12/8- Cutting Loose! Make the Valentina Free-Form Modular Jacket

Description

This wonderful jacket, knitted in the style of log-cabin squares but without regard for symmetry, ais delightful to make and wear. New Mexico’s free-form mastermind pioneered the technique – Valentina Devine of Los Alamos – a long-time instructor at workshops and conferences in the United States and abroad. This workshop memorializes Valentina’s work (she died in late 2023), with certain alterations that she (mostly!) approved.

Modular pieces are particularly fun to make, whether in knit or crochet or weaving, because they are portable and feel manageable in the making. Plus, they can be organized into a wide array of decorative, and wearable items – including (to give a few examples) ponchos, jackets, coats, kids’ sweaters, scarves and wraps, tote bags, blankets, lap robes, or boxy pullovers and tunics. Indeed, if you change your mind about making a jacket, you can use the pieces to make something else. Remember too that the squares are wonderful stash-busters.

Embellishments formed an important part of the Valentina Devine signature jacket. Nothing says that you HAVE to embellish your work, and nothing prevents the use of other techniques – embroidery, applique, Japanese stitchery, beading, etc. – in the place of or alongside crocheted chains. It’s wise, though, to avoid visual jumbles: Loading everything we know into a project almost always leads to incoherence. When in doubt, edit. Also, step away from the pieces to better assess how the little yarn painting is progressing.

Materials: One main color in DK or worsted weight animal-fiber yarn; 8-12 balls of yarn more or less in the same weight (though fine yarns can be mixed). Include textural or metallic yarns – whatever is fun. Warning: You may not get your stray balls back! Appropriate needles (for DK, 7 or 8; for worsted, 8-10). Metal tapestry needle. Tape measure. Scissors.

Homework: With worsted or DK weight natural fiber yarn and appropriate needles, make a 4×4 swatch in garter stitch. Bind off.

For most classes, we hope you’ll use our beautiful yarns! We offer a 10% discount on full-priced materials to be used in the class.

*For stash-buster classes, you surely may use your own yarns mixed with ours.

All classes include detailed handouts or (as relevant) printed patterns.

Classes may require a minimum number of participants.  If Artisan Knitworks or the instructor has to cancel, a full refund (check), registration in another class, or store credit (120% of tuition) will be offered.  If you have to cancel your class registration up to 7 days before the event, we offer the same choices.  However, we cannot offer these choices if you cancel within the 7-day window.