Meet David Van De Kamp

I was born in a small town up in the old mountains, south west of Serbia.
I grew up surrounded by rather crafty family members, especially my grandmama to whom I give all the credit for how I turned out to be.
She was a master Weaver, and thus first thing I learned was how to weave. At this point I was around 5 years of age, and can vividly remember how monumental granny's weaving loom seemed.
A few years passed and I became curious about crochet, aond simply had to try. It's safe to say this has turned into a new obsession of mine.
After crocheting for a year or two, I then discovered the art of knitting, and simply fell in love. I of course knew I couldn't possibly pick one craft and stick to it, so I decide that I shall become a textile artist and embrace all manner of hand crafts.
I started studying history of dress and textile, mostly focusing my studies on the Victorian era. I then spent years knitting and studying, quietly in my home, when I decided to move to China.
Ancient China is something I truly wanted to learn about and thus I went. It is there that I have rediscovered myself, studied silk weaving and embroidery, costume, poetry and architecture. This is also when I started taking pictures of what I made and publishing on social media.
After some years in China, covid happened and I once again found myself back home, and unable to leave.
At that point I met my now best friend Irina Shaar through Instagram, who encouraged me to publish my first ever design, Casta diva shawl. This was the beginning of my career and I knew that this was something I was meant to do. I continue to publish with great feedback from knitters and can't wait to publish more.
Now to mention my yarn. Serbian wool has played a huge part in the survival of our ancestors. Unfortunately with how fast fashion has spread, people have forgotten about it. I took this opportunity to try and bring back to life and share it with the world.
The wool we spin and dye, is locally grown, and bought from farmers who would have otherwise thrown it out. Our yarn supports the local community and gives people hope. I am currently knitting a jacket for the first lady of Serbia, using my wool that I have dyed, and hopefully bring some attention to how important our heritage is.

You can find David on:
instagram
@van_de_kamp_designs

Facebook
David Van de Kamp
https://www.facebook.com/david.matic.71

Knitters Gonna Knit on Facebook
https://www.facebook.com/groups/469466091133580/

Ravelry
https://www.ravelry.com/designers/david-van-de-kamp

You can find information about the embroidery class that will be held on December 18, 2021 in the Knitters Gonna Knit group on Facebook linked above.

Time stamps for 12-11-21
0:00—welcome
1:20—how long has David had his Facebook group?
9:06—what drew David to knitting and fiber crafts?
12:18—are there any knitters near by to David?
13:27—some of the disadvantages that fiber artists in Serbia encounter compared to other countries
18:55—David has his own yarn line made from local wool
23:25—how to buy David’s yarn
24:42—David talks about his work with his country’s cultural heritage in the Ministry of Culture
26:08—the inspiration for a jacket that David made for Serbia’s First Lady
28:31—are the motifs on the jacket traditional to Serbia?
29:33—David talks about an embroidery on knitting class he will be teaching
30:35—how to sign up for David’s class
31:29—David’s “Smurfette Scarf”, inspired by Irina Shaar
33:28—David talks about his passion for colorwork, cables, and lace knitting and shows us a Shetland lace shawl
35:53—will a supply list be released before David’s class?
36:38—a Shetland lace scarf/wrap based on a picture that David found
38:23—some Fair Isle cowls that David made
39:21—David talks about some of his various fiber craft skills and to someday turn them into a fashion show/collection
40:11—has David ever met Kurt Payne?
42:31—David recounts how he feels that it is his life calling to become expert at all his fiber interests
43:19—David shows us some more traditional Serbian motifs and there uses
45:05—how David and Irina met
52:24—David shares a story about a knitting “adventure” he had while making the sleeve for the jacket
54:57—how does David remember what he did if he wants to make something again?
59:07—how to connect with David
1:00:11—the story of the shawl on the wall behind David
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Видео Meet David Van De Kamp канала Knitting with Suzanne Bryan