Rose Graham's first knitting teachers were her mother and grandmother, and she has learned from all the knitters and weavers, dyers and feltmakers she has known. Among her current teachers are the students whose questions puzzle her and whose friendship she treasures.
She has learned historical and ethnic techniques from Tilly Marchwinski, Linda Romens, Melissa Leapman and Sally Melville. With Anita Mayer and Valentina Devine she has studied creative freeform knitting and with Judy Dercum and Candace Eisner Strick fine finishing and precise techniques. Katherine Cobey's artistry inspires her; Brandon Mably's colors give her new eyes.
KAREN TURNBULL
Karen Turnbull's first knitting project was in high school, an obligatory lime green poncho. Her needles were then set aside until three years ago when her youngest child was accepted to college in Indiana. In an effort to send her love and assure the survival of her daughter in the frozen north, every care package contained a hand knitted scarf or hat. For Karen every stitch was a connection to her daughter.
Karen expanded her knitting knowledge to socks, felted bags, cabled throws and gift items. Durning this time she began teaching her skill to others.
Karen has a great appreciation for the creative process as well as the end result. She embraces each ingredient in a project-the lighting in a visual image, the speck of color in a tweed yarn fiber, the first completed row by the new knitter and the healing properties of knitting circle conversation.
SHARON BABBITT
Sharon Babbitt discovered her passion for knitting a few years ago, while on a weekend trip with a friend who happened to be knitting two scarves. Intrigued by the colors and textures of the yarns. Sharon soon immersed herself in knitting classes and projects.
An award winning commercial and portrait photographer for the past 22 years, Sharon finds her eye for detail and composition from still photography carries over to her knitting projects. She feels the pleasure of seeing the finished work from the hanks of yarn is much like seeing the image come to life in the darkroom when you print a photograph.
Sharon's husband, Andy Dearwater is a graphic designer. They have two teenage boys and an assortment of pets including 2 dogs, 3 cats, a dove and a corn snake.
VIRGINIA MARTINEZ
Virginia Martinez, mother, grandmother, and great grandmother (of Trinity and Ella) learned to crochet from an Aunt in Victoria, Texas, many, many years ago. She was taught to crochet not by a written pattern but by looking at another crocheted piece at the age of seven years old. In later years she taught herself to crochet from written patterns. Most recent classes she has taken are with Lilly Chin and Robyn Chachula.
Virginia is very patient in her teaching of the basics of crochet.
She is looking forward to crocheting with Houston`s very own published designer and famed Drew Emborsky "The Crochet Dude."