About Colleen Davis

Colleen Davis has taught workshops and classes in yarn stores and conferences across the country for several years. Freeform knitting is her most popular class. In her capacity as President of the North Coast Knitters of San Diego for almost 10 years, she has inspired and motivated knitters to push themselves and explore many different techniques and designs. Her designs have been published in knitting magazines and she also has a line of patterns sold nationwide. Colleen's inspiration to use countless yarns/colors in her designs can be traced back to the Kaffe Fasset's books and his innovative use of color and intarsia. She loves experimenting with geometric shapes in an improvisational or freeform style using imaginative and unusual colors. She also loves to combine fabric, crochet and felted pieces in her designs. Her mission is to inspire and motivate other knitters to be adventurous and creative.

Teaching Experience:

• Fiber Arts Expo, Seattle, Wa,  2003-2006, Various classes from specific pattern designs to freeform knitting and color gradation.
• TKGA, Regional and National Conventions, 1999-2007, Various classes from specific pattern designs to freeform knitting.
• TNNA, San Diego, Classes on Issey Miyake inspired designs
• Stitches, East, West and Midwest Conventions, 2001-2007, Various classes from specific pattern designs to freeform knitting.
• Many knitting guilds and yarn stores throughout the U.S.
• Current Classes:  Artsy Knitting, Bohemian Style, Lazy Linear Style, Round Shapes,  Organic Shapes, Triangular Shapes,, Improv Knitting, Drama Freeform, Hemline Hurrahs – Pods, Shingles, Strips & More, Freeforming Using Half Circles, You Gotta Learn Short Rows.

List of Classes I Like to Teach: (Can be 3-hr or 6-hr classes)

See the Home page for current class offerings

1. Artsy Knitting, Bohemian Style
This  class will open up a whole new world of fun knitting, let you break a few rules, use partial skeins of yarn and stretch your creativity.  Knitting will go in different directions and an assortment of shapes will be made by picking up stitches from previous shapes. 

2.  Artsy Knitting, Lazy Linear Style
This cool technique is a subtle and free-wheeling style using undulating lines (creating bulges) for texture and appeal.  Knitting goes in one direction so the fabric has a  flowing and fluid look.  Adding a “feature” yarn and  using different textures will result in an exciting fabric. This style can be tweaked or modified by leaving openings, turning to the wrong side or outlined for a slightly different look.  The use of a template will be demonstrated to assist in making an actual garment..

3.  Improv Knitting
Are you at the stage in your knitting journey where you would like to try a few new things and venture into creating a garment from scratch?  Knitted  work can be enhanced and complemented by incorporating other things like crochet, fabric and felted pieces that have been manipulated (shibori).  This added texture adds depth, dimension and richness to your work.  We will use a basic triangle shape to dream up a design, try one or two textured stitch patterns, and start some shibori modules.This class will give you a push into improvisational thinking.

4.  Artsy Knitting,  Round Shapes (Basic crochet knowledge also required)
This technique uses round or circular shapes in different sizes, compositions and fibers to create a special fabric.  You will learn how to knit a round shape on straight needles using short rows. crochet spirals, bullions and flowers, and stitch fabric yo yo’s.

5.  Artsy Knitting, Organic Shapes
This whimsical style using organic or irregular shapes  which are knit separately in different stitch patterns and  textures can be outlined for a dramatic look, or, knit in plain, smooth yarns with no outline for a very different  look.  The use of a template will be demonstrated to assist  in making an actual garment.

6. Artsy Knitting, Triangular Shapes
This triangle freeform style plays around with triangle shapes of different sizes and compositions – mitered, equilateral and bordered. This style is a natural for either asymmetrical or symmetrical silhouettes. 

7. Drama Freeform
This freeform version will appeal to creative knitters who want to reach into their vault of knitting experiences and knowledge and create something dramatic and artistic. The look will be bold and eye-catching.  More surface texture and graphic designs on a larger scale will be incorporated.

8. Hemline Hurrahs – Pods, Shingles, Strips & More
Do you ever think of doing something different at the hems  of your garments or sleeves?  Consider the possibility of  using tiers or layers of different shapes to add a unique  touch.  In the class you will make a sampler of three different shapes to add to your homework samples (more, if time permits.)  You will learn how to add layers of these shapes into your knitting.  These “bottom feeders” will add  some fun and frivolity to your garments.

9.  You Gotta Learn Short Rows
Samples using different short row techniques will be knit in class.  The emphasis will be on shoulder shaping, but other possibilities, practical and otherwise, will be executed.  You will learn short rowing on the knit side and the purl side in stockinette stitch, short rowing in garter stitch, a simplified 3-needle bind-off, particularly at the shoulders, short row technique (no wraps) with a garter stitch base, and irregular short rows to make bulges and waves as a design element.

Publications:

Interweave Knits, Fall 1999, “Ways to Color a Kimono.”
Laura Bryant’s “Night Lights,” Book 23, 1999, “Zebra Kimono Jacket”
Knit One, Crochet  Too, 1999, “The Dofuko Series”
Interweave Knits, Summer 20205, “Dibs on Ribs.”
DVD,  August 2006, “Introduction to Freeform Knitting.”
Creative Knitting, Spring 2007, “Shades of Green Pullover.”
Laura Bryant’s Spring Savey #41, “Symphony in Stripes
Laura Bryant’s Spirited Spring, #43, “Millie Topper.”
Creative Knitting, Fall 2008, “Playing with Stripes.”
Photos and Articles in Belle Armoire, Winter 2003, Jan 2007, May 2007, Nov 2008, March 2009.

In 2008 Colleen was invited to participate in an exhibition in Nagoya, Japan.  Out of approximately 30 garments entered, she sold 15.  In the Spring, 2009 issue of Keitodama, a seasonal knitting magazine published in Japan, there are several photos of Colleen's designs. 

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