Upcoming Guests:

Ann Budd May 18th, 2025

The Relationship Between Sweater Construction and Design

Sweaters are characterized by the way the sleeves are joined to the body. In this one-hour Chat Ann Budd will outline the basics of six sweater types—Circular Yoke, Raglan, Drop Shoulder, Modified-Drop Shoulder, Set-In Sleeve, and Saddle Shoulder. The construction type influences how the sleeves meet the body of a sweater and, consequently, how that sweater fits the upper body. Each type lends itself to distinct design possibilities, whether knitted from the bottom up or from the top down, and whether knitted in pieces or seamlessly. You'll leave the Chat with a better understanding of how sweater design is closely tied to sweater construction.

Ann will also share the project she's designed for the 2025 The Longest Day fundraiser for Alzheimer's and other dementia research. Learn how you can join Ann in raising funds by knitting a cowl along with her during her annual dawn-to-dusk knit endeavor on Sunday, June 29^th. The Fading Memories 2025 pattern will be available on Ravelry in late March and Ann will donate $ 5 for each pattern sold. Together, we can help put an end to this devastating disease! 

Bio:
Ann Budd is an author of more than a dozen ever popular knitting books, a devoted teacher who helps other develop their own approach to knitting and designing. A current passion of Ann's is helping raise awareness around Alzheimer's Disease and the fight against it, as more of her friends and family become victims.  Hear how Ann is contributing to the fight against Alzheimer's, and what she's been up to lately! See more here: annbuddknits.com 

This is a live Zoom Event on Sunday, May 18th at 1:00pm EDT, 12:00pm CDT, 11:00am MDT, 10:00am PDT

This Fiberside Chat will be recorded - a link to the recording will be available for one week and shared with registered attendees only. 

Registration will close 1.5 hours before beginning of event.

Kate Oates June 1st, 2025

Explore Mosaic Knitting with Kate Oates 

You need not be an experienced knitter or even a knitter with experience in stranded colorwork to learn Mosaic Knitting. This technique is quite different! Mosaic Colorwork is a method of creating striking, two-color patterns by working with only one color per row and using slipped stitches to form the design. This makes it an accessible and rewarding technique for knitters of all levels. Kate will cover how to choose suitable yarns and fibers, how to read Mosaic charts, how to manage floats, and how to slip stitches without twisting them. We’ll also explore how to select effective color combinations that enhance contrast and stitch definition. She will demonstrate each technique on the needles, and you’ll have the opportunity to knit-along through swatching. Kate will provide a handout for you to use to continue practicing beyond the Chat to gain confidence in your skills.  Next thing you know, you’ll be ready to begin a full project—such as Kate’s upcoming design, Versa (pictured), which features Mosaic Colorwork.

To knit-along with Kate's demonstration have on-hand two contrasting colors of scrap worsted or DK weight yarn (you'll just be using them for practice so don't worry if they aren't ideal) and a 16"(40 mm) circular needles appropriate for yarn choice. 

Bio:
Kate Oates is a knitting pattern designer, instructor & author. In the past 15+ years as a full-time fiber artist, Kate has published well over 300 original patterns and authored several books: Grown, Knits for Boys and Knitting Clothes Kids Love. Under her own name, she creates modern, wearable and stylish knits for adults. Kate's patterns are known for her attention to detail & fit, extensive size ranges, providing a multitude of option-sets along with thorough technical instructions that often link to video tutorials. Her other line, Tot Toppers, features whimsically wearable garments and accessories for babies and children. As an instructor, Kate is passionate and organized, especially when it comes to enabling knitters to create garments that fit and flatter. With over 20 years of teaching experience, her classes are well known for their high quality, original content, thorough materials & detailed workbooks that allow knitters to soak in their class experience without scrambling to take notes. Kate is a neurodivergent & under-abled chronic pain warrior who advocates for others while fighting her own personal battles and choosing JOY. She has endured through more than a dozen surgeries, primarily due to spinal fusions resulting from a childhood injury. You can find Kate's patterns at your local yarn store or online through a variety of platforms. She also does freelance work for a variety of publications and yarn companies and loves to collaborate with independent brands. Prior to her transition to knitwear design, Kate earned her B.S. at Clemson University, then her M.A & Ph.D from the University of Florida with concentrations in political science & methodology (aka= math!). She's always been driven, self-motivated and committed to performing at the highest level despite her limitations. She lives with her family in South Carolina, which includes her husband and 4 incredible sons, sweet doggies Hazel & Oscar. 

This is a live Zoom Event on Sunday, June 1st at 1:00pm EDT, 12:00pm CDT, 11:00am MDT, 10:00am PDT

This Fiberside Chat will be recorded - a link to the recording will be available for one week and shared with registered attendees only. 

Registration will close 1.5 hours before beginning of event.

Jen Parroccini June 15th, 2025

Through the Designer's Eyes: Forecasting Your Sweater's Story

Knitting sweaters is most satisfying when we are happy with the outcome. In this session with Jen Parroccini, we’ll talk about how to evaluate and interpret the information available to us - and when to ask for more. We’ll cover:

• Schematics and how they relate to your measurements
• The role of ease
• Whether your size will look like the modeled size
• Spotting design elements that might not work for you (such as insufficient front neck depth, or too much fabric in the underarm)
• Gathering information from official photos
• Weighing and interpreting other knitters’ projects

If you've ever been intimidated to start your first sweater, felt overwhelmed by the endless pattern options, or ended up with a finished garment that didn’t quite turn out as you envisioned, this Fiberside Chat is for you – because honestly, we've all been there and don't want to go back!

Bio:
Jen Parroccini, also known as JPKnitsThings, is one half of One Wild Designs, a size-inclusive knitwear design label she co-owns with her business partner, Elizabeth. Together, Jen and Elizabeth are focused on creating garments you’ll love to knit and love to wear - and the resources you need to make them your own.

In addition to her design work, Jen also works as a grading & business consultant serving small businesses in the fiber arts industry, and offers 1:1 online sessions with knitters. She loves doing deep dives into fit topics, which she shares on social media. Jen lives with her daughter, husband, and not-so-bright dog in Pittsburgh, PA.

This is a live Zoom Event on Sunday, June 15th at 2:00pm EDT, 1:00pm CDT, 12:00pm MDT, 11:00am PDT

This Fiberside Chat will be recorded - a link to the recording will be available for one week and shared with registered attendees only. 

Registration will close 1.5 hours before beginning of event.