Not Your Grandma's Crochet: Pushing the Boundaries of Garment Design

When you think of crochet garments, do you only picture stiff fabrics, granny squares and bikinis? Think again.

Join Sandra Gutierrez, also known as Nomad Stitches, for an engaging Fiberside Chat where she will share her crochet journey and discuss how crochet garment design has evolved from traditional granny squares and square silhouettes to more sophisticated, wearable pieces. Sandra will explore the innovative techniques and stitch patterns contemporary crochet designers are using to create elevated garments, showcasing examples from her own work. She’ll also delve into how her knitting experience has shaped her vision of crochet design.

Throughout the Chat, Sandra will recount her personal experience living and working in a motorhome throughout 2024, highlighting how this nomadic lifestyle influenced her designs. Most importantly, Sandra aims to convince knitters that crochet is a craft to watch out for, showcasing its potential to create truly unique, stylish garments.

Bridging the Stitches: What Knitters & Crocheters Can Learn from Each Other

Knitters and crocheters may speak different stitch languages, but there’s so much we can learn from each other. In this engaging and thought-provoking session, we’ll explore:  
- 3 things crocheters can learn from knitters – From techniques to mindset shifts, discover how knit wisdom can elevate your crochet game.  
- 3 things knitters can learn from crocheters – Unlock the versatility and creativity of crochet to enhance your knitting journey. 
To bring these lessons to life, I’ll showcase patterns that share a knit and crochet version through Britt's Sisters Not Twins Project with Sönna Schuttner, proving just how beautiful & complementary these crafts can be. 

Along the way, I’ll share my personal story—how I stumbled into crochet, fell in love with design, and carved out a space in the fiber world. We'll also dive into the Makers of Color Collective and why building an inclusive, supportive community is essential for every maker’s journey. Whether you knit, crochet, or dabble in both, this Chat will leave you ready to expand your craft in new ways.  Come with an open mind, and leave with fresh ideas, new patterns, and maybe even a newfound love for the "other" craft.  

Bringing Vintage Knitting to Life!

Join Sydney Crabaugh for a discussion on the history of fashionable knitwear and a glimpse into her online knitting school, Squid's School of Vintage Knitting! Sydney will guide you through a whistle-stop tour of handknitting history through the lens of fashion, looking closely at the changes in trends through the mid-nineteenth century to the mid-twentieth century. This era of knitting is brought to life again at her online knitting school through lectures, tutorial videos, styling advice, and vintage inspired knitting patterns. Sydney will talk through how the school came to be, showcase some recreated vintage knits from different decades, and will go over her distinctive approach to garment pattern construction. Unlike the "one-size-fits-all" grading in original vintage patterns, the school’s garment patterns use a special method of construction to create personalized, tailored garments that are fully size inclusive. Sydney will talk through this process and show you how her system can be implemented on both vintage and modern knitting patterns. Come along for a trip back in time and into the world of vintage knitting!

Sanquhar Pattern Designs – part of A’ the Airts Community Arts Centre in Sanquhar, South West Scotland!

In the South West of Scotland, the knitting initiative known as the Sanquhar Pattern Designs project operates within the community arts centre. May MacCormick is one of the most renowned Sanquhar knitters in the world, with over fifty-five years of experience in creating the famous Sanquhar gloves. She is passionate about preserving the heritage of this unique pattern and has undertaken the significant task of meticulously documenting all sixteen patterns for the first time, ensuring they are preserved for future generations. Join us for this virtual visit to meet May, who will share the history of the pattern, discuss some of her experiences, and demonstrate how to knit the gloves. Additionally, Yvonne Barber, the Centre Manager, will provide a brief introduction to the project and highlight their recent creations, which include leg warmers, a hat, and a cardigan for a Highland Coo!, recently used for Visit Scotland.

Doodles: Design & Knit Custom Colorwork with Mix-and-Match Motifs

Doodles by Pacific Knit Co. are modern and whimsical colorwork motifs that enable knitters to design and knit exactly what they want! The Doodle Framework has three simple steps: 1) Pick your Pattern Shape, 2) Pick your Doodle Motifs, and 3) Pick your Yarn Colors. Then just start knitting! During this session, we’ll deep dive into each step and learn how to choose and modify your base pattern, how to re-create your master chart using Doodle motifs, and how to build cohesive yarn palettes that work for colorwork. Afterwards, you’ll have the confidence to create your own unique colorwork projects, which gives you endless customization with just one pattern!