Southend SWI spun a yarn with knitwear designer Kate Davies
Members of Southend SWI were delighted to welcome back renowned knitwear designer Kate Davies for a fascinating talk and video presentation on her business and creative process.
Kate, who first visited the group in January last year, recounted the journey of Kate Davies Designs (KDD), which she established in 2010.
Having been taught to knit by her grandmother at the age of five, Kate used the skill as part of her rehabilitation after suffering a stroke at a very young age, to help “mend her brain”.
Since then, Kate has also become an author, with 29 books to her name and a 30th currently in progress, and she sells designer digital patterns for hand knitting.
She brought along samples of her hand-dyed and spun wool, showcasing how she interprets traditional Scottish patterns for a modern audience.
Kate also highlighted the upcoming ‘Keeping It Creel’ workshops at Campbeltown Museum, which offer a unique opportunity to explore the history of local Gansey knitting and create a miniature version, under Kate’s guidance.
On behalf of the SWI, Margaret McFarlane thanked Kate for providing such an interesting and inspiring meeting.
The evening’s competition results were: An article in Fair Isle or Shetland knitting: Lynn Sloss – gold, Alyson Wardrop – gold, Margaret McFarlane – gold; photograph through the window: Lynn Sloss – gold, Margaret Bakes – gold, Marjorie Leighton – gold; three Christmas mince pies: Lynn Sloss – gold, Margaret Bakes – silver, Inez Ronald – silver.
The ‘Keeping It Creel’ workshops at Campbeltown Museum are free to attend, although tickets are limited so must be booked.
On Saturday February 7, there will be two sessions for adults, the first running from 10.30am to 12.30pm and the second from 1.30pm to 3.30pm.
On Saturday, February 21, an adult workshop will take place from 10.30am to 12.30pm, followed by a family workshop, recommended for ages eight and up, from 1.30pm to 3pm.
Visit the Eventbrite website to book.
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