Kate Preston

knit designer + instructor

Kate Katie Preston, knitting, custom luxury handknit items, designer of knit swimsuit modeled by Kate Upton for Sports Illustrated Swimsuit magazine, editor MJ Day, photo Derek Kettela. First ever fashion photoshoot on Antarctica.

Kate Preston has been an active member of the knitting community since she began knitting twenty years ago. In 2010, she founded a knitting program in her hometown, teaching over 100 women to knit. Her comprehensive series of lessons enable newcomers to progress into more advanced knitters over the course of twelve months.

Kate designed and knitted a wool swimsuit that was worn by supermodel Kate Upton in Sports Illustrated Swimsuit 2013 magazine. Upton modeled the unique swimsuit in the first-ever fashion photo shoot on the continent of Antarctica. Read more here.

In 2022, Kate’s work was published in60 Quick Knit Gifts for Babies, part of Sixth & Spring’s renowned series. Her work has also been featured in a 2022 edition of New York Newsday, Knit Simple magazine and Martha Stewart American Made. In 2012, she was invited with her knitting students to attend a filming of the Martha Stewart Show in New York. In addition, Kate's custom, knitted accessories were sold in the 2013 Trunk Shows of New York fashion designer Daryl K.

Kate heads the local chapter of Care to Knit, a non-profit organization that donates hand-knitted items to veterans’ hospitals, children’s hospitals and shelters. In addition, she partners with local schools and non-profit organizations to plan fundraising events where the attendees take lessons and support worthy causes. She is also a member of The Knitting Guild Association and taught two courses at its 2014 national conference.

Kate lives in New York with her husband and four sons.

See the Kate Upton - Sports Illustrated Swimsuit issue here.

Purchase your copy of 60 Quick Knit Gifts for Babies here.

Member of The Art Guild (New York)

Member of The Knitting Guild Association