Where Creativity Is American Made...Fiberside Chats!
Launched in May 202o by the Longmont Yarn Shoppe, joined by a group of 30 collaborating shops (Craftworks among them), Fiberside Chats feature some of our favorite designers and creators. They discuss their unique path, creative processes, favorite techniques, latest projects, or whatever is inspiring them now.
There will be opportunity for Q&A & other fun surprises like giveaways & pattern discounts for those who join!
Can't make the day/time?? No worries most of our presenters are allowing us to
record their presentation - at which time it will be available for you to watch for 7 days!
Upcoming Guests:
Anna Johanna
Apr. 13, 2025
Enjoying the Process - Mindful Knitting and Colorwork
In this fast-paced world, even knitting can sometimes become all about being quick and productive. But stranded knitting takes a bit of concentration and forces you to slow down - while also providing you with a lovely dopamine rush as you get to admire the colorwork patterns taking shape. In this Fiberside Chat, Anna Johanna will be discussing her love of colorwork and slow making, letting things take time. Johanna will be sharing both her favorite designs from her books, Strands of Joy vol. I & II, as well as her trusted tips and tricks for all things colorwork. You will also get a glimpse behind the scenes on some epic makes where it definitely was at least as much about the process as it is about the end product.
This is a live Zoom Event on Sunday, April 13th at 1:00pm EDT, 12:00pm CDT, 11:00am MDT, 10:00am PDT, 8:00pm EEST
This Fiberside Chat will be recorded - a link to the recording will be available for one week and shared with registered attendees only.
Bristol Ivy
Apr. 27, 2025
Register here >>
Meaning in Every Stitch: Adding Secret Messages to Your Knitting
We add love, thoughtfulness, and sometimes a few swear words into every project we make. But have you ever thought about adding a secret message? In this Chat, Bristol will walk you through several different beautiful but sneaky ways to add hidden meanings to your work—from important words, to special dates, to song lyrics and more. Through this, we’ll explore the larger world of stitch pattern creation, from lace to texture to mosaic to cables, and how to make your project entirely your own!
This is a live Zoom Event on Sunday, April 27th at 1:00pm EDT, 12:00pm CDT, 11:00am MDT, 10:00am PDT
This Fiberside Chat will be recorded - a link to the recording will be available for one week and shared with registered attendees only.
Jen Parroccini
May 4, 2025
Register here >>
Through the Designer's Eyes: Forecasting Your Sweater's Story
Knitting sweaters is most satisfying when we are happy with the outcome. In this session with Jen Parroccini, we’ll talk about how to evaluate and interpret the information available to us - and when to ask for more. We’ll cover:
- Schematics and how they relate to your measurements
- The role of ease
- Whether your size will look like the modeled size
- Spotting design elements that might not work for you (such as insufficient front neck depth, or too much fabric in the underarm)
- Gathering information from official photos
- Weighing and interpreting other knitters’ projects
If you've ever been intimidated to start your first sweater, felt overwhelmed by the endless pattern options, or ended up with a finished garment that didn’t quite turn out as you envisioned, this Fiberside Chat is for you - because honestly, we've all been there and don't want to go back!
This is a live Zoom Event on Sunday, May 4th at 2:00pm EDT, 1:00pm CDT, 12:00pm MDT, 11:00am PDT
This Fiberside Chat will be recorded - a link to the recording will be available for one week and shared with registered attendees only.
Ann Budd
May 18, 2025
The Relationship Between Sweater Construction and Design
Sweaters are characterized by the way the sleeves are joined to the body. In this one-hour Chat Ann Budd will outline the basics of six sweater types—Circular Yoke, Raglan, Drop Shoulder, Modified-Drop Shoulder, Set-In Sleeve, and Saddle Shoulder.
The construction type influences how the sleeves meet the body of a sweater and, consequently, how that sweater fits the upper body. Each type lends itself to distinct design possibilities, whether knitted from the bottom up or from the top down, and whether knitted in pieces or seamlessly. You'll leave the Chat with a better understanding of how sweater design is closely tied to sweater construction.
This is a live Zoom Event on Sunday, May 18th at 1:00pm EDT, 12:00pm CDT, 11:00am MDT, 10:00am PDT
This Fiberside Chat will be recorded - a link to the recording will be available for one week and shared with registered attendees only.
Fees & Registration
Each meet-up will have a $20 registration fee, with proceeds supporting our special guests. Your ZOOM Link will be sent the evening before and about 1 hour before the event. Check your spam filter if you do not see it. The link to watch the presentation after-the-fact will be sent right after the 'Chat'.