ConnieLene – KnitDesigner

I did tell you, didn’t I?

that I met the worlds fastest knitter – Miriam Tegels at a Metro Station.

I was booked to attend my first ever knit design workshop as part of the Handwerkbeurs (Craft Show), being held in Rotterdam. The teacher – Nicky Epstein.

I had to get myself to Rotterdam.

That was simple enough. You know, walk to train and catch the correct train, Walk to Metro and catch the correct Metro – that was not so easy working out where to go, finding the correct metro platform, watching and listening so I would get off the Metro at the correct station. But I did it.

The last stage was walk to the bus, catch the bus, get off the bus, then find the way to the auditorium and it all started very very badly. Lots and lots of people, a 3 level metro station with access on 2 levels to 2 separate bus stations, and rising panic. I may never ever be seen again.

All of sudden it became very easy as I met two knitters who were heading to the same workshop with Nicky, and they were happy for me to tag along all the way to the auditorium. Whew!

My good fortune:

How did I know they were knitters? Well, one was carrying a large suitcase with a ravelry badge on it. Now everyone knows the ravelry badge, don’t they? Thank goodness I did or I may still be wandering that station, a thinner version of my old self.

Brilliant.

My Good Fortune continued:

What did I find out? One of the knitters who had saved my skin and got me to the auditorium on time was none other than Miriam the World fastest knitter

My continuing Good Fortune:

Nicky Epstein had attended an exhibition in New Zealand in 2007. My Colour Play exhibition was included in the Vogue Knitters tour that she was hosting. Nicky was generous and introduced me to the participants of the workshop here in Rotterdam, and Miriam was delighted to know that I was also a knitter/designer.

and my good fortune

is that I shall be teaching at “FreeForm Intarsia” workshop at Miriams “Knitting in Nature” knit retreat in July this year.

So thank goodness for Ravelry badges, generous spirits and good fortune.

I was fortunate back in 2006 and that does seem ever so long ago now. I was contacted by Barbara from “Travelling Together Inc” to see if there was a way that the Vogue Knitters Tour could visit my studio as part of their visit to New Zealand in 2007.

The outcome was that my exhibition “Colour Play”, held at Randolph Street Gallery at the Whitecliffe College of Arts and Design was attended by the VK Knitters tour group.

And Nicky Epstein was knitting / designer expert on the tour and I happened to own the book “Knitting On the Edge” and thought that Nicky might sign it for me, but in all the excitement and drama of setting up the exhibition the book was left behind.

Now here I am living in the Netherlands, and I booked my first ever knit design workshop as part of the Handwerkbeurs (Craft Show), being held in Rotterdam, and I have purchased another book by Nicky since arriving here (my Knitting on the Edge is in NZ) “Knitting on Top of the World” and I thought I would bring it with me to Rotterdam. And you guessed it – in the excitement and drama of getting myself to Rotterdam.

Walk to train and catch the correct train – that part was easy.
Walk to Metro – not so easy as I do not know Rotterdam, and in and around the station is a huge building site and it was seriously raining.
Catch Metro – not so easy working out where to go, finding the correct metro platform and watching and listening so I would get off the metro at the correct station.
Walk to bus , Catch bus, Find the way to the auditorium, started badly – a 3 level metro station with access on 2 levels to the 2 separate bus stations – became very easy as I met two knitters who were heading in the same direction and they were happy for me to tag along all the way to the auditorium.

Brilliant. And then what did I find out – One the knitters who saved my skin and got me to the auditorium on time was Miriam the World fastest knitter

Oh yes – and I forgot to pack the book.

So I just had to buy the new book “Enchanting Collection” review of Enchanting Collection on Diamond Yarn Blog and yes Nicky has signed it for me.

Does any of this matter at all? Have I ever knitted a Nicky Epstein design? And the answer is NO to both questions – but it is like collecting art – it is eye candy seeing the beautiful knits, interesting designs, the new Aslan Trends yarns and colours, and then there are the edges and of course as I have now attended a knitting / designing workshop I have been taught knit tricks, encouraged towards those edgings and seen Nickts work up close and touched the beautiful yarns, as well as viewing an impromptu fashion parade of her gorgeous knits. The knitters were the models and it was fun watching.

from the VK Archives – Vogue Tour 2007 of Australia and New Zealand

When in the Netherlands and planning your travel using various types of public transport use the 9292 site as a door-to-door journey planner in English. The results include the walk from your accommodation to the station, platform numbers, time to walk between one form of transport and another etc. It just didn’t tell me that the Metro station at Rotterdam was 3 floors, and which door to go out, and on which level to catch the correct bus. But without it I would not have made it to Rotterdam Handwerkneurs workshop with Nicky Epstein.

I have often expressed the wish to attend a knit and stitch show or other similar anywhere in the world. We have been here in the Netherlands for just over 2 years and I haven’t made it as yet.

As luck would have it – Best Beloved wanted a trip to the UK, and he wanted it originally in the last week in September. Discussions at his work ensued and he is taking the week the 2nd to 10th October. As luck would have it “The Knitting & Stitch Show” at Alexandra Palace is on the 7th – 10th and I can be there. I don’t know on which day(s) yet, I don’t know if I will be able to take any classes or whether I will just look and see [buy]! as I might only have one day.

Can’t believe it really, Best Beloved has leave & we’re going to the UK and The Knitting & Stitch Show is on. How lucky can I be.

I am going to the HANDWERKBEURS AHOY in ROTTERDAM on Friday 15th October as well – two in one month. Brilliant. And I am doing a class with Nicky Epstein.

As luck would have it October is turning into a great month.

And I have been warned – @lapurplepenguin – Take big empty bag to Ally Pally – however disciplined you plan to be, you come out laiden.

I wonder what Best Beloved will make of that news then.

Vogue Knitting Tour Group pictures from the Colour Play exhibition.
Fiber artist and knit designer Connie Lene Johnston gave us a sneak peek of her “Colour Play” collection. The show would officially open in a few days, featuring her work as well as that of students from the Whitecliffe College of Arts & Design.

During the wine-and-cheese reception, Ms. Johnston described each garment’s evolution, texture, construction and how she used color in each one. We were invited to try on the clothes—not your typical art exhibit.

Vogue Knitting Tour Group pictures from the Colour Play exhibition thank you to Alice Pepper

at the Randolph St Gallery – Whitecliffe School of Fine Arts & Design. September 2007.

ConnieLene’s unique knit designs alongside the work of BFA Fashion design students from Whitecliffe.

The Vogue Knitting Tour of Australia and New Zealand 2007, hosted by Nicky Epstein and Carla Scott, Vogue Knitting Editor attended the special opening.