Our Instructors

Meet Our Instructors

Mary a.k.a. The Color Queen, has had her fingers in fibers since she was a child, sewing her first dress at age 8.  She added knitting to her repertoire as a teen and then much later came weaving and spinning.  Since she learned mostly from books, she can undo as much as she can do.  Areas of special interest include color and ethnic traditions.

Nancy is Knitche’s one and only crochet instructor extraordinaire.  A self-taught crocheter who’s been “hooking” for 33 years, Nancy is willing to help with just about any problem that may arise.  Don’t tell anyone, but she’s also a darn good knitter.

Karen, an expert-level knitter who specializes in lace knitting, is a member of the Illinois Artisans Guild and the West Suburban Knitting Guild.  Karen has designed lace patterns for Lorna’s Laces, Jade Sapphire, Dream in Color, Just Our Yarn and Myrna Stahlman.  Her patterns have garnered awards from the Knitting Guild of America and Stitches (Editor’s Choice 2004).  Karen is a regular contributor to Vogue Knitting magazine. 

Crisann is always on the cutting edge of knitwear style.  Having knit professionally for many years, she now prefers to turn her attention to designing and knitting projects that are personally satisfying to herself or her family.  Crisann leads a group of avid knitters in Knit-Along sessions Saturday mornings at Knitche.  Come join her and try to keep up!

Angela graduated from The School of the Art Institute and then continued her education with as many different sewing and embroidery classes she could find. After that, knitting and crocheting next caught her eye.  Her first knitting project was an ambitious felted tote and it's only been up from there.  Prior to joining our staff, Angela's elaborate entrelac jacket was a winner of the Knitche Customer Trunk Show.  Her current ambition is to design and teach in a field she finds personally rewarding and inspiring.

Theresa's  mother taught her to knit mittens without a pattern at age 7.  In college she knit so many Lopi sweaters she had to start importing her yarn directly from Iceland.  Later, her fiber arts interest turned to sewing, but after retiring from her career to become a full-time mom, she was back to knitting with a vengeance. Her passions include fashion-forward patterns and projects incorporating as many yarns as possible.  Her patterns have been included in Interweave Knits and Knitters magazines and Bag Style published by Interweave Press.

Kathy has personally made more than 100 felted purses, one of which was featured in Valerie Van Arsdale Shrader’s “Hip Handbags.”  Another design is currently slated for publication in an upcoming Interweave Press book next fall.  As a busy shop owner and mother, these days her biggest sense of pride comes from assisting others in yarn and project choices and living vicariously through the successes of all of Knitche’s terrific knitters!

Knitche Address: 5150 Main Street, Downers Grove, IL 60515
Phone: 630-852-5648          FAX: 630-852-5645
Send mail to kathy@knitche.com with questions or comments about this web site.
Last modified: 9/14/08 Copyright © 2008 Knitche