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Cat Bordhi
As I interviewed Cat Bordhi, it felt almost like I was talking with a neighbor. The “fun” neighbor you hope to run into during your week. The friendly neighbor that brings a smile to your face, which you remember long after moving away. Cat Bordhi, is a neighbor of sorts to me, as I live on Bainbridge Island and Cat lives on San Juan Island in the neighboring San Juan Islands, not too far away, here in the state of Washington.
Cat Bordhi was born in San Francisco, California, and is not solely a wonderful knitter, but also a well known author of five books, with a new book set for release this summer. Cat is hoping for the book to be out in time for the Sock Summit, to be held also this summer in Portland, Oregon. Ms. Bordhi is not currently married, but does have a daughter, and the light of her life, her grandson Charlie who’s two. Cat keeps an extremely busy schedule throughout the year, teaching industry professionals at events such as TNNA. She also teaches at the Stitches events that are scheduled around the country, and at various yarn shops that are lucky enough to book her time. She also does book signings, retreats for knit designers who are attempting to self publish books, and she also speaks at various engagements. She is a full time designer, knitter and writer.
As mentioned above, a major event schedule on Cat Bordhi’s calendar this year is the Sock Summit. The Sock Summit was the brain child of Bordhi some years ago. She dreamt of a knitting conference based on socks because of the popularity of sock knitting. She imagined not a retreat, not a conference, but a summit. She imagined all the sock designers and teachers together in one place at one time. Bordhi had met Tina Newton of the popular sock yarn, Socks That Rock, at the Seattle Knitters Expo years back and they have always stayed in touch. Bordhi met Stephanie Pearl McPhee, otherwise known as the Yarn Harlot, at the Madrona Fiber Arts Retreat some years back as well. The two had always wanted to meet each other, and spontaneous friendships were formed. As the idea was shared, Tina Newton went with it. As Cat says, “Tina and Stephanie are the muscle and the time behind Sock Summit”. Hours upon hours have been put into this event and Bordhi isn’t sure it will be an annual event, but fondly refers to the project as “WOODSOCK”!
Ms. Bordhi says that she was taught to knit by both her mother and grandmother at the age of eight. She went on to tell me that the knitting styles of these two women were very different. Upon observation of these techniques, she saw what needed to happen, and excused herself from their company, and has been an adventurous knitter ever since. Now, she teaches others to knit. Cat has always been a teacher during her adult life, starting with teaching young people in school. Although she taught all subjects, her strength was always in math and was also a Math Olympiad coach. Cat Bordhi is a very “go with the flow” kind of person, and I can see how she would be a wonderful teacher. The way that Cat Bordhi’s mind works is very special. To imagine knitting in the round using two circular needles, as oppose to knitting in the round using three or four double pointed needles is brilliant, or how about revolutionizing. As we spoke during the interview, she made a comment…..she said “I should not try and change the world”. I say, “Cat, never stop trying to change the knitting world”!
When asked what her favorite type of knitting is, she didn’t really hesitate at all. She told me that she enjoys all types of knitting, but that socks truly are the “sports car” of knitting. She went on to tell me that the foot was like a curvy mountain road, and for an investment of roughly $25, you can have quite a knitting adventure. I also asked her if she had a favorite yarn, and the winner was Lorna’s Laces. She says that the variations in the colors help in learning to knit socks, and also help in teaching to knit socks, as you can easily see where you are, but also see the stitch definition that you need to see. She also went on to praise the company, in that they were really great people putting out a superb product.
Cat Bordhi lives in Friday Harbor, a town located on the San Juan Island, located in the San Juan Islands in Washington State. In 1845 the Hudson’s Bay Company laid claim to San Juan Island. In 1850 they built a salmon curing station. A few years later, they started a sheep farm. Cat tells me that even today, there are alpaca farms, sheep farms, organic gardeners and a very successful textile guild, specializing in tatting, spinning, weaving, and knitting. She says it’s a wonderful community not only for living, but for raising a family. The island is primarily served by the Washington state ferry system, but does have an airport, and is also served by regular daily scheduled float plane services from the downtown pier. Ms. Bordhi loves the ferry, and describes it as a floating living room of sorts. She goes on to describe that during an hour and a half ride, you are always bound to run into someone you know, but you never know who it’s going to be. It’s always a surprise, but a great way to get caught up with people you know, and you’ll most likely see someone knitting. She says that Friday Harbor is the best place in the world, and they have a yarn shop, Island Wool!
Now, about that new book to be released this summer…..Cat’s keeping it all under wraps, but did give me this little tease. She says, “it’s knitting for your foot at the end of your leg, or at the end of legs nearby”. She told me that it’s not a new architecture, but a new strategy, and she is hoping for it’s release in time for the Sock Summit. When Cat Bordhi is not knitting, teaching, or writing, she does love to walk amongst her beautiful setting in Friday Harbor and also enjoys reading, but the true love of her life is her Grandson. Cat says that knitting is not going away, and she loves to support other designers and inspire knitters. My interview was a total delight, and Cat Bordhi is very funny, engaging, fascinating, creative, passionate and full of energy. Thank you Cat!
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