Canadian Knitwear Designers & Artisans (originally named Canadian Knitwear Designers' Association) was conceived by an ad hoc steering committee in 1998. The acting positions were held by the following Founding Members:

Lucy Neatby (Tradewind Knitwear Designs) - President
Annabelle Dawson (Talk of the Town Knitwear Designs) - Treasurer
Carol Tomany (Infiknit) - Secretary

Original Sponsors were:

Black Cat Knitwear Designs - Kathryn Heuss

Cabin Fever - Deb & Lynda Gemmell

Downtown Knit Collective

Four Seasons Knitting Products - Jo-Anne Hunter

The Needle Arts Book Shop - Marsha White

Shelridge Farm Wools - Buffy Taylor

Sweaters, Etc. - Peggy Wallace

Wood 'n Needles - Sarah Smith

Wool On Wheels Inc. - Cathy Nerad