Hania New York: A Growing Hand-Knit Business in the City

Anya Cole, who was born in Poland and studied classical ballet, performing with the Metropolitan Opera in Poland, learned to knit as a young girl. “If you want it, you have to learn to make it,” was what her mother would tell her. Today, Cole oversees a luxury knitwear business called Hania New York, employing craftswomen to handknit garments in all five boroughs of New York City. Cole uses Scottish and Italian cashmeres from the finest mills in the world to create one-of-a-kind garments for women, men and children. After leaving Poland, Cole escaped to Germany and immigrated to the U.S. 29 years ago not speaking a word of English. She got a job in merchandising at Regatta Sport. After taking some time off to raise her daughter, she launched her own business, Hania New York in 2012. Hania New York sells retailers such as Bergdorf Goodman, Gorsuch and specialty boutiques throughout the country. “Knitters find me,” said Cole, noting it’s often through word of mouth. Today, she has 100 women knitting for her. They are freelancers and get paid by the piece. Anya Cole  Courtesy shot Cole’s aesthetic is based on a dancer’s needs, with lots of layers. “I always wear big sweaters and always layer

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