The Knit & Crochet Show

The Knit & Crochet Show
Spring 2009 Teachers

Gwen Bortner first learned to knit at the age of 7 with knitting truly taking hold in life during college. After a successful career as an Information Technology executive, Gwen founded Knitability, LLC and in 2001, www.knitability.com was opened for business. Since that time, Gwen has taught sold out classes at venues all over the country. Education is the key component of the Knitability business plan as all company efforts focus on the company motto of "Taking Knitters to the Next Level". Gwen's passion is teaching and enjoys every opportunity she has to share her love of knitting with others. Whether teaching through the local community education program or at a national knitting convention, meeting new people and sharing the love of knitting is one of her greatest joys.

Gwen’s teaching philosophy can be summed up in the following quote, “As a teacher, I have learned more about knitting than I ever did as a designer. Student's questions lead me to think about the "why" part of knitting and if there is more then one "correct" answer. I provide very few absolutes in the classroom. Although I may have a preference, experience has shown that "my way" is rarely the only way and being inclusive is so much more inviting. My mantra is "knitting is fun" and if class isn't fun, then I am not doing my job.”

Classes offered at The Knit & Crochet Show Spring 2009:
N106K - The Hole Truth: The Basics of Lace
N206K - Start with the Finish in Mind

JC Briar jcbriar.home.comcast.net
A self-confessed "technique freak" and "skill junkie," JC dabbles in all kinds of knitting, but has a special fondness for textured knitting and novel construction techniques. If it involves lace, cables, or seamless construction, it's sure to catch her eye. She shares her enthusiasm by teaching at shops and fiber festivals, and online through Needlecraft University. Regardless of the topic, she aims to build confidence by expressing concepts clearly and concisely, and by presenting skills and ideas in a digestible progression. When not teaching, JC brings clarity to knitting patterns as a freelance technical editor. Classes offered at The Knit & Crochet Show Spring 2009: T103K - Cast On Cornucopia T203K - Disaster Recovery F106K - Lace Basics F206K - Hook Hocus-Pocus S108K - Multi-directional Scarves S208K - Entrelac Basics

Lily Chin www.lilychinyarns.com
Lily M. Chin is an internationally famous knitter and crocheter who has worked in the yarn industry for nearly 25 years, as a designer, instructor, and author of books on knitting and crochet. She has looks for the New York Fashion Week runway collections of designers Ralph Lauren, Vera Wang, Diane von Furstenberg, and Isaac Mizrahi, and her work has been on the backs of celebrities and super models. She was named a “Master Knitter” by Vogue Knitting. She is regularly cited in media across the U.S., including the Late Show with David Letterman, Martha, CBS Morning News, CNN, HGTV, and more. Lily Chin has lived in New York City all her life and has been involved in some aspect of the fashion industry since age 13. Classes offered at The Knit & Crochet Show Spring 2009: T301K - Custom Fitting Existing Patterns F104C - Fine Shaping in Stitch Patterning *Sold Out -* S100K - Tips, Tricks and Hints S200K - Computer Aided Design N302C - Beadaring, Beadelighted, Beadazzled, Bead Crochet

Darla Fanton darlafanton.com/
A Needle Arts Teacher and Designer for more than twenty-five years, Darla J. Fanton is intrigued both by specialty crochet techniques of the past and working to develop new stitches and techniques for fiber fanatics to enjoy. Her credits include designs for many of the largest yarn manufacturers, numerous magazine articles, and leaflets by publishers such as ASN, Leisure Arts, and Jeanette Crews. Certified by the Craft Yarn Council of America, Darla is a popular teacher at national and regional conferences and her local yarn shop where she is known for her patience and detailed instructions. Classes offered at The Knit & Crochet Show Spring 2009: T1TWK - Teacher Workshop T200C - Fun Funky Needle Felted Beads F100C - Twice As Nice Thermal Stitch F200C -Double Hook Crochet: The Basics S104C - Puffs, Posts, Cables & Connections: Design Tun. Aran N104C - Remarkable Reversible Ripples N204K - Knit & Purl With Your Crochet Hook

Nenah Galati www.knittingkorner.com
Nenah Galati has spent the majority of the last 25 years sharing her love of knitting, both professionally and personally. You will find her teaching style very refreshing as her focus is not on perfection, but rather on enjoying the process. She is relaxed in her teaching methods, is clear in her instruction, and kind to those who need a bit of extra help. Her DVDs are sold nationwide; and, her students marvel at her patience. She advocates: There are no mistakes, just design elements. Classes offered at The Knit & Crochet Show Spring 2009: T104K - Sock I T204K - Sock II F204K - Learn How To Knit Continental Style S204K - Sweater Knit from the Neck Down N103K - Short Sleeve Top Knit 3 Different Ways N203K - Entrelac Hats & Bags: Felted or Not

Jennifer Hansen www.stitchdiva.com
Jennifer Hansen lives in Fremont, California where she is a full-time crochet and knit designer, teacher and writer. Her innovative crochet work has been featured in various books, magazines and television shows including Vogue Knitting, Interweave Crochet, The Happy Hooker, The Encyclopedia of Crochet and Knitty Gritty. She has been described as “One of the names that immediately comes to mind when thinking of the creative forces that have helped transport crochet from the realm of acrylic afghans to the sexy world of figure-flattering fashions.” (Yarn Market News) Her professional background is in Architecture and Information Technology. Classes offered at The Knit & Crochet Show Spring 2009: T105C - Beginning Hairpin Lace T205C - Beginning Hairpin Lace: Join Workshop F101C - A Big Hook Introduction To Tunisian Crochet F201C - Fast & Beautiful Broomstick Lace

Arenda Holladay
Arenda Holladay is a co-chair of the Master Hand Knitting Committee. She is also the instructor for the Basics, Basics, Basics correspondence course and a consulting editor of Cast On magazine. Classes offered at The Knit & Crochet Show Spring 2009: F105K - Wheres and Hows of Increases and Decreases S300K - Toe Up Socks With Short Row Heels *Sold Out -* N105K - Where and Hows of Picking Up Stitches N205K - Measuring Gauge Accurately

Melissa Leapman
Melissa Leapman is the author of several bestselling knitting and crocheting books. Her most recent titles are Hot Knits, Cool Crochet, and Knitting Beyond Scarves (Watson-Guptill, 2004, 2005, and 2006), as well as Cables Untangled (Potter Craft, 2006). Her newest release, Continuous Cables (Potter Craft), was published in the Fall of 2008. She’s been a featured guest on numerous television shows, and is the host of several Leisure Arts knitting and crocheting DVD's. Nationally, her workshops are popular with crafters of all levels. Classes offered at The Knit & Crochet Show Spring 2009: F205K - Celtic Cables S102K - Fully-Fashioned and Fabulous! S202K - Mosaic Knitting: Colorful Knitting the Easy Way! N101K - Cable Ready N201K - Two-Color Double Knitting

Janet Rehfeldt
Janet Rehfeldt has knitting and crocheting since the age of 7. She is the owner of Knitted Threads Designs, LLC and is an instructor, designer, and author. She does instruction on both a national and local level including TNNA, Knit and Crochet Fiber Arts Market, Wi Sheep & Wool and demos in the Stitches Market Place. Her designs and articles can be found in leading knit and crochet publications. She is the author of "Toe-Up Techniques for Hand Knit Socks"; "Eye-Catching Crochet Accessories" and "Crocheted Socks!" by Martingale Publishing. Classes offered at The Knit & Crochet Show Spring 2009: F301K - Knit 2 Mittens At Once With a Long Circular Needle S103K - Slip-Knit Beaded Bracelet S203K - Knitting With Thrums and Locks (Lice Knitting) N102K - Toe-Up Techniques for Hand Knit Socks N202K - Dyeing Pre-Knit Blanks With Kool-Aid & Food Coloring

Mary Scott Huff
Mary Scott Huff trained as an actor in New York City. Since then she has acted like: A wife, a mommy, a computer programmer, a writer, a knitwear designer, a motorcyclist, and an adult. Not always in that order. New roles are eagerly anticipated. Mary became a serious knitter after experiencing textile, rather than food cravings during her first pregnancy. The cravings have yet to subside. Mary’s new book on charted color knitting will be released by Interweave Press in November, 2009. Classes offered at The Knit & Crochet Show Spring 2009: T206K - Mad Hatters

Janet Szabo
Janet Szabo is a nationally-known knitting designer, teacher and author. Her work has been featured in Cast-On, KnittingNOW, The Complete Knitting Collection, Knitter's Magazine and for the past seven years in her own quarterly publication Twists and Turns: The Newsletter for Lovers of Cable Knitting. She has taught at all three Stitches events, at several regional and national TKGA conferences and for many guilds and fiber festivals. Janet is the author of three self-published books: The "I Hate to Finish Sweaters" Guide, Aran Sweater Design, and Cables, Volume 1: The Basics. She is currently at work on Cables, Volume 2: Intermediate Techniques, to be released in mid-summer 2008. Janet was also a guest on the DIY Network's show Knitty Gritty where she demonstrated basic cable knitting techniques. She lives in northwest Montana with her husband, two daughters and two dogs. Classes offered at The Knit & Crochet Show Spring 2009: T102K - Cables and Beyond T2DWK - Designer Workshop *Sold Out -* F203K - Let Them Knit Cake! S107K - Finishing Before You Start S207K - Create Your Own Cables

Nancie Wiseman
Nancie, once a Registered Nurse opened her yarn shop, Nancie Knits in 1987 in Sacramento, California. The store has closed, but Nancie continues to teach, design and write knitting patterns and books. She continues to reach knitter’s and crochetor’s through her web site: nancieknits.com and by all her teaching throughout the US and Canada. After winning an International Design competition in 1992, Nancie not only designs but writes patterns for several yarn companies as well as writing articles and knitting designs for all of the major knitting magazines. In the Fall of 1997, Nancie was the consultant for an article in Martha Stewart Living, titled: Knitting 101. To date, she has written 10 books on knitting and crochet. Classes offered at The Knit & Crochet Show Spring 2009: T101K - Continental Knitting T202K - Intarsia Basics *Sold Out -* F102K - Fine Finishing One F202K - Fine Finishing Two S106K - Knitting With Wire S206K - I-Cord Extravaganza

Myra Wood www.myrawood.com
Myra Wood is an internationally known teacher, fiber & bead artist, designer and author. She teaches workshops and lectures on crochet, knitting, beading and embroidery specializing in all things freeform at national retreats, conventions and yarn shops across the country. She was a regular guest on Knitty Gritty and Uncommon Threads for the DIY & HGTV networks along with publishing a number of beaded jewelry and knit/crochet clothing patterns in a wide range of books and magazines. Her own book, Creative Crochet Lace, is available on Amazon.com and through local yarn and book stores. Myra has been crocheting, sewing and crafting since she was young and is passionate about any opportunity to inspire others creatively. Classes offered at The Knit & Crochet Show Spring 2009: T100K - Creative Lace Knitting One T201C - Freeform Knit And/or Crochet F300C - Freeform Wearables: Design & Construction S105C - Advanced Freeform Knit and/or Crochet S205K - Creative Lace Knitting Two