WORKSHOPS & LECTURES

A new programme of workshops and lectures for 2009 will be announced shortly. If you are interested in a workshop or lecture for your store or knitting group I can travel to you -
get in touch.

FREEFORM KNITTING
An introduction to
In this workshop the only limit is how far you’ll let your imagination take you - this is the fear of flying knit workshop! Throw all your inhibitions out the window, make it up as you go, let go and kickstart your creativity. No worries about how much or how little you do, this is not important, what is important is that you have fun, follow your needles, and see what happens!

BAGS OF FUN
Half day workshop in conjunction with Freeform Knitting
Create an original bag or purse from your freeform fabric – can you ever have enough? After assessing the shape of your fabric, you’ll decide on a form for your bag. We'll consider handles, straps, fasteners and additional embellishment, then complete your unique creation.

CREATING A HANDKNIT DESIGN
From source to swatch
For knitters wishing to explore design, colour, texture and stitch. Using an original source from nature, art or simply an everyday object which you find inspiring, we will identify the design elements which make it work and then design and knit a swatch which can be used to make homewares or a sweater.

COUTURE KNITS
Techniques from Couture Knits
Learn how to give your knitting the professional touch by integrating some simple designer tricks. We will look at short row shaping, buttonhole construction, creative bands, decorative increases and decreases, casting on and off techniques, as well as a few other tips to give your work the couture look.

MORE COLOUR WILL DO THE TRICK
Making colour work in your knitting
Whether stripes, fairisle, intarsia or simply co-ordinating a plain sweater, colour is crucial. Revitalise your knitting by understanding which colours work together and sharpen your colour awareness. Through a series of experimental knitting exercises we will look at the basic principles of colour harmony, which can be applied every time you pick up your needles.

KNITTED HAT TRICKS
Fun ways to make knitted hats
An introduction to hat knitting, looking at the different shapes and techniques which will enable you to create beautiful, stylish and original hats. Expect to be surprised by your own creation!


SOCK KNITTING
From simple socks to Turkish slippers
Delight your friends by creating your own unique gifts, or simply enjoy the sheer pleasure of snuggling up in a pair of socks which you've crafted yourself. Sock knitting is addictive so join the international club. Fairisle, stripey, cabled or sparkly, socks are easy-to-knit and portable, providing a perfect vehicle for your creative talents. So come along, learn the basics and join in.

THE FINISHING TOUCH
Creative decorative techniques for knitters
Ever wondered about those professional touches which give a garment a stylish fit and appeal? I shall show you how to spice up your knitting with techniques which I use regularly. From frilled edgings, lacy knitted fringes, cabled bands to short-row intarsia, reversible double knitting, and much more.

REVERSIBLE STITCHES
Beauty on both sides
Reversible stitches have many uses from throws, scarves, collars and cuffs to completely reversible sweaters like the Tassajara (left). Many projects will benefit from a stitch which looks great on both sides. I will introduce you to some of my favourite patterns, we'll look at how to construct new ones and also explore double knitting, both plain and patterned.

KNITTING WITH BEADS
How to add sparkle to your knitting
A practical workshop, in which you will use beads to add pattern, colour and sparkle to your knitting. We will look at the different beading methods and their application. You will learn the basics of charting a beaded pattern, from which you will then make a unique and fashionable wristlet.

PEPLUMS & PLEATS
Nips and tucks to add shape to your knitting
From the dressmaker's dart to the designer's godet, pleats and peplums are constantly used to add shape and style to fashionable garments. In this practical workshop we will explore the different techniques and stitches for shaping, through decorative increases and decreases and short rows to knife pleats and edging patterns.

LECTURES
Slide show and talk of approximately one hour, and afterwards an informal chat when knitters can look at some of my recent work and share their own projects and ideas (approx 120 minutes in total)

A PASSION FOR PULLOVERS
A light-hearted look at how I got into knitting, designing my own handknit and hand-loomed collections, working with other designers, commercial factory production, design consultancy and writing knittingbooks. The talk will be illustrated with slides of inspirational sources and sweaters from my archives, some of which are dear old friends. There will be personal anecdotes and insights into the fashion industry and lots of opportunities or comments and questions.

SCULPTURED KNITS
An illustrated talk based on Sculptured Knits, my book inspired by the flamboyance of the Belle Epoque, the elegant simplicity of Art Deco and the hard-edged geometry of Pop Art, and contemporary post-modern eclecticism. Using a variety of sculptured stitches, which range from simple knit and purl patterns through creative cable patterns to more complicated intricate lacy arans, this is a collection which reflects the elegance and style of the twentieth century. Looking at pieces from the book, I shall highlight techniques which you might find interesting, like short row intarsia and reversible knitting.

BEST OF BOTH WORLDS: COLOUR AND TEXTURE IN KNITTING
Colour and texture are the building blocks of good design. This illustrated lecture will take a wide-ranging look at both the traditional ethnic textiles and the modern decorative arts movements which inspired my most recent books, World Knits and Sculptured Knits. From labyrinthine Shoowa rafia embroideries and exquisite Banjara altar cloths to the elegant simplicity of Art Deco ceramics and the hard-edged geometry of sixties Pop Art, we will explore my sources of inspiration and examine the ways I have developed colour and texture in my knit design.