Book Irene Nielsen
Below are a few examples of presentations and mini-workshops that Irene Nielsen offers.
If you would like to book Irene Nielsen for your event please send an email to wow@irenenielsen.com
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PRESENTATION 1
From Inspiration to Creation: What does it actually take to design a knitting pattern? (available in English, Danish and Italian)
Here, you will gain a unique insight into the world of a knitting designer. How many steps does a pattern actually need to go through before it can be published? What challenges might arise along the way? What is a test knitter, and why is it (strictly) necessary to have a technical editor?
In addition to this fascinating and exciting process, Irene Nielsen also shares - with good examples and humor - what it really means to be a Danish knitting designer living in Italy!
Duration: Approximately 1 hour - depending on questions (if it ends up being more, that's also fine by me, as long as everyone is enjoying themselves.
What the organizer is saying about the presentation:
"We had the great pleasure of experiencing Irene Nielsen at the Haslev Yarn Festival 2025. With her engaging and humorous storytelling style, she took us on a journey from Denmark to Italy - and into the colorful world of knitting. Her story about starting out as a knitting pattern designer in another country was both inspiring, touching, and funny. She also highlighted some key points about copyright that were particularly insightful. Irene is both entertaining and authentic - I can warmly recommend her as a speaker!" – Maria Jensen, organizer, Haslev Yarn Festival, March 2025.
What the knitters are saying about the presentation:
"If you missed Irene Nielsen on stage at the Haslev Yarn Festival, make sure to grab a ticket for her next visit to Denmark. Her talk about the journey from the initial idea of creating a knitting pattern to the finished product ready for sale was absolutely captivating - perfect for us knitting enthusiasts. 5 stars out of 5!" - Majken F, attendee at Haslev Yarn Festival, Denmark, March 15, 2025.
"Irene generously shares her journey to becoming a knitwear designer. From how she got started, to all the work we don't see when we sit with her patterns. This story is humorously spiced with little anecdotes about the cultural differences in knitting between Italy and Denmark and how a highly organized Dane manages to run a business in an Italian everyday life", Karin, attendee at the Knitting Retreat, Rødbyhavn, Denmark, July 27, 2024.
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PRESENTATION 2
A Jungle of Knitting Patterns (available in Danish and English - in Denmark only)
If you participate in knitting-related groups on social media, you have probably encountered the debate about "free vs. paid patterns" and "the right (or lack thereof) to share these." But it can be quite a jungle to navigate.
In this presentation, the debate will be engaged with good, fun examples that are easy to understand, all in a completely neutral tone.
Because, what actually characterizes a good knitting pattern?
What are the advantages and disadvantages of a free pattern versus a paid one, and what can you, as a recipient, expect from these?
What should you be aware of when buying a pattern, and what rights and limitations do you actually have?
Knitting patttern designer Irene Nielsen will guide you through this exciting lecture, which will surely both surprise and entertain you.
Duration: Approximately ½ hour - depending on questions (if it ends up being being more, that's also fine by me, as long as everyone is enjoying themselves.
What the knitters are saying about the prensentation:
"I found it truly captivating! Irene did SUCH a fantastic job. I don't think many of us realize the tremendous effort that goes into crafting a GOOD pattern, and she conveyed that beautifully." – Britt R, attendee at the Yarn Festival (Garnfestivalen), Nr. Alslev, April 6, 2025.
"Extremely insightful and educational – I had never truly considered whether sharing a knitting pattern with others was legal or not. I also hadn’t been able to pinpoint what makes a pattern high quality; I would simply notice whether it was easy to follow or challenging to work with. I came away so much wiser!" - Sonja N, attendee at the Yarn Festival (Garnfestivalen), Nr. Alslev, April 6, 2025.
"It was an absolute joy to attend and hear Irene speak. She did SUCH an excellent job!" – Lis N, attendee at the Yarn Festival (Garnfestivalen), Nr. Alslev, April 6, 2025.
"Thank you so much for an outstanding, informative, and engaging presentation!" – Winnie J, attendee at the Yarn Festival (Garnfestivalen), Nr. Alslev, April 6, 2025.
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MINI-WORKSHOP
Design You Own Headband - That Fits! (available in English, Danish and Italian)
Come and get knitting pattern designer Irene Nielsen's help to design your own headband. All you need to bring is a swatch (washed and blocked) of at least 12x12 cm, preferably in a stretchy texture pattern like rib or brioche. If you want a headband in a pattern, keep the stitches in the pattern repeat as few as possible.
We will take measurements, make calculations, and adjust, so you actually go home with a small pattern for your very own headband – that fits!
Note that the headband will be knitted from the bottom up on circular needles.