Stephen West’s shawl designs and innovative use of color have helped him become an internationally recognized and respected designer. Stephen was born and raised in Tulsa, Oklahoma. He studied dance at the University of Illinois, where he encountered his first local yarn store, Klose Knit in Urbana. The creative atmosphere of that local shop spurred Stephen to start designing patterns, and he was soon featured in Knitty’s fall 2009 issue with his Colonnade Shawl. Not long after, he moved to Amsterdam, publishing more patterns and launching a series of pattern books under the name Westknits. He continues to produce pattern books and hosts several online knit-alongs each year. His simple, clean, architectural designs have now been knitted by thousands of knitters all around the world.
Stephen has taught workshops throughout the United States and internationally in Finland, Denmark, Germany, Italy, France, Israel, Iceland, UK, and Amsterdam where he co-owns Stephen & Penelope, a yarn boutique in the city center. In 2019 Stephen and his business partner Malia Mae Joseph realized a long-held dream by launching their first yarn brand, West Wool.
Presentation
Join Stephen as he welcomes you into his colorful woolly world of Westknits. Stephen will discuss how he chooses his color palettes and share secrets for how to make your palettes pop. This live presentation will be a visual feast for the eyes while Stephen gives you an up-close look at many of his most popular design samples. We will discuss how to create successful color palettes for Marled knitting, Faded knitting and graphic stripes and slip stitches. You will learn a few of Stephen’s color- changing tricks and color planning strategies to gain more confidence with your own knitting projects.
Knitting Help
After the meeting, Susan Leibowitz will be available to help any knitters with a question or an issue with a project, or to help beginners get started. If you need knitting help, email susan.leibowitz@gmail.com by January 11, with the following: the issue; clear close-up photos of the work (include right and wrong sides) and the pattern; and the designer’s name. Limited to the first five registrants. Susan will send confirmation and provide a link to a Zoom session. NOTE: If you resolve your issue prior to the Help Session, please cancel your reservation to allow another member to participate.
Charity Knitting
As Barbara Beckley says, Zoom meetings are an excellent time for charity knitting! While we’re watching and listening to Stephen West play with color, we can grab a pattern for a hat, mittens, scarf or even a blanket and knit up something to drop off at our in person meeting on February 10. Click here for a handy list of our charity partners.
Show and Tell
Look for photos of these beautiful creations from previous months on the BAKG website and Instagram and Facebook pages.
Plan to check in around 12:30 p.m., so we can confirm your membership status. You’ll be placed in a “virtual waiting room” until your membership has been confirmed. Your screen name must match the name on our BAKG membership roster, otherwise you will not be admitted to the meeting. (A screen name is a digital version of a name tag. It is the name we see when you log in through the Zoom link).
NOTE: BAKG general meetings, workshops, or other BAKG-sponsored events, whether in person or virtual, may be photographed and/or recorded by audio and/or video. By your in-person or virtual participation at these meetings, you consent to the photography and/or recording and to the use of your image and/or recording in print and social media.