Our Instructors

A passion for crochet was passed on to me by my grandmother when I was eleven years old. She patiently taught me how to make a granny square, and that is where it all began. Over the past thirty-five plus years, I have picked up and put down my crochet hook many times to pursue other needle crafts. However, I always come back to crochet. I think I have tried just about every type of needle craft there is, but crochet is my passion. Since I discovered the need for “charity” knitting and crochet, I’ve felt more satisfied with using my skills than I thought possible. I enjoy teaching others to crochet, and I especially enjoy teaching children to love yarn, crochet, and creative arts in general. By doing this, I am paying forward what my grandma taught me, and it keeps her memory alive in my heart.

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I am a self-taught knitter and crocheter.  I love using color and especially like to do scarves, shawls, socks and afghans.  My yarn stash fill the entire guest closet in my condo!  I started the Prayer Shawl Ministry at my church in Cleveland, OH and will be working with a church in Nolensville to get their ministry started.  I worked in a needlework store for nearly 30 years.

I started crocheting in 2007 shortly after meeting my husband. As a kid, my mother taught me to knit, but it just never clicked for me. Crocheting just made sense. I enjoy making things up as I go along and finding creative solutions to mistakes. I like to try new things, but I also enjoy some of the classic patterns and styles. Crocheting is my time to sit down, watch some TV and make something fun. I love the instant gratification of it. Joining a crochet group was one of the best things I’ve ever done; the wisdom and love of fiber that we share is unrivaled. The art of creating with your hands seems to be popular in cycles, but it’s always here and I enjoy continuing on the tradition and I can’t wait to teach my daughter, Lily.

I am a self-taught knitter and crocheter.  I love using color and especially like to do scarves, shawls, socks and afghans.  My yarn stash fill the entire guest closet in my condo!  I started the Prayer Shawl Ministry at my church in Cleveland, OH and will be working with a church in Nolensville to get their ministry started.  I worked in a needlework store for nearly 30 years.

My knitting life began in high school. I knit my first (yellow mohair cable cardigan) while on breaks at my summer job as a lifeguard. Mohair and sweat don’t mix well.  I later learned crochet and enjoy having some of each going all the time. My retirement from 40+ years of microbiology is a joy.

It seems like I have been doing some sort of needlework all my life. My grandmother taught me to knit and to embroider at age 8. I even taught stitchery (needlepoint, stamped cross stitch, trapunto quilting, counted cross-stitch, lace net darning, and crewel embroidery) classes for a few years. My mother’s specialty was crochet, but she was never able to teach me because she was right-handed, and I’m a leftie.  About 35 years ago, I taught myself to crochet with a book “Teach Yourself to Crochet – for Lefties”.  I was never as comfortable with crochet as I was with knitting, so I went back to knitting.

Fast forward a few decades, and I happened upon a crochet class at JoAnn Fabric , taught by Carol Paskewitz. I took the class as a refresher, and something just clicked with me…I was hooked (pun definitely intended)!  Carol immediately introduced me to KCTN, and it wasn’t long before I wanted to jump into assisting with crochet classes. 

I love feeding my creativity, and at the same time, sharing crochet with others.  I am particularly excited to pay it forward making donations, which allows me to “crochet my brains out” (as my husband so lovingly puts it – “happy wife, happy life!”)

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I have been knitting and crocheting since I was a child …got serious a few years ago when a friend and I opened a yarn shop. I love teaching, especially beginners..the light bulb moment ..is my favorite part, I know they’re hooked…watching their progress pleases me no end.

I was taught to knit by my aunt at age 5. My mother had me knitting in the round aka socks for dad when I was in second grade. In the fifties, crocheting, knitting, and sewing was taught in German schools an hour a week. Eventually, the projects became more sophisticated and I actually enjoyed crocheting tops paired with knitted skirts. Then followed a twenty­five year hiatus when I did not pick up a needle. Thanks to a colleague who sold me a felted purse in 2005, my knitting interest is rekindled. Since then I have attended some classes, joined knitting groups, took a bead­ knitting cruise (Laura Nelkin design). Knitting is a relaxing pleasure for me, love to try new patterns and techniques. The biggest challenge is to keep me from planning and starting too many projects.

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I have been crocheting as a full-fledged hobby since 2006. I learned to crochet as a child from my mother, but didn’t commit to the craft until I met my husband. I wanted to make him something to keep him warm as we were long distance dating at the time. My local Michaels held a crochet workshop and afterwards I was unstoppable. I learned to knit in 2009 as a result of having knitter friends who were relentless in their pursuit to make me a knitter. I’m glad I learned because it has made me a respecter and lover of all yarn crafting. Since my first scarf, I have enjoyed making projects for charity, gifts, myself, and my family. There’s just something special about making something for someone that will be beautiful, functional, and a symbol of your regard for them. As an instructor at the Big Stitch, I have enjoyed seeing students “get it” while learning new techniques, getting tips, and some learning for the very first time. My hope is that everyone who wants to learn will leave my class getting what they came for and then some. If I can offer any advice, it is to be patient with yourself. Keep at it, get help when you need it, and you will succeed.

Sharon taught for thirty-one years and is a retired teacher from Metro Nashville Public Schools.  She learned to crochet on one of the first snow days she experienced as a teacher nearly thirty years ago.  Most of her work has been with thread crochet because she fell in love with the lacy pieces she saw in some old crochet books she bought at a yard sale.  She has delved into designing crochet since her retirement and has made a few designs with thread crochet and beads.  Mainly she enjoys sharing crochet with others.

I’m a cross crafter that learned at a young age to crochet. I needed to make a doll sweater, so I took a knitting refresher course, and I haven’t stopped? I’m always learning and loving knitting and crochet!

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I knitted my first sweater in the fifth grade and continued on-and-off until my youngest daughter asked me to teach her. One thing led to another, Knit and Crochet Tennessee was created in 2009 and I’ve been organizing events, classes and donations for KCTN ever since.  I started crocheting in 2011 when I realized that it provides certain looks and techniques that knitting cannot.  I love them both!

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I learned to knit at a young age, 9 years old.  I had been a sickly kid when in 4th and fifth grade.  As I was recovering from scarlet fever, a kind friend of my mothers brought me a box of yarn and some needles.  My mother was a knitters and from a family of Swedes that all knit.  This activity would keep me busy and quiet as I was recovering. Ever since, I have been engaged in knitting projects.  First a long just knitted stitch scarf to sweaters, and whatever was a challenge.  Before coming to Nashville, I lived in Rockford , IL, and taught a knitting class once a week at local yarn shop. Yarn blends, various stitches, along with new projects keep the interest and challenge for me to keep knitting.  It is so relaxing for me to sit and knit for even a short time. A teaching background makes me excited to teach someone to knit.

I learned to knit in a small group of sixth grade girls from a friend’s German grandmother in NW IN. We heard a lot of “Nein! Nein!” and “Acht!” Haha! She was small but feisty! She spoke little English but I so looked forward to those Sat mornings. For awhile, all I knew was how to knit her slipper pattern but I branched out and designed my Barbie and Ken some clothes. Many decades later, life has come full circle as I find myself knitting clothes for my grandchildren’s’ American Girl dolls. My passions are spending time with my friends and family, teaching reading and knitting, and sharing Jesus’ love with everyone. I love being a part of KCTN and it’s ministry.

Louann Young learned to crochet and knit as a young  girl. The skills sat dormant many years and were awakened about 15 years ago when she saw friends creating adorable scarves from furry yarns that she’d never seen before. Realizing yarn had changed a lot over the years, she entered a local yarn shop, purchased yarn for a project, and hasn’t stopped knitting and/or crocheting since. She always has multiple projects on the needles or hooks. She discovered the efforts of the Knitted Knockers organization (www.knittedknockers.ORG) while surfing the web in Spring 2016 and joined the cause, having family members who are breast cancer survivors. She and Beth Wise created the local group, Knashville Knitted Knockers, to encourage knitters and crocheters in the area to participate with us in providing Knockers (knitted or crocheted) to  women in need middle Tennessee and beyond.