IRIS BISHOP - workshops and seminars USA 2008

Introduction :

The aim of my presentations and workshops is to share plenty of 

practical information, while at the same

time inspiring you with creative ideas. I find that the best ideas 

always start from the most basic techniques.

So, by showing you how my designs have developed from the ‘basics’, 

there will, I am sure, be something

of use and interest to beginners and more advanced knitters alike.

Originally I worked with woven textiles, and so I am particularly 

interested in fabrics having a good

‘construction’. I also like to work with the natural behaviour of 

fabrics ie. to knit garment pieces to behave

in the way you want and to the size you want, which means they will 

keep their shape and need a minimum

of pressing and finishing.

I am still as enthusiatic about machine knitting, as when I started, 

‘x’ number of years ago! The machine is

always capable of adapting to new materials and fashions, with a 

little bit of help from us. So, I really

look forward to investigating this wealth of possibilities, and 

sharing some of my ideas and techniques with

you. I will have plenty of swatches and garments with me, so we can 

take them apart at the seams, if

necessary........

The topics I will be covering on this trip, include the following -

Future Fairisle :

Reflecting on the great fairisle ‘tradition’, which the knitting 

machine was designed to knit quickly and easily,

we will take a fresh look at the ways forward for this fundamental 

technique. Starting with the basics of

designing stitch patterns from scratch, handling ‘repeats’ and fabric 

effects, we will then move on to the

fascinating areas of self-shaping yokes etc. with a few surprises on 

the way........

Full Circle :

The ability to ‘shape’ fabrics as they are being made, is unique to 

knitwear and creates a wealth of

possibilities to the machine knitter. This includes creating some 

large-scale ‘non-repeating’ pieces, and

formulas for producing stunning colour effects. These techniques are 

ideal for shawls, wraps, skirts and

of course the ‘full circle’......

Rags to Riches :

This is an experimental project, looking at the knitting machine 

simply as a piece of equipment with no

preconceptions, and going into unchartered territory!  Use your 

knitting machine to integrate fabrics and

other materials in an unusual way, to create a unique type of fabric 

that disguises its construction. This is

such a relevant technique in the current climate for ‘recycling’ 

materials, and a huge amount of fun.......

Rack ‘n Roll :

Permanent pleats and ribs are easily created on our machines and are a 

great cause for celebration! So,

I will share with you my way of knitting an utimately flattering, self-

shaping, pleated skirt, made with straight

pieces - then add a twist or two. We will also look at a variety of 

other double-bed fabrics, developed from

very basic techniques, but using a wide variety of materials to make 

them relevant to today’s market........

Making Waves :

The single-bed machine is capable of producing the most extraordinary 

fabrics - from gossamer lace to rya

rugs. We will look at the lightweight, reversible, softly draping 

fabrics that can be created with slip and tuck stitch,

and the extreme textures created by knitweave. The beauty of a well-

constructed fabric means that you can

incorporate the most innovative new materials with yarns from your 

existing ‘stash’ - yes, I have one too.......

IRIS BISHOP - workshops and seminars USA 2008

Introduction :

The aim of my presentations and workshops is to share plenty of 

practical information, while at the same

time inspiring you with creative ideas. I find that the best ideas 

always start from the most basic techniques.

So, by showing you how my designs have developed from the ‘basics’, 

there will, I am sure, be something

of use and interest to beginners and more advanced knitters alike.

Originally I worked with woven textiles, and so I am particularly 

interested in fabrics having a good

‘construction’. I also like to work with the natural behaviour of 

fabrics ie. to knit garment pieces to behave

in the way you want and to the size you want, which means they will 

keep their shape and need a minimum

of pressing and finishing.

I am still as enthusiatic about machine knitting, as when I started, 

‘x’ number of years ago! The machine is

always capable of adapting to new materials and fashions, with a 

little bit of help from us. So, I really

look forward to investigating this wealth of possibilities, and 

sharing some of my ideas and techniques with

you. I will have plenty of swatches and garments with me, so we can 

take them apart at the seams, if

necessary........

The topics I will be covering on this trip, include the following -

Future Fairisle :

Reflecting on the great fairisle ‘tradition’, which the knitting 

machine was designed to knit quickly and easily,

we will take a fresh look at the ways forward for this fundamental 

technique. Starting with the basics of

designing stitch patterns from scratch, handling ‘repeats’ and fabric 

effects, we will then move on to the

fascinating areas of self-shaping yokes etc. with a few surprises on 

the way........

Full Circle :

The ability to ‘shape’ fabrics as they are being made, is unique to 

knitwear and creates a wealth of

possibilities to the machine knitter. This includes creating some 

large-scale ‘non-repeating’ pieces, and

formulas for producing stunning colour effects. These techniques are 

ideal for shawls, wraps, skirts and

of course the ‘full circle’......

Rags to Riches :

This is an experimental project, looking at the knitting machine 

simply as a piece of equipment with no

preconceptions, and going into unchartered territory!  Use your 

knitting machine to integrate fabrics and

other materials in an unusual way, to create a unique type of fabric 

that disguises its construction. This is

such a relevant technique in the current climate for ‘recycling’ 

materials, and a huge amount of fun.......

Rack ‘n Roll :

Permanent pleats and ribs are easily created on our machines and are a 

great cause for celebration! So,

I will share with you my way of knitting an utimately flattering, self-

shaping, pleated skirt, made with straight

pieces - then add a twist or two. We will also look at a variety of 

other double-bed fabrics, developed from

very basic techniques, but using a wide variety of materials to make 

them relevant to today’s market........

Making Waves :

The single-bed machine is capable of producing the most extraordinary 

fabrics - from gossamer lace to rya

rugs. We will look at the lightweight, reversible, softly draping 

fabrics that can be created with slip and tuck stitch,

and the extreme textures created by knitweave. The beauty of a well-

constructed fabric means that you can

incorporate the most innovative new materials with yarns from your 

existing ‘stash’ - yes, I have one too.......

IRIS BISHOP - workshops and seminars USA 2008

Introduction :

The aim of my presentations and workshops is to share plenty of 

practical information, while at the same

time inspiring you with creative ideas. I find that the best ideas 

always start from the most basic techniques.

So, by showing you how my designs have developed from the ‘basics’, 

there will, I am sure, be something

of use and interest to beginners and more advanced knitters alike.

Originally I worked with woven textiles, and so I am particularly 

interested in fabrics having a good

‘construction’. I also like to work with the natural behaviour of 

fabrics ie. to knit garment pieces to behave

in the way you want and to the size you want, which means they will 

keep their shape and need a minimum

of pressing and finishing.

I am still as enthusiatic about machine knitting, as when I started, 

‘x’ number of years ago! The machine is

always capable of adapting to new materials and fashions, with a 

little bit of help from us. So, I really

look forward to investigating this wealth of possibilities, and 

sharing some of my ideas and techniques with

you. I will have plenty of swatches and garments with me, so we can 

take them apart at the seams, if

necessary........

The topics I will be covering on this trip, include the following -

Future Fairisle :

Reflecting on the great fairisle ‘tradition’, which the knitting 

machine was designed to knit quickly and easily,

we will take a fresh look at the ways forward for this fundamental 

technique. Starting with the basics of

designing stitch patterns from scratch, handling ‘repeats’ and fabric 

effects, we will then move on to the

fascinating areas of self-shaping yokes etc. with a few surprises on 

the way........

Full Circle :

The ability to ‘shape’ fabrics as they are being made, is unique to 

knitwear and creates a wealth of

possibilities to the machine knitter. This includes creating some 

large-scale ‘non-repeating’ pieces, and

formulas for producing stunning colour effects. These techniques are 

ideal for shawls, wraps, skirts and

of course the ‘full circle’......

Rags to Riches :

This is an experimental project, looking at the knitting machine 

simply as a piece of equipment with no

preconceptions, and going into unchartered territory!  Use your 

knitting machine to integrate fabrics and

other materials in an unusual way, to create a unique type of fabric 

that disguises its construction. This is

such a relevant technique in the current climate for ‘recycling’ 

materials, and a huge amount of fun.......

Rack ‘n Roll :

Permanent pleats and ribs are easily created on our machines and are a 

great cause for celebration! So,

I will share with you my way of knitting an utimately flattering, self-

shaping, pleated skirt, made with straight

pieces - then add a twist or two. We will also look at a variety of 

other double-bed fabrics, developed from

very basic techniques, but using a wide variety of materials to make 

them relevant to today’s market........

Making Waves :

The single-bed machine is capable of producing the most extraordinary 

fabrics - from gossamer lace to rya

rugs. We will look at the lightweight, reversible, softly draping 

fabrics that can be created with slip and tuck stitch,

and the extreme textures created by knitweave. The beauty of a well-

constructed fabric means that you can

incorporate the most innovative new materials with yarns from your 

existing ‘stash’ - yes, I have one too.......