Current Class Offerings

Amigurumi, a popular type of crochet, is a portmanteau of two Japanese terms: ami, meaning crocheted, and nuigurumi, a stuffed doll. Let me show you the simple basics of amigurumi with this fun project. Students will learn the basics of amigurumi, how to shape little creatures, create different facial expressions, and dress them up.

Crochet experience is a plus but not necessary. 

Materials:

• hook: size D (3.25mm) hook (the hook should be about 2 sizes smaller than the one recommended on the label of your yarn)
• light worsted weight, acrylic yarn, Uptown Worsted works beautifully but any yarn you would like to use is fine. The thicker your yarn, the bigger your amigurumi will be.
• Blunt tip sewing needle
• A locking stitch marker (a paper clip will also do)
• Scissors
• A few beads to add as embellishment if desired
• Pencil or pen to scribble notes on your pattern

DATE and TIME: Saturday. March 7, 2020  11am - 1pm

COST: $25 plus supplies

Brioche is a wonderful stitch, creating beautiful works in color play. In this class, you will take your basic brioche knowledge and expand upon it to create a dynamic asymmetric shawl. 

The focus of this class will be to enhance your basic brioche skills. You will create a beautiful stitch pattern in this class project. 

Skill level: Must have worked brioche previously as we will do a refresher on how to work brioche stitches.

Instructor: Jenna Hycner

Dates and times – 2 sessions available, please pick whichever works best for your schedule (sorry no cross-overs).

Tuesdays, March 10, 17, 31 and April 7 and 14, 2020

Either 10 a.m. – noon OR 6 p.m. – 8 p.m.

Cost: $105 plus supplies

Pattern: Leonor Shawl (instructor will email to paid students a coupon code for a pattern discount provided courtesy of the designer)

Yarn: worsted weight yarn in 2 contrasting colors. For the small size, approx. 210 yards per skein, for the large size, approx. 420 yards per skein. Recommend Manos Alegria Grande or Cascade 220 and Cascade 220 Wave. 

Needles: One circular needle size smaller than recommended by selected yarn, 32” or 40” will likely be the most comfortable.

Notions/basic knitting supplies: Stitch markers, tapestry needle, means of tracking rows (e.g. highlighter tape, magnetic pattern keeper).

Paper/post-it and writing implement always helpful

Instructor: Dianne Portwood

Level: Intermediate

This class is for crocheters who have knowledge of basic crochet skills. In each class we will make a project using a new stitch and cominiations of stitiches. Some projects can be turned into larger ones!

Supplies:

Yarn: Cotton or acrylic worsted weight (number 4 medium) yarn. Yarn type may change depending on project. You will be shown the following class' project, so you can decide the yarn you want to use.

Hook: US I/9 or 5.5mm. Check the size hook on the yarn label

Yarn needle

Yarn markers or different color yarn to use as markers

Prerequisite skills: slip stitch, single crochet, half double crochet, treble crochet, half treble crochet

Dates and Times:

Saturdays, March 21, April 4, April  18 and May 2

1:30pm - 3:30pm

Cost - $80

A refresher course is available  to review the prerequisite stitches on Saturday, March 7, 1:30 - 3:30  - additional $20

Instructor: Jenna Hycner, The Knitting Academy™

Skill level: Beginner

Knit Tasting – try it, you’ll like it.  

Do you have a hankering to get crafty?  How about knitting?  If you have never knit, or it has been an eon, Knit Tasting could be for you.  

No previous knitting skills required.  In this two-session course you will learn a basic cast on, the knit stitch and how to bind off.  

How the Knit Tasting works:  Sign up for a Session 1 class, where you will start your project, then book your Session 2 class when you are ready.  In Session 2 we will review what you have already done and then finish up the project.  You will have an opportunity to work at your own pace and as your schedule allows. 

Project:  Spa cloth

Supply kit:  Cotton Supreme Batik yarn, Lykke® knitting needle and a bar of Love Ewe Farms soap.  

Session fee and supplies:  $35 for the class and $24.40 (plus tax) for the supplies.  

Sessions meet from 10 – 11 a.m. on the dates listed below.  You sign up for whichever date works best for you, one Session 1 and one Session 2.  You can sign up for Session 2 at any time.  

Session 1 (select one of the following):

Tuesdays, 10 a.m. – 11 a.m.:  September 10, October 15, November 5 or December 3, 2019

Saturdays, 10 a.m. – 11 a.m.:  September 7, October 12, November 2 or November 30, 2019

Session 2 (select one of the following):

Tuesdays, 10 a.m. – 11 a.m.:  September 23, October 29, November 19 or December 17, 2019

Saturdays, 10 a.m. – 11 a.m.:  September 21, October 26, November 16 or December 14, 2019

Please be advised:  Knitting may be addictive and could cause giddy bouts of overwhelming joy.  

Instructor: Dianne Portwood

Materials:

Universal Uptown Worsted - 1 skein

2 buttons

Crochet hook size USA 8 (5.5mm)

Level: Advanced beginner

Prerequisite skills: knowledge of basic crochet stitches

Date and Time: January 23, 2020    11:00am - 1:00pm

Cost: $20

Instructor:  Sandy Aldridge

PREREQUISITE SKILLS: Students should know to to cast-on, knit and purl, basic decreases, knit in the round, and be familiar with reading a pattern.

Have you always wanted to learn how to knit socks but were intimidated by the tiny, sharp needles and thin yarns? Then Socks 101 is the class for you! Using a thicker, worsted weight yarn, students will knit a cuff-down sock - learning sock "architecture" and sock knitting techniques for the cuff, heel flap, heel turn, gusset & foot, and toe. These thicker-weight socks are the perfect boot-sock or lounging-around-the-house sock!

KNITTING SKILLS TO BE TAUGHT: 

• Knitting a narrow tube (the leg and foot!) in the round
• Knitting a heel flap
• Knitting a heel turn
• Picking up stitches for the sock gusset
• Gusset decreasing
• Using lifelines
• Kitchener stitch

MATERIALS: 

• "Rye" Sock pattern - available for free on Ravelry at http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/rye-4
• 250 - 350 yards worsted weight yarn in a light, solid color. (See pattern for specific amounts for different sizes. An adult sock will need 300-350 yards.  Recommended Shop Yarn: Cascade 220)
• ** Needles: US #3 AND US #5  40" Circular OR Double-Pointed Needles
• Stitch Markers
• Blunt-Tip Tapestry Needle
• Small amount of smooth cotton yarn for lifelines
• Ruler, measuring tape
• pen/pencil and paper for notes and row/round tallying

** Or Size required to meet gauge. Students can knit the socks using their favorite in-the-round narrow tube knitting option - - magic loop (will need one 40" circular needle), two circular needles, or double-pointed needles -  - or use this class as an opportunity to try out and learn/practice a new-to-you option! Your instructor will be primarily demonstrating the magic loop method and encourages students to try this method.

HOMEWORK: 

• Print the "Rye" pattern
• Check gauge. With the LARGER needle, gauge should be 22 stitches over 4 inches.
• Students will have knitting class homework in Class 1 and Class 3 to be ready for the next sock section lesson.

Dates and Times:  SUNDAYS,  November 10 and  17, and December 8 and 15

2:00pm - 4:00pm

Cost:  $80 plus supplies

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 One Class will cover Blocks One through Six.

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

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

● January 25, 2019

● February 8 and 22 2019

● March 8 and 22 2019

● April 5, 2019

Fee: $90.00