Artist:

Kathleen Kennedy Dal Porto

I have a BAed in Art Education and a BA in Graphic Design.  I worked as an instructor and ceramic studio assistant at a college in Washington State.  I've shown and sold my paintings but my first love is three dimensional art.  My great grandfather made wooden jaunting carts in Ireland, my grandfather was a carpenter, my uncle owned a wood shop when I was growing up, he was also a wood carver and his son went on to become a violin maker.   I guess the love of wood runs in the family.  I knit and have done so since I was ten years old.  I started making needles when I couldn't find the sizes and quality I desired in wood.  I love and only use wooden needles.

Needle Care:

I use many exotic and domestic hardwoods to make WinterRose knitting needles currently in sizes 9 to 15.  Each needle is sanded, polymer clay sculpted on the end, baked, resanded, clay is sealed then the wood is hand rubbed with bees wax and orange oil.  I use a piece of nylon stocking to test for smoothness but should you ever find that the wood is catching on your yarn, sand the spot and reapply furniture oil.  Wooden needles only get better with age.  The oils from the users hands give them a personal patina over time.  Wood has a wonderful, mellow click and warm feel.  They make a treasured gift or hand me down.

The woods:

I am always expanding my line of woods.  I currently offer Black Walnut, Bloodwood, Bocote, Boxwood, Bubinga, Cocobolo, Ebony, Hickory/pecan, Mahogany, Pau Amarello, Satinwood, Sugar Maple and Tulipwood.  Sizes and Prices of individual woods are on the Knitting Needle page of this web site.  Most have pictures, all woods are currently available in sizes and lengths indicated.