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. The upcoming Sweet Shawlettes is to be published by The Taunton Press in January 2012. Travel is a passion and Jean likes nothing better than to connect with kindred spirits and share skills. 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 extensively in North America and Europe.