More gorgeous doorprizes for SSK!  Don’t forget, if you are an SSK attendee, that you can earn tickets at the event by bringing items for the try it on room, charity hats, or by just being awesome!

Fibernymph Dyeworks

Quince and Co

Hello Yarn

Sweet Georgia

Dragonfly Fibers

Fish Belly Fiber Works

Space Cadet Creations

Hopkins Fiber Studio

Turtlepurl Yarns

Purl Soho

Here’s our second round of doorprize contributors!  Most of our contributors have coupon codes that will be included in our goody bags.  Some will also have codes listed next to their name.

Stranded Dyeworks

String Theory Colorworks

Another Crafty Girl

Rebel Purl 

Foster Sheep Farm has a code “ssk19” for 20% off any yarn listed on her website.

Frankelyy

Spotted Ewe Fibers

Knit Spin Farm

Seven Sisters Arts

Lost City Knits

We are so fortunate to have so many wonderful doorprize sponsors!  I will be splitting them into multiple posts, so check back in a few days.  Thank you so much to all of these wonderful yarn companies and indies!

Jill Draper Makes Stuff

Tuft Woolens

Loop Fiber Studio

Stitched By Jessalu

Malabrigo Yarns

Leading Men Fiber Arts

Creative with Clay

Poppy Fibers donated by an attendee

Class Rosters will be linked here on June 15th

Class sign up link (This will go live on May 24th and will close June 1st for first choice selection.) An email will be sent to all SSK participants when the signups go live.

If you have any questions, please contact Laura and she will be happy to help you!!!!

Class signups will begin May 24th and will continue until June 1st.  You will have the option to add additional classes (availability pending) until the minute before classes start at SSK.  I will add a google form link to this page on May 24th  for people to fill out.  I would prefer that all current attendees of SSK try to get this filled out by June 1st.  We will do our best to let you know what class(es) you will have by June 10th.    Class rosters are posted in the SSK group on Ravelry by time slot.If you have questions about anything to do with classes, please email or pm Laura  and she will help you.

Hint: Once the rosters are posted on Ravelry, If you use the thread text search feature for your ravelry name, it makes it easy to find your classes.

How signups work:

Your SSK fee includes one class at no additional cost from one of our amazing teachers. We will ask that you choose your top three classes, and we will do our best to accommodate your request based on demand/class size.  I try to have everyone’s selections in before I assign classes. In the past 4 years, almost every single person who was attending SSK at the time of class signups was able to get their first choice class.  That’s something I am hopeful will happen again this year.  

Additional classes may be available for an extra $50 per class cost.  If you decide that you would like to add a class at anytime, just let Laura know via email and she will do our best to make that happen.

A special note about spinning classes:  If you would like to take a spinning class and are unable to bring a wheel  with you, we will have 4-5 wheels available for free rental.  We ask that you let us know on the class form because that may affect which session of class you will be able to take.  If you can only use or prefer a specific wheel, please let Laura know.

And now to the good stuff, classes being offered!

Olga Buraya-Kefelian

3D Knitwear with Moko-Moko or Ginga Cowls
This class is part demonstration with AV presentation and short lecture about 3D knitwear in hand knitting approach, and all inspiration process. It will be part swatch-fest and all inspiration where I present my 3D design philosophy, and gearing to your own discovery of
knitwear in a new light! And test this new knowledge by making either Moko-Moko Cowl or Ginga Cowl.
Skills required:
Knit, purl, cast on, bind off
Skills learned:
● Learning cast on and bind off varieties for stretchy edging and its purpose for
dimensional knitwear.
● Learning to work partial knitting and short rows and their differences.
● Swatching a series of techniques and reviewing all the possibilities.
Materials:
Moko-Moko Cowl
Finished measurements 11” height (flat), 30” circumference
● 340 yds of any worsted weight wool
● Waste yarn in smooth texture and similar weight
● US 7 (4.5 mm) needle and a spare needle
● Crochet hook F (3.75mm)
● Waste yarn
Ginga Cowl
● 270 yds of smooth texture of worsted weight in light or bright color in MC;
● 270 yds of smooth texture of worsted weight in light or bright color in CC;

● US 7 (4.5 mm) circular, 24” long
● Crochet hook (size H or larger)
● Stitch marker
● Tapestry needle
● Scrap yarn
For both
● Copy of Ginga Cowl or Moko-Moko Cowl patterns before arriving to class
For swatching
● Some smooth yarn in light or bright colors for swatching with several needle sizes
comfortable to the yarn weight.
Homework: (if any)
● None

Brioche and Beyond
Ever wondered what is the difference and what is in common between Brioche and Tuck
and Fisherman’s rib and how to work them? In this class you will learn these methods and know how to tell them apart and how to benefit from using either of them. We will make either of these reversible cowl using either of 2 methods. Two cowl pattern options available Reimei Cowl and Boshoku Cowl.

Skills required:
knit, purl, cast on and bind off.
Skills learned:
● Brioche stitch
● Tuck stitch
● Fisherman’s Rib
● How to differentiate them and their best uses
Materials:
For Reimei Cowl
● 140 yds of chunky weight yarn in MC.
● 140 yds of chunky weight yarn in CC.
● US 10 (6 mm) circular needle, 24″ or 36″
● Crochet hook size G
For Boshoku Cowl
● 240 yds of chunky weight yarn.
● US 11 (8 mm) circular needle, 24ʺ long
● Crochet hook size G or H
For both
● Stitch marker
● Tapestry needle

● Copy of Boshoku Cowl or Reimei Cowl patterns before arriving to class
Homework
● None

Modular Knitting
This adventurous beginner class is based on Asanagi Wrap or Aranami Shawl design and is worked in modular technique. In this class you will learn the theory of modular knitting and create this stunning ombré scarf of scalloped patterning with yarn of your choice. But what is more, you will learn numerous vital techniques as a knitter which will be crucial for your future skill set.
Many of the tricks and tips and customization suggestions taught during this class will prove to be a lot of fun!
Skills required:
Knit, purl, cast on, bind off
Skills learned:
● Basic theory for Modular knitting
● Various cast on methods and their benefits
● Several ways of picking up stitches on both knit and purl sides
● Different methods of knit and purl decreases
● Numerous tips and tricks on improving your skills with this technique

Materials:
Asanagi Wrap
● 223 yds of fingering weight yarn in 5 (or more) complimentary colors
● US 3 (3.25 mm) short straight or two double pointed needles, or as preferred
(or size to obtain gauge)
● Crochet hook size C or D
● Tapestry needle
● Removable marker
Aranami Shawl
● Fingering weight wool in colors
A: 33yds
B: 77yds
C: 121yds
D: 165yds
E: 209yds
● US 2 (2.75 mm) circular, 36” or longer
● Stitch holders or scrap yarn

● Crochet hook C or D
● Tapestry needle
For Both
● Copy of Asanagi Wrap or Aranami Shawl pattern before arriving to class
Homework: (if any)
● Work the garter stitch swatch as asked in the pattern to determine the needle
size to obtain gauge. Do not cut yarn from the swatch, however wash and block
your swatch and bring to class.

Maggie Casey

WOOLEN OR WORSTED—HOW DO YOU DECIDE?

There are the rules: Long fibers—short draw, short fibers—long draw.  But sometimes rules are meant to be broken.  The best way to decide how to spin for a project is to spin a little fiber and make a swatch or a sample.  In this class we will spin fibers with different drafting techniques and you will have enough yarn to make a sample.   We will look at other factors as well, so you can design an amazing yarn for your project.

Beginning spinning skills required. Students should be able to spin a continuous yarn and be comfortable with their wheel.

Material fee $15

Students should bring:

Spinning wheel and all its parts

Lazy kate and at least 4 bobbins

ENGLISH LONGDRAW VS AMERICAN LONGDRAW

What is the difference between English longdraw (double drafting) and American longdraw?  It depends.  We will spin wool and cotton both ways and you can see the difference between the two techniques and add another drafting method to your spinning repertoire.

Beginning spinning skills required.

Material fee $10

Students should bring:

Spinning wheel and all its parts

TWIST

Yarn needs twist, without it we would just have fluff.  The question is how much do we need and how much do we want?  It depends!  It all depends on how you are going to use your yarn; sock yarn needs more twist than yarn for a lace shawl.  In this class we will practice controlling the amount of twist that goes into yarn so you can make the most appropriate yarn for your project.  We will spin  different fibers to see that twist is not a one size fits all proposition.

Beginning spinning skills required. Students should be able to spin a continuous yarn and be comfortable with their wheel.

Material fee $10

Students should bring:

Spinning wheel and all its parts

Lazy kate and at least 4 bobbins

Julia Farwell-Clay

SSK is returning to the Scarritt Bennett Center for 2019!  The event will be held from July 17th-21st.

There are two options for participants.  The first is the event with lodging on campus.  The second “daypass” option is for people who are finding their own housing or live local.

Option 1 (full event including lodging):

Total cost for option 1 is $700

What’s included in the $700?

• Lodging at the Scarritt Bennett Center Wednesday-Saturday.  Please be aware that while you do have your own room, you will be sharing a bathroom with 1 other person.  These are less fancy than your standard hotel room, but do include wifi.
• Breakfast, Lunch, and Snacks Thursday-Saturday.  Cupcakes on Wednesday.  Breakfast on Sunday.   We do accommodate people with different dietary needs.
• 1 three hour class with one of our fabulous teachers (you can take up to 3 additional classes at an added cost of $50 per class).

Our Teachers are:

• An amazing goodie bag with lots of neat stuff!
• A chance to win awesome doorprizes.
• Entrance to a market with lots of cool vendors (The vendors for the market will be posted by 12/1)!
• Getting to hang out with tons of cool knitters and spinners who love all the same things you do!
• The Tasting Room and Try It on Room
• Fun knitalongs, random prizes, and other fun stuff in the Ravelry group.

Option 2 (daypass):

The cost of option 2 is $425

This includes all of the above EXCEPT lodging at the Scarritt Bennett Center.

You can sign up for the event starting October 29th  sign up link is here

Lottery entries will be open from 10/29/2018 to 11/12/2018.

We wish we had room for everyone, but based on historical numbers, we have more people apply than there is available space.  If we have more than 150 total entries, a random number generator will choose spots.

For more information you can watch our video about the event here

SSK 2019 Announcement

Good Luck everyone!  If you have any questions, please feel free to contact us!

We are now accepting applications for vendors for SSK 2019. All those interested should fill out this form prior to October 28th

All details about vending are on the form. If you have any questions, please contact Laura or Leslie

Last Doorprize post!

The Martini Knitter donated a plethora of bags

Slate Falls Press donated some of their lovely artwork

Desert Vista Dyeworks donated skeins of self striping yarn

Another Crafty Girl donated some lovely yarn (one is rainbow brite inspired)

This Handmade Life donated some lovely bags

Stranded Dyeworks donated some lovely yarns and fiber

Hopkins Studio donated a lovely braid of fiber and a bag

Charan donated one of his lovely mugs

Must Stash donated yarns from her new SS line (which I am in love with!)

Bags by Awesome Grannie donated a ton of lovely bags

Chicken Boots donated a lovely assortment of her products

Gynx yarn donated a lovely skein of SS yarn and a cool pin

Akerworks sent all the spinning stuff including their new making quotes and a brand new spindle that hasn’t been made available to the public yet

Roses and Purls sent some really neat wood journals

A Good Yarn Sarasota sent a bag full of goodies that makes me wish they were my local yarn shop

For the special charity auction, littlehipkitty wove this incredible shawl out of yarn donated by Dream in Color, who also donated the dorrprizes below

I’m back with more doorprizes to share!  And I’ll be back tomorrow with even more!

The first doesn’t have a picture because it’s a gift certificate from the lovely Sheri at The Loopy Ewe for $25.

2 balls of self striping yarn from Lollipop Yarns

Daizie Knits sent yarn and a cool learn to spin kit along with other 3D printed goodies from Madhatter Ideas.

Emily Linneman donated a skein of Knitcircus yarn

Bling Your String donated a bag and skein of yarn.

Lost City Knits donated a copy of their fabulous new book and the yarn and beads to make one of the projects inside

Deep Dyed Fibers donated a gradient set of her new base.

Nomadic Yarns donated one of her lovely SS yarns and a cool project bag

Copper Corgi donated a sweaters worth of her Jone Street base

Truffles Shuffle stitch markers donated some of her adorable (and hard to get) stitch markers

Knit Spin Farm donated some of her SS yarn and some rolags

We are so lucky to have so many fabulous doorprizes this year!  I’m going to be splitting them into 2-3 posts so that everyone can be shown the love!

A skein of yarn from Ladybug Fiber Company

Lots of lovely kits and mini skeins from Flock Fibre Studio

Kits from Queen City Yarn

Some skeins of Gynx Yarn donated by Emily Linneman

Skeins of a breed specific yarn from Foster Sheep Farm

A skein of Loop’s new artisanal millspun yarn from Loop

Bags from Frankelyy

Neat new face buttons from Hello Yarn

Unified Gradients from Fiberoptic Yarns

6 kits from Leading Men Fiber Arts

Loads of stitch markers and counters from Velvet Hippo

Vibrant skeins of yarn from Knitty and Color

Cool pins, stitch markers (cats!) and tin from Firefly Notes

A lovely shawl kit from Into the Whirled

A project bag and notions pouch donated by a viewer from Hikari Handmade

I’ll be back Thursday with even more cool doorprizes!

Class Rosters will be linked here on June 15th

Class sign up link 

If you have any questions, please contact Laura and she will be happy to help you!!!!

Class signups will begin Monday, May 28th and will continue until the minute before classes start at SSK.  I will add a google form link to this page on May 28th  for people to fill out.  I would prefer that all current attendees of SSK try to get this filled out by June 4th.  We will do our best to let you know what class(es) you will have by June 15th.    Class rosters are posted in the SSK group on Ravelry by time slot.If you have questions about anything to do with classes, please email or pm Laura  and she will help you.

Hint: Once the rosters are posted on Ravelry, If you use the thread text search feature for your ravelry name, it makes it easy to find your classes.

How signups work:

Your SSK fee includes one class at no additional cost from one of our amazing teachers. We will ask that you choose your top three classes, and we will do our best to accommodate your request based on demand/class size.  I try to have everyone’s selections in before I assign classes. In the past 3 years, almost every single person who was attending SSK at the time of class signups was able to get their first choice class.  That’s something I am hopeful will happen again this year.  

Additional classes may be available for an extra $50 per class cost.  If you decide that you would like to add a class at anytime, just let Laura know via email and she will do our best to make that happen.

A special note about spinning and weaving classes:  If you would like to take a spinning or weaving class and are unable to bring a wheel or loom with you, we will have 4-5 wheels and 3 looms available for free rental.  We ask that you let us know on the class form because that may affect which session of class you will be able to take.  If you can only use or prefer a specific wheel, please let Laura know.

And now to the good stuff, classes being offered!

Gale Evans

Dye an “unique to you” sock blank
In this class you will learn how to dye a sock blank
that has a special layer of meaning for you. Topics covered include: basic sock blank dyeing methods, color theory,  dye theory, and how to go beyond basic to stamp and/or stencil and make it your own special creation. Be prepared to get your gloves dirty and create something as unique as you!

Class material fee – $16.00 and includes one single strand sock
blank, access to all dyes, stencils and mark making tools I can
cram into my car and a hand out with information to recreate
this at home. More sock blanks will be available for purchase in
the class.

Dye Silk Scarves

Looking to create a lovely personalized gift in very little time?  Or maybe you love the silk scarves that you see people wearing and want to make your own unique creation?  In this
3-hour class beginner class, we will create outstandingly beautiful scarves in no time at all using a microwave and simple dye techniques. Dye and color theory along with dyeing silk techniques will be taught.

Class materials fee of $16.00 will includes 3 silk scarves, dyes
and equipment for dyeing as well as a handout to work from
home.

Esther Rodgers

BASIC WEAVING ON A FRAME LOOM- BEGINNER

In these basic classes you’ll learn the techniques for weaving on a tapestry/frame loom.  The beginner class will cover warping and initial skills like making shapes and different types of knots for texture.  Students will also learn how to remove the weaving from the loom and finish it for hanging.

 **Students should bring white or black yarns for the warp,  weaving tools, as well as an assortment of yarns  in different colors and weights to use as weft

If you need to purchase a loom, Hipstrings will have the 8×10 size Lisa Frame Loom for $28.

TWISTED TOGETHER- Crepe, Cables and the Endless Possibilities of Layered Plying (advanced beginner/intermediate)

This is a great class for all sorts of spinners- from ultra textured art yarn spinners, to the most traditional laceweight spinners!! In this half day class students will explore the basic structure of crepes and cables. First spinning the basic crepe, boucle and cables,  then we’ll see what happens when you combine techniques like chain ply a boucle, or cable thread plies.. Students should be able to spin a single of different weights, and ply comfortably.  Corespinning knowledge is helpful, but not required. Included materials are: assorted hand dyed tops and batts, use of plying yarn. Students should bring mix of colors of batts and top/roving- including 4 oz of a solid color.  Also please bring your Spinning wheel, 3 bobbins, bobbin of fresh overspun singles (as even as possible), niddy noddy, lazy kate, any plying yarns they would like to play with. Multiple types of fiber prep tools will be provided. We will play with creating textures by plying and plying again.

Material Fee: $20

CORESPINNING for FUNK and FUNCTION (Advanced beginner)-

Ever wonder how to make that cloud of  expensive cashmere go as far as possible, or how to spin those fun textured yarns?  In this corespinning class you’ll learn how to do both! Combining the fun with the function, corespinning is a wonderful way to make the most of your expensive fibers, as well as preserve texture and spin those funky art yarns – even the expensive tailspun yarns! As a bonus in this class we will talk about how these corespun yarns are used in knitting. Patterns will be provided, as well as knitted and woven samples will be available for examination and discussion. Carding textured art batts will also be demonstrated.  Students must be able to spin a single and ply on a wheel. Included materials are: unusual fibers and add in’s. Students should bring their wheel, bobbins, lazy kate, assorted carded fibers (batts, rolags, roving), any other loose fiber (farm wool/locks/fleece) scissors, a tapestry needle, a niddy noddy and any  add in’s they’d like to corespin into yarn. (sequins, ribbon, pom poms etc)

 Material Fee: $25

Kirstin Kapur

Learn Stranded Colorwork with the Trillium Mitts —

These adorable mitts area great first colorwork project. They begin with a Latvian braid, before moving into simple stranded colorwork patterning. We will learn two handed colorwork knitting, Latvian braid, controlling tension in colorwork, catching long floats without dropping the yarns, and following a colorwork chart.

Skill Level: Intermediate and up. Must be comfortable casting on, binding off, working small circumferences in the round (on dpn’s, two circulars, or magic loop), working increases and decreases, and following simple stitch patterns from charts or written instructions.

Materials: Trillium Mitts Pattern (available on Ravelry), two or three different colors of sport weight yarn to make the mitts, (100% wool is best), double pointed needles or circulars for magic loop in US sizes 3, 4, & 5, stitch markers, scissors, tape measure.

Mosaic Knitting and the Amalgamation Shawl —

Mosaic knitting is a wonderful way to achieve colorwork without having to carry two yarns at once. In this class we will explore mosaic stitch patterns and how we can use them to add color to our knitting. We will learn to select colors to achieve the look we want. By the end of class we will be ready to cast on and begin to knit the Amalgamation Shawl pattern.

Skill Level: Intermediate and up

Materials: Amalgamation pattern (available on Ravelry), fingering weight yarn for swatching in a variety of colors, fingering weight yarn to knit the shawl pattern (colors with a lot of contrast between them are recommended, if using variegated yarn for one of your colors DO NOT match the contrasting yarn to any of the colors in the variegated yarn) 24 or 32″ circular needles in sizes US 2-4  (if you are a very loose or a very tight knitter bring additional sizes), stitch markers, scissors.

Darn That Sock! —

It’s a fact of life, socks wear out. When those socks are handknit it’s pretty hard to throw them away. If you’re like me, you have a bag full of old socks that you just can’t part with. Let’s give those socks a new life with the traditional art of darning! No need to worry if you didn’t hang on to the leftover yarn from your socks, visible mending is a popular trend that works great for darning socks. So pull out your contrasting scraps and let’s give darning a try.

Skill Level: Beginner and up.

Materials: Your worn out handknit socks (bring several options if you can) scrap yarn in a variety of colors in the same weight as your socks — be bold, remember visible mending is fun, darning egg (can be purchased from several online sources), tapestry needle, scissors

Homework: None

Isabel Kraemer

Top down knitting – Basics and beyond

You’re confident with basic stitches and construction techniques? In this workshop, I’ll try to guide you through some techniques to expand your skills and take your knitting to the next level – I’ll take you on a (knitting) trip from the top down – a method that enables you to try your sweater on from time to time to check the overall fit while you’re knitting.

We’ll discuss different ways of knitting a sweater from the top down and learn some useful tricks.

Level: Intermediate (knitting in the round, basic knowledge about sweater construction)

Materials: Notebook and pen, knitting yarn and matching circular and double pointed needles (dk or worsted weight will work best), safety pins or locking stitch markers, darning needle, crochet hook (same size as knitting needles) and some waste yarn.

Homework:

1.: Neckband (starting point for short row use in neck shaping): cast on 60 sts and join to knit in the round. Work 4 rounds in 1×1 Rib (k1, p1), then knit 1 round. Stitches should be left ‘live’ on the needle to be able to work from this point.

2.: 2 tiny rectangles – provisionally cast on 10 sts for each of the rectangles and work 10 rows in Stockinette stitch. Stitches should be left ‘live’ on the needle (or holder/scrap yarn).

Seamless Set-in Sleeves

What about being able to get the tailored look of a classic set-in sleeve without any sewing? This workshop will guide you through the techniques needed to work a set-in sleeve seamlessly from the top down.

Level: Intermediate (knitting small circumferences in the round, basic short row techniques (wrap and turn))

Materials: Notepad and pen, knitting yarn and matching circular and double pointed needles (dk or worsted weight will work best), safety pins or locking stitch markers, darning needle, and some waste yarn.

Homework: Additional file will be emailed to participants.

Laura Nelkin

Knitting a Novus Sweater

In this 3 hour class, Laura introduces you to the “novus” constructions, her seamless yet structured modern approach to the side-to-side sweater.  She’ll cover how the construction works, how to modify the construction to fit your body, any necessary skills (provisional cast on, lifted increase, german short rows) and how to plug a stitch pattern or motif into it.  Then we’ll discuss choosing yarn to knit the sweater and cast on for a sleeve.  By the end of class you’ll be ready to independently knit your own sweater from the collection.

Skills Needed: Best for knitters who have knit a sweater before or are adventurous first time sweater knitters.  You must be able to knit and purl and have comfort reading a pattern.

Materials list: Dk or worsted weight yarn for swatching, size 6-8 needles (please do not purchase yarn ahead of time for the sweater since a fair amount of time discusses yarn choices).

Shetland Lace Basics

What is Shetland lace? How does it differ from other lace styles?  What are the tips and tricks you need to know to work it successfully? Laura will cover some history of Shetland lace and the delve into techniques to help you knit it successfully.  The class will cover basic increases and decreases, walk you through chart reading, and get you on your way to becoming a more advanced lace knitter!  Skills gained in this class will translate over to many patterns that use lace stitches.

Skills needed: basic lace skills

Materials list: 30 yards of fingering or sport weight yarn, US size 5 or 6 needles, stitch markers.

Save your Stitches: Fixing Lace Mistakes

do you want to knit lace but have no idea what to do when you make a mistake? Laura will demystify the anatomy of your lace with you and teach you how to know when you can fix and when you have to rip.  You’ll learn how to replace yarn overs, insert missing decreases, rebuild sections of your knitting, and even how to avoid making mistakes in the first place.

Skills Needed: Knit, purl and basic lace stitches.

Materials: 30 yards smooth, light or bright colored sport weight yarn, size 6 straight or circular needles, size 6 dpns, 1 size 4mm crochet hook.