Testimonials

From Paula: The class (Design Your Own Shawl Class) is superb. It is giving me the skills I need to share and possibly sell my patterns. Each step of the process is carefully outlined. The videos and handouts have been right on target. Stefanie has done a great job of simplifying a complicated process. I highly recommend the class to anyone interested in designing and marketing patterns.

From Gina: The Design Your Own Shawl class was fabulous! The videos and handouts are highly informative, and Stefanie was supportive and encouraging throughout the process. The inspiration provided by the class, instructor, and other students will leave your head spinning with new ideas and you will LOVE it. I left this class with a pattern in hand, a design I adore, and lots of new friends. I will be taking many more classes from Stefanie via the site.

Here's a photo of Gina's Shawl:

And you can find Gina's pattern for sale here.

From Stephanie: It (Design Your Own Shawl Class) has been an awesome class. I would keep telling my friends that I was taking an on-line shawl design class and they really couldn't understand my enthusiasm. I spent hours and hours pouring over stitch books and lace patterns. I even had my sock pattern books out for patttern inspiration. But after lots of swatching and thinking and learning, I closed all the books up and charted out my own design using the free KnitChart software that Stefanie linked us to. The whole class was well organized with lots of hand-outs and videos. We had scheduled chats each week. I am hoping to take my design and make it in several weights of yarn. I know each one will be different. I am sort of a production person. I was even thinking tonight that it would make a great blanket knitted in the round. And an easy top-down raglan also! I now have more new internet knitting friends. I will be checking their blogs and web-sites to keep in touch. Thanks again Stefanie. Can't really believe your will be having your second child in less than 2 weeks. Keep us posted.

From Judy:
This (Design Your Own Shawl Class) is my 3rd on-line class with Stefanie and I've loved it! I've learned a lot about combining stitch patterns that I can envision using in other projects besides shawls. I've also simply learned how to build on my skills! Designing for me has always been intimidating as I consider myself mainly "left-brained"; but I've learned that this process can be logical, too. So, this class has helped me be a more fearless knitter and I commend Stefanie for that aspect of it. As always, her classes are exciting and interactive (live chats, forums), informative (handouts), and very visual (videos). I always feel like I'm being welcomed into Stefanie's home during her videos and I just love that her little daughter Mazie makes an appearance once in awhile. The whole experience besides being informative, is also very personal and friendly, and as a knitter I really value that. I look forward to more classes, Stefanie!

Featured Review in Knitty.com, Winter 2009:

From Chitimacha:

This too was my first experience participating in an online class. It has been such a great one, that I will definitely repeat it. The class was well-thought out, easy to understand and presented interestingly; in addition to being fun just plain FUN. The videos, patterns, PDF files, and forums accompanied by periodic live chat times all allow you to really get the feel of a personalized tutoring session in the convenience of your own home. Being able to log on as often as you like to learn at your own pace is fantastic. Stefanie rocks!!

From Megan:

I cannot say enough positive things about this class. This is the first time I have taken an online knitting class and it exceeded my expectations. Patterns, videos, chats, forum posts were all fantastic. The flexibility aspect of this class was its strongest selling point for me personally. I'm a knitter living with multiple sclerosis and that can make things interesting/challenging/frustrating to say the least. Being able to access this information online made things so much easier for me than if this was a "traditional" classroom setting. I don't always know how I'm going to feel most days so being able to check out the videos at my own pace was priceless. If I was having a not so good day I could watch videos, read up on color theory, or chat with fellow classmates. If I was having a fantastic feel good day I could cut up my shirts, practice dye techniques and knit on the projects. Regardless of how my multiple sclerosis was behaving I felt like I could still be active and engage in learning something new through this class. I loved this class so much I signed up for the Fitted Raglan Shawl online class and I can't wait to see what new classes are offered next!!! Thank you Stefanie for such a fantastic learning experience!!!

From Jennifer:

This is not only my first online class, but my first knitting class and I am a beginning knitter. I have enjoyed this class so much and have learned more than I had hoped. In 3 short weeks I went from barely able to purl to knitting a lace shawl! Stefanie's ability to explain techniques and theory is great-everything was clear and at a level that I could understand it, but not boring for more advanced knitters. I have had so much fun learning to cut the tshirt yarn and dyeing the fabric and am so excited to do more. The online chats were really useful in getting encouragement and help from other experienced knitters. It has been exciting to see how everyone's projects have come together. The accessibility of the class at any hour of the day is ideal for me as I have small kids and it's hard to get out of the house for a class at a knitting store or a knitting group. I have gained so much confidence from taking Stefanie's class that I will be taking the shawl class soon and have a thousand ideas of how to use my new skills in cutting, dyeing, and knitting with tshirt yarn. I can't recommend this class highly enough!!

From Millie:

This class has been sooo much fun and I am super excited about taking other classes in this format! I made the lace wrap and wore it to SAFF this past weekened- and I had LOTS of complements from complete strangers and they were sooo shocked to hear that it was made of t-shirt yarn. Stefanie has really taken the recycled t-shirt yarn up a notch and made glamorous patterns to be proud to wear! I HIGHLY recommend this class. I learned so much and made new friends!

From Carolina:

I really enjoyed taking the Up-cycled t-shirt class taught by Stefanie Japel. I was already familiar with her patterns and was very excited about taking her online class! We learned how to cut t-shirts and make them into yarn, how to dye our yarn and finished projects and through the video demonstrations we learned how to knit a lace scarf or wrap and a lace shrug. Knitting 'with' Stafanie during the videos felt like she was in my living room giving me one on one attention, not something I could have gotten during a 'live class'. Stefanie was always there for her students either through live chat or via e-mail. I'm looking forward to taking many more online classes with Stefanie!

From Christine:

This was my first on-line class experience and I was very impressed. The amount and relm of information exceeded my expectations. I found the videos to be the most helpful, and I enjoyed them. The pdf handouts were great. The ones on color theory and the gift tags were a great perk. I felt like if I ever needed to ask questions you were accessable. But I never did as all were answered in information provided. I loved being able to see what others have done through the pictures on this site, Perhaps the aspect of this format that I enjoyed the most was the flexability. I could fit it into my lifestyle. I really look forward to more classes to expand my knitting skills. Thanks Christine Long

From Judy:

This was my first on-line class experience, and so of course I wondered how it would compare to attending "in-person" workshops or classes. It has been a great experience! Anything Stefanie Japel offers us is bound to be unique, cutting edge, and just plain fun! There were live chats, videos, a question forum, free patterns & loads of downloadable information. Plus, the sense of comradeship and community was great. I feel like I've made some new friends! I can't wait to take more classes with Stefanie!

From Susan Bourgeois:
Ravelry and Twitter: Trafficknitter

The UP-cycled T-shirt Class, taught by Stefanie Japel, includes far more information than just recycling T-shirts into adorable knitted garments. Stefanie is generous with information and ideas on dyeing the "yarn" and goes in depth into color theory. The video demonstrations are a delight to watch and very detailed. The class includes 4 patterns and Stefanie gives detailed video instructions that will launch any beginner knitter into knitting a lace pattern and still tailor the garments to suit all the knitters in the class. No matter what your level of experience is, there is something for everyone in this class!

I expected to learn how to cut t-shirts, and make a couple of novel knits. What I got was the best value I have had from any knitting class.

Besides, the class was really FUN too!!

From Dana:

I love the class so far! It's such a unique approach to a knitting class- I can do it on my schedule and at my own pace, which is a great advantage when you have a busy schedule and can't give up work time to take a knitting class when it's scheduled in a store. This isn't my first lace project, or even my first shawl project, but I am learning a lot of new tips and tricks just the same!
My blog can be found at: http://craftygirl83.blogspot.com

From Beth:
Stefanie,

This is a great class and probably my favorite format for classes because I can pace myself, take a class with a designer, and not travel. Your videos are excellent and the chat session has been great. I did finish Chart 1 yesterday and started on Chart 2 after watching the videos. Thanks again for offering these classes. I look forward to the T-Shirt class.

Beth

From Stephanie:
I didnt have time to go on the chat a lot, but i'm wathcing videos at night while knitting and they are clear and helpful. I love having some little advise that I can use on other knittings after as well ;)

My shawl isnt complete at the moment but ,I will post it on my blog for sure. I spoke with a friend this PM about your pattern since she also saw it on Ravelry and like the raglan shaping, that covers more and is easier to wear... fitted ;)

Here's mine (mostly in french) http://alamailleblogspot.com Yours in on my blogroll for a while ;)
Going to watch some videos and trying to make few rows.

From Diana:
I'm a little behind right now but I am super glad that I signed up for this class. I learned to knit with some co-workers a couple of years ago but never really progressed past the basic stitches and have only completed a few hats, scarves, and toys.

Since that time I've started a grad program while working full time and thought that I would always be limited by my slowness and skill and never make it to creating anything garment like. This class has been presented in such a way that is accessible for so many learning styles and I've really been inspired to take this next step and read these charts and try something new.

I've been a long time reader of the blog (lurker I suppose is more appropriate!) and I know I'm going to want to take more classes this way. :)

Thanks so much for this opportunity to learn Stefanie!

Diana Fonner

From Mary Anne:
Hi Stefanie- I wanted to thank you for the wonderful class! The videos, chats,and photos were a great learning experience. You are responsive to questions and the personal touch you exhibit in the videos made me feel like you were right there teaching me personally. I have learned more than I expected. Sharing with the group in the chats is a wonderful experience and I didn't even have to leave home. Wishing you the best and I looking forward to participating in future classes. Your grateful student- Mary Anne

From Samantha:
Stefanie, I wanted to thank you for the terrific class! I have taken away so much from this experience. Thank you for sharing your knowledge. I will post pictures of my shawl when it is completed. From Dana: I love the class so far! It's such a unique approach to a knitting class- I can do it on my schedule and at my own pace, which is a great advantage when you have a busy schedule and can't give up work time to take a knitting class when it's scheduled in a store. This isn't my first lace project, or even my first shawl project, but I am learning a lot of new tips and tricks just the same!

From Sammie: I wrote about the class on my blog already! This class has been so truly enjoyable and such a good learning experience so far. I've learned so much about knitting from charts and find I really like it very much - so much more than written instructions. I've knitted lace before, but always from written out instructions. Charts have always kind of intimidated me - they look so complex.

To me, it is so much more practical to have a class like this than a "live" class where you might spend a couple of hours in class but you certainly couldn't complete a whole shawl. I love being able to watch a video, work on a row and then go back to watch the next video when I have time. I can do it late at night when I can't sleep!

From Kat: I think this online class is brilliant. The information I have gotten is wonderful! I am enjoying knitting the shawl, and while my work schedule has been hectic, I am almost done with the first section repeats. As I work to beginning section #2, I am happy that Ste[f]anie is showing how to work the repeats and her knitting tips are wonderful.

From Rita
I am enjoying this raglan shawl class for several reasons.

I love the pattern. It is simple to knit, yet very lacy.

The online aspect makes it possible to attend the instruction, get all the tips, repeat what I need, and still fit everything else into my schedule. There is something for everyone from the beginner to those who have been knitting lace for years. It is so much more flexible than those taught at a store, with regard not only to time but also to instructors. I don't think I would have been able to take a class from Stefanie except through the wonderful medium of the internet. I would love to do something similar for the netting I highlight on my blog and my website (http://knotsindeed.com/).

I am also enjoying learning how versatile the raglan pattern is. I have made raglan sweaters for my children over the years but had not considered it for a shawl. Now I am thinking about netting some raglan-style shawls.