Upcoming Classes: New Dates Scheduled!

• Christmas Stocking with Color Techniques
  September 15, 23, & 29
  

• Knitting 101 - learn to knit
• Knitting 201
• Crochet 101
  
• Felted Knitted Bags
  
• Crochet 102
  
• Cable Knitting Workshop
• Felted "Organizer"
  
• Color Knitting Workshops - take one or all:
  Slip Stitch, Fair Isle, & Intarsia
• Socks on 2 Circular Needles
  
• Introduction to Lace Knitting
• Intermediate Lace Knitting
• Introduction to Twined Knitting
  
• Tips, Tricks, & Fixes

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knitting 101 - learn to knit
Instructor: Marina Salume
Four sessions, 2 hours each - $80 (materials not included)
TBA (Wed.); 6:30-8:30

It's time to learn how to knit! This class is a step-by-step introduction to knitting, from casting on, knitting and purling, easy increases and decreases, all the way to the final bind off. Understand the importance of gauge and discover how to "read" your knitting. Find out how to pick up a dropped stitch and fix mistakes. Learn how to read knitting patterns and gain the confidence to launch into your first project.

Materials list:

Required for FIRST class:

• One skein of smooth, bulky wool or wool-blend yarn (recommended: Lamb's Pride Bulky) in a light, solid color - no multicolor, chenille or novelty yarns
• Straight knitting needles: sizes US10.5 (6.5 mm), maximum length 14 inches
• Small scissors
• Stitch gauge or short ruler (for measuring gauge)
• Paper, pencil or pen for taking notes
• Yarn needle for sewing seams and finishing ends of yarn
• Crochet hook (medium size, this is needed for fixing dropped stitches).

Class Description

Day 1: Everyone will learn to cast on and do the knit stitch. The instructor will demonstrate the slip knot, several ways to cast on and two basic ways of knitting, English and Continental. Homework: Make a strip of garter stitch knitting (this can become a scarf).

Day 2: Review of Class 1 and homework. Learn to bind off your garter stitch sample and do the purl stitch. Discover how to "read" your knitting. Homework: Make a sample of stockinette knitting and/or cast on for a ribbed scarf or fingerless gloves.

Day 3: Review of Class 2 and homework. Find out what to do when you run out of yarn or need to change colors. Basic seaming and blocking will also be covered. If you like, start a stockinette hat (knit flat) or dishcloth (you will need cotton yarn for this). Learn several ways to increase and decrease, the importance of gauge, and another way to cast on. Homework: Find a pattern you want to make and bring it to class next week.

Day 4: Show off your projects (finished or not). Look at the patterns you brought and talk about what's involved in choosing the right yarn, etc. Instructor will demonstrate knitting in the round, reading patterns and charts, and you will practice some easy ways to fix mistakes.

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In three sessions, you will learn more stitch patterns and ribbing variations, different ways to increase and decrease, how to knit a hat or fingerless gloves in the round using double-pointed and circular needles, how to do simple colorwork like stripes and fair isle, and how to read patterns. You should already know how to cast on and cast off, knit and purl.

Materials:

• One skein of smooth, worsted weight yarn in a light, solid color. We recommend Lamb's Pride Worsted or Encore Worsted. No multicolor, chenille or novelty yarns.
• A second skein of yarn in a contrasting color
• Straight knitting needles: size US7 or 8 (4.5-5 mm) - 9" to 14" long.
• Set of double-pointed needles in an appropriate size for your yarn.
• 16" long circular needle in an appropriate size for your yarn.
• Small scissors
• Stitch gauge or short ruler (for measuring gauge)
• Paper, pencil or pen for taking notes
• Yarn needle for sewing seams and finishing ends of yarn
• Crochet hook (medium size, this is needed for fixing dropped stitches).

The instructor will provide free hat and fingerless gloves patterns for you to choose from.

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Knit Christmas Stocking with Color Techniques
Instructor: Marina Salume

Three sessions, 2 hours each - $65 (materials not included)
Sept. 15, 23 & 29 (Wed.); 6:30-8:30pm
Level: Intermediate
Required skills: cast on, knitting & purling (rib stitch & stockinette), decreasing (k2tog & SSK), and working in the round on double-pointed needles.

Make an heirloom stocking and learn intarsia color knitting and how to make socks at the same time. The pattern includes several charts for designs and lettering to customize your stocking. You'll learn the secrets of changing colors and how to duplicate stitch names and other small details. The heel and toe are made just like a real sock, but are much easier because you're using larger needles and yarn.

Materials:

• One skein each of red, green and white Brown Sheep "Lanaloft" Worsted (or other worsted weight yarn - wool or wool blends recommended - Lamb's Pride Worsted or Encore Worsted are good substitutions)
• Size US 6 or 7 straight or circular needles (or needles to obtain a fairly firm fabric)
• Set of double pointed needles in the same size
• 15-18 small round sequins, 2 star shaped sequins, seed beads (for embellishing the tree). Instructor will also provide some sequins to choose from.

• Basic stitches : ch, sc, hdc, dc, tr, slip st
• Flat crochet: working in rows, turning chains, end stitches
• Increasing & decreasing
• Advanced stitches:
  • Double triple (dtr)
  • Triple triple (ttr)
  • Decorative stitches:
    • "V" stitch
    • Shell stitch
• Simple color changes
  
  Materials:
  Required for class:
  • Bulky-weight yarn (recommended: Lamb's Pride Bulky)
    
    • Yarn should be "plain" - no chenille or novelty yarns.
    • Smooth and medium to light solid color (to see stitches more easily).
    • Two colors: 1-2 ounces (20-50 yards) of each color
    • 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).
    • NOTE: "Plain" hooks only; no rubber/silicone finger grips.
      
      
  Optional: yarn and hook(s) for projects, if desired (see below)
  
  Projects: Optional projects to be suggested in first class

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crochet 102
Instructor: Ada Lai of Great Knit Designs

Three sessions, 2 hours each - $65 (materials not included)
TBA (Mon.); 6:30-8:30

Scope of Class - expand on "beginner" skills (as taught in Crochet 101):

• Repetitive stitch patterns
• Reading a crochet pattern (review and look at more complex patterns)
• Japanese crochet "charts" - how to read them
• Flat crochet - advanced technique:
  • Alternativ row-turning method
  • Crocheted borders
• Crocheting in the round:
  • Sprial crochet
  • "True round crochet
    • Conventional and alternative methods

Pre-requisites:

• Completion of "Intro to Crochet" or "Crochet 101" or equivalent knowledge
• Knowledge of the following crochet stitches:
  • Chain
  • Single crochet
  • Half double crochet
  • Double crochet
  • Triple crochet
  • Slip stitch
  • Principles of flat crochet (turning chain, starting st, and end st)

Materials:

• Required for class:
  • Worsted weight yarn (recommended: Lamb's Pride or Encore)
    • Yarn should be smooth - no chenille or novelty yarns
    • Medium to light solid color (to see stitches more easily)
    • Two or more colors: 1-2 ounces (20-50 yards) of each color (have fun!!)
    • Wool or synthetic or blend (cotton okay, but can sometimes be a little difficult)
  • Three crochet hooks - sizes I/9 (5.5mm), J/10 (6mm) and K/10.5 (6.5mm)
• Optional:
  • Yarn and hooks for projects, if desired (discussed during first class)
  • Recommended/requested: Stitch 'N Bitch Crochet: the Happy Hooker by Debbie Stoller - one of the best reference (and teaching) books for crochet. This book also has many fun and contemporary projects.
    • Book is used for project scarves and Japanese chart lesson

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Tips, Tricks, & Fixes
Instructor: Ada Lai of Great Knit Designs

Two sessions, 2 hours each - $40 (materials not included)
June 14 & 28 (Mon.); 6:30-8:30

Learn how to recognize, fix, and even prevent knitting problems. This fun class will give you more control over your knitting, and greater confidence in trying new skills or projects.

Topics will include:

• Learning to create a gauge swatch and calculating gauge
• "Reading" your knitting:
  • how to tell a knit from a purl
  • seeing when a stitch is "backwards"
• Picking up dropped stitches
• "Tinking" (unknitting)
• "Frogging" (ripping out rows)
• How to use a lifeline
• Fixing "extra" stitches (inadvertent yarnovers and extra edge stitches)
• How to do a long-tail cast-on without worrying about the length of the "tail"
• Weaving in ends
• Attaching a new yarn
• (Optional - if time):
  • How to fix too-tight or too-loose bind-offs.
  • Different decrease and increase methods - when to use what
  • Different cast-on and bind-off methods - when to use what
  • Matching your yarn and needles to get best results
  • "Taming" your circular needles

Required Skills:

• Basic knitting skills are required, namely: Casting on, knit and purl stitches, and binding off.
• You should have completed at least one simple knitting project (e.g., scarf or hat)

Yarn

• Various amounts of worsted-weight or bulky yarn - wound and ready to knit from (at least 3 or 4 balls of yarn):
  • Yarn should be be somewhat light-colored (i.e., not black or dark blues or greens) and smooth.
  • Solid colors will be easier to work with, but not required
  • Cotton not recommended
• Optional: A small amount of thinner-weight yarn in a contrasting color

Supplies:

• At least 2 pairs of needles in sizes appropriate for the working yarn - straight, circular, or double points (dpns) are okay - whatever you are comfortable working with.
• One needle (preferably straight or dpn) that is at least 2 or 3 sizes smaller than your working needles.
• Crochet hook - 2 or 3 sizes smaller than your working needles
• Dental floss - 1 dispenser (plain and cheap is good)
• Scissors
• Yarn needle
• Ruler - (6-inch recommended)
• Stitch markers:
  • Locking markers (look like plastic safety pins) - small size
  • Split-ring markers
• Optional: Stitch holders - the straight kind with "rubber band" end protectors - not the old "safety-pin" style.
• Optional: Reading glasses for close-up work.

Homework:

Before first class, create the following:

• Swatch #1: Use any yarn with appropriate needles. Cast on 16 sts. Work 10-12 rows of stockinette stitch. Leave on needles or place on stitch holder, spare needle, or waste yarn. (Do not bind off).
• Swatch #2: Use any yarn with appropriate needles, but this is best done with solid-colored in light- to medium-color. Cast on 16 sts. Work 5 rows of 1x1 ribbing (Every row: *k1, p1; rep from the *to end of row). Leave on needles or place on stitch holder, spare needle, or waste yarn. (Do not bind off).

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Learn to Knit Cables: Workshop
Instructor: Marina Salume
One session, 2 hours - $20 (materials not included)
TBA (Wed.): 6:30-8:30pm

Cables may look really complicated, but they are really easy, once you know how they work. In this workshop, you will learn to make different kinds of cables, and also how to decode those scary knitting patterns that say cryptic things like "C4F" or "C3B". You'll even discover how to work cables without a cable needle. (But bring a cable needle anyway, because we'll start with that).

Please do the following before class: Cast on 20 sts onto size 8 needles and knit (garter stitch) for a few rows.

Materials:

• Smooth, worsted weight yarn in a solid, light or medium-color
• Knitting needles appropriate for your yarn (about a size US 8)
• Cable needle
• Scissors
• Sewing needle
• Crochet hook
• Tape measure
  

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Introduction to Twined Knitting
Instructor: Ada Lai of Great Knit Designs
2 sessions, 2 hours each - $45 (materials not included)
TBA (); 6:30-8:30pm

Skill level: Confident beginner - Intermediate


Front sides shown on the left, back sides on the right of each example.

Class Descriptions

Twined knitting is a traditional Swedish technique that creates gorgeous knitted pieces - often multicolored - in an easy method of using two strands of yarn. Also known as "two-ended" or "twisted" knitting (not to be confused with Fair Isle or "stranded" knitting). this technique is easy enough for a confident beginner, creating gorgeous colorwork that looks much more complicated than it is.

This class introduces the basic concepts and techniques of twined knitting, creating a beautiful, plush scarf for the class project.

Topics to be covered:

• Two-strand long-tail cast-on
• Twined knit (TK) stitch
• Twined purl (TP) stitch
• Twined edge stitches
• Untwisting the yarn
• Fixing mistakes
• Two-stranded Bind Off

Required Skills: Casting on (preferably long-tail method), Knit stitch, Purl Stitch, and Binding off.

Note: This technique may be a bit more challenging for Continental knitters ("picking" yarn with the left hand), but easy for "English" knitters ("throwing" yarn with right hand).

Class Project

• Zigzag Striped Scarf: Subtly-zigzagged vertical stripes on one side, horizontal hierringboned pattern on reverse side. Pattern provided by the instructor during the first class.

Materials:

• Yarn
  • Worsted weight yarn recommended: wool or wool blend (no angora or mohair), approx 150 yards of each color (more for a longer scarf)
    • NOTE: Can also be worked in a bulky yarn - may want to have approx. 200 yards of each color.
  • Main color (MC): any solid color
  • Contrasting color (CC): any solid or multicolor yarn with no colors matching MC. The more distinct the contrast between MC & CC, the better.
• Other supplies
  • US 10.5 (6.5mm) needles (or size US 11 (8mm) if using bulky weight yarn.
    Recommended: short, straight, single-pointed needles
  • Yarn needle
• Recommended Book: New Twists on Twined Knitting, by Laura Farson

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Introduction to Lace Knitting
Instructor: Marina Salume
Two sessions, 2 hours each - $45 (materials not included)
TBA(Wed.); 6:30-8:30

Skill level: advanced beginner - must know how to cast on, knit and purl, and bind off.

Class Description:

Ease into lace knitting with a simple one-row scarf in worsted weight yarn on large needles. After you get the hang of it, try the same pattern with thinner yarn and smaller needles. The sample is shown in textured yarn, which also looks great in lace. You will learn how to read other lace patterns, as well as basic lace stitches (yarnover and two different decreases).

Materials list:

• One skein of smooth, light-colored worsted weight yarn for initial project and swatching. (Optional: Textured and/or thinner yarn)
• Size US 9 needles, straight or circular.
• Stitch markers
• Scissor

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Intermediate Lace Knitting
Instructor: Marina Salume
Three sessions, 2 hours each - $65 (materials not included)
TBA (Wed.); 6:30-8:30


photo of scarf as shown on knitty.com

Skill level: advanced beginner/Intermediate - must know how to cast on, knit and purl, bind off, and have previous experience with yarnovers.

Class Description:

Day 1: We will use a pattern for a narrow lace scarf that includes written directions as well as a chart. You will learn the basics of lace knitting: yarnovers, increases and decrases, using markers to keep track of the pattern, and how to read a lace chart.

Day 2: Continue working on your scarf. You will also learn how to put in a lifeline to avoid ripping out stitches when you make a mistake, and how to pick up dropped stitches.

Day 3: Continue working on your scarf. Blocking your finished scarf will be discussed. The teacher will bring samples of other lace projects and explain the techniques used in them.

Materials list:
Required for FIRST class:

• Print pattern from this link (for copyright reasons you must print your own copy). If you don't have access to a computer, please see one of us at the shop.
  
  http://knitty.com/ISSUEspring05/PATTbranchingout.html
  
  
• Approx. 200 yards of DK or sportweight yarn. Do not choose fuzzy or textured yarn for this first lace project-smooth yarn is best.
• Straight knitting needles or circular needle, size 5 or 6. Make sure the cord of your circular needle is very relaxed (dip it in hot water to straighten it)
• Small scissors
• Row counter or pencil/paper for keeping track of your rows
• Paper, pencil or pen for taking notes
• Yarn needle for sewing seams, finishing ends of yarn, and making a lifeline
• Crochet hook (small size, this is needed for fixing dropped stitches)
• Stitch markers-the kind that can be put on in the middle of the needle (split-ring) are best. You can also use short pieces of contrasting color yarn for this purpose.
• Waste yarn in a contrasting color for making lifelines

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Color Knitting Workshops - take one or all!
Instructor: Marina Salume
1 session each - 2 hours (materials not included)
TBA - Slip Stitch Knitting (Wed.); 6:30-8:30 - $20
TBA - Fair Isle (Wed.); 6:30-8:30 - $20
TBA - Intarasia (Wed.); 6:30-8:30 - $20

Skill level: intermediate


Techniques shown above (from left to right): Slip Stitch, Fair Isle, Intarsia

Class Descriptions

Learn about 1 or all 3 of these major color knitting techniques: Slip Stitch (hard to describe, but you'll see - it's fun!), Fair Isle (stranded color-knitting, such as you'd see in a Scandinavian sweater), and Intarsia ("picture" knitting). In each class, you'll learn a technique and be given a pattern to put it into practice.

Please do the following before class: Cast on 20 sts onto size 8 needles and knit (garter stitch) for a few rows.

Materials list for all 3 workshops:

• 2 colors of smooth, worsted weight yarn in a light or medium-color
• Knitting needles appropriate for your yarn
• scissors
• sewing needle
• crochet hook
• tape measure

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felted knit organizer
Instructor: Merry Schiff

Two sessions, 2 hours each - $45 (materials not included)
TBA (Thurs.); 6:30-8:30pm
Level: For the adventurous beginner (must already know how to cast-on, knit, purl, & bind off)
Class size: 6 maximum

Felting bags and household items make great gifts for yourself and friends. The inspiration for this class was Carol Bristol's fantastic "Windham Tote" - a large, elegant bag (shown below). She created a "Mini-Wini" that makes a great organizer to use inside the larger bag to hold your keys, cell phone, sunglasses, etc., or use it as a knitting caddy to use by your chair. This cute little organizer teaches you all the same techniques you'd need to know to knit the Windham Tote in just 2 sessions. Techniques used include:

• Knitting in the round and using markers
• Slipping stitches
• Picking up stitches
• Picking up stitches for a pocket
• I-cord bind-off
• Crocheted chain "piping"
• Sewing pocket to organizer
• Discuss felting, finishing, and shaping your bag

PRE-CLASS HOMEWORK: The base of your organizer should already be knitted before the first class. Instructions for the base will be provided upon registration.

Materials:

• Use a wool yarn that will felt (make sure it's not "machine washable"). Our sample is done in Lamb's Pride:
  • Bulky (use single-strand): 160 yds main color (MC) & 110 yds contrast color (CC)...OR
  • Worsted (use double-strand): 290 yds MC & 190 yds CC
• Needles:
  • #13 (9mm) curcular needle - 16" length
  • #13 double pointed needle for working I-cord bind-off. (Optional, but will be easier than using the circular)
  • Crochet hook - size K
• Notions:
  • 8 locking stitch markers,
  • 4 ring markers (other type of marker is okay) - 1 being a unique color
  • 2 food bag clips,
  • embroidery floss or quilter's thread,
  • (optional) 1 magnetic closure or sew-in VELCRO® tab (if you want to be able to close the organizer)
  • 1" wide grosgrain ribbon - 1/2 yard (if using the magnetic closure)