Our instructors are a diverse bunch! These fab teachers help make the fibre space community what it is. Get to know them here and browse their classes.
Danielle is the owner of the fibre space shop and has been knitting since the age of six or so, when she completed her first project - a Cabbage Patch doll scarf. A Pittsburgh native with a degree in international development, she moved to the DC area to find a job and quickly established a career in non profit management and fundraising. For extra cash, she decided to turn her hobby into a job and taught knitting classes in the evening at area shops. With a heavy dose of sarcasm and a tough love style of teaching, Danielle quickly developed a following of students - busy DC professionals looking for a creative outlet. In October 2006, she struck out on her own with Knit-a-Gogo, Inc. - offering knitting classes and events all over the DC metro area. Before she knew it, Knit-a-Gogo had grown out of control and Danielle moved to the next natural step - a full service yarn shop. In July 2009 fibre space was born and has been rockin' ever since. When she isn't behind the counter with a mocha in hand and an Italian Greyhound at her foot, Danielle is watching a Steeler game with her hubby or riding her vintage Vespa scooter.
Daphne has been getting into art supplies since as long as she can remember. She taught herself to knit only two years ago, and a year later picked up a crochet hook. It was love at first stitch. Since then, she looks for ways to incorporate knitting and crochet into everything she does, and enjoys the fact that she can never follow a pattern exactly (intentional or not). Her favorite thing to do is start with double pointed needles and a vague idea, and see where this takes her — sometimes it’s a unicorn, a hatskarfenmitten, or a set of letters. At the shop, she loves sharing her excitement for the craft, whether it be a garter stitch scarf or a complicated lace shawl.
Holly taught herself to knit 8 years ago; part of an experiment to occupy her hands and mind and cure her of her workaholic tendencies. Her experiment turned into a true passion for knitting, which has led her to crochet and to dabble in spinning. Holly loves to spread her love of the fiber arts to brand new knitters and sock enthusiasts and can almost always be found with a sweater, shawl, and sock on the needles. She designed a pair of socks for Pints and Purls and is trying her hand at designing more socks. When she’s not teaching or working, she can be usually be found traveling or, during hockey season, watching a Caps game.
Inge learned to knit and crochet as a child growing up in Germany, knitting through high school and college. Not about to leave her needles behind when she moved to the United States, she safely tucked them away in her luggage. On visits back to Germany Inge always stopped by her LYS to visit old friends and for a little bit of inspiration. Developing her own patterns began as a necessity, but soon she realized she had a valuable skill that allowed her to customize her knitting. Inge creates her own designs for sweaters, cardigans and other garments. She believes that learning how to "fit" a garment is an essential skill. Her projects always begin with a "test drive" (a good size swatch) of the desired yarn before she commits to a long journey. Inge loves working with adults and children and encourages her students to "read" their knitting so that they can become comfortable and confident knitters.
Kel is practically a DC native, having lived here almost her entire life. During a short break away to get her BFA in Costume Design & Technology at Virginia Commonwealth University in Richmond, she developed a love for color, fabric, fiber, and dye. She learned to knit about 7 years ago, has been crocheting for about 2 years, and is now trying her hand at spinning. Some of Kel's favorite things are teaching new knitters and crocheters and talking people's ears off about color theory and fiber properties. When she is not in the yarn mines of fibre space, she is designing costumes for horror films, creating custom signs for the Old Town Sign Company, or plotting to become a rock star.
Lesley has been crocheting for over 8 years, knitting for over 5 years, and just bought a spinning wheel this year. She loves working with bright colors and learning new skills with every new project. When Lesley is not knitting or at the shop, she works as the Manager of Customer Relations for the National Apartment Association Education Institute. Lesley has a passion for languages--particularly Russian (ask her about her Russian watch!)--and hopes to someday turn that passion into a career.
Micah is a knitting, photographing, bike riding, fly fishing guide/owner of Knee Deep Fly Fishing LLC and Capitol Hill resident. If he can make something himself, he’ll do it. Knitting for the last 6 years or so, there have been many pairs of socks, gloves, hats, and even a scarf featured in Son of Stitch & Bitch. During a snowstorm Micah's mom taught him the basic stitches and it’s been non-stop since then. Knitting has introduced him to lots of great people and it’s made for the world’s best conversation starter. He has a very supportive wife who, though she's a Pittsburgh sports fanatic like Danielle, still does not have a hat to keep her head warm. One of these days he’ll fix that. He better!
The latest in a long line of fiber enthusiasts, Nicole learned to crochet from her mother; legendary in the family for once making an entire crochet potted geranium without a pattern! Originally from Atlanta, Nicole’s crafty skills came in handy in as a theatre student at Georgia State University and the University of Central Missouri where she earned her BA and MA in theatre respectively. Continuing her crochet habit, er, hobby, Nicole eventually transitioned from theatre work to not-for-profit management and is currently the Operations Manager for Future of Music Coalition. It’s a job that gives her plenty of time to crochet on the train. Nicole learned to knit in the spring of 2011 and was thrilled to find the crochet cast on! Her favorite part of fiber arts is getting to say "Why thank you, I made it myself!"
A graduate of the Rhode Island School of Design, Tanis is a resident of Washington DC. She has been a creative professional (can we all please have that title?) for many years, working at Martha Stewart, in art departments in the film and television industry, and most recently, a 4-year stint as the Yarn Editor of Voque Knitting and Co-Editor of knit.1 magazine. A knitter for 23 years and a crocheter for 13, Tanis loves teaching knitting to all skill levels. With over 200 published knitting designs, her work has been featured in major knitting books and publications. Imagine the things you will learn!