Melbourne Workshops

This workshop is sailing along beautifully; it's proven that 2 days is a good length of time for attendants to really explore the idea of customizing their Construction Knitting Pattern.  So the Hellenic Republic is a few doors down for the best value lunch in town (a $12 lunch box special of 3 courses), and possibly the best coffee in town right next door at the Brunswick East Project.  It's my second last day in Melbourne, and I'm soaking up every bit in while I can.

Melbourne Workshops

I'm really looking forward to these workshops at Harvest Textiles, as I've got some great projects planned for it / including this EMBELLISHMENT with Braids and Tassels project from my Annex of Construction No 4 Triangle Projects.  Our Wooli yarn is now completely SOLD OUT on the webshop, so the Workshops are the last opportunity to create a Construction Project for a while.  If you can't make the Melbourne Workshop, our stockists Koskela and Est may be able to supply Wooli.

Melbourne Workshops

Melbourne's Craft Cubed Festival is now officially launched, and I will be participating by holding two-day intensive Construction Workshops at Harvest Textiles.  The Workshops include all materials including Bespoke Wooli, Knitting Needles and Patterns.  Plus exclusive to these Workshops, the NEW CONSTRUCTION NO. 4 TRIANGLE KNITTING PROJECTS with additional Annex Patterns.  The workshops will cover hands-on knitting techniques, how to design knitwear using geometric shapes, adjusting and tailoring patterns, finishing techniques / all using the clear visual aids of the Construction Knitting Patterns as a guide.  They are only small classes so I will be able to give one-on-one guidance, and the classes are suitable for all levels of knitting knowledge, from absolute beginners to advanced.
Bookings at Harvest Textiles.   Two separate workshops:
Sunday August 18 & Monday August 19 2013 10.30am - 3pm
Saturday August 24 & Sunday August 25 2013 10.30am - 3pm

Construction No. 4 & Melbourne Workshops

Announcing Construction No. 4 and Melbourne Workshops.  Construction No 4 is a new pattern in the Construction Knitting Project series, and is a Triangle Construction.  It will be available to purchase in the first week of June on our online store.  Coming up in August, are 2 x 2 day workshops held at Harvest Textiles in Melbourne.  I will be artist in residence at Harvest in the month of August, and the workshop dates are 18/19 August, and 24/25 August.  Details of the Harvest Workshop and how to register are here.  There will be only 10 people per class, and the workshop covers 'how to knit' and 'how to create your own knitting construction'.  So using the Construction Patterns as a visual aid, in the workshop you will be able to design and construct garments using my adaptation of a construction technique.  You get involved in the design process by following a logical progression of design and construction solutions in using graphic shapes.  You get a Workshp Kit, which includes big knitting needles, and my new bespoke Wooli yarn, and a pattern, and over the 2 days I promise you will be able to whip a garment range.  This workshop requires only basic knitting skills, and absolute beginners are also encouraged to register.  This workshop is also perfect as a follow-on from one of my previous workshops as it develops on the knowledge gained from following a construction pattern.

Natural Dye Workshops

Hey Gatherer's of old and new, we are hosting Natural Dye Workshops during Summer; on Sunday 27 January, and on Sunday 17 February, to be held in the print workshop of Aroha & Friends. Experience how to use dyes from the wildest of nature, trees and forests, derived from ancient recipes. Recipes made from berries, flowers, roots and insect resins that are steeped in history. Experience the stories of the Ancient Dyes; Stories of secret recipes coveted by spies, of cargo that traversed continents and created countries, colours which robed Vestal Virgins, clothed Robin Hood and his Gang, and uniformed Armies of Ancient Kingdoms. Once forbidden and still sacred Colours, Colours that are still grown, harvested, gathered, smoked by fire and blessed by ancient deities. Can it be any more enticing than this, even if its to just absorb the heady fragrances of this old, old world. Register at Gather for the workshops. email info@thegathershop.com, or telephone 06 835 1384.

Above images from Gather's Tumblr Site. Various images sourced from the Gather Journal, Kinfolk Magazine, and India Flint's book Eco Colour.

Above / Plant Dyes available at Gather.

KOSKELA WRAP-UP

Great shots here on the Koskela blog of the recent workshops held in Sydney on Construction Knitting.

KOSKELA WORKSHOPS

I'm still buzzing with inspiration from the Koskela space where the construction workshops were recently held. While the Wooli yarn is sold out on the webshop, Koskela still has yarn in stock for those looking for it.

SYDNEY WORKSHOPS

Just arrived in Sydney and its freezing cold; perfect knitting weather!! Still some places left for Construction Knitting Workshops at Koskela. If you're a Sydney-sider it's not too late to enter The Sydney Thousands competition for a giveaway workshop session, plus some Ebony Knitting Needles. What a incredible and inspiring space Koskela is; I'm really looking forward to spending my next few days there. Although - I'm almost full to the brim with visual saturation after viewing some of the Sydney Biennale today at the new MCA building. By the time this week in Sydney is over I'll be FAT with ideas.

WORKSHOPS

What a week - phew!! The highlights for me was the actual pitching of the tent , and setting up the ambience for the space/ once the LIGHTLY lamps and pom poms were up I was satisfied it was going to be a productive and beautiful space to share and work for the week at Harvest Workroom. The other highlight of course was the really diverse range of people who attended; one lady brought her elderly mother who has been an accomplished knitter all her life, but can't make the complex and demanding garments she used to make, and can now only knit squares, and so was inspired by the end of the workshop; and then a guy who wanted to learn to knit so he can make something for his girlfried - hoowww sweeeet!! I enjoyed the conversations with all the hospitality workers who had days and afternoons off to knit/ a couple of lawyers, a few designers, artists & fashion students & many textile appreciators. And of course the yummy food / my morning trips to QV Market kept the table filled with pots of tea and fruit, cake, bread, cheese.

Knitting Tent

Tent is now set up for Knitting Workshops at Harvest Workroom.
There are still some places available for the afternoon sessions - or just pop in to have a look and see the new range of WOOLI yarn, Tools & Construction No 3 knitting patterns.

Design Files Guest Blog

See an interview about the knitting workshops by GUEST BLOGGERS on Design Files; and more on the Harvest Textiles Blog.