Franklin Habit

Writer, Teacher · Paris, France

Franklin Habit has been sharing his brainy and hilarious writing and illustrations with the knitting world since 2005.

Franklin’s technical knitting chops, communication skills, and deep knowledge of knitting history make him one of the most sought-after teachers at major knitting events. He is the author of two marvelously frivolous books on knitting along with scores of articles and essays for needlework publications in the USA and abroad. He maintains a lively and well-subscribed Patreon feed here, and you can find his YouTube channel here.

Franklin Habit's Networks:

Contributions From Franklin Habit

Letter from Paris: Noodling

A busy summer in Paris shifts into a relaxed fall, and Franklin is craving color.

Read More about Letter from Paris: Noodling

Letter from Paris: Hunkered

Our man in Paris makes do and mends (and frogs and sorts and organizes) until the city's Olympic fever breaks.

Read More about Letter from Paris: Hunkered

Letter From Paris: A Sweater for Franklin

What would Franklin do when the weather, government, and global sporting events throw Paris off-kilter?

Read More about Letter From Paris: A Sweater for Franklin

Letter from Paris: Bonjour, Köln

The huge trade show reveals what's ahead—a report on the latest, cocooniest new trends.

Read More about Letter from Paris: Bonjour, Köln

Letter from Paris: Twist of Fête

So many wooly wonders to be found just outside of Paris. Let Franklin be your guide.

Read More about Letter from Paris: Twist of Fête

Letter from Paris: A Place for One’s Ball Winder

The sun is briefly seen, the gardienne is almost pleasant, and the workroom is nearly tidy. With spring comes hope.

Read More about Letter from Paris: A Place for One’s Ball Winder

Letter from Paris: Mysterious Intent

Signs of new growth are popping up in Paris—on Franklin's noggin and on his knitted crazy quilt.

Read More about Letter from Paris: Mysterious Intent

Letter from Paris: Through All Crises

Knitting to fit . . . whom?

Read More about Letter from Paris: Through All Crises

Letter from Paris: Yarn Crawl of Terror

In which we laugh in the face of our knitterly fears. Be afraid. Be (somewhat) afraid.

Read More about Letter from Paris: Yarn Crawl of Terror

Letter from Paris: Calm Yer Knits

... or "Notes on a Nervous Doily." Step this way into Atelier Habit.

Read More about Letter from Paris: Calm Yer Knits

Letter from Paris: Go Big and Stay Home

When the going gets tough, the tough knit lace.

Read More about Letter from Paris: Go Big and Stay Home

Letter from Paris: Slow Stitching

Think sloooooooooooow. Breathe.

Read More about Letter from Paris: Slow Stitching

Letter from Paris: So You Wanna Knit the Louvre?

Far from the Mona Lisa crowd, here are places to whip out that travel WIP.

Read More about Letter from Paris: So You Wanna Knit the Louvre?

Letter from Paris: Building Blocks

On making and measuring progress by the stitch and by the stack.

Read More about Letter from Paris: Building Blocks

Letter from Paris: Oooh de Cologne

It's off to Germany for knitwear trendspotting at a fabled trade show.

Read More about Letter from Paris: Oooh de Cologne

Letter from Paris: La Fête de la Tonte

Rambouill-yay! We're off on a virtual field trip to the annual Festival of Shearing.

Read More about Letter from Paris: La Fête de la Tonte

Letter from Paris: Twin Cities?

Or "Lemon yellow is the new navy."

Read More about Letter from Paris: Twin Cities?

Letter from Paris: Que veux-tu vraiment?

How a simple change can take you in a surprising new direction.

Read More about Letter from Paris: Que veux-tu vraiment?

Letter from Paris: Joyeuses Fêtes

Celebrating the season and looking forward to a vibrant new year.

Read More about Letter from Paris: Joyeuses Fêtes

Letter from Paris: Ribbed Mitts

Jane Gaugain's 19th century wrist warmers for 21st century knitters.

Read More about Letter from Paris: Ribbed Mitts

Letter from Paris: Haunting a Scottish Graveyard

Searching and musing in Dean Cemetery to honor the woman who started a Victorian revolution in knitting.

Read More about Letter from Paris: Haunting a Scottish Graveyard

Letter from Paris: La Rentrée

A change of season approaches, and the time is right for letting go, moving forward, and knitting on.

Read More about Letter from Paris: La Rentrée

Letter from Paris: Go with the Fluh

French for Knitters 101 now enrolling.

Read More about Letter from Paris: Go with the Fluh

Letter from Paris: Sweet, Sweet Summer

Ants in his pants as he crafts in France. It's a bountiful season.

Read More about Letter from Paris: Sweet, Sweet Summer

Letter from Paris: Tourist Trap

Wildlife spotting at a local café.

Read More about Letter from Paris: Tourist Trap

Woolez-Vous Musée Avec Moi?

Our correspondent in Paris walks us through an exhibition dedicated to the history of sheep breeding.

Read More about Woolez-Vous Musée Avec Moi?

Letter from Paris: Doris Day Lied to Me

Gray skies are gonna clear up, but until then ...

Read More about Letter from Paris: Doris Day Lied to Me

Letter from Paris: La Vie En Crochet

A cuddly sort of madness takes hold.

Read More about Letter from Paris: La Vie En Crochet

Letter from Paris: Hashtag I Didn’t Wake Up Like This

. . . or "Kiss My Mitts."

Read More about Letter from Paris: Hashtag I Didn’t Wake Up Like This

Letter from Paris: Fifty Million French Hens

Hello, culture shock!

Read More about Letter from Paris: Fifty Million French Hens

Letter from Paris: Price of New Life Does Not Include Shipping

Packing up a few things.

Read More about Letter from Paris: Price of New Life Does Not Include Shipping

Books with Franklin: Making Marls

From one small question–What happens if I knit with more than one yarn?—comes a comprehensive guide to creating custom color knits.

Read More about Books with Franklin: Making Marls

Books with Franklin: Boldfaced Knitter

Knitted typography, and knitting through a typographer's eyes.

Read More about Books with Franklin: Boldfaced Knitter

Books with Franklin: Great Danes

Vivian and the night sweaters.

Read More about Books with Franklin: Great Danes

In the Kitchen with Francatelli, Part Three

God serve the Queen...cookies! A sweet ending to our series about Victoria's tasty chef.

Read More about In the Kitchen with Francatelli, Part Three

In the Kitchen With Francatelli, Part Two

If you don't have a prawn dome, are you even cooking?

Read More about In the Kitchen With Francatelli, Part Two

In the Kitchen with Francatelli, Part One

God serve the Queen. A long-awaited new cooking series from Franklin Habit.

Read More about In the Kitchen with Francatelli, Part One

Books with Franklin: Dogs and Crochet

Sit, stay, knit. Or crochet!

Read More about Books with Franklin: Dogs and Crochet

Books with Franklin: Substitute Teacher

Yarn substitution, stash knitting, and corgis—these books have it all.

Read More about Books with Franklin: Substitute Teacher

Books with Franklin: Looking Back

Two very different rear-view mirrors, with knitwear.

Read More about Books with Franklin: Looking Back

Books with Franklin: The Trouble with “Easy”

A juicy stack of recent knitting books gets the Franklin treatment.

Read More about Books with Franklin: The Trouble with “Easy”

Books with Franklin: Knitting Ganseys

Rock the knit-frock. A new and thoroughly improved edition of a groundbreaking classic.

Read More about Books with Franklin: Knitting Ganseys

Books with Franklin: Faerie Knitting

Tales of Hoffman (with knitting patterns of Hoffman).

Read More about Books with Franklin: Faerie Knitting

Books with Franklin: From Baby Shoes to the Stars

A pair of books full of surprises. New from Hunter Hammerson and Helga Spitz.

Read More about Books with Franklin: From Baby Shoes to the Stars

Books with Franklin: Couture Feature

A knitting book so spare that it becomes the center of attention.

Read More about Books with Franklin: Couture Feature

Books with Franklin: Get the Hook

If you love to play with yarn, why not play with yarn any way you possibly can?

Read More about Books with Franklin: Get the Hook

Books with Franklin: Wool Studio and The Mitten Handbook

Two good titles delivered by an intrepid mail carrier.

Read More about Books with Franklin: Wool Studio and The Mitten Handbook

Books with Franklin: Shetland Double Feature

Shetland, through the lens of its knitting and wool traditions, as seen by two writers who know it well.

Read More about Books with Franklin: Shetland Double Feature

Franklin on Books: Vogue Knitting –The Ultimate Knitting Book

A best friend gets a makeover, and emerges even better.

Read More about Franklin on Books: Vogue Knitting –The Ultimate Knitting Book

Books with Franklin: Martin Storey and Nancy Marchant

Two books, two new projects cast on: an occupational hazard of reviewing good knitting books.

Read More about Books with Franklin: Martin Storey and Nancy Marchant

Books with Franklin: Knitting Comfortably

Feeling oochy in the elbow? Check out a fascinating book about how knitters can get comfortable.

Read More about Books with Franklin: Knitting Comfortably

Books with Franklin: New References (Ooh!)

Four new reference books that are worthy additions to the knitterly library.

Read More about Books with Franklin: New References (Ooh!)

Books with Franklin: Patterns to Knit by the Fire

A raft of excellent new pattern books to warm your winter evenings.

Read More about Books with Franklin: Patterns to Knit by the Fire

The Coy of Cooking: Adventures with Bettina (Part 3 of 3)

Underneath that practically-perfect exterior, something unexpected.

Read More about The Coy of Cooking: Adventures with Bettina (Part 3 of 3)

Books with Franklin: So You Think You Can Art?

Making stuff: straight talk and logical advice on how to be an artisan. No woo woo here.

Read More about Books with Franklin: So You Think You Can Art?

The Coy of Cooking: Adventures with Bettina (Part 2)

She's back! Franklin Habit spends more time with everybody's favorite homemaker of 1919. Dutch Apple Cake emerges.

Read More about The Coy of Cooking: Adventures with Bettina (Part 2)

Franklin Habit on Books: Short and Sexy

Knitting Short Rows: Jennifer Dassau explains it all for you. And Jen Geigley plays with scale in Weekend.

Read More about Franklin Habit on Books: Short and Sexy

The Coy of Cooking: Adventures with Bettina (Part 1)

In his most fabulous column yet, Franklin Habit dips into his vintage cookbook collection: A Thousand Ways to Please a Husband. Housewifely wackiness, excellent croquette recipe ahead.

Read More about The Coy of Cooking: Adventures with Bettina (Part 1)