REGISTRATION CLOSED
After much anticipation, DAL 6 has arrived!
Design-A-long (DAL) 6 will kick off in January 2022 and run throughout April. Be sure, to sign up early and secure your seat at the Knitwear Design round table.
DALs - An Origin Story by Shirley Paden
“To date, I’ve held 5 DALs on Ravelry. The first Design-A-Long was held in 2010 shortly after the introduction of Knitwear Design Workshop (KDW). As my first book, KDW has become one of the cornerstones of our brand. KDW was born from a yearning to empower other knitters who may have been wary of making their own clothes that fit. The DALs brought together knitters worldwide who simply had a desire to design a garment. Most of the knitters were first time designers and the end results were simply astonishing.
This year I launched my second book, Knitwear Workshop Designs: Duets & Inspirations. It features the 16 designers who participated in previous DALs and their amazing designs. It’s in this same courageous, collaborative spirit that we’ve planned something new for DAL 6.
How it works
We’re on this DAL journey together. So buckle up and let’s take the scenic route. First, we’ll go through all 4 steps of The Design Process (as outlined in KDW). Once you have entered DAL 6, you’ll be guided through each step by me and the other Design Coaches.
You’ll be given time frames to complete the following project phases:
1) Selecting the stitch pattern
2) Drawing a sketch
3) Selecting the yarn
4) Making the swatch
5) Planning the schematic
6) Bringing the design idea to life on your needles
Throughout this process, we’ll be at your side, reviewing, course-correcting and just sharing insights and experiences. This happens through a series of online group meetings. Be ready to shine, laugh and share. DALs are notorious for being high-octane fun!”
Sharpen your needles and get ready for a worldwide Knitwear Design off. Get inspiration, personal coaching, and insider secrets from the industry's brightest knitwear designers.
Lisa Hoffman
“I tell my students to explore new techniques without fear and to relish this creative process.”
Lisa Hoffman is a knitwear designer and knitting teacher from New York City. Her designs have been published in Vogue Knitting, Interweave Knits, and Knitwear Magazines. She has designed patterns for Artyarns, String, and Tahki Stacy Charles. Her book Faerie Knitting, co-authored with her cousin Alice Hoffman, was positioned at #1 on Amazon.com in the knitting genre.
Mari Tobita
“For me, the magic is in every stitch. It’s in the tiny details that work together to create a finished product.”
Mari is a multi-talented knitwear designer and visual artist. Her designs have appeared in magazines like Vogue Knitting, Interweave Knits, and in several knitting books. Mari’s creative passions also include film and animation. In 1996, she moved to New York City from Japan to continue her work as a puppet designer. One of the animated films she’s worked on received 2 Academy Award nominations.
Trudie Joseph
“Sunsets, spider webs, cats – my knitting is inspired by a little bit of everything from the world around me. Maybe beauty’s in the eye of the needle holder.”
Trudie is an avid handcrafter who enjoys knitting designs with intricate detail and classic garment construction. As a published knitwear designer, her Corolla Cropped Cardigan was featured in Vogue Knitting (Winter 19/20). Trudie’s ambitious upcoming designs are earmarked for publication in several major industry magazines next year.
Joan Forgione
“I live in two worlds - so does my work. In the rapid, high-fashion city aesthetic and within nature’s slow, soothing rurality.”
Joan Forgione is a knitwear designer and reading teacher. Her design work has been published in leading magazines, nationally and internationally, featured in books, and commissioned by yarn companies. When she’s not designing for others, she self-publishes her patterns as Paper Moon Knits on Ravelry. A teacher at heart, she believes every pattern is an opportunity for a knitter to learn, and she loves helping knitters do just that while they create finished pieces of which they can be proud.
Tracey Rivers
“I’ve been knitting and crocheting for more than 40 years, but every project feels like a new beginning. I try to take life one stitch at a time.”
Tracey is a multifaceted creative. She’s a knitwear designer and certified Knitting and Crochet Instructor (Craft Yarn Council of America). This fearless fiber artist will be co-moderating the group on Ravelry and on our website. Tracey’s a wife, mom, science and mathematics educator, former Principal Dancer (Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater) and former Broadway performer.
Lisa, Trudie, Joan, and Mari have a wealth of design knowledge and industry insights to share. As DAL facilitators, they’ll be assigned to you once you’ve selected a stitch pattern. Together, we will also be your Design Coaches.
DAL Zoom calls give us the opportunity to connect and create through a platform that’s surprisingly versatile for group projects. Stock up on snacks. Sharpen those needles and witty one-liners; you won’t want to miss a call.
Tracey is our project moderator. She may join some of the Zoom calls, but will mainly be at the heart of our Ravelry community. She’s been with me on every DAL voyage and will guide you along the way. Mari will also translate for our Japanese knitters. Ask questions, post photos of your work in the group, and share your progress with us. We’re on this adventure together.
 23_Zig-Zag-Gauntlets |  Lisa Hoffman darkened |
|---|---|
 01_Linden-Hoodie |  Joan Forgione - Open Bud Shawl #1 |
 open-bud-shawl-pattern |  linden-hoodie-blue-pattern |
 open-bud_02 |  volare-capelet-pattern-1 |
 Copy of Shirley Paden_s Volare Poncho Sketch #1_02 |  ShirleyPaden - Cicada Capelet #1 |
 volare_02 |  coquille_01 |
 coquilles-capelet_sketch_V2 |  Joan’s “Trellised Arbor” Shawl |
 conquilles-capelet-dimensions |  Mari Tobita Linden Hoodie Sketch |
 linden_02 |
What to Expect
DAL 6 will elevate your design experience. Not only are we celebrating a 2000-year-old artform, but we’ll do it beside the leading lights of knitwear design. You can look forward to special guest appearances on our Zoom calls, cash prizes to make you blush, and a trove of industry secrets.
Registration is now closed
Step 1 – Sign-up runs from 12/3/21 to 12/31/21.
Step 2 - Next, we’ll host the Kick-Off Call at the beginning of January. Final date will be announced on our social pages.
Step 3- Make sure to check your inbox and follow us on social media for updates.