Check back to see when we schedule these great classes:

• Stitch Patterns
  
  
• Learn to Knit
  
  
• Knitting with Beads
  
  
• Woman's Simple Shell
  
  
• Your First Sweater - a cardigan for baby

• Fun and Funky Crochet
  
  
• Introduction to Knitting with Color
  
  
• World of Cables
  
  
• Sweater Finishing
  
  

• Introduction to Crochet
  

• Felted Knitted Bags

• Baby Surprise Sweater
  

• Socks on 2 circular needles
  

Ready to learn to knit? Used to knit and want to get started again? This is your class!

After four sessions, you'll know everything you need to knit lots of scarves, shawls and blankets. You'll knit and purl, and know several great stitch patterns. You can try both "English" style and "Continental" style knitting and see what works best for you. We'll cover casting on and binding off, learn basic knitting terminology, explore different types of yarn and needles, and know how to find and fix mistakes.

For the first session, just bring yarn and needles:
We recommend a smooth, light colored heavy worsted or bulky weight yarn, such as Lamb's Pride Bulky (which comes in lots of colors).

Choose the needle size indicated on the yarn wrapper. It should be 10, 10 1/2 or 11 in U.S. sizing (6.0 to 8.0 European sizing). Most beginners like straight bamboo needles, from 10" to 14" long.

We'll discuss other knitting supplies in class.

• Basic stitches
• Repetitive stitch patterns
• Simple color changes
• How to read a yarn label
• How to read a crochet pattern
• Swatching for crochet (how to calculate gauge)
  Materials:
  Required for class:
  • Bulky-weight yarn, various amounts (see in-class projects).
    
    • Yarn should be "plain" - no chenille or novelty yarns.
    • Smooth and medium to light solid color (to see stitches more easily).
    • Wool or synthetic or blend (cotton okay, but can sometimes be a little difficult for beginners).
  • Two crochet hooks: sizes J/10 (6mm) and K/10.5 (6.5mm)
  Optional: Yarn and hooks for optional projects.
  
  Projects:
  • In-class:
    
    • Stitch Sampler Hot Mat (repeating rows of various stitches).
    • Stitch Sampler Coasters (squares of various stitches).
      
  • Optional projects (each student can select either project below. Yarn can be purchased night of, or after, first class):
    Simple "lace" scarf (dc or tr with ch between sts and work in space between sts):
    
    • Worsted-weight yarn, about 200-300 yards
    • Hook size K/10.5 (6.5mm)
    • Note: this can also be made as a cowl-style scarf (or even a moebius scarf).
      
    
    
    Vertical multicolor striped scarf with fringe (worked lengthwise: chain a ton of sts, then crochet each row in a different color and/or a different st):
    • Worsted-weight yarn, one or more colors, total about 200-300 yards (may need more or less depending on number of colors used and length of fringe).
    • Any type of yarn may be used, but it should all have same type of care requirements.

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kate gilbert's "Clapotis"
Instructor: Ada Lai of Great Knit Designs

Three sessions, 2 hours each - $65 (materials not included)
June 30, July 7 & 21; 6:30-8:30pm

Skill level: advanced beginner - must know how to cast on, knit and purl (to work stockinette stitch) and be familiar with basic knitting terminology. Desirable to know how to increase, decrease, slip stitch (we will also cover the various techniques in class).

In Fall 2004, the famous online magazine, Knitty.com, published a design by Kate Gilbert, an American knitter studying in Paris. Kate called her design "Clapotis" (pronounced cla-poh-tee), and it quickly became an international phenomenon in the knitting world. It also put Kate's name "on the map" as an
accomplished and exciting knitwear designer who is a major force today in the knitting world.

This is one of those glorious projects that look complicated, but are easy - and fun - to knit. Join us to make this beautiful wrap for yourself or someone special!

Requirements:

• Pattern Instructions: Need to be obtained from internet. Links will be provided when you sign up for the class.
• Yarn: any weight you desire from fingering weight up to worsted weight:
  • lighter-weight yarns and fibers (e.g., rayon, silk, DK, sport, or fingering-weight) will produce a lighter shawl with good drape.
  • DK and worsted-weight yarns will be more "cuddly".
  • Yarns that are multi-color, hand-painted, self-striping, etc., are especially well-suited to this pattern. However, solid colors are also gorgeous.
  • Yardage: whatever you want, with a minimum of 550-600 yards recommended. The most you should need is about 1200 yards. The amount of yarn determines the size of the shawl.
    • Don't wind all of your yarn - start with 1 or 2 skeins for the first class.
    • For the first class, make sure that at least 20-25% of your yarn is wound and ready to knit.
• Needles: any size recommended for your yarn.
  • Gauge is not an issue with this pattern!
  • Choose needles that work well with your yarn and give you a pleasant stockinette fabric with a good drape.
    • For more "slippery" fibers, consider bamboo or wood needles for better control of your stitches.
    • For heavier fibers such as wool or alpaca, steel ("turbo"-type needles) may be easier to work with, especially in main body of shawl.
  • Needles can be straight or circular - or - you may want both (straight for the beginning and end sections, and circular for the main body of the shawl.)
    • If making a smaller, narrower clapotis, and/or if you are using a "slippery" yarn, straight needles may be easier.
• Markers: Lots of them!!
  • Ring markers only. Open markers will not work.
  • At least 20-30 markers to start - you may need more if making a larger shawl.
• Calculator (if you don't have one there will be a couple at the shop to share)
• Optional:
  • Row counter
  • Kitchen scale that can weigh in grams

• Bring 4 matching swatches in a light colored, smooth yarn of any weight. Cast on enough stitches for a swatch about 4-5 inches wide. Work the first four rows in k1-p1 rib. Continue in stockinette stitch (knit one row, purl one row) until swatch is 4-5 inches long. Bind off.
• Bring extra matching yarn
• appropriate size knitting needles for yarn
• tapestry needle

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your first sweater - a cardigan for baby
Instructor: Julie Montanari, author of Knit It Now

Five sessions, 2 hours each - $95 (materials not included)
TBA; 6:30-8:30pm
Level: Suitable for any student that can cast on, knit, and purl
Class size: 6 maximum
Are you ready to make your first sweater? Over the course of 4 weekly classes, we will start and finish a baby size cardigan. We'll cover all the techniques you need to know, including:

• the why and how of the gauge swatch
  
• getting started
• shaping with increases and decreases
• pick-up-and-knit
• buttonholes
• seams
• finishing techniques

• the instructor will provide a basic infant/toddler pattern
• about 500 yards of a bulky weight yarn (3-4 stitches per inch)
• straight or circular needles in the appropriate size for the yarn (usually found on the yarn wrapper)
  
  Make sure the yarn is appropriate for your knitting level. Remember that very light, smooth yarns show every stitch. Variegated yarns are more forgiving, as are yarns with a little texture. Very dark colors are hard to see. For a baby, choose a soft, easy care fiber such as cotton, acrylic, or a machine washable wool

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Stitch Patterns
Instructor: Julie Montanari, author of Knit It Now

Two sessions, 2 hours each - $50 (materials not included)
TBA
Suitable for any student that can knit and purl

There's a great big world beyond stockinette! In this class, students will learn and practice up to ten new stitch patterns. All are reversible patterns that are suitable for scarves and shawls, including varieties of seed, rib, lace and drop stitches. In addition to the knitting techniques, we will learn how to read stitch pattern instructions and knitting charts. We'll also talk about finding the right match between yarn and stitch.

Materials: Bring a smooth, light colored worsted weight yarn with needles two or three sizes larger than suggested on the yarn wrapper. If desired, also bring some more experimental yarns.

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felted knit bags
Instructor: Merry Schiff

Three sessions, 2 hours each - $60 (pattern & materials not included)
TBA; 6:30-8:30pm
Level: For the adventurous beginner
Class size: 6 maximum

Felted knit bags make a stunning purse that can be made for you or give as a gift. You need to know how to knit, purl, cast on and bind off. You will learn several new knitting techniques in the class as well as how to felt your bag in the washing machine.

Choose your pattern - either the Fling Bag or Essex Tote. Your yarn must be 100% wool (not superwash). Choose from a large selection of yarns that will be
great for this fun project, such as Kureyon - a self-striping yarn shown on the
right. Chances are that after this class you will become a felting addict!

Materials:

The Essex Tote (shown in blue on far left): Knit from the base up with one strand of bulky or two strands of worsted weight wool

• Bulky: 210 yds MC & 85 yds CC for base and pocket
• Worsted: 420 yds MC & 160 yds CC for base and pocket
• Striped Tote (not shown) 400 yds MC, worsted yarn and 60 yds each CC1 & CC2 & 30 CC3
• US 15 (10mm) circular needles - 24" length

The Fling Tote (2 photos on right)

• Small Fling - solid color - 440 yds
• Self-striping yarn Fling - 440 yds MC & 100 yds CC
• Solid color large Fling - 560 yds
• Large striped Fling - 440 yds & 120 yds CC
• US 11 (8mm) curcular needle and one US 11 straight needle
• 5 stitch markers - one being a unique color
• 1 large and 3 small safety pins
• Tapestry needle
• Decorative button and a Velcro or magnetic closure