Crochet and knitting enthusiasts are travelling from throughout Australia to the Sunshine Coast to learn from international expert Arnetta Kenney, Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT) in New York.
Arnetta is visiting the Coast at the invitation of crochet designer Jenny King and will be running a series of workshops for fans as well as a program for those who want to teach the crafts.
In fact those who participate in the Craft Yarn Council of America (CYC) teach the teacher programs will walk away with the only accredited teaching qualifications recognised internationally.
Jenny King said the textile arts community was very excited to have Arnetta coming to Australia to share her skills.
“I did the CYC Teach the Teacher program with Arnetta 12 years ago but I had to travel to Seattle, Washington to do it,” she said.
“Arnetta Kenney has more than 30 years of knitwear and crochet design and teaching experience. She is currently teaching upper division degree students knit design and has been since 1988 for the Fashion Institute of Technology. She also teaches a Certification Program for the Craft Yarn Council of America,” Jenny said.
“Now Arnetta, whom I have been friends with since that first program, is coming here to teach the program, while also running some fun weekend workshops for crochet enthusiasts.
Arnetta will arrive today and will be teaching a special modular crochet course for yarn-a-holics this weekend from 1-4pm on Saturday and Sunday at the Jenny King Designs store, opposite the Surf Air at Marcoola. The cost is $50 but this workshop is booked out unless there is a cancellation.
Then from Wednesday 13th to Friday 15th the Crochet Teach the Teacher program will be held at Surf Air, followed by the Knitting Teach the Teacher program from Monday 18th to Wednesday 20th.
“We have people coming from as far away as Victoria and South Australia to participate in the teach the teacher programs.”
There will also be a great dinner on Saturday night 16th at Cucina’s with Arnetta, Jenny King and the editors of Yarn Magazine. The dinner is $30 per person including two courses, with drinks available to purchase at the bar.
Jenny King said while the response had been phenomenal there was still limited spaces available in the Knitting Teach the Teacher program.
“Textile arts like crochet and knitting and growing rapidly in popularity so we are really excited about the week ahead,” she said.
For more information about Arnetta’s visit and the limited available spaces in the teaching programs please call Jenny King Designs 07 5450 7077.
