Bead Club

About - I studied textile design at Winchester School Of Art in the UK where I specialized in knit design. Following graduation I worked as a freelance textile designer. In 1996 I became a Design Consultant for Rowan Yarns whilst also working with Debbie Bliss, for whom I designed many knitting projects. In 2004 I became Design Consultant Manager for Rowan Yarns and was responsible for looking after over 40 consultants across the UK.

I have worked as a consultant for Rowan Yarns for the past 15 years and tutor many knitting and crochet workshops across the UK offering hands on advice to knitters and crocheters through teaching and demonstrations. In the last few years I have concentrated on developing my design work and have launched my own range of downloadable patterns for the home and also run a yearly Crochet Club, which gives members the chance to create an exclusive crochet project.

I am the author of 'Finishing Techniques for Hand Knitters', 'Two stitch Knit' and 'The Ultimate Crochet Bible' and have just completed a knit and crochet book for the home interior which is to be published by Collins and Brown in 2012.

About - Carol Meldrum is a textile designer, workshop tutor and author of many popular knit & crochet titles. Carol is currently based in Glasgow, where she runs her knit & crochet accessories label Beatknit which can be found on her website and stocked in a selection of independent retail outlets in Scotland.

Since graduating from Duncan of Jordanstone College of Art in Dundee, she has worked within the textile industry as a designer for many High Street fashion outlets as well as internationally renowned hand knit label Rowan.

Carol is a successful workshop tutor with a full calendar throughout the year travelling UK wide teaching all aspects of knit & crochet in an informal environment to both groups and individuals.

About - A committed knitter since childhood, Debbie is a knitting pro, having studied Knitwear Design at Nottingham Trent University and graduated with a BA (Hons) Degree in Knitwear design in 1993. A nine year association with Rowan Yarns as a design consultant and then design consultant manager followed, before Debbie decided to spread her wings as a freelance designer - although she continues in her role as a mobile design consultant for Rowan.

Debbie has taught widely for the past 16 years and regularly tours both the UK and USA offering workshops such as 'A Professional Finish', 'Design your own Knits', 'Blankets and Throws to Knit' and 'Socks that rock'. She is also the author of five books and her own work features regularly in magazines including The Knitter, Let's Knit and Rowan.

Debbie specialises in hand Knitting with colour and beads, her most recent venture being the Mystery Blanket Club, a global project which sees its 500 members knitting a blanket ball by ball and square by square - the aim being to guess the theme!

About - I was taught to knit as a child by my Nan and I always enjoyed creative crafts - I loved making things. This probably sowed the seed for me going on to study textiles when I left school. I studied at Loughborough College of Art and graduated in 1998 with a BA (Hons) in Multi-Media Textile Design. I used yarns a lot in my final show and it was then that the yarn obsession started! Soon after, I was lucky enough to get a job working for Rowan Yarns where I quickly broadened my knowledge of knitting and yarns.

I have worked for Rowan Yarns ever since, currently working as their Design Consultant Manager. I teach workshops all across the UK in both independent and department stores and was also lucky enough to do a workshop tour up the west coast of America a few years ago. I frequently contribute to a couple of UK Knitting Magazines too.

When designing, my first love is accessories - I enjoy the fact that because they are small you can try out lots of ideas quickly and take a few more risks with colours and textures than maybe you would with a larger project. I have written five books - my first book '25 Bags to Knit' was published in October 2004, and I then went on to write 'Fun and Funky Knitting', '25 More Bags to Knit', 'Best Dressed Knitted Bears' and my fifth title 'Exploring Colour in Knitting' was co-written with my good friend and colleague Sarah Hazell. I have just finished work on a new book which will be published next year.

About - Sarah Hazell joined Rowan yarns in 2006 as a workshop tutor. She teaches knitting and crochet at all levels and throughout the country. She has co-authored two books, Love Crochet and exploring Colour in Knitting and her third title is due out next August. Sarah also designs for Let's Knit and has a regular feature called 'Weekend Knits' in Knitting magazine.