Current Class Offerings

This is the original Knitting Academy created by Jenna Hycner. A number of sessions will be a repeat of what was offered previously but I’ve added content to each topic. 

What is the Knitting Academy? It is a program developed to help you take your knitting to the next level. You will learn new skills, ways to perfect your technique and to perfect your finished project. Here is your chance to raise your craft to the next level. In the Knitting Academy, we will cover topics that will improve and enrich your knitting. 

Your Academy professor is Jenna. With more than 30 years knitting experience she loves to encourage others to be creative with fiber. Her goal is to release more fearless knitters into the world. 

Cost: $20/session

ADDITIONAL SUMMER SESSIONS ADDED!

August 5 - Decreasing/Increasing. Learn or improve your skills. Decreasing and increasing may seem scary, but it is the gateway to making more exciting projects. How you execute your stitches will also enhance the overall look of your knitted item. 

September 16 OR 23 - Fix those flukes and flubs. Even the most diligent knitter runs into a willful stitch every now and again. In this session we will cover things like: how to Frog, Tink, save that dropped stitch, etc.

Ravelry. Hopefully you have already heard of and have used Ravelry. In this class we will cover why it is so wonderful and how you can make the most of this amazing tool.

October 7 - Short Rows. Short rows can create really dynamic results, not just in design but also in fit. There are a number of different versions. In this class we will cover the different types and when best to apply them. 

November 4 - Knitting in the Round/Magic Loop. Whether you knit socks or hats or anything in between, you could probably benefit from knitting in the round and/or using magic loop. Wouldn’t you like to knit both socks at the same time, or both sleeves? 

January 13, 2020 - Chart Reading/Cables. In this class you will learn some new techniques, we will also cover topics like reading stitches and quick fixes. 

February 3, 2020 - Blocking and Students choice. In this class we will cover the best blocking techniques. This, being the last in the Knitting Academy series, will be your opportunity to bring any and all questions to be answered in class. 

How many beginners see a lovely lace shawl and think, "I could NEVER knit a lace shawl." This class will teach you that knitting lace is much easier than it looks - it's just one stitch at a

Instructor/Designer: Debbi Bowanko

Skill Level: Intermediate– all techniques and stitches needed will be reviewed in class. 

What we will cover:

• Pattern reading
• Garter Tab - no provisional cast on needed - the easiest way ever!
• How to read a chart
• Knitting a lace shawl
• Adding beads to your knitted shawl for an extra pop of color or sparkle

Supplies Needed:

• Pattern (Fan Flair by Deborah Bowanko Designs) available on Ravelry -also available for in-store purchase 
• 2 skeins fingering weight yarn (100g each)- one skein can be any colorway - variegated, speckled, or self-striping (used for shawl border), one skein light-colored solid or tonal colorway to match the border yarn.
• Needles to get gauge: US4/3.5mm circular needles, cable length 32-34 inches
• 3 interlocking stitch markers for garter tab cast on
• Additional stitch markers to separate pattern repeats, if desired
• 6mm or 8mm beads to accent your yarn color-the beads will be used with the solid/tonal yarn (300 - 750 beads) depending on beading design selected (beads can be purchased online or at Bangles and Beads in Carytown)

Dates & Times: Saturdays, 11:00am - 1:00pm. September 14 and 21, and October 5

Cost: $90 + supplies

Instructor:  Jenna Hycner, The Knitting Academy™

Skill Level:   Advanced beginner/Intermediate  

Winter is Coming!  Make a Cozy Carbeth Pullover

Pretty sure this sweater will become one of your favorites, both to knit and to wear.  

The unusual construction will hold your interest, and if cropped isn’t your thing, we will cover in class how, when and wear to adjust the length.  We will also discuss how to make changes in the length of sleeves.  

This class will cover:

• Size selection based on gauge for bottom up sweaters
• As mentioned above, discussions on when, where and how to modify length
• Knitting in the round
• Knitting sleeves 2 at a time via magic loop*
• Increasing and decreasing stitches
• Kitchener’s stitch
• So much more!

Supplies:  

Pattern:  Carbeth Pullover by Kate Davies (available for in-store purchase via Ravelry)

Yarn: Pattern calls for a DK yarn held double.  Recommend Winterburn DK or Prairie Spun DK.  Another option is a bulky weight, held single, recommend Cascade Eco or Re:Treat.  Instructor’s sweater knit in Re:Treat.  Amount based on size selected.  

Needles:  3 sizes based on yarn selected.  Please note, to work magic loop you will need a cord length no less than 40” and to work both sleeves at one time, a longer length cord would be more comfortable.  

Notions:  Stitch markers (at least one different than the others to use a Beginning of Round marker).  Needed, but not for the first class:  stitch holder, cord(s) or waste yarn and tapestry needle.  

Pre-class homework:  Approximately 1 week before the 1st class, instructor will send out directions on how to work swatch “in the round.”  The swatch should be completed, blocked and dry before the 1st class.  

*With regard to knitting the sleeves, the class will cover how to knit both at one time using magic loop.  You may elect to work them one at a time, that is your preference, but your instructor will encourage you to at least give it a try.  The success of working these two at a time greatly increases with the length of your cord, the longer the cord, the more success you will experience.  

Dates  & Time:    

Dates and times:  Wednesdays, 10 a.m. – noon

October 16, 30, November 20 and December 4, 2019 

Cost: $96.00 plus supplies

Your instructor, Jenna, thought it would be fun to have some projects that could be taught in a short period of time and over what might be someone’s coffee break.  Join Jenna for the first of these courses.  

Instructor:  Jenna Hycner

Skill level:  intermediate

Not your typical sock – to make or to wear, but perfect as either socks or slippers.  Love how they work with clogs, such as Danskos.  These will make great gifts – even if you are the one to receive them.  Instructor has made a couple of modifications to the pattern to make them both more comfortable to wear and easier to knit.  

What we will cover:

• Pattern reading
• Increase stitches
• Picking up stitches
• Decrease stitches
• Magic loop
• Kitchener stitch 

Fee:  $55 (plus supplies)

Dates & time: Saturdays, February 2, 9, and 16, 2019

10:00am - 11:00 am

Supplies needed:

Pattern:  Turkish Bed Socks by Churchmouse Yarns and Teas (hardcopy and electronic version sold in shop)

Yarn:  A fingering weight yarn.  Instructors sample knit up in Lamb’s Pride Wildfoote (sold in shop) 170 – 175 yards.

Needles:  Size to get gauge and 40” + cord length.  No DPNs 

Tapestry needle, stitch markers and measuring tape plus other knitting notions.

Bring a small swatch in stockinette stitch worked in a waste yarn and on needles (so not bound off).  This is to practice stitches.  Using a yarn not intended for this project is perfect.  Whatever you have just laying around that you find easy to work on.  

Pre-class work:  Must work up swatch.  Instructor will send to students prior to class instructions on swatching.  

Instructor: Jenna Hycner

Skill Level: Intermediate

What a great Summer sweater.  I love a great Henley style, it seems to say confidence, even though it has a casual look and feel to it. 

In this class we will cover:

- Size selection

- The reason for a proper gauge swatch, how to read it and what to do with the information

- Top down, in the round construction

- Interpreting written patterns (this one is a vaguely written pattern – good practice for future projects)

- Magic loop

- Knitting in the Round

Materials:

Pattern:  Miley Tee (sold via Ravelry and available for in-shop purchase)

Yarn:  DK weight, in yardage according to your desired size selection.  Many options available in shop, to include:  Remix Light, Unity, Unity Beyond, Papyrus, Manta, Cottonwood, Bamboo Pop and Roslyn.

Needles:  Based on gauge (approx. 1 - 2 weeks prior to class, student will receive an email from instructor with details on how to work swatch, bring all needles used in swatch to 1st class)

Notions:  Stitch markers, some means of stitch holding, measuring tape/gauge checker, scissors, tapestry needle, etc.

Buttons (you can pick these out later, just know you will need them)

Dates & times:  

Tuesdays, July 30, August 6, 20 and September 3, 2019 from 7 p.m. - 9 p.m.

Cost:  $96, plus supplies

Location:  Center of the Yarniverse

Pre-class homework:

Work swatch (wait for details from instructor to be received approx. 1 – 2 weeks prior to class), block and bring to 1st class with the needles used in swatch. 

Instructor:  Jenna Hycner

Skill level:  Intermediate

Entrelac is one of your instructor’s favorite knitting techniques.  It looks so dynamic and always makes the yarn look fabulous and when the yarn looks good – you look good!  Once you get it, you will be stunned at how easy Entrelac can be.  Plus, Jenna knows a trick or two and she can’t wait to share them with you.  

What we will cover:

• Pattern Reading
• Entrelac stitches, of course!  
• Increases
• Decreases
• Provisional cast on – the easiest way ever
• 3 needle bind off

Fee:  $90 (plus supplies)

Dates & times:  Tuesdays, 6 p.m. – 8 p.m.

November 27, December 4, 18, 2018 and January 8, 2019

Supplies (pattern, yarn and all supplies are available for purchase at the shop):

• Pattern:  Arizona Sunset by Yumiko Alexander (available via in shop purchase on Ravelry)
• Yarn: 3 skeins Universal Yarns Classic Shades (in shop)
• Needles to get gauge:  16 st = 4 in (please note, this pattern uses 2 needles and US 10 and 15 are the ones recommended by the pattern)
• 5 or 6 stitch markers
• Approx. 1 yard scrap yarn 
• Crochet hook approximately same size as your needles (but don’t buy unless you want it for other reasons/projects, just bring if you have in stash).  If you don’t have, someone else in class will likely have for you to borrow.  

Instructor: Dianne Portwood

Skill Level: Beginner

Have you always wanted to learn to crochet? Start the New Year with marking crochet off your bucket list.

This class will give you the basic knowledge of crocheting. How to read patterns, basic stitches, yarn to use and much more.

Supplies needed:

3 different colors of yarn, I will be using Universal Yarn, Uptown worsted number 4 medium weight. This yarn is found at Center of the Yarniverse.

US I or 9 aluminum or stainless-steel crochet hook. Over time you may fine another hook is better for you,

Please bring pen or pencil.

This class will be the 4th Saturday of each month beginning 

January 26, February 23, March 23, April 27 and May 25

10:00am - 12:00 pm

Fee: $120.00

Instructor: Sandy Aldridge

Skill Level: Advanced Beginner - Knitter should know how to cast-on, the knit stitch and the purl stitch.

Description: Build your knitting skills one square at a time! “Building Blocks” is a series of twelve fun patterns - each square focuses on new stitches and knitting techniques in a carefully designed sequential approach that “builds” upon the previously learned knitting skill. Starting with simple knit and purl stitches, your confidence will grow as you knit each new square or “block”. Learning to read, decipher, and understand knitting patterns and charts, cable stitch patterns, decreases, increases, twisted stitches, yarn-overs, bobbles, lace knitting - we’ve got a “block” that will teach you that knitting skill! At the end of the series, the knitter is rewarded with an abundance of knitting know-how and twelve beautiful squares to assemble into a sampler afghan, baby blanket, or pillows. 

The Building Blocks Part Two Class will cover Blocks Seven through Twelve with a CLASS BONUS - we will also cover finishing techniques for putting your squares together - blocking, horizontal seams, vertical seams, weaving in ends.

Knitting Skills to Be Taught:

● Reading a knitting pattern and chart

● Cable Patterns

● Yarn-overs and bobbles

● Decreases

● Increases

● Left and Right Twists

● Slip Stitches

● Mock Cables

● Fixing Mistakes, Lifelines

● Finishing Techniques - blocking, horizontal and vertical seams

Supplies:

● “Building Blocks” Book by Michelle Hunter (available for purchase in the shop)

● 1400 yards of either an aran weight or worsted weight yarn

● Recommended Shop Yarns:

○ ARAN Weight: Diamond Luxury Merino Supreme Aran (wool)

○ WORSTED Weight: Cascade 220 (wool) or Uptown Worsted (acrylic)

● Knitting Needles: 

○ Size 10 if using an aran weight yarn OR 

○ Size 8 if using a worsted weight yarn 

○ A 24” or 32” circular needle is recommended; the blocks can be knitted on straight needles, but the stitches can get crowded on the needle. Using a circular needle allows each block to spread over the cable, making it easier to view. 

● Cable Needle (There are several styles of cable needles available - new cable knitters usually find the “J” hook shaped cable needles easiest to use.)

● Blunt Tip Tapestry Needle

● Stitch Markers

● Notebook and Pen/Pencil

● Optional but Very Helpful - Row counter, Sticky Notes, a second knitting needle in the same size you are using for your squares 

Dates & Times: Every Other Friday 10:00 - 11:30 AM

● June 14 and 28, 2019

● July 12 and 26, 2019

● August 9 and 23, 2019

Fee: $90.00