Rowena Luke-King

This course offers an innovative approach to hand knit and crochet design and is suitable for both beginners and experienced textile designers who are looking for a new challenge and new techniques with which to build a portfolio of work. Starting with the most basic knit and crochet stitches you will develop a reference book of ideas and swatches whilst being introduced to more complicated pattern making combinations and experimenting with a variety of traditional, recycled and improvised yarns. We will learn how to follow knit and crochet patterns; use the colour wheel to create interesting and innovative colour looks; felt samples made from wool and use basic hand embroidery stitches, beads and found objects to add texture to pieces of finished work. Those who wish to can work on story-boards for a portfolio collection. Others may choose to work on small individual pieces such as knitted and crochet flowers. No previous experience is needed for this course. You should bring with you a selection of yarns that you may wish to work with.

Rowena Luke-King has had an extremely diverse career in design. She has worked as a designer and colour consultant for textile design studios and leading retailers such as Marks & Spencer and NEXT. She has produced collections of clothes, accessories, hand printed fabrics, greetings cards and wrapping papers for a number of stores including Fiorucci and has worked as a stylist in the music industry (stage clothes that she created for 'Adam and the Ants' have been exhibited in the Victoria & Albert Museum). Rowena studied fashion and textiles at Central Saint Martins and is currently involved in sourcing vintage fabrics for the fashion industry.