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.
Priness says
Dedri, I was exactly like you when I was growing up except I didn’t have the braces! I did, however; learn at a young age that crochet and other textile arts were my passion as well. I have to say, I LOVE your designs! I am almost finished with Sophie’s Universe and I can’t wait to try some of your other designs! Thank you so much for all you do!
Dedri Uys says
Thank you! Have you shared photos of your Sophie somewhere? I’d love to see it :)
Veronika Grabher says
Hi Dedri´,
I am from Austria and very excited from your blankets. Today I saw the Namaqualand blanket and I would like to crochet this blanket. I am also obsessed in knitting and crocheting as the most of your fans.
So I ask you, if there is a possibility to get the pattern. For me it is easier to bye a similar yarn in Austria or Germany. I hope you can help me.
Greetings fom Austria
Veronika
Dedri Uys says
Hi Veronika. You can find the pattern for the Namaqualand blanket HERE. It includes a link to a spreadsheet for all the colours and yardages used per round, so you can figure out how much you would need if buying a different yarn.
I hope that helps,
Dedri
Beth says
So excited to see I’ll be able to get the pattern for this! I happened across it looking for my next big project, love this!
Jenny says
Enjoy, Beth!
Jenny :)
Marge says
Oh, I just discovered you through All Free Patterns. So beautiful – the colors, your work..oh, oh, oh. So very pretty. I’m inspired once again. Thank you for sharing.
Dedri Uys says
Thank you, Marge :)
Heather says
Oh man….I totally just found the blanket of my dreams….and I have to wait a year!?
Heather
USA
Dedri Uys says
The pattern will be available in January, so you only have to wait a month and a half :)
Susan says
So delighted you have decided to release this pattern next year for those of us not able to get to your corner of the world!
and if you ever decide to visit the USA, I live in the Boston area with plenty of guestrooms!
Dedri Uys says
Susan, America is on our list of places to visit, but it might take us ages as we save all our extra money to return to South Africa every few years to see our family. But! One can dream :)
Marg says
I have only discovered your web site this year after deciding I would like to learn to crotchet . I have since made Sophie’s blanket and a block a week . Both turned out fantastic now excited for the next project . Your blankets are beautiful . Thank you for sharing these. Marg
Frieda says
I really hope you publish this as a pattern. South Africa is a little far to go(from US). It is a beautiful b;anklet. I love that it is very square on the corners.
Dedri Uys says
Hi Frieda. The pattern will be available next year.
KimmieZC says
I agree with Felicia – I would LOVE to attend a class in the US with you (and I would plan my vacation to be there – wherever you hold it). Your blog inspires me every time I read it. Makes me want to plan a trip to So. Africa. :-)
Felicia says
Dedri,
If you ever make it to the US close enough to where I live, I would LOVE, LOVE, LOVE, to attend one of your workshops! You’re amazing!!
Dedri Uys says
Thank you, Felicia. Maybe one day!! A girl can dream x
Marie says
Dedri,
I would also be thrilled to attend your workshop if you are ever in the US, the west coast is beautiful. ;) Are you going to be putting your Namaqualand pattern online? I’m seeing it as a rectangle rug by my front door. My fingers are itching to get started. I only have five or six projects in the works (making Sophie’s Cal too) and just don’t have enough to do lol.
Jenny says
Hi Marie. Dedri is undecided about releasing Namaqualand, and at best it may not be out until next year, if at all.
Jenny :)