MY CLASS TITLES

 
 

UNLOCK YOUR INNER DESIGNER - Design your first Cowl

Are you a knitter or crocheter wanting to start designing but is the idea of designing a bit intimidating? Maybe you have a favorite stitch pattern that you’d love to design a cowl and a hat around.

Well, this class is for you!

In Unlock Your Inner Designer, we’ll explore what it takes to design a pattern, using a cowl as a base.

We’ll look at the basic fundamentals of design - sketching, swatching, measuring gauge, and doing the math - then, we’ll put it all together to have a uniquely yours design and a pattern you can finish you at home and share if you choose to. In this class, you won’t cover pattern writing, but you’ll leave with enough information to have you pattern ready to follow to complete.

 

MATH FOR CROCHETERS AND KNITTERS

Are you intimidated by math? Maybe you don’t know what numbers you need. Maybe you don’t know how to use the numbers you have.

Were you told by your middle school math teacher that you are bad at math because you’re a girl?You’re not bad at math. You just had a bad teacher.

Let’s make sense of your numbers.

In this class, I will walk you through a cardigan pattern and explain step-by-step every calculation you’ll need to make modifications to achieve your perfect fit.

This class is perfect for crocheters, knitters, and aspiring designers.

 
Cardigans For Every Body class Guinep Cardigan
Cardigans For Every Body class Otaheite Cardigan

CARDIGANS FOR EVERY BODY (Any YARN CARDIGAN)

Learn how to customize cardigan patterns for any yarn and body type.

Do you struggle with finding cardigans for your body? Do you struggle with what yarn to use or figuring out if you have enough yardage of the yarn you choose?

I believe that you deserve to fit the body you’re in now and not wait or not change your body to fit the pattern.

In this class, we choose a size that is your fit or close to your fit and then we work through the math to figure out how to make it YOUR PERFECT FIT! Choose your yarn (any yarn weight) and we’ll walk through step-by-step how to make a swatch, measure the gauge, determine fit, and use simple math to make modifications and determine the amount of yarn needed.

This is a great class to take before you go yarn shopping because you will know exactly how much yarn you need to buy for your size. Also, it’s great for stash diving.

Fit the body you’re in now!

Prerequisites:
 - Basic skills
• crochet: chain, basic stitches (sc, hdc, dc), increasing, decreasing
• knit: casting on, knitting, purling, increasing, decreasing
- Basic understanding of patterns, schematics, and terminology
- Basic understanding simple math

Course Materials:
 - Any yarn of your choice
- Hook/needle size appropriate for the yarn
- Any stitch pattern of your choice
- Removable stitch markers
- Tape measure
- Scissors
- Tapestry needle
- Button(s) (optional)
- Paper, pencil, calculator

Homework:
 - Make a swatch (at least 6” x 6” square) in desired stitch pattern in desired yarn

 

MOSAIC CROCHET (ORCHID PATH SHAWL)

Colorwork can be intimidating to start. It might look complex and feel overwhelming trying to figure out how to juggle multiple colors and strands of yarn.

In this class, we’ll walk through step-by-step how to manage your yarn so that you end up with a beautiful finished object and not a tangled mess. You’ll learn how to choose your colors, follow a chart and count your stitches/read your pattern. All you need it 2 colors.

Choose your two (2) colors. Choose colors that are highly contrasting for a dramatic effect or similar color palettes for a more muted feel. The sky is the limit.

Prerequisites:
 - This is not a BEGINNER class
• basic crochet skills: basic stitches (sc, hdc), read charts, changing colors

Course Materials:
- Two (2) contrasting colors
• Yarn recommended: worsted weight wool
• Hook size recommended: US size 8/H/5.0mm
- Scissors
- Tapestry needle
- Phone (for taking pictures)

Homework:
- None. Come ready to play

 

CROCHET SHAWL SHAPES and CONStructions

Are you stuck making squares and rectangles shawls? Are you ready to take your crocheting to the next level.

In this class, we’ll explore 3 different shawl shapes (top-down triangle, crescent, asymmetrical) and how to make them. You’ll learn how to use crochet increase stitches to create the shape.

 
The Art Of Swatching Tips and Tricks Beyond Gauge

The Art of Swatching: Tips and Tricks (beyond Gauge)

Master the swatching process to ensure every project fits beautifully.

Tian Connaughton is a crochet and knitwear designer, tech editor, business coach, and strategic for fiber enthusiasts.

You might be thinking, swatch, boring. Right? But not so fast. Swatching is more than just a square piece of fabric. It’s magic!

In this class, Tian will show you how valuable swatching is to the outcome of your project and how to use your swatch for more than just checking your gauge. You will learn how to use your swatch to calculate yardage for your project to answer the age-old question, “do I have enough yarn” because while I do love a good game of yarn chicken, I love even more to actually finish my projects.

You will learn the art of swatching through a variety of tips and tricks. Whether you're a beginner or an experienced knitter, you'll discover new ways to make your swatches more accurate and efficient. We'll cover different swatching methods and materials, and explore how to use swatches to improve your knitting/crocheting projects.

Then, what to do with all the swatches you’ve accumulated? Tian will show you some fun project ideas.

Join us for an informative and fun class that will take your swatching skills to the next level!

 

BECOME A KNITWEAR (CROCHET) DESIGNER

Have you ever wondered what it’s like being a designer? Do you wonder if you have what it takes to go all the way with that design idea that’s been in your head?

Tian Connaughton is a crochet and knitwear designer and tech editor with over a decade of experience self-publishing and designing for major brands. She is known for helping new and experienced designers go to the next level through her courses and books.

In this presentation, Tian will discuss her framework for design. She will explain the process to take your design from idea to publication. By the end of the class, you will have the confidence, and be ready, to turn that idea into a pattern to share.

 

Sweater Copycat: How to Hand-Knit/crochet A Sweater to fit Using a Store-Bought Version

In this class, you'll learn how to hand-knit (and crochet) a sweater that fits perfectly using a store-bought version as your guide.

We'll cover everything from selecting the right yarn and needles/hook to customizing the pattern (all the calculations) to suit your style.

Whether you're a beginner or an experienced knitter/crocheter, you'll leave with the skills and confidence to create your own cozy sweater copycat.

Prerequisites:
 - Basic skills
• crochet: chain, basic stitches (sc, hdc, dc), increasing, decreasing
• knit: casting on, knitting, purling, increasing, decreasing
- Basic understanding of patterns and terminology
- Basic understanding simple math

Course Materials:
 - Store-bought sweater for reference
- Swatch and gauge measured
• Yarn recommended: worsted weight wool
• Hook/needle size recommended: US size 8/H/5.0mm or 9/I/5.5mm
- Removable stitch markers
- Tape measure
- Scissors
- Tapestry needle
- Paper, pencil, calculator

Homework:
 - Make a swatch (at least 6” x 6” square) in desired stitch pattern

 
 

BIO

Tian Connaughton is an expert knit and crochet designer, technical editor, author, business coach, and course creator who thinks about and approaches the fiber industry differently. Since leaving the corporate world behind, she's built a business around creativity, and craft, and helping women, particularly women of color, build profitable and sustainable businesses. 

Tian has developed courses and programs to help designers, tech editors, and fiber artists at all levels, whether they are just starting or ready to expand, reach their goals. Her work includes Pattern Partnership, a membership program that supports crochet and knitwear designers with designing, launching, and growth. Tian is the creator behind Get Published, a free video course created in collaboration with Knit Picks and We Crochet to help aspiring knit and crochet pattern designers navigate the world of submitting, designing, editing, publishing, and so much more. She also has a course to teach designers to grade patterns like a pro and an 8-week tech editing program teaching the fundamentals of editing patterns and marketing to land clients.

Tian's motto is A Rising Tide Lifts All Boats! That is evident in how she shows up and in all she does.