WORKSHOP CLASSES:

Feel like throwing away your patterns and ignoring the rules?  Does “no more swatching and worrying whether something is going to fit” sound good to you?  If you answered yes to just one of those questions then liberate your creativity by “taking your yarn for a walk” on a magical mystery fibre tour of discovery!

Traditional rules and restrictions no longer matter in freeform knitting and crochet allowing you the creator, total design freedom. There are no mistakes, only design elements!

Explaining freeform is not easy - some say it’s like painting where the hooks and/or needles are the brushes and the yarn is the paint. Others liken it to crazy patchwork which does indeed have a very similar approach. However you like to describe it, it is in the end, a wonderfully simple technique resulting in incredibly complex looking cloth.

All you need is a basic knowledge of knitting and/or crochet, a spirit of adventure, and a willingness to explore, discover, experiment. And yarn of course!  Armed with hooks and/or needles and with the help of a few simple techniques you will soon be creating fabric that is totally unique to you and which cannot be copied by anyone else.

You may choose to work boldly with lots of colour and texture or you may work in a more subtle way.  You can combine beads, felting, embroidery – whatever you want to do is perfectly acceptable because there are no rules!

In this workshop you will be gently encouraged to let your creative spirit soar outside your comfort zone while learning:
...the basic concept of freeform knitting and/or crochet fragments which form the basis of the fabric. Note that you may work in either medium or combine the two.
...how to combine different fibres
...how to combine colours
...how to add texture
...how to work without patterns
...how to construct a garment using a template
...how to add beads and other surface embellishment

Embellishment is a very popular addition to knit and crochet items and this workshop will include a few ‘arty adornment’ ideas to set you on the path of adding surface texture to your work. Techniques will include embroidery, needlefelting, beading and collage. No stitching or beading experience is required as all techniques are ‘freeform’ based.

Once you understand the concept of freeforming, you will have all the knowledge you need to create wearable art, exciting clothing and accessories for yourself and family which will be the envy of your friends, fabulous functional pieces for your home or 3D wall hangings fit for any exhibition wall!

INSTRUCTOR BIOGRAPHY:

Jenny Dowde from Wollongong, Australia is an internationally known teacher and author who began her creative life in 1984, spending the next 6 years at art school. During those years she developed a great passion for colour and texture and in 1997 after discovering freeform crochet, was delighted to find that she could combine her passions into one wonderful medium.

She has taught knit design workshops and freeform crochet and knitting techniques since 1993 around Australia for various textile organizations and groups and in the US for CGOA/TKGA and the Cochenille Design Studio. She has had her work profiled in various publications around the world and has written three books, Freeform Knitting & Crochet, Freeformations and Surface Works with a fourth to be published in 2010

WORKSHOP LOCATION:

The workshop will be held in San Martino di Castrozza (1450m), nestled at the base of the famous Pale di San Martino mountain chain, crown jewel of the Italian Dolomites, located just 68 miles North East of Venice, Italy. Rich in history and tradition, the resort town of San Martino di Castrozza began as a cherished alpine playground over 150 years ago frequented by European aristocracy and royalty. Today, it remains a charming, highly considered, European resort destination for all backgrounds and ages.  The workshop also includes a one-day visit to Venice, Italy.

STRUCTURE:

Classroom instruction conveniently is held in the hotel after lunch, when the local stores close for "pranzo," Italy's daily celebration of the mid-day meal with their families.

• Six classroom sessions, each lasting three hours, will take place over the course of the trip for a total of 18 hours structured instruction.

• Emphasis is placed on the one-on-one, private time spent between student and instructor.

Our mornings will be reserved for unique and special outings to explore our local surroundings, and will encompass a variety of experiences, including tantalizing cooking demonstrations in a variety of settings.

• In addition to the wonderful morning excursions and our afternoon classes, you will enjoy two days with no structured class instruction. Students will have the choice of exploring on their own, or participating in some fiber arts-related guided group activities.
  
• The first day off allows you the opportunity to explore the area on your own, relax in town, or take advantage of one of our signature events, the Alpine Adventure Agency's One Day Bus Tour of the Dolomitic Passes (offered "a la carte." to our group).
  
• Venice takes center-stage for the final day of your dream, workshop vacation.

The Alpine Adventure Agency is unique in providing Italian cell phones to each paying guest for use during your vacation. You will not need to worry that your own phone will not work in Italy. We supply one to each paying guest with 5 Euro already on the card. You can buy more minutes for your phone easily in most stores. We have made instant concierge service and assistance possible with important phone numbers already programmed into the phones, including mine, the hotel, local transportation companies, and medical assistance. I am just a phone call away to assist you with any needs or requests.

Upon request, we provide hiking poles to each guest.

Upon request, the hotels' kitchens and the restaurants we will be visiting can accommodate any dietary need with advanced notification.

We get to do many special activities that have been created just for my groups, thanks to my family's personal friendships with various business owners in the region.

We hired a full-time consultant who specializes in outdoor/ nature photography to help our guests take incredible pictures. He will be present for most group activities, taking the group to the best locations to take pictures, giving advice on using your equipment, and showing you where to stand to get those amazing shots of your dream vacation.

Ken and Daniela Anderson, your lead guides, are certified to provide first responder care and be the first link to help until professional emergency personnel can arrive in case of an emergency. They are not EMT's, paramedics, doctors or nurses. Daniela and/or Ken accompany all organized group activities and are certified in American Red Cross Standard First Aid and CPR/ AED (automated external defibrillator) for the Professional Rescuer.

Participating in cooking demos with top chefs is a highlight of our morning excursions! Photo: Daniela Anderson.

We hired a full-time consultant who specializes in outdoor/ nature photography to help our guests take incredible pictures. Photo: Courtesy Alessandro Simon Photography.

Click here to view complete itinerary with pictures.

We invite you to visit our group on Ravelry:

Fiber Summit Series Abroad (FSSA)