MEET THE SPEAKERS
We're thrilled to introduce the extraordinary lineup of talented individuals who will be gracing the virtual stage at the Knit Happy Summit!
Our summit is not just an event; it's a celebration of the diverse and vibrant world of knitting.
Get ready to be inspired, educated, and entertained by these exceptional speakers, each bringing their unique expertise, passion, and creative energy to the forefront.
From seasoned designers and skilled instructors to passionate advocates of the craft, this remarkable group is dedicated to sharing their knowledge and love for knitting with you.
As you embark on this knitting journey with us this week, we invite you to meet the brilliant minds behind the Knit Happy Summit and discover the wealth of insights they have in store for our knitting community.
MEET YOUR SUMMIT HOSTESS
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Jessica Ays
Double the Stitches • Knitwear Designer & Teacher,
and Host of the Knit Happy Summit
Meet Jessica, the creative force behind Double the Stitches and the hostess of the Knit Happy Summit.
Jessica designs approachable, joy-filled patterns that help knitters build confidence and skills – one stitch at a time. She’s the creator of the Stitch Society Membership and teaches workshops that make even complex techniques feel doable (and fun!).
As the host of the Knit Happy Summit, she’s passionate about building a community where knitters of all levels feel supported, inspired, and encouraged to keep growing their craft … at their own pace, in their own way.
When she’s not designing, teaching, or cheering on knitters in the Stitch Society Membership and Double the Stitches community, you’ll find her sipping coffee, chauffeuring her twin teenagers, and trying to keep her cat June from stealing the spotlight on Zoom.
MEET YOUR SPEAKERS
presented in alphabetical order
Alanna Wilcox
Color Alchemy for Knitters and Dyers: Using Inspiration Images to Choose Colors with Confidence
Alanna Wilcox LLC • Spinning & Dyeing Instructor, Author & Fiber Artist
Alanna is a fiber artist, professional educator, author, Master Spinner and color specialist with acid dyes. She loves empowering fellow fiber enthusiasts by helping them overcome their creative challenges, learn new skills, and achieve their fiber related goals through her expert instruction via online workshops and books. Alanna is constantly making things, especially projects that have to do with color and fiber to express her creativity.
She earned the OHS Spinning Certificate with distinction in 2015 and the Master Spinner Certificate in 2017. She wrote and self-published the spinning book “A New Spin on Color” and “Color Alchemy: From Digital to Dye” in addition to developing over 2,000 precision dye formulas to color match digital images and HEX colors.
Working with fiber is something that she lives and breathes, sometimes literally.
Amanda Morse
Teaching Lefties How to Knit
Knit in the Womb • Knitting Designer and Blogger
Amanda is the designer behind Knit in the Womb, where she shares over 250 free knitting patterns, tutorials, and educational resources for knitters of all skill levels.
A lifelong left-handed knitter with 32 years of experience, Amanda specializes in helping left-handed knitters learn in a way that actually makes sense.
Through her blog, YouTube tutorials, and membership community, she teaches practical, approachable knitting techniques with a focus on clarity and confidence.
Amanda is passionate about making knitting more accessible for left-handed learners and equipping instructors with the tools to better support them.
Anne Hanson
Pop That Texture
Knitspot LLC/Bare Naked Wools • Designer
Knitspot owner and designer Anne, a life-long knitter with a background in fashion and graphic design, teaches and writes about knitting and designing. Anne lives and works in Ohio with David; together they are the owners and creators of the renowned Barn Box yarn subscription and the Bare Naked Wools yarn label.
Since 2006, Anne has worked to perfect the art of pattern writing and knitting instruction, applying her understanding of fit and the importance of inclusive sizing. She aims to provide patterns that are beautiful, accurate, and ensure the ease of use that make knitting a pleasure. Her designs, along with her Bare Naked Wools yarns, provide quality components to create polished, fashion pieces.
Anne has produced instructional videos with The Yarnist, Craftsy, and Interweave Knits, and on the Bare Naked Wools youTube channel. Her complete catalog of patterns may be purchased at barenakedwools.com and on Ravelry.com.
Ashleigh Wempe
Stitch Magic: Turn Any Chart Into A Stunning Shawl
Ashleigh Wempe Designs • Designer
Hi! I’m Ashleigh, your new fiber bestie and the designer behind Ashleigh Wempe Designs, and author of Mosaic Knitting Workshop.
I’m a Minnesota mom of two who fueled her way through a lot of school and a career in the Air Force with copious amounts of coffee and chocolate chip cookies.
Whether we’re hanging out in The Tinking Circle (my community for curious knitters) or casting on a new design, my mission is to help you move past the “beginner wall” and create pieces you’re proud to wear and share.
I’m thrilled to be part of the Knit Happy Summit! For more fun for your needles, look out for my Knitting Skills Playground Bundle in June and my Knit Your Own Adventure Summit this November!
Let's grab a latte together, and make something beautiful!
Beth K
Small Fixes, Big Results: Simple Fixes for a Professional Finish
things.beth.makes • Designer & Teacher
Beth is a yarn enthusiast who has been knitting since she was five years old and designing small accessories since 2020.
Her designs feature simple stitches and combinations that are accessible to beginners, yet engaging enough for experienced knitters to find satisfying.
While she is a self-proclaimed sock fit nerd, her true passion lies in helping knitters move beyond being “too intimidated to try” and into the “holy sh*t, I knit that!” feeling of accomplishment.
You can find her on Instagram @things.beth.makes, her newly launched YouTube channel @thingsbethmakes, and her blog at thingsbethmakes.com, where she posts time-efficient tutorials to help knitters grow.
Bronwyn Hahn
At Ease with Ease: Understanding Ease and Schematics for Knits That Fit
Bronwyn the Brave Designs • Knit/Crochet Designer and Technical Editor
Bronwyn is the designer, technical editor, and fearless maker behind Bronwyn the Brave Designs.
She creates clever knitting and crochet patterns for curious crafters who love a challenge and crave those “a-ha!” moments.
She designs with intention—patterns with thoughtful details, clear instructions, and teachable moments—so makers feel like they have a trusty sidekick on their crafting quest.
When she’s not saving the day with designs and tech edits, she’s holding down the fort in Washington, Illinois, as a wife, mom, and notorious handmade gift-maker.
Cheryl Rondeau
The Magic of Knitting Cables without a Cable Needle
Chronicles of Cheryl • Indie Dyer, Knitting Pattern Designer
Chronicles of Cheryl is a husband and wife team in the Pittsburgh area dedicated to creating handmade art for you to enjoy! We’ve been married since 2018 and have two beloved cats, Zabrina and Zelda.
I started the eponymously named Chronicles of Cheryl in 2019 as a creative outlet from my “day job.” Creating catnip toys and pet blankets brought me a lot of joy during the years at home.
I’ve since started designing knit accessories and dyeing yarn. I love repetitive knitting patterns that I can work on while going about my daily life.
Thank you for supporting Chronicles of Cheryl each and every day. We wouldn’t be here without you.
Christine Long-Derks
Beyond Wool: Navigating Silk and Plant Based Yarns with Confidence
Treasure Goddess Yarn • Founder & Head Dyer (Yarn Pirate Captain)
Christine is the Yarn Pirate Captain behind Treasure Goddess Yarn, a luxury hand dyed yarn company based in a red barn just outside Kansas City.
Known for her TreasureDyed™ process, she creates richly saturated, jewel-toned yarns that look just as stunning on your needles as they do in the skein.
She spends her days chasing the finest fibers, from silk and plant-based blends to luxury wools and cashmere, and helping knitters navigate them with confidence. Christine teaches how to choose the right yarn, avoid common pitfalls, and create pieces that feel incredible to wear, as well as fun to make.
Whether she’s teaching, hosting retreats, or gathering her crew of Yarn Pirates for a project, her goal is simple, make yarn feel like an adventure again, with a little luxury and a lot more fun.
Ciara Doyle
Avoiding Yarn Chicken: How to Get the Right
Amount of Yarn
The Fairythorn • Designer
Ciara learned to knit as a child and was stitching daily by age eight. She discovered crochet as an adult, and today, she designs size-inclusive patterns that prioritize accessibility, clarity, and real-world wearability.
Her work reflects a deep belief that everyone, regardless of skill level, body shape, or ability, deserves garments that fit beautifully and bring joy.
When she’s not designing, Ciara shares her love of crafting through her blog, The Fairythorn, where she blends practical tutorials with stories inspired by Irish folklore, neurodivergent perspectives, and the quiet charm of Westmeath’s landscapes.
You’ll often find her with a cup of coffee, two lively dogs, and a camera, capturing the small, meaningful details that make life richer.
Dawn Prickett
Free Cabling: Expanding the Boundaries
of Knitted Possibilities
Twice Sheared Sheep • Owner
I started Twice Sheared Sheep as a way to bring a little more joy to a craft that I love. I believe that trying new things shouldn’t be scary, and I love to design patterns that are simple, fun, and help to expand the skillsets of knitters.
I’ve developed tools to help you keep your place so you can stress less and knit more, and I’m always thinking of ways to use yarn in new and creative ways.
Some may say that we are in the business of making knitting supplies, but I know that first and foremost, we are in the business of making happy knitters—because we want you to be able to knit the project you’ve been DREAMING of without fear, and that’s empowered knitting.
Emily Reiter
How a Tech Editor Works Through a Pattern
Fiat Fiber Arts • Technical Editor
Emily is a Catholic, wife, and mother of 5 kids who’s had a love of fiber arts since she was 7. After pursuing an academic career, she followed God’s call to marriage and motherhood.
Rediscovery of fiber arts led to technical editing which happens to be the perfect combination of all of her superpowers: love of crochet, attention to detail, perfectionist, math nerd, pattern hoarder. Since 2017, Emily has edited over 2,700 crochet patterns and over 300 knit patterns through FiatFiberArts.com.
Her passion is guiding designers in writing clear and consice patterns that can spread God's beauty throughout the world.
Ethan Pyle
Stranded Colorwork for Beginners
Refracted Light Fiber Arts • Natural Dyer and Knitwear Designer
In the year 2024, Ethan Pyle left his life as a Vision Therapist and founded Refracted Light Fiber Arts, creating naturally-dyed yarns and writing knitting patterns inspired by the wonder of great stories.
Nature, he sincerely believes, yields its beauty to those who wait humbly upon it — and so his colors are drawn from root and flower and living earth.
Springing from a long love of Middle-earth, his patterns invite knitters into new techniques, encourage personal modifications, and yield finished pieces as practical as they are beautiful.
What began as a modest undertaking has grown to fill his days, and he looks with hope towards the growth of further creative endeavors.
Hortense
The Gauge Swap: How to Use Any Yarn
for Your Pattern
Knitting with Chopsticks • Designer & CEO
Hi, I’m Hortense! I'm a passionate knitter, crocheter and hoarder of yarn.
My mom taught me the basics of knitting when I was young. I took those basic skills and added to them over the years thanks to blogs like mine and the wonderful community of online knitters and crocheters.
Knitting with Chopsticks was created as a way to give back to that community and share my easy knitting and crochet patterns with beginners everywhere who want to take the next step.
My goal is to break down knitting and crochet patterns so they’re simple enough for you to create exactly what YOU want, the way YOU want it.
Jenessa Keller
More than Gauge: Why a Test Swatch will
Save Your Knitting
Just1MoreThing Designs • Knitwear Designer
I've set out to change the perception that knitting beyond basic stitches is complicated by designing well-written and easy-to-follow patterns that empower knitters to express their creativity.
As a left-handed knitter, it was difficult for me to translate patterns to my backward style of knitting, so I make sure my patterns are easy to follow regardless of your knitting style by including charts and notes about why certain stitches are used.
I hope you will join me in creating amazing knits!
Jessica B.
You Already Know How to Knit Brioche.
Let's Break It Down.
Snickerdoodle Knits • Knitting Pattern Designer & Teacher
Jessica is the knitwear designer and teacher behind Snickerdoodle Knits, where she creates meaningful, approachable knitting patterns for adventurous beginners and beyond. She’s passionate about helping knitters grow their skills, confidence, and creativity through patterns that blend storytelling with beautiful texture.
In addition to her thoughtful designs, Jessica offers video tutorials on YouTube and teaches online knitting classes that support knitters wherever they are in their journey. Her gentle, empowering approach helps crafters feel inspired—not overwhelmed—so they can enjoy every step of the process.
Whether you're picking up your needles for the first time or looking to try something new, Jessica is here to help you connect with your craft and create something truly meaningful.
Jill Tamminen
Finding Joy on the Needles!
Knit Sisu • Designer & Instructor
Jill Tamminen is the founder of Knit Sisu, where knitting becomes a joyful pathway to mindfulness, resilience, and self-compassion.
Inspired by the Finnish concept of SISU – quiet strength, perseverance, and inner calm – Jill combines traditional knitting designs with modern flair and mindfulness to help people slow down and reconnect with the simple joy of making.
With years of experience teaching knitters of all skill levels, Jill shows how creativity and delight are just as important as technique.
Joy Friedman
Why Slip Stitch Colorwork Is Easier Than You Think and Worth Trying
Top of the World Knits • Knitwear Designer
Joy Friedman is the designer behind Top of the World Knits, where she creates size-inclusive garments and accessories for busy knitters who want polished, modern pieces without the time commitment of complex patterns. Her designs are intentionally approachable, created for knitters who work a few rows or rounds at a time, set their project aside, and return to it without losing their place.
Her work focuses on techniques such as slip stitch colorwork to produce fabric that looks far more intricate than it is to knit. By keeping construction straightforward and pattern flow clear, she helps knitters build confidence while still feeling challenged and engaged.
Joy has collaborated with Knit Picks and contributed to Making Magazine, Purl Magazine, and The Knitting Guild Association. Her designs are built around flexibility, allowing knitters to make steady progress even when time and attention are limited.
Katie Burk
3 Cast Ons and 3 Bind Offs to Keep in Your Toolbox
Knitlifeoils • Content Creator
Hi, I’m Katie! I spend a truly unreasonable amount of time thinking about yarn, starting new projects, and convincing myself I definitely need one more skein.
I’m here for the cozy, the chaos, and the joy of making—because knitting isn’t just a hobby, it’s a whole lifestyle.
I love sharing tips, little tricks, and real-life knitting moments to help other makers enjoy the process just as much as I do 💖
Kirsten Joel
Lessons in Lace: Build Your Confidence
Stitch by Stitch
Kirsten Joel Designs • Designer
Originally from Los Angeles, Kirsten moved to Charleston, SC, with her husband and quickly planted roots. Even though she has since moved back to Southern California, she started her family in Charleston and will always feel connected to the marsh & sea that inspire her pieces.
She designs versatile knit & crochet pieces that keep up with everyday life. Her patterns strike the perfect balance between comfort and intrigue; the pieces that you will reach for and cherish for years to come.
She loves working with wool, silk, cotton, and linen in classic, neutral colors.
Lauren Rad
Tricks for Memorizing Your Knitting Pattern
A Bee In The Bonnet • Designer
Lauren Rad is a former lawyer turned knitwear designer who focuses on soft, romantic designs for knitters who want to escape the everyday.
She took up knitting in law school to cope with stress and found deep comfort in the rhythmic repetition of stitching.
That sense of peace drives her design philosophy, which centers on patterns that are just interesting enough to be engaging but not so complex that they lead to frequent mistakes.
Lauren lives in California with her husband and elementary schooler. When she’s not knitting, you can usually find her puttering about in her rose garden or collecting sea glass at the beach.
Lena Mathisson
Test Knitting: What It Is and How to Get Involved
Softyarn Designs • Knitting Pattern Designer
I design patterns for size-inclusive sweaters, shawls, hats for the whole family, and accessories.
My priority is writing patterns that are clear and detailed with lots of helpful tips and links so knitters can enjoy the process without frustration and be confident that they will love the finished object, too.
I sometimes run mystery knitalongs for shawls with fairy or mermaid themes and love the sense of community that they develop.
Hearing from knitters and seeing what they make with my patterns is the best part of being a pattern designer!
Lisa Hannan Fox
Double Knitting 101: Your First Reversible Potholder
Nifty Knitter Designs • Designer
Lisa has published over 100 double knitting patterns, including wearables, bags, blankets, and more, using the fabric as a canvas to depict sheep, cats, Celtic knots, dragons, and whatever else strikes as inspiration.
She loves introducing knitters to the world of double knitting and runs multiple Mystery Knit A-Longs (MKALs) every year that allow knitters to share photos of their projects with each other as they watch the mystery designs appear.
A former software developer, Lisa lives in Northern California with her husband and son. When she's not knitting or running around after her son, she also helps authors edit, format, and publish their books. Time off is rare, but she enjoys figure skating, backpacking, and the occasional video game.
Lisa Toppin
Double Knitting 101: Your First Reversible Potholder
Three of Skeins • Knitting Instructor
Lisa is a knitting instructor and designer who loves uncovering the “why” behind every stitch.
Known for her approachable teaching style and deep curiosity about construction and technique, she helps knitters understand how history and craftsmanship intertwine.
She teaches across the country and online, sharing classes that blend technical skill with creative confidence.
Marie Segares
Stitching with Intention: Prayer Shawls
and Meaningful Making
Underground Crafter • Proprietress
Marie Segares is the Proprietress of Underground Crafter. Marie shares crochet, knitting, and sewing patterns, crafty tutorials, recipes, and more creative inspiration on her blog. She also hosts virtual make alongs throughout the year.
You may be wondering about the Underground Crafter name. Marie isn't part of a secret society of crafters (though that would be pretty cool), but she got her start crocheting and knitting underground while commuting on New York City's subway system.
These days, she commutes above ground via bus in Burlington, Vermont.
Mary Beth Temple
Fearless Nupps!
MBT Creates • Designer
Although she has been knitting and crochet since elementary school, designer and author Mary Beth Temple didn’t make designing her full time career until 2007.
Her work, whether featured in a book or magazine or in her own Hooked for Life pattern line, is informed by her previous careers as a costumer for the entertainment industry in New York City, and a dealer of vintage and antique textiles.
Mary Beth much prefers the term Renaissance Woman to dilettante!
Megan Nodecker
Perfect Sleeve Placement
Pip & Pin • Designer and Instructor
Megan is a knitwear designer and instructor from Abbotsford, British Columbia, who believes a handmade wardrobe should be as joyful to create as it is to wear.
Over the past 15 years, she has been dedicated to helping knitters create their dream handmade wardrobes through her contemporary knitting patterns and classes that empower and uplift.
When she's not teaching or designing for Pip & Pin, you'll likely find her exploring the outdoors, baking bread, or working on one of the many crafts she loves.
Rachel Moutrie
Visiting a Yarn Show Without Overwhelm: Making Confident Choices and Enjoying the Experience
Skein Queen • Yarn Dyer and Owner
Hi, I’m Rachel, the owner of Skein Queen, a hand-dyed yarn company based in Berkshire, UK.
I’ve been knitting for over 20 years and dyeing yarn for the past eight, working primarily with animal fibres and blends ranging from alpaca to yak.
I’ve visited many yarn shows both as a customer and a vendor, giving me insight into how knitters shop and how to make the most of your yarn show budget.
Alongside dyeing, I also design knitting patterns, with a particular focus on socks and shawls.
My experience across knitting, spinning, and dyeing gives me a strong understanding of how yarn behaves across different projects and uses – something I love sharing to help knitters make more confident, satisfying choices.
Sönna Schuttner
Joining Knitted Fabric With Mattress Stitch:
3 Essential Applications
Wool & Wyrd • Designer, Writer, Instructor
Sönna is the designer, instructor, and writer behind Wool & Wyrd. Through her fiber practice, she creates knitting patterns that honor Nature’s cycles and span from simple, grounding projects to more complex pieces that invite focus.
She offers theory-infused classes and presentations that explore the mechanics of stitches and how their relationships shape fabric. She also writes blog posts with tutorials, reflections on craft, and creative encouragement.
Sönna moderates the Tangled Makers Discord and Facebook communities, where fiber artists of all kinds gather to support and inspire one another while creating together.
Her work is rooted in the belief that knitting can be more than a hobby, it can be a grounding practice and reaffirm the maker's belonging to Earth and to each other.
Wool & Wyrd’s mission is to empower makers to knit with confidence and intention, shaping not just stitches but lasting connections to Land, Craft, and community.
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