Lookatwhatimade is going on tour! In a little over a month I will be starting my South African Crochet Tour with BeInspired.
Before I tell you about the tour, I would like to tell you something about myself.
I grew up in a very small village in the Klein Karoo (Little Karoo). I was never popular at school: I wore glasses and had braces on my teeth. I was brainy, but not very dedicated. I used to read constantly and everywhere! In class, my teacher would say: “Dedri, this is important – put down the book”, so I would put the book down until whatever was important had been said… and then go right back to reading. I was a rebel, which invariably got me into trouble (a lot). I seldom felt like I really belonged on this earth. My mom once called me a ‘homesick angel’.
It took decades to become comfortable with who I am. Who knew that the thing that energizes me – and inspires others – would turn out to be crochet? Certainly not me!
As a designer whose work appears in books and magazines, as well as on my website (who could have known Sophie’s Universe would become such a phenomenon?!), I find that many people tell me their stories and share the joy and healing they, too, have found in crochet.
I finally have the acceptance I wanted when I was growing up; the acceptance of South African ladies, in particular, has been life-affirming, to the extent that I finally feel that I belong.
Having the opportunity to run workshops with BeInspired is a dream come true for me. I cannot imagine anything better than hanging out with a group of like-minded women, teaching them what I know and learning from them in return.
The workshops will start on the 29th of July in Johannesburg, and end on the 6th of August in Cape Town, with stops in Pretoria, Durban, and Humansdorp in between.
I have designed a new blanket specially for the tour. It is called Namaqualand because it reflects the beautiful fields of flowers in that area. The blanket is an extension of the square we will be working on at the workshops.
Namaqualand square grown into a blanket
When I attended the Chelsea Flower Show a while back, I saw these rusty bird feeders. The colours in this photo made me think of the colours I have chosen for the blanket, and the beauty of the fields they are meant to reflect.
The pattern can be used to create a square, blanket, or shawl, and can also be adapted to work back and forth in rows. The price of the workshop will include enough yarn to make a 12-round square (22 cm), a lovely goody-bag, and instructions for growing or adapting the pattern and making a shawl. Yarn packs will also be available.
Here you can see me working on the shawl as I walk home from the station (yes…barefoot). The yarn is called Invicta Colour, and I LOVE the colour progression.
Apart from working through the Namaqualand pattern, the workshops will also focus on techniques like identifying stitch anatomy, working front and back post, creating Popcorns in 3 different ways, adjusting gauge to meet pattern requirements, and figuring out yardages needed (maths… ugh… but easy maths).
The Cape Town workshop with Carlé Dehning from Nurturing Fibres has already sold out, but there are still spaces available for the other workshops. You can find out more about dates, venues, and availability HERE.
I do hope you can attend, and would love to hear from you if you have already booked. When and where will you be attending, and do you have any questions I can answer before the workshops start?
Most importantly, I hope that you will bring along some of your lovely work so that we can all admire it!
This blog post contains affiliate links. I only link to products I personally use or would use. All opinions are my own.
Elisabeth says
Dedri!!! You have to decide to publish the pattern!!
It’s so wonderful and I have no chance to go to south-africa next year!
But I will spend my holydays in Holland this year and I will buy Noorse Sokkenwol for Joy’s Journey Crochet Blanket.
Greetings from Austria!
Janine Hancock says
Will the pattern from your African tour be available on your blog for those of us who do not live in your country?
Dedri Uys says
Hi Janine. The pattern will be exclusive to my workshops until next year. I haven’t decided yet what I will do with it after that time. Have a great day.
Dedri
http://bhutancrochet.blogspot.com/ says
OMG, i wish to call it tulip blanket. waiting for d pattern. I wud like to Thank you million times for all d amazing beautiful patterns. i am working on another Sophi universal blanket for very very special which i will tell later.
Dedri Uys says
I’m looking forward to seeing your new Sophie :)
Monica says
Oh. I’m loving that Namaqualand blanket. I hope it was ll be made available later. I will definitely buy it.
Dedri Uys says
Thank you, Monica. If I do make it available, it won’t be before next year. I am still deciding what to do with it. Have a great day :)
CYNDY MUDGE says
So beautiful!!! I love the squares instead of the circles!!
Dedri Uys says
Thank you, Cyndy.
Debi Nattier says
Love this yarn, but not having any luck finding it. I live in the USA, can you tell me who makes it, please.
Dedri Uys says
It is Noorse Sokkenwol by Scheepjes. Wool Warehouse sells it and they ship internationally.
Julie Richards says
I am BEYOND excited to be joining one of your workshops in Durban. Sophie’s Universe has taught me such a lot, and it still amazes me that you have GIVEN this pattern to the world with such generosity. I was a beginner when I started Sophie, and my confidence grows with each round I do. Roll on August.
Dedri Uys says
I am so pleased to hear that, Julie! Roll on August indeed!!
Monique says
Hello Dedri,
I live in Holland, and have visited South Africa several times. We even got married there, 12,5 years ago. Next Christmas holiday we are going again, and for the first time we will be visiting Namaqualand. Unfortunately it is not the time of the beautifull flowers in bloom. I’m looking forward to our next visit, shame you are not there that time. I would have loved to see you there.
So maybe I have to try to come to England and meet you at the retreat some time, I wish I could.
The blanket is beautifull, I could see the fields of flowers!
Have a wonderfull time in SA!!
Best regards from Holland! X Monique
Dedri Uys says
Hi Monique. I hope your visit next Christmas is everything you dream it will be. What a pity that we won’t be there at the same time, but there are still spaces for the December retreat :) Maybe your hubby can let you come as a 13th wedding anniversary gift? Lol, I am SUCH an enabler.
I am glad you like the blanket.
Take care,
Dedri
Cathleen says
So lovely, Dedri! Thank you for the new design.
Dedri Uys says
Thank you :)
kathleen says
Your trip sounds fabulous, and I’m jealous of the folks who get to attend your workshop. Have a wonderful, yarny time!
Will you publish this pattern ever?
Dedri Uys says
Thank you, I intend to have a blast! I am still deciding what to do after the tour ends, but if I do publish it, it won’t be before next year.
Chelsea Schalton says
I love the Namaqualand pattern. Will you be publishing it soon? Or is there a way to purchase it? I’m in the USA and can’t attend one of your workshops…. although perhaps you’ll consider a youtube.com video in the future?
Dedri Uys says
Thank you. The pattern will be exclusive to my workshops until next year. I haven’t decided yet what I will do with it after that time.
Juliet says
Hi, it’s a pity your Cape Town workshop is already sold out, is there a way to be on a waiting list? I would love to meet you. Thanks Juliet
Dedri Uys says
Hi Juliet. Only the Saturday workshops are sold out. There are still spaces for the 2 workshops on Friday the 5th of August :)
Julie Jarrett says
I would love to attend this Dedri..but I am in Texas, USA. Good luck and I know it’ll be awesome.
Julie Jarrett
Dedri Uys says
Hi Julie. That’s a tiny bit far away! I am in the UK myself and am really looking forward to going to South Africa for the first time in over 2 years!
Terry Tarr says
I’ll be meeting you on 1st August for the afternoon session. I am so looking forward to the workshop, it’s going to be such fun. Just imagining Jule’s & Chantal’s excitement at the workshop brings a big grin to my face!! See you in Hillcrest Dedri
Dedri Uys says
Your comment made me smile. I do hope they will be grinning!! I def will be. See you on the first of August!
Céline says
I’d love to meet you but how to say South Africa is so faaaaaaar away you know, like … on the other hemisphere XD. Anyway the blanket is pretty <3 have a good trip !
Dedri Uys says
Thank you, Celine. It is far away. Where do you live?
Robin Paone says
As usual – beautiful work! Since I can’t get over to your South African tour, will this pattern be made available? Lovely Lovely Lovely!!!
Dedri Uys says
Hi Robin. For the moment this pattern will only be available to people attending my workshops. If I do decide to publish it, it won’t be before next year. Have a great day x
nina says
Dedri,
I am in love with the sneak pics you have shared but I live in the US and am unable to attend any of your engagements. Will you be releasing the pattern broadly for those of us that can’t attend?
Beautiful work.
Thank you.
Nina
Dedri Uys says
Hi Nina. Thank you! The pattern will be exclusive to my workshops until next year. I haven’t decided yet what I will do with it after that time. As soon as I know, I will let everyone else know :)
Shanna says
Will the pattern for Namaqualand ever be released outside of the tour? I live in America and can not attend any of your workshops, but I would love to make that blanket. I made Sophie’s Universe for my daughter and she adores it! You are so incredibly talented!!!
Dedri Uys says
Thank you, Shanna. I am still deciding what to do with the pattern after the workshops. Whatever I decide to do, it won’t be before next year. Take care x
Amanda says
Hello Dedri, so glad that you are comfortable with who you are – a very talented and compassionate woman! I love your blog and your patterns, your use of colour is a joy to see! I feel that I know you personally! I too lived in England for 5 years and always longed for home – I am from Mooi River, so I know how you feel when you get homesick!
All the best for your tour and who knows I might be at one of them and get to meet you in person!
If you are doing any classes in the UK over December, I will be there visiting family but will check your blog to see if there are any.
God bless and enjoy your trip home xxx
Dedri Uys says
Hi Amanda.
Thank you for reaching out. It is always a pleasure to meet someone who ‘understands’. It would be great if you could attend one of the workshops. The only workshop-type-thing I will be doing in December is a weekend retreat with Devon Sun Yarns.
Have a wonderful day!
Vickie Kleeman says
Hi Dedri,will this pattern be available to us in the UK? I loved the flowers in Sophies Universe and this blanket would give me an excuse to make loads more!
Loving your work by the way xx
Dedri Uys says
Hi Vickie. The pattern will be exclusive to my workshops until next year. I haven’t decided yet what I will do with it after that time. If you are subscribed to my newsletter, you will receive an update when I know more.
Have a great day,
Dedri