Class signups will begin May 22nd and will continue until May 29th. You will have the option to add additional classes (availability pending) until the minute before classes start at SSK. I will email a google form link on May 22nd for people to fill out. I would prefer that all current attendees of SSK try to get this filled out by May 29th. We will do our best to let you know what class(es) you will have by June 15th. Class rosters will be linked here via a google document. If you have any questions, email or pm Laura (laura@theknitgirllls.com) and she will help you.
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 four classes, and we will do our best to accommodate your request based on demand/class size. Please be aware that some classes do require materials fees that will need to be paid ahead of time. I try to have everyone’s selections in before I assign classes. In the past 7 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 $60 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 2-3 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!
Angela Tong
No Loom Weaving
Learn to weave without a loom. With a needle andthread, you will learn to weave different woven structures such as twill and dogtooth. It’s a great way to learn the basics of weaving without the complexity of a loom. You will be taking home your woven studies where you can display them as pieces of art.
Skills needed: None. No experience needed.
Homework: None.
Students will be purchasing a kit from instructor for $30. Students need to bring a pair of scissors.
Getting Fancy on the Loom
Please note: This is a more advanced level tapestry weaving class. You should already know how to warp a tapestry loom and how to plain weave.
Students will need to bring Small Frame Loom or Tapestry Loom, 10″ size is sufficient. (Plus the tools that come with your frame loom like weaving shuttle, weaving needle…etc.)
Scissors
Tapestry or Yarn Needle
Plastic Fork
Assorted yarns for weaving. Small balls and scraps can be used.
Measuring Tape
Instructor will provide warp yarn
Pin Loom Weaving for Beginners
Learn to weave on the go! These small portable looms make it easy to take along anywhere. It’s a great way to use up the odds and ends from your yarn stash. In this class you will learn how to warp the loom, plain weave, weaving with sock/fingering weight yarn and joining the squares.
Students will need to bring 4″ pin loom (3-Pin Style Pin Loom like the Zoom Loom, Wunderwag, Weavette, or Weave-It)
Needle for weaving
Tapestry or Yarn Needle
DK or Worsted Weight Yarn wound into a center pull ball. Squares take about 8 yards each. Bring assorted colors.
Sock/Fingering Weight Yarn wound into center pull ball. Bring at least 40 yards.
Plastic Fork
3.75 or 4mm crochet hook
Carina Spencer
Your Knit Canvas: Embroidery & Appliqué for Knitwear
Add an artful flair to any knitted piece! In this hands-on session, you’ll learn two surface design techniques and the tools and tricks to apply them to knitwear. Practice the techniques in class on sampler swatches and leave ready to transform sweaters, hats, and more into one-of-a-kind treasures. Materials are supplied.
You’ll learn …
- How to choose the most compatible materials and colors for your project
- How to trace and transfer any template to stitch from, and how to design your own
- Simple embroidery stitches used in many designs
- Appliqué for basic shapes and how to layer appliqué for more dynamic designs
- Best practices to care for your embellished knits
Who it’s for
- Knitters of any skill level (we won’t be knitting in this class!) who are interested in embellishing their work. No previous experience with embroidery or appliqué is necessary.
Materials Fee – $25
- Includes a sampler swatch & template, hoop, needles, cotton and wool embroidery flosses, and appliqué supplies
Bring to class
- scissors
Smartphone Photography for Knitters
Show off your knits at their best—no fancy equipment required. Turn the smartphone in your pocket into a powerful styling, shooting, and editing tool so every photo celebrates your craft, keeps colors true, and reflects your personal style. Come ready to play with light, experiment with angles, and leave with a repeatable workflow that makes sharing your projects a joy!
You’ll learn to …
- Understand basic principles of good photography
- Gather inspiration for styling and composing your photos
- Dial in the best settings for your phone’s camera
- Find your light indoors or outside
- Capture color accurately so yarn shades look true to life
- Explore creative ways to photograph your knits when you’d rather stay behind the camera
- Use simple, in-phone editing to correct or enhance images and build a consistent photography style
Who it’s for
iPhone and Android users who want to create images that accurately and artistically document their knitting projects.
Homework
Please complete this quick Google Form about your smartphone by June 10, 2025, so I can tailor my teaching to your technology.
Bring to class
- An updated, fully charged smartphone with a working camera and enough free storage to take pictures
- 1–3 finished knits you’d love to photograph
Swatchwork 101
You’ll learn to …
Turn your swatches into one-of-a-kind, patchwork knits! As a diligent knitter, you’ve collected a scrapbook of memories in swatches for each project you’ve made. Instead of letting them languish in storage, learn how to curate, join, and finish them into a cohesive fabric you can turn into accessories or garments. Swatchwork 101 works with rectangular swatches, guiding you through planning, construction, and finishing so you leave with the confidence to continue piecing at home.
- Evaluate fiber, drape, and stitch characteristics to determine which swatches will work best together
- Join swatches together regardless of different weights and row/column counts
- Choose a pattern for your swatchwork fabric
- Finish your swatchwork projects like a pro with tidy edges and blocking to even out mixed-gauge fabric
with bonus thoughts on …
- How to address shaping
- Taking your swatchwork to the next level with embroidery and surface design
Who it’s for: Curious knitters of any skill level with a collection of rectangular, flat-knit swatches and an experimental spirit!
Bring to class
Swatches –
- Minimum: four 4” × 4” (10 cm x 10 cm) rectangles, knit flat
- Ideal: a generous assortment so you can try out different options. For easier learning, limit yourself to yarns within three adjacent weight categories (e.g., sport → worsted → aran)
Yarn for finishing – - 25-50 grams of yarn, similar in weight to your swatches, and needles to match the weight of the yarn
Needles & Notions –
- Needles (or a crochet hook if you also crochet) sized for your yarn, yarn needle, scissors, and optional blocking pins
Heavenly Bresser
Please note that YOU MUST be able to spin a single on a wheel or spindle and be able to ply in order to take a spinning class. These are not learn to spin classes.
Think Outside the Braid
“Join us as we explore different ways to spin combed-top braids including gradient spinning, combination drafting, and spinning multiple braids together into one yarn. First up for discussion is touch of color theory that will help the spinner to choose at least one color in the braid as a focal point. Next, we’ll look at ways to bring the vision to life which includes carefully omitting and/or adding colors to an existing braid, rearranging colorways, combination drafting with various fibers, and setting the stage for creativity to have it’s way. Say goodbye to comfort zones for a while and gain a boost of confidence in creating a truly unique yarn. After this class, you just might have an urge to raid your stash and take your fibers out for a new kind of spin.”
Information on materials fees will be announced soon
Fractal Spinning
Fractal spinning can result in a subtle self-striping yarn. It is one of the many ways to control color and create dynamic yarn from a dyed roving or top for knitting, crocheting, and weaving. To start, we’ll look at two really easy, yet different approaches to fractals—a basic 2-ply as well as a 3-ply using commercial top. Each spinner will have the choice of either method to spin during this session. In addition, we’ll discuss various types of fractal yarns that can be made based on the way fibers are dyed. Finally, we’ll examine samples using fractal yarn.
Information on materials fees will be announced soon
Spinning from the Fold
Spinning from the fold is helpful for adding a bit of loft to lengthy fibers. It also helps with maintaining a consistent draft when slippery fibers are part of a blend. This technique can be performed in many ways, which is a great advantage to the spinner. In this session, you’ll learn how to spin from the fold and how to make minor adjustments for the yarn you desire.
Information on required materials will be added soon
Romi Hill
Devilish Details: Short Rows
A beautiful and successful project always comes down to the details! In this class, students will learn Japanese, Sunday, German, and wrap and turn short rows. We’ll be talking about where to use each short row technique to best advantage: working in pattern and also in straight garter and stockinette stitch. We’ll be swatching all of the different techniques and talking about how to substitute for one another.
Materials: worsted weight yarn and needles of choice for swatching; 2 locking stitch markers; 2 short pieces waste yarn
Lace and Cable Surgery
In this hands-on workshop, not only will we discuss techniques to avoid mishaps, participants will learn how to rip a simple section of lace and cables back and knit it up row by row without having to rip the entire project out. We will also go over using duplicate stitch to fix a mis-crossed cable. Students will be given charted knitting homework to be prepared prior to the class: 1 lace swatch with mistakes, and a cable swatch with mistakes, to be operated upon during class!
Materials: swatches, double pointed knitting needles at least 2 sizes smaller than used to knit swatch, crochet hook in similar size to dpns, small foam core sheet (or something else to which the swatch can be pinned), t pins, point protectors, patience.
Lace Surgery, Advanced
Are you ready to fix some trickier lace mistakes? In this class, participants will learn how to rip a section of all-over lace back and knit it up row by row without having to rip the entire project out. This is a more complex lace problem involving chart repeats, wandering stitches, and identifying yarnovers when lace is ripped out partially. Students will be given charted knitting homework to be prepared prior to the class: 1 lace swatch with mistakes, to be operated upon during class!
Materials: swatches, double pointed knitting needles at least 2 sizes smaller than used to knit swatch, crochet hook in similar size to dpns, small foam core sheet (or something else to which the swatch can be pinned), t pins, point protectors, patience.