Evelyn Van Orden's love of fiber arts began as a child when Grandma Gmeindl taught her to crochet and Aunt Jo Hackl taught her to do needlepoint and embroidery. She was bitten by the needlework bug and created many needlepoint pictures and pillows, Christmas ornaments made of felt and decorated with beads and sequins. In college, her friend and roommate Shelley Henderson got her started crocheting afghans, and soon she was crocheting and knitting sweaters. All of her closets became filled with patterns, yarn, crochet hooks, and knitting needles. 
In 1995, Evelyn starting taking quilting classes and bought her first sewing machine: a computerized Bernina 1630. The quilt shown on the right, called Paradise of Birds Diptych: Cranes & Bamboo, was her first attempt at original design. This quilt won "Best Use of Embellishment" at Glendale Quilt Show 2000.
Since 2003, Evelyn has been teaching knitting and crochet classes at Needle in a Haystack in Montrose, California, USA. She offers a unique approach to instruction, giving students the tools and training to not only master techniques, but also unleash their own creativity to create unique designs. She also designs and markets original knit and crochet patterns, and is creating new classes, seminars, and workshops based on these patterns.
Evelyn is currently working with her friend and business partner Judy Head
on a book of knit and crochet patterns. Check out Judy's website JudyKits.
How about a knitting cruise to Alaska in August 2007? Email evelyn@evelynarts.com if you're interested...
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My First Sweater in Breeze
Original Design by Judy Head and Evelyn Van Orden
Pattern Available February 2006
©2006 |
Crochet Spiderweb Shawl
By Evelyn Van Orden
Circa 1975 |
