Call out to register interest in Sheffield workshops.
I have been back in Sheffield almost two weeks and I have found the perfect space for workshops in the city for like-minded people to meet and spend creative time knitting, learning and experimenting with colour and design for knitting. I am now considering doing two new face to face workshops in Sheffield starting in January and if you are interested, I would love you to register your interest in the form at the bottom of the workshops page here.
The workshops will be in a creative space called ‘Craft Sheffield’, owned by Sarah, who offers sewing workshops and a chance for other creative teachers (like me) to hire the space, which nestles over an old coach house yard on Abbeydale Road. You can see it below above the shop.
The studio has a large table in the middle and 10 separate workstations and a beautiful bay window with two relaxing chairs, which means there is plenty of space for a group of 10 to sit around the table and to use as break out spaces if you wish. There’s also a great little kitchen and bathroom so everything is to hand.
Access – please note that there are steps up to the entrance of the studio space – it is not on ground level, which unfortunately makes in not possible for participants who are unable to climb stairs to access the space. I’m sorry about that.
My first two face to face Sheffield workshops that I am considering are:-
Workshop 1 – Colour Blending and swatch knitting for Fair Isle motifs
Workshop 2 – Start experimenting with colour and design to start your swatch design book
Possible dates – Saturday January 8th and Saturday 15th (tbc) 10am – 2:30pm
A small synopsis of each session is written below. But if you would like an overview of each session sending to you, please contact me through the online form on the Online Workshops page here.
Colour blending swatch workshop 10am – 2:30pm – date tbc
For up to 10 people.
At this hands-on workshop, you are able to learn the basics and more difficult techniques of colour blending within Fair Isle knitting. I will do a one-hour presentation on colour blending within Fair Isle motifs, then we will be aiming for everyone to knit a yoke sample with a tree and star in the colours of your choice. The choice will be yours as to what motif you use to swatch and what colours to use from an abundance of 200 balls of Jamieson’s of Shetland yarn available on the table. I will show you many traditional Shetland tree and star designs and you will be able to use copies of motifs out of my swatch book or you could graph your own Shetland star motif to knit your swatch sample at the workshop.
The main learning curve of this session is to develop an understanding of how to blend colours within your own knitting projects and to develop the skill of choosing your own colours with confidence and understanding how it will turn out, therefore minimising colour mistakes. This is a session for the experimenter in us all and for those who want to learn how to successfully choose your own colours for projects rather than using the colours that the designer has chosen.
Workshop requirements: –
If you can knit and are not an absolute beginner, and you want to learn more about colour blending and Shetland design – this is for you. Come and experiment. This workshop is not for people who cannot knit.
At this workshop, you will learn: –
- The basic and more difficult techniques of Shetland yoke patterns – the choice will be yours as to what motifs you use from a selection on offer.
- How to blend colours in your knitting using the huge variety of colours on offer to create a harmonious pattern.
- You will learn how to choose your own colours for your own projects – and not to just go with the designer’s colour choice.
- If you love colour and textiles, you will enjoy the experimentation
What is Included in the session.
All yarn will be provided for the workshop. You will be able to choose from a large selection of Jamieson of Shetland spindrift yarn colours provided for you to knit your swatch.
If you have not had time to finish your swatch during the workshop, you will be able to take enough yarn home to finish your sample.
A full set of workshop Handouts on colour blending, tree and star patterns and how to colour blend.
All tea, coffee, biscuits and cake provided during the workshop
Workshop 2
Swatch/design book Saturday 10am – 2:30pm date tbc
for up to 10 People.
This is a hands-on experimental workshop where you are able to learn the basics and more difficult techniques of colour blending within Fair Isle knitting to make your own experimental knitted swatches sing in the colours you want. I will do a one hour presentation on colour blending and the benefits of swatching for your knitting projects. Swatching isn’t torture – it’s a great way to understand quickly if your colour choices will work or not. It’s a great way to learn, show progression and learning. We will be aiming for everyone to graph out a motif of your choice or you can use photo copies of motifs that I have already graphed out (to save time) for your first swatch and your new sketch book. I will photocopy motifs from traditional Shetland pattern books and you’ll be able to choose a motif that you like most then you will be able to choose the colours you would like to use from an abundance of 200 balls of Jamieson’s of Shetland yarn available on the table. The choice will be yours as to what motif you use to swatch and which colours you will use.
The main learning curve of this session is to get excited about experimenting with Shetland motifs and to knit it a swatch in the colours you choose. It will start your journey of your own swatch/sketch book.
I will bring along my design sketch books from my Masters at Nottingham Trent University and you’ll be able to see how swatching develops your skills analysing what colours work and what doesn’t and even why.
Workshop requirements: –
If you can knit and are not an absolute beginner, and you want to learn more about colour blending and how to really experiment with Shetland motifs and colour – this is for you. It would be a good workshop for a textile student to develop ideas for sketch books. This workshop is not for people who cannot knit.
What is Included in the session.
All yarn will be provided for the workshop. You will be able to choose from a large selection of Jamieson of Shetland spindrift yarn colours provided for you to knit your swatch.
If you have not had time to finish your swatch during the workshop, you will be able to take enough yarn home to finish your sample.
A full set of workshop Handouts and graph paper.
All tea, coffee, biscuits and cake provided during the workshop
If you are interested in the above workshops, please go to my workshop page and complete the form at the bottom to register interest – here
Happy knitting, happy learning, happy experimenting – visit Sheffield.
Testimonial – Alice Hartnell – I attended Tracey’s colour blending workshop during a holiday in Shetland. The venue, Traceys croft, definitely added to the experience but the workshop was fascinating and informative. I could knit but had no previous experience of colour blending, Tracey explained the theory using her own work to illustrate. She encouraged us to choose colours for our own blending, explaining why some worked and some didn’t. Once we had settled on our colours we knitted a sample to test our choices. The day was well paced, Tracey had a knowledgeable but approachable style and I came away feeling I had learned a lot about the use of colour in knitting. Highly recommended!
tracey doxey 
I love that you have “hit the ground running!” There’s no stopping a creative person when they have ideas and beautiful palettes of beautiful colors! And quality materials (yarn). I hope your new home will be all that you want. Ellen
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