Have you heard about STITCHES South? It’s a fabulous consumer show for crocheters, knitters, and fiber enthusiasts that will be held in Nashville, TN from April 23-25, 2015. Every day from now through Wednesday, April 22, Crochetville will publish a post sharing some of the reasons you will want to attend this event. Whether you come for just one day or stay the entire weekend, you will not believe how much fun you will have!
Today’s focus will be on the crochet classes available to you. STITCHES has brought in the amazing Jenny King, Australia’s most famous crochet designer, who is offering six classes on a variety of topics. If you’re an experienced crocheter who would like to learn a new stitch or technique, you will enjoy Jenny’s classes. Even if you’re a relatively new crocheter, as long as you know the basic stitches (chain, slip stitch, single crochet, and double crochet), you have the skills you need to be successful in these classes!
About Jenny King
Jenny King is Australia’s most innovative and amazingly diverse crochet designer. Crochet is her passion, and she has been extremely lucky to have made her obsession her profession. Her work ranges from glamorous one-off runway fashions to soft felted dreadlock dolls, with bags, jewelry, baby wear, quirky Australian animals, and botanically correct crochet native flowers in between. She is surrounded by vibrant color at home in Tropical Queensland, and this color inspires her designs.
Read Jenny’s complete profile on this page of the STITCHES South 2015 website.
1. Bavarian to Go with Jenny King
Thursday, 1:30 – 4:30 PM
[one_half]Traditional Bavarian crochet is multi-colored and it looks amazing that way. Students will learn a square, triangle, and circular Bavarian stitch in the 3-hour class. Jenny will share her skills with this technique, and each student will receive an autographed copy of Jenny’s new Bavarian-to-go book. Supplies: Yarn and appropriate hooks, sharp scissors, notebook, pen or pencil with an eraser, stitch markers, blunt tapestry needles (large and small), flexible tape measure, small calculator, and needles & crochet hooks of various sizes. Homework: None. [/one_half]
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2. Diamond Style with Jenny King
Friday, 8:30 – 11:30 AM
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[one_half_last]Jenny has worked out how to work squares continuously without hassle and then turn them to make them diamonds instead. This sounds so much more expensive! Learn how to work this entrelac-style crochet method with only half the work missing. Experiment with self-striping yarns to work some amazing shapes in this technique. It is fun and fast, and the missing bits are what make it so interesting. Supplies: Sharp scissors, notebook, pen or pencil with an eraser, stitch markers, blunt tapestry needles (large and small), flexible tape measure, small calculator, and needles & crochet hooks of various sizes. Homework: None. [/one_half_last]
3. Read the Signs with Jenny King
Friday 2:00 – 5:00 PM
[one_half]If you have ever wondered what those squiggles in a symbol crochet pattern mean and would like to be gently walked through the process then this is the class for you. Perhaps you have seen a gorgeous design but can’t read the words because it is in a foreign publication, or English is not your first language then symbol reading will help. OR if you hate reading regular patterns and want a shortcut Jenny can help. Learn what the symbols mean and execute a simple pattern done in symbols before leaving class. Once you have done symbols you may never want to go back. Supplies: Yarn and appropriate hooks, sharp scissors, notebook, pen or pencil with an eraser, stitch markers, blunt tapestry needles (large and small), flexible tape measure, small calculator, and needles & crochet hooks of various sizes. Homework: None[/one_half]
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4. Master Solomon’s Knot with Jenny King
Saturday 8:30 – 11:30 AM
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[one_half_last]THIS CLASS IS SOLD OUT. This elusive stitch can be the best way to use a small amount of yarn for a project or to highlight the luxury of certain yarns. Or it can make a recycler’s dream shopping bag. The stitch is very versatile but is not that easy to master from most instructions. Learn the stitch Jenny used to churn out shawl after shawl when she was only 15 years old. Once mastered, it is super quick to do and it has a delicacy that is just so lovely. Work in the round, in a triangle, or straight. Supplies: Yarn and appropriate hooks, sharp scissors, notebook, pen or pencil with an eraser, stitch markers, blunt tapestry needles (large and small), flexible tape measure, small calculator, and needles & crochet hooks of various sizes. Homework: None. [/one_half_last]
5. Mix It Up with Miters with Jenny King
Sunday 8:30 – 11:30 AM
[one_half]Learn how to make a square from the outside in and then build modules onto it in 4 different directions. Mitered squares are not new to the knitter, but now there is a wonderful crochet version that actually looks like its knit counterpart. Learn all the techniques needed to master mitered crochet, and be inspired to step outside the squares. Students will learn to work in 2 different directions using a modular mitered technique that is similar to but not like any other, and then the fun begins. Why not try it in double crochet too, and let’s leave out the center stitches and see what happens. Let’s take the basic technique and mix it all up. And what about self striping yarn? Now we’re talking! Supplies: Yarn and appropriate crochet hook, sharp scissors, notebook, pen or pencil with an eraser, stitch markers, blunt tapestry needles (large and small), flexible tape measure, small calculator, and needles & crochet hooks of various sizes. Homework: None [/one_half]
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6. Tartans, Tartans, Tartans with Jenny King
Sunday 1:30 – 4:30 PM
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[one_half_last]Jenny was featured in the book, Crochet Master Class, with her woven crochet technique. Learn why Jenny IS the master of this technique, as you crochet a striped mesh then transform it into a Tartan placemat. Even a beginning crocheter can expand the technique to create their own family heritage tartan afghan. Woven crochet is a very classy crochet style which is deceptively simple. And who doesn’t love that? Receive an autographed copy of USA and Canadian Plaid Afghans (Jenny’s 5th in this series) with her compliments. All yarn for this class will be kindly supplied by Coats and Clark. Students only need to bring their hooks. Supplies: Sharp scissors, notebook, pen or pencil with an eraser, stitch markers, blunt tapestry needles (large and small), flexible tape measure, small calculator, and needles & crochet hooks of various sizes. Homework: None. [/one_half_last]
Helpful Stitches South Links
Stitches South 2015 Main Page
Register for Market Sessions
STITCHES Vendor Listings and Market Floor