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.

We are so pleased to announce the vendors for SSK 2018.  Market will be on Saturday, July 21st.  It will be open to full retreat attendees from 10-12 and the public from 1-4.  Public entry is $5 at the door.  Directions to Scarritt Bennett center can be found here.  The market is in the Laskey building.  Free parking is available in lots A and B (please note that these fill up fast) and metered street parking is also available.  Access to the parking lot is on 18th street and metered parking can be found on 19th street.

Vendors for SSK 2018:

Tuft Woolens
Ross Farms
Junk Yarn
Camel City
Stranded Dyeworks
Hipstrings
Whimzee Stitches
Fat Squirrel
Miss Babs
Jeri Brock
Leading Men
Star Knits
Once upon a Corgi
Fiber Seed
Spotted Circus
Gale’s Art
Laura Nelkin’s Kits
Two Guys Yarn
Knitterly Things
Rock and String
Teeny Button Studio

Queen City Yarn will now be vending at SSK!

Sometimes vendors will have to change at the last moment.  If this happens, I will edit this list with an updated one.

Have an amazing line of products and are interested in selling them at SSK?  SSK is searching for vendors for the 2018 market.  The dates of SSK 2018 will be July 18-22nd, with market day on July 21st.  Those interested in applying should complete the form by November 7th.

Tons of books and artwork from Slate Falls Press

A summery bag from Jane B Smiley

Bags from the Martini Knitter

A bag and kitten stitch markers from Firefly Notes

Self Striping Yarn from Simply Sock Yarn Co in their Poste Yarn

A Nashville Love Kit from Black Cat Bags Boutique and Eat Knit Dye

A lovely bunch of kits from Laura Nelkin

Varigated yarn from Another Crafty Girl

Bags, patterns and wasabi tape from Chicken Boots

A handspun based mug from Charan Sachar

Beatles and Harry Potter themed skeins from Must Stash Yarns

Digital prizes include:

Gift Certificates to The Loopy Ewe

1 mini skein for every new color way for a year from Desert Vista Dyeworks (That’s over 70 mini skeins!)

Here’s another fabulous bunch of door prizes!

A Loop Lux bump from Loop

Captain SW yarn from Invictus Yarn

A plethora of different sized bags from Bags by Awesome Grannie

Skeins of tonal with speckles yarn from Lemonade Shop

A learn to spin kit and yarn from Daizie Knits

A sweater lot from Copper Corgi

Fiber and yarn from the yarn shop at Foster Sheep Farm

Fiber and a bag from knitspinfarm

Variegated yarn from Pointed Sticks

A set of minis and several skeins from Stranded Dyeworks

Yarn and a bag from Bling Your String

A set of minis from Western Sky Knits

Here’s another batch of amazing door prizes!

From Hilltop Cloud, a really cool book on spinning and some silk brick.

A skein of self-striping from Turtlepurl

Bags from Slanted Stitches

Variegated and tonal yarn from Narwhal Needlework

Bags from Star Knits

Buttons from Wildflower Button Studio

Book and Yarn from Fibernymph Dye works

Yarn and Fiber from Leading Men Fiber Arts

Mini Skeins and yarn from Spin Monkeys

Mini Skeins and Yarn from Camel City Dyeworks

A patchwork kit (1lb.) and a mitten kit from Hello Yarn

A book and yarn to make one of the gorgeous patterns inside from Lost City Knits

A gorgeous gradient yak blend yarn set from Gale’s Art

Leslie and I love oping door prizes, It’s like Christmas for us to see all the goodies arrive.  I will post around 25 door prizes a day (although we get even more at the event from our vendors).

We have several skeins of yarn and types of fiber as well as a bag from the First Draft

A gradient pack (I love the Halloween/fall colors of this) from Dragonfly Fibers

A plethora of yarn and fiber from Malabrigo

Some fun variegated skeins from Undead Yarn

Leslie and I donated some autographed copies of Interpretations

A self striping set and variegated set (This would be an amazing two color shawl) from Lollipop Yarn

Everything you need to knit these gorgeous socks from A Good Yarn Sarasota

Some lovely bag sets from Kitchen Counter Crafter

Amazing Punis and Batts from Naturally Knitty

Some cool yarn cakes and spinning fiber from Infinite Twist

Four Gorgeous Skeins from Tempting Ewe

All sorts of cool fiber from Classy Squid Fiber Co.

Above is a quick video I did of last year’s market right before opening.  The 2017 market will be held July 22nd at Scarritt Bennett in Nashville TN.  The event begins at 10am for retreat attendees and opens to the public at 1pm.  There will be a $5 entry fee at the door (we are not taking advance payments this year).  The first 100 shoppers from the public will get a shopping bag from us to store all your goodies in.

Our 2017 vendors are (in no particular order):

Ross Farm
Knitty and Color
Whimzee Stitches
2 Guys Yarn Co
Hopkins Sewing Studio
Gynx Yarns
Gales Art
Marigold Jen
Hobbledehoy Fibers
Hipstrings
Twist Fiber Studio
Akerworks
Lollipop yarn
Fiber Seed Yarn
Miss Babs
BareNaked Wools
Stranded Dyeworks
Fat Squirrel Fibers
Jeri Brock
Rock and String
Tuft Woolens
Jelby

Parking is free in the lots attached to SB. If those fill there is parking on the street with meters or a paid parking garage around the corner.  We hope to see you at market!

Class Rosters are Here

Class sign up link is here

Class signups will begin Friday, June 2nd until the minute before classes start at SSK.  I will add a google form link to this page on June 2nd for people to fill out.  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: 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, 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 $40 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 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.

Ann Budd

Reading Your Knitting

Most knitters run into problems when they aren’t able to “read their knitting”—that is, they can’t recognize where they are in a pattern by simply looking at the stitches on the needles or in the fabric below the needles. How do you tell where you are when you’ve put your knitting down in the middle of row? Can you tell how many rows you’ve knitted since the last increase, or decrease? How do you know what type of increase or decrease was worked? In this class, we’ll knit a swatch (or two) and examine how the basic stitches look in a piece of knitting and how those stitches are represented in charts.

ADVANCED-BEGINNER KNITTING SKILLS REQUIRED; MUST KNOW HOW TO CAST-ON, BIND-OFF, KNIT, PURL, INCREASE, AND DECREASE.

Materials: One partial ball of your choice of yarn (tightly twisted worsted-weight wool or wool blend recommended); knitting needles in a size appropriate for your yarn; cable needle (optional); crochet hook.

Cutting and Finishing   Steeks 
Homework required; $1 materials fee for zipper

In this workshop you’ll learn how to add a steek to a simple stranded two-color pattern that’s knitted in the round. You’ll knit a small two-color coffee clutch with steek stitches for homework. In class, you’ll stabilize the stitches with slipstitch crochet, cut the tube, and finish the raw edges with a zipper or button band, or simply secure the cut edges (as for an armhole.
ADVANCED-BEGINNER KNITTING SKILLS REQUIRED; MUST BE COMFORTABLE WORKING ON DOUBLE-POINTED NEEDLES, WORKING SLIP-STITCH CROCHET, AND SEWING WITH THREAD AND A NEEDLE.

Materials: Worsted-weight wool yarn in two colors (you’ll use just part of each ball; avoid very dark colors if possible); a set of U.S. sizes 7 and 8 (4.5 and 5 mm) double-pointed needles (two circulars or the “magic loop” method may be substituted); size G/6 crochet hook; tapestry needle; sharp-point sewing needle and sewing thread to match one of the yarn colors. Please bring your yarn and knitting needles to class along with your homework.

Homework:
Step 1. With size 7 needles and the color of your choice (we’ll call this the main color; MC), cast on 55 stitches. The first 48 stitches will form the cozy; the remaining 7 stitches will form the steek.
Arrange stitches for working in rounds and join, being careful not to twist the stitches.

Step 2. K4, place marker to denote end of steek stitches, work in k1, p1 rib to last 3 stitches, place another marker to denote the beginning of the steek stitches, knit to end. Rounds begin in center of 7 steek stitches (note that the steek stitches are all worked as knit stitches).

Step 3. Working the first 4 and last 3 (steek) stitches in stockinette (knit every round), work remaining 48 stitches in k1, p1 rib as established for 3 more rounds—4 rounds total.

Step 4. Join contrasting color (CC) and work the 7 steek stitches in vertical stripes and the remaining 48 stitches in checkerboard pattern as follows (you can omit the colorwork pattern if you wish):
Rounds 1 and 2: [K1 with CC, k1 with MC] 2 times, *k2 with MC, k2 with CC; repeat from * to last 3 stitches, k1 with MC, k1 with CC, k1 with MC.
Rounds 3 and 4: [K1 with CC, k1 with MC] 2 times, *k2 with CC, k2 with MC; repeat from * to last 3 stitches, k1 with MC, k1 with CC, k1 with MC.
Repeat Rnds 1–4 until piece measures about 1¾” from CO.

Step 5. Change to size 8 needles and cont in patt as established until piece measures about 3¾” from CO, ending with Rnd 2 or 4 of pattern.

Step 6. Cut off CC. With MC, knit 1 round across all stitches.

Step 7. Working the first 4 and last 3 (steek) stitches in stockinette as before, work remaining stitches in k1, p1 rib as established for 3 rounds—3 rounds of rib total.

Step 8. Bind off all stitches in rib pattern. Weave in ends away from the 7 steek stitches.

Intarsia in the Round

Intarsia, or color-block, patterns are not limited to knitting back and forth in rows. In this class, you’ll learn how to knit color-block motifs such as argyle patterns in the round (for socks and hats, for example) according to the “Annetarsia” technique developed by Anne Berk. Following the technique used for her Harlequin socks in New Directions in Sock Knitting, you’ll knit a sample that will prepare you for knitting any intarsia pattern in the round.

INTERMEDIATE KNITTING SKILLS REQUIRED; MUST BE COMFORTABLE WORKING ON DOUBLE-POINTED NEEDLES (OR A SUITABLE SUBSTITUTE) AND MUST BE COMFORTABLE READING CHARTS.

Materials: Worsted-weight yarn in three colors—one main color and two accent colors (you’ll use just a bit of each color); a set of U.S. size 7 or 8 (5.5 or 5 mm) double-pointed needles (two circulars or the “magic loop” method can be substituted); marker; tapestry needle.

Jillian Moreno

All of Jillian’s students should bring a wheel is good working order, at least three bobbins,

a lazy kate, a niddy noddy, tags to mark samples and pen and paper to take notes. We do have rental wheels available if needed.

Batts in the Belfry: Spinning Batts

* $50 materials fee (Students get 7 batts, custom made for our class to spin.

Enough for class and to practice at home.)

Rolled up and twinkling like the most exquisite gifts, batts are unpredictable, mysterious and so beautiful.

Puffy or even, stripes or solid , smooth or bursting with texture batts are irresistible to buy, but can be a curiosity to spin. In this class you will spin batts and only batts. You’ll put your hands and wheels to several kinds of batts that vary in texture and color presentation. You will learn about four different kinds of batts and what you can spin from them.

You’ll learn how to:

• control color flow in a batt.

• spin with or against a batt’s inclination.

• control texture in a batt.- spin for lofty, smooth or wild yarn.

We’ll even talk about buying batts –sometimes what you see isn’t what you get. You will leave this class batt-happy and ready to conquer any batt that strikes your fancy.

Kaleidoscope Spinning– Color and Singles

 * $25 materials fee

Think you are out of luck with playing with color and spinning singles? Think again!

In this class we’ll do nothing but experiment with color and singles. We’ll mix and blend at the wheel. We’ll make variegated, gradient and marled yarn just as our first step. We’ll combine colors and naturals. We’ll make a fractal singles and find out what happens when we combine all of the different color play methods into a yarn for a kaleidoscope of color.

You’ll get to see lots of samples of these special singles knitted and even some woven samples.

These singles yarns are gorgeous with all of their color fun, but once they are knit or woven, they are magic.

Fractal Frolic: Exploring Fractal Spinning  

• $25 materials fee

Almost every spinner has tried fractal spinning with variegated fiber, but do you do it the same way every time? Fractal spinning for knitting has endless possibilities!

What happens when you change the size of your fiber or use fiber dyed in different patterns?

Fractal spinning hand dyed fiber creates striping patterns that are beautifully complex, compared to a matching ply. Fractals are simply different sizes of the same pattern, in our case a line or stripe. In this class we’ll work with hand dyed top to explore fractal color patterns.

We’ll start class by making a matching 2-ply yarn. Then we’ll divide and combining different color lengths to create fractally plied yarns that are intricately striped.

We’ll explore the effect of fractal plying on different styles of dyeing too. What see what happens with gradient and randomly dyed fibers. Before we’re done we’ll play with plies to see what happens when working with more than 2 plies and a textured ply or two. We’ll see what happens with our fractals when we change the size of our yarn.

Fractal spinning comes alive when it’s knit so we’ll look at knitted samples to see the unique explosion of color that fractals create.

This class moves at a fast pace, so come ready to spin!

Twist and Ply: The Difference Ply and Twist Direction Make to Your Knitting

* $20 materials fee

Have you ever knit with your handspun and something just wasn’t right? Maybe your cables were floppy or your lace wasn’t open enough? The answer may lie in your chosen ply. The answer may also lie in the direction of twist and your style of knitting, or a combination of both.  In this class, we’ll spin and knit while exploring the effect ply and have on knitted fabric.

Together we’ll answer these questions:

• *What makes cables pop?
• *How to ply for open lace
• What about singles for knitting?

• What is chain plying good for?
• Why use more than 2 plies?

• Does the way I knit add more twist to my knitting or do I lose twist?

• How do I compensate for twist loss or gain in yarn?

We’ll also discuss the effects fiber breeds and blends, preparation, and woolen and worsted drafting can have on plying.

Lee Meredith

There is no homework for any of Lee’s classes.

No Pattern Hat Knitting

Learn the basic construction concepts and techniques needed to make three different types of hats, all custom fit to your head, and made according to your style preferences, in any gauge.  You’ll learn how to make hats: from the tops down, measuring for fit as you go; from the bottoms up, starting with sideways-knit brims fit to your head; and completely sideways, using short rows to shape the crowns.  All of these basic hat-knitting styles can be used as blank canvases onto which you can try out your own stitch pattern ideas, colorwork, etc – or use special yarns to make the most simple versions, letting the yarns be the focus of your custom-knit hats.

Materials Needed: Yarn in a weight you are comfortable with, and needles sized to match—if you know the magic loop method, then bring a long circular needle, if you do not use that method, then bring a set of double pointed needles and either a pair of straight needles or a circular of any length (which will be used to knit flat)—you may want to have a few different yarn weights and needle sizes; a crochet hook approximately sized for your yarn weight, a blunt yarn needle, and measuring tape.

Sideways Edge Cast-On and Bind-Off

Note: Students should not take both the sideways edge cast-on class and the modular shawl class since there is a strong overlap.

Learn how to knit a sideways edging while casting on stitches along the edge at the same time, avoiding the need to pick up stitches or sew seams later.  This technique is done with increases and short rows and, once understood, can be integrated into patterns which call for picking up many stitches along an edge – perfect for hats with sideways brims or socks, mitts, and sweaters with sideways cuffs.  Then learn the reverse, adding a knitted on sideways edge to a piece while binding off the stitches at the same time.

Materials Needed: yarn in a weight you are comfortable with, and a circular needle sized to match, at least 24 inches long; a stitch marker.

Making a Triyang Modular Shawl

• $10 materials fee, this gets students a high-quality print booklet of Triyang and the download code for the whole Triyang collection (4 more patterns).

Note: Students should not take both the sideways edge cast-on class and the modular shawl class since there is a strong overlap.

During this class, you’ll knit a mini version of the Triyang shawl pattern, learning all the techniques used in each section, and grasping how it all works and comes together, so that you can go on to knit your own full-size versions.  You’ll learn the sideways-edge cast-on method used in the first section, German short rows used in the second section, the sideways-edge bind-off (which is like a knitted-on edging) used in the third section, and reading your knitting.

Materials needed: yarn in a weight you are comfortable with, and a circular needle sized to match, at least 24 inches long; a stitch marker.

Margaret Radcliffe

Finishing Techniques for Handknitters

Learn to complete your knits like the pros. What do you need to decide about finishing before you cast on? When should you bind off, and when can other techniques be used? How can you shape your garment to make finishing easier? What’s the best way to join shoulders and sew side seams? How can you pick up stitches and make professional looking borders? This fast paced class is designed to cover all these aspects of finishing and more.

Fitting Your Knitting 

Improve garment fit by using short rows to add bust darts and shoulder shaping. Students will knit a swatch with a bust dart in it, learning to measure, design, and knit the dart. Students will also measure, and calculate, and knit shoulder shaping, and will learn the technique of binding off together (3-needle bind off) to join the shoulder seam.

Two-handed Two-color Knitting

– Learn this fast, time-honored method of knitting color patterns without having to drop each color and pick up the next. Students will practice both the Continental and English methods of knitting, allowing them to hold two colors of yarn simultaneously.

Pre-class Preparation: Using worsted weight yarn and size 7 or 8 US needles, cast on 60 stitches.  Divide stitches between needles as needed for the type you are using and join into a round being careful not to twist knitting. Work even in K1 P1 ribbing for 1″. Work even in stockinette for 1″.  Do not bind off.

Supplies Students Should Bring: Homework; yarn and needles used for homework; a second ball of worsted weight yarn in a contrasting color); scissors; yarn needle.

Bring out the Best in your Variegated Yarn

Description: Love that multicolor yarn? Hate the way it looks when you knit it? Whip those handpainted and variegated yarns into submission! Learn to bring out the best in your variegated yarn, how to avoid stripes, highlight desired colors, and emphasize texture. Review a variety of yarns and learn their properties, while knitting swatches to experiment with textured pattern stitches, multiple strands of yarn, and varying stitch counts. Also learn how to recognize which garments will work best with variegated yarn.

Pre-class Preparation: Using a worsted weight variegated yarn where each color is between 1” and 9” long, cast on 20 stitches. Work in stockinette until the colors seem to repeat somewhat regularly in your swatch. Increase or decrease a stitch or two and continue knitting until the colors begin to repeat again. Do this one more time. If your yarn doesn’t repeat, don’t despair, just work at least 5” TOTAL and then stop. Don’t bind off. Bring your swatch to class.

Supplies: Worsted weight variegated yarn and a matching or contrasting solid yarn for swatching. Needles in a size appropriate for this yarn; a circular needle or set of dp needles in the same size; needles 2 and 4 sizes larger.