One of Britain's leading knitwear designers, Jean combines her twin passions of knitting and gardening in her tours. A self-taught knitter, her innovative use of textures, colours and elegant styling have been widely influential. For more than twenty years she has designed her own collections as well as various commissions for Rowan Yarns, Ralph Lauren, Laura Ashley, Benetton and other major fashion houses. Magazines such as Vogue Knitting and The Knitter feature her designs regularly and she is the author of many books.
Believing that good design should be available to all, not just those who can afford to buy couture, she teaches knit design and technique workshops in North America and Europe. Her latest book Great Little Gifts to Knit was published by The Taunton Press in September 2013, receiving excellent reviews on the subsequent blog tour. Travel is a passion and Jean loves to connect with kindred spirits and share skills. She firmly believes in vegetarianism, sustainablity and the power of love and laughter.
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KNIT GREECE
LECTURE
Our love affair with Mani
WORKSHOPS
1 Twists & Turns
traditional Greek key patterns
We'll look at the origins and structure of these ancient geometric designs. Also known as a meander (meaning twisting and turning) or fret (design cut out with a saw), these patterns use one strong colour against a neutral background and have endless design possibilities in your knitting. We'll look at a simple pattern, then we'll explore the inbuilt options in how to use it to make several others.
using holes to decorate your knitting
Add light and air to your knitting by including holes, either as an accent or as part of a repeating pattern. Also we'll look at different shapes - circles, squares, triangles and diamonds - and explore ways of incorporating them into a design.
KNIT FRANCE
LECTURE
Behind the scenes
WORKSHOPS
1 Croissant Knits
using crescent shapes to liven up your knitting
Learn how to knit crescents and use them as building blocks to make a selection of accessories from hats and cowls to scarves and shawls. You'll learn how to shape the croissants, how to join your work as you go along, and in the process, make the beginnings of a spiral-patterned cloche hat.
using colour and pattern inspiration from the chateau, design your own memento doorhanging
Skills will include casting on and cast off, stocking stitch, increasing, beaded knitting, double (US single) crochet, with optional fairisle and intarsia knitting. Stripes or slipstitch knitting are other options.
