown Abbry yarn collection.
I had almost started watching Downton Abbey back when it began. The episodes are on Amazon Prime so I think I will make that my new show to watch, that way I will finally know who the Dowager Countess is!
I love to work with linen because I live in Texas and for us linen is year round fiber.