Online REgistration for Mini classes is now closed
You may register for a Mini Class at the Madrona Retreat Registration Table up to 24 hours prior to the class.
This year in addition to our 28 mini classes (90 minutes in length) we have included three classes that are 3 hours in length and another one hour Ergonomic Consultation with Carson Demers.
- Thursday Afternoon: Sock Knitting Machine Basics with Pat Fly
- Friday Afternoon: Power Spinning for E-Spinners with Amelia Garripoli
- Sunday Morning: Knitting with Mawata with Stephanie Pearl-McPhee
- Friday Lunchtime: One Hour Ergonomic Consultation with Carson Demers
Registration for Mini Classes will open
Thursday Afternoon Pacific Time on January 26, 2012
Mini Class registration is totally separate from regular class registration so please READ all the information and instructions below.
- Mini Class registration is totally separate from the regular class registration. If you have registered for regular classes, be sure not to double book yourself. Each person must register separately.
- Registration for Mini Classes will open Thursday afternoon PST on January 26, 2012. When registration opens you can click on the big red button at the bottom of this page, following the class schedule. You will be linked to the Mini Class registration pages.
- Mini Classes are about 1 hour and 20 minutes of instructional time. Be on time for your session so you don’t miss anything or disrupt these short classes after they begin!
- Additional 3 hour classes: Besides the 28 mini-classes we have added three classes that are 3 hours in length and another session of Carson Demers Ergonomic Consultations during Lunchtime on Friday. These additional classes are clearly identified on the mini class schedule.
- For teacher information click on each teacher’s name in the schedule.
- Supply lists and homework, if any, are listed in the class description. You will not receive separate information about supplies or homework.
- Each Mini class (90 minutes in length) costs $40. Payment is by credit card only. We take Visa, Master Card, and Discover Card. Three hour classes and the Ergonomic Consultations have different fees that are listed with the class description.
- No Refunds or wait lists. There are 10-12 spaces in each class. If you find you cannot attend after you register, you may give or sell your space to another. But you MUST let us know who will be taking your place at least 24 hours before class. Call Lisa Kobeck at 425-984-4302or email her at lkobeck@yahoo.com.
- Online registration for all the classes on this schedule will close Tuesday February 14th before the retreat begins but we will accept registrations for available classes listed in this schedule only (no regular classes) at the retreat registration table in the Hotel Murano.
REMEMBER: There are concurrent mini classes and three hour classes during most time periods. Be careful not to register for more than one class in each time period or double book yourself with any regular classes you have already registered for.
TO REGISTER: Click on the red button on the bottom of this page following the Mini Class Schedule after registration opens Thursday afternoon PST on January 26, 2012.
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 16 | TEACHER/CLASS |
|---|---|
| Thursday Morning Session 1 9:00 - 10:30 | Teacher: Stephannie Tallent Create Your Style Sheet for Self-Publishing Students will learn all about developing a style guide to assist in creating their own professional self-published patterns. Class discussion ranges from what a style guide is to why it's important, then digs into what decisions to make for their own style guide (from fonts and layout to presentation of various pattern components). A brief overview of available software (including layout options & PDF conversions) concludes the class. Students will go away with a solid understanding of where to start with their own style guide. Experience: Familiarity with pattern writing. Supplies: Pen/paper for notes; sample of their own pattern. Optional: Laptop computer with pattern writing software of student’s choice. Location: Upper Rotunda in the Pavilion |
| Thursday Morning Session 2 9:00 - 10:30 | Teacher: Gayle Roehm Three-D Embellishments Have some fun embellishing sock cuffs, hats, bags and other projects with twists, blisters, crosses, nubs and other methods of adding texture and dimension. You’ll learn several embellishments that are knit in as you go and don’t require breaking your yarn. If you change your mind later, you can unravel them. Experience: Advanced beginner to intermediate – knows the cast on, knit, purl, cast off Supplies: Smooth, light-colored yarn in sport to worsted weight and appropriate needles for swatching (suggested: size 5 to 8), plus an extra double-pointed needle, crochet hook or cable needle. Location: Hospitality Suite #403 |
| Thursday Morning Session 3 10:30 - 12:00 CLOSED | Teacher: Samantha Roshak Don’t Despair, Repair! Find and fix common mistakes in your knitting. Pick up stitches with needles or hook, fix mistakes a few rows back, correct a mis-crossed cable and repair lace. Learn how to prevent problems before they happen. Experience: Ability to cast on, knit, and purl Supplies: Worsted weight yarn and needles appropriate to the yarn. Bring a problem project if desired. Location: Upper Rotunda in the Pavilion |
| Thursday Morning Session 4 10:30 - 12:00 | Teacher: Gayle Roehm Finger Knitting Develop digital dexterity! There are several ways to knit (and crochet) with just your fingers and some yarn. This is a fun technique to add variety to your knitting, and it’s fun to do with your kids. With a little assembly, you can make scarves, hats, toys and lots of other items. It’s even supposed to be good for your health and mobility. You may never again have to take knitting needles on a plane trip. Experience: All levels. Supplies: A ball of worsted weight or heavier yarn, sewing-up needle with large eye Location: Hospitality Suite #403 |
| Thursday Afternoon Session 5 1:30 - 3:00 | Teacher: Samantha Roshak Stitch Whisperer: Read Your Knitting Knitting speaks volumes – if you know how to read it. Learn to count rows correctly, recognize increases and decreases, twisted stitches, slipped stitches, and yarnovers, and how to determine which row they were worked on. Experience: Ability to cast on, knit, and purl Supplies: Worsted weight yarn and needles appropriate to the yarn, pencil and paper, personal knitting project. Location: Camaretta in the Hotel |
| Thursday Afternoon Session 6 1:30 - 3:00 CLOSED | Teacher: Elise Duvekot Introduction to Knit One Below, worked as a flat fabric Learn a novel technique that will open the gateway to colorwork. No stranding, slipping, wrapping, etc. You only work with one yarn in each row, and yet your fabric is colorful, supple and versatile. Experience: Advanced Beginner Supplies: Smooth yarn in two highly contrasting, solid colors; double-pointed and/or circular needles in a size appropriate for the yarn. Location: Hospitality Suite #403 |
| Thursday Afternoon Session 7 3:00 - 4:30 | Teacher: Ilisha Helfman Jazzknitting - Cuffs, Collars and Orchids In this class, students will learn to simultaneously integrate two different color "melodies" to create a fabulous cuff or collar. Pooling, dimensionality and double edge treatments come together in these beautiful forms. As in all Jazzknitting, every project will be unique and amazing based on the ways we choose to interpret the dyers' decisions. Experience:You must have either taken Jazzknitting or read the book, "Jazzknitting: an Introduction", (available at www.followthethread.com) and have made Jazzknitted leaves or peacocks and gotten comfortable with improvisational pooling. If you have the book and are trying out your skills, come join our Jazzknitting group on Ravelry for pre-class support. Long tail cast on will be used for this class. Supplies: Bring two different hand-painted (preferably 100% merino or other wool) sock yarns for this class. If possible, bring several to choose from as we'll discuss the different ways of isolating different colors. It's important that your yarns be hand-painted because the transitions between colors will help you in this project. Size 1 dpns will make a nice cuff or you may choose to use larger sizes for a larger project with more drape. The use of beads will be discussed as will buttons for closure but they won't be required for class. Location: Camaretta in the Hotel |
| Thursday Afternoon Session 8 3:00 - 4:30 CLOSED | Teacher: Elise Duvekot Introduction to Knit One Below, worked in the round Whether you enjoy knitting in the round to make socks and mittens or simply to avoid seams, this technique will provide you with a new approach to colorwork. No stranding, slipping, wrapping, etc. You only work with one yarn in each round, yet the result is a pleasing fabric with a lot of stretch. Experience: Advanced Beginner - Must have experience with double-pointed needles. Supplies: Smooth yarn in two highly contrasting, solid colors; double-pointed needles only in a size appropriate for the yarn. Location: Hospitality Suite #403 |
| Thursday Afternoon Session 9 1:30 - 4:30 *This is a 3-hour class. | Teacher: Pat Fly Sock Knitting Machine Basics Set up your machine and Pat will teach you all about cleaning, tension and adjustment. She will demonstrate and discuss yarns that work well on the sock machine, how to knit ribbing, stockinette stitch, heels and toes. For those who want to do more, Pat will also demo hand manipulated stitches for lace and fancy work. Cost: $65 Supplies: Bring your own sock knitting machine and Pat will check over and make sure you know how to use it. If you want to take the class and do not have your own machine, email Pat Fly at Pat@angoravalley.com to arrange to share a machine. If you want to bring your own yarns be sure to have them in balls or on cones. Needles, springs and yarns will be available for purchase in class Location: Upper Rotunda in the Pavilion |
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 17 | TEACHER/CLASS |
|---|---|
| Friday Morning Session 1 9:00 - 10:30 | Teacher: Sivia Harding Hooked on Beads Hooking beads is a fun and spontaneous way to add beads to your knitting without pre-stringing your working yarn. Discover some of the many embellishment possibilities that you can accomplish with this technique. Experience: Ability to cast on, knit, and purl Supplies: US 14 crochet hook (available at Carolina Homespun – order ahead or buy in the marketplace. Extras will be provided in class), 30 yards stash worsted weight or finer yarn, size 8/0 or 6/0 beads (extras available in class) Location: Camaretta in the Hotel |
| Friday Morning Session 2 9:00 - 10:30 CLOSED | Teacher: Sarah Anderson Making the Most of your Drumcarder In this class Sarah will demonstrate different uses of the drumcarder. We'll include tips on blending fibers, different ways to use color in batts, making carder punis, dizzing off the carder and cleaning your carder. The class will consist of demonstration with question and answer throughout so you can go home and try out these new techniques for yourself. Experience: None Supplies: Note taking materials Location: Upper Rotunda in the Pavilion |
| Friday Morning Session 3 9:00 - 10:30 CLOSED | Teacher: Amy Detjen All About I-Cord So, you're thinking "how can somebody teach a class on knitting I-Cord, it's just a 3-stitch tube!" Well, if you don't know All About I-Cord, this is for you. You'll learn how to create an I-Cord border as you go, how to apply an I-Cord edge to something already knitted, and the wonderful I-Cord Bind-Off! We'll also discuss how to fix minor finishing problems using I-Cord. Experience: Able to knit and purl Supplies: One ball of yarn and needles (straight or circular) in size appropriate for your yarn. Location: Hospitality Suite #403 |
| Friday Morning Session 4 10:30 - 12:00 | Teacher: Carson Demers My Aching Hands and Wrists Learn what contributes to knitter’s discomfort in their hands and wrists and how to avoid it. Unlearn techniques that don’t serve to keep you knitting comfortably. Learn to make choices that ease the work your hands do and gain tips for making them feel better. Experience: No experience necessary Supplies: None – bring along your knitting. Location: Camaretta in Hotel |
| Friday Afternoon Session 5 10:30 - 12:00 CLOSED | Teacher: Brian Kohler Traveling Knitter’s Yarn Pouch Ever want to contain your yarn and have it flow evenly from the bag to your needles? Here is a clever pouch with draw string ties and a small hole in the bottom cleverly knit from sock yarn. As you knit the pouch you will learn or brush up your skills in provisional cast-on, short rows, an unusual buttonhole, i-cord and i-cord bind off as well as how these techniques apply to other kinds of projects. Experience: Advanced beginner comfortable knitting with sock yarn and smaller needles. Knitting in the round helpful but not required. Supplies: Bring only US Size 6 needles either straight or circular. Skacel Yarns is providing the pattern, yarns and additional needles for each student to have. Location: Upper Rotunda in the Pavilion |
| Friday Afternoon Session 6 10:30 - 12:00 CLOSED | Teacher: Amy Detjen Cable Tips Cable maneuvers are not difficult, but sometimes you need to keep your wits about you. Even experienced cable knitter can use these tips for keeping track of cables, determining what row is next, turning a cable without a cable needle, and repairing mis-twisted cables. Experience: Beyond Beginner Supplies: One ball of light colored yarn (avoid navy or black and needles (straight or circular) in size appropriate for your yarn, cable needle (optional). Location: Hospitality Suite #403 |
| Friday Lunchtime Session 7 12:30 - 1:30 CLOSED | Teacher: Carson Demers Ergonomic Consultations for Knitters – a small intensive session of 6 persons This session begins at 12:30 pm and is 1 hour long. Ever felt aches and pains after or during knitting? Knitting does contribute to those aches and pains felt throughout the body and there are steps you can take to reduce them. In this hour long small group session (limited to 6 persons), Carson will provide individual ergonomic analysis to assist you in knitting more comfortably, happily and healthier. You will further benefit from the small group interaction and the personal feedback Carson will give each person. Handouts will be provided. Cost: $50 Experience: Everyone Supplies: Bring your knitting with you and paper to take notes! Location: Camaretta in the Hotel |
| Friday Afternoon Session 8 1:30 - 3:00 CLOSED | Teacher: Evelyn A. Clark Design a Lace Dishcloth In this class, we will explore the basics of lace design and chart a lace that can be used on a diamond-shaped, garter stitch dishcloth. Why a dishcloth? It offers a low-stress entry into lace design using yarn large enough to easily see how the design works and results in a useful item. It can even be profitable: instructor has had three dishcloth booklets published by Leisure Arts. Experience: Intermediate level class: Must know knitting basics and be able to read charts. (No dishcloth knitting experience necessary!) Supplies: Several sheets of 5-squares-to-the-inch graph paper; Pencil and eraser; Optional Supplies: worsted weight cotton yarn, such as Lily's Sugar 'n Cream with appropriately sized knitting needles Location: Hospitality Suite #403 |
| Friday Afternoon Session 9 3:00 - 4:30 CLOSED | Teacher: Gladys We Planning to Pool: How to use handpainted yarns Handpainted yarns are beautiful, but can be difficult to work with because of the seemingly unpredictable way that the colours can pool. This class will help you take a new look at those gorgeous multicoloured skeins in your stash in order to help you see new ways to work with them. We'll do some simple swatching and plan how to use your yarn to create new and original works of planned pooling art. For examples, see Gladys' projects at http://www.ravelry.com/projects/wenat. Experience: Intermediate to advanced knitter. Able to swatch confidently and play with your personal gauge. Supplies: A selection of needles from US 4 through US 9 and a skein or sample skein of handpainted yarn. (Instructor will bring some mini-skeins to share, but your own needles are essential. Interchangeable needles are recommended but not required.) Location: Hospitality Suite #403 |
| Friday Afternoon Session 10 1:30 - 4:30 *This session 3 hours total CLOSED | Teacher: Amelia Garripoli Power Spinning We are grateful to HansenCrafts, maker of the electric MiniSpinner, for helping to underwrite this 3 hour e-spinning class. Does your electric or electronic spinner run away with your yarn, get miles ahead of your fingers, or just not make the yarn you're thinking of? Whether you come from spindle or wheel or are new to spinning, work on your e-spinning technique with hands-on tips. Take control of your e-spinner and see what it can do. Art yarn to laceweight, casual or production spinning: we'll put our e-spinners through their paces. Cost: $40 Experience: Adventurous beginner to experienced spinners welcome Supplies: Students bring: e-spinner in good working condition, 3 empty bobbins, and a lazy kate. An extension cord may be handy as well, or a charged portable battery if you have one for your spinner. Location: Upper Rotunda in the Pavilion |
SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 18 | TEACHER/CLASS |
|---|---|
| Saturday Morning Session 1 9:00 - 10:30 CLOSED | Teacher: Carson Demers KnitteRx Most of us take better care of our favorite stash fiber than the fibers that allow us to knit – our bodies! Tired muscles, sore joints and aching backs and necks plague too many knitters. This class will teach you fun ways to care for your body’s “fiber”. Knit on, safely and comfortably. Experience: No experience necessary Supplies: None. Bring along your knitting. Location: Upper Rotunda in the Pavilion |
| Saturday Morning Session 2 9:00 - 10:30 | Teacher: Gayle Roehm Knitted-On Fringe A fringed border can be a nice finish for a scarf or other garment, but cut yarn fringes tend to wear out quickly. Try a twisted yarn fringe that’s actually knitted onto your garment as you work. It’s strong, looks good, wears well, and you don’t have to cut your yarn! We’ll work a tiny mini-scarf to show how to add fringes and work a scarf seamlessly. Experience: Advanced beginner to intermediate – can cast on, knit, purl, cast off Supplies: A ball or two of smooth yarn in sport to worsted weight (these can be leftovers), and appropriate needles (suggested: size 5 to 7), plus at least one extra double-pointed needle or crochet hook. Location: Hospitality Suite #403 |
| Saturday Morning Session 3 10:30 - 12:00 CLOSED | Teacher: Mary Scott Huff Getting Stranded: An Introduction to Stranded Colorwork Always wanted to try the beautiful technique of stranded colorwork, but scared to try it on your own? Let Mary show you the way! In this mini-class, we'll debunk some misconceptions about the technique that might make learning it seem hard. Then we'll jump right in and get stranded, together! Experience: Strong beginner; some experience with circular knitting on DPN, Magic Loop, or 2 Circulars. Supplies: 1 skein each, smooth, 100% wool yarn in 2 contrasting colors (no black, please) in DK or Sport weight , with DPN, long circular or 2 matching circular needles to match.; note-taking supplies. Location: Upper Rotunda in the Pavilion |
| Saturday Morning Session 4 10:30 - 12:00 CLOSED | Teacher: Amy Detjen Looking Glass Knitting (Knitting Backwards) Learn to knit-back-backwards and purl-back-backwards. More than just a parlor trick, these techniques can make small bits of back-and-forth knitting much more fun; it’s especially useful for working Entrelac, short rows, bobbles, and tiny knitted pieces. Instead of “K10, turn, P10, turn” you’ll know how to “K10, knit-back-backward 10”, and so on – no purling required to create Stockinette stitch while knitting flat. Experience: Beyond Beginner Supplies: One ball of yarn that knits at 4 or 5 sts to the inch, needles in a size appropriate for your yarn (circ or straight). Location: Hospitality Suite #403 |
| Saturday Afternoon Session 5 1:30 - 3:00 CLOSED | Teacher: Mary Scott Huff Start to Finish: Planning Ahead for Happy Endings Rats! Why didn't I think of that back when I started?" Ever ask yourself that when it's time to finish your knitwear? It happens to us all when finishing gets left as an afterthought, in a fit of Start-itis. Here's your chance to think things through before you begin, and a perfect excuse to start something new! In this mini-class we'll run through Mary's checklist of pre-knitting decisions. Set yourself up for success by making informed construction choices. Learn how to prepare your garment for easy and elegant finishing, before you even start. Experience: All Supplies: The pattern for your next project; yarn and needles (not required; only if you already have them and want to swatch in class); note-taking supplies Homework: Raid your pattern stash or make a date with Ravelry to find a project you're dying to start. Purchase/Download the pattern and bring it along with you. Location: Upper Rotunda in the Pavilion |
| Saturday Afternoon Session 6 1:30 - 3:00 CLOSED | Teacher: Nancy Marchant One-color Brioche Knitting For this workshop, we will start with the Italian Cast On and continue by working the brioche stitch using one-color. This class is a great introduction to the fascinating knitting world of brioche. Experience: Ability to cast on, knit, and purl. Supplies: Worsted or DK weight plain wool or cotton yarn, 4mm (US 6) needles Location: Hospitality Suite #403 |
| Saturday Afternoon Session 7 3:00 - 4:30 CLOSED | Teacher: Sarah Anderson Drafting for Consistent Diameter As a spinner gains experience, they often attain the goal of very fine singles. This is when spinning nice fat singles can become a struggle. In this class we will work on spinning fatter consistent singles which will then translate into consistency for every yarn spun. Because twist in yarn travels to the thin spots, consistent diameter also means consistent twist. Mastering a few techniques just may transform your spinning. Experience: Can spin a continuous thread and comfortable with your wheel. Supplies: Spinning wheel in working order (bring your large whorls), 4 ounces of top or roving in a medium wool (there will be some fiber packets to purchase if you don't have any) Location: Upper Rotunda in the Pavilion |
| Saturday Afternoon Session 8 3:00 - 4:30 | Teacher: Nancy Marchant Two-color Brioche Knitting In this workshop, we will learn the two-color brioche stitch, starting with the two-color Italian Cast On. Lots of samples will be shown and ideas for using this stitch will be discussed. Experience: You need to understand one-color brioche knitting before attempting this class. Supplies: At least 2 colors of worsted or DK weight plain wool or cotton yarn, circular or double-pointed 4mm (US 6) needles Location: Hospitality Suite #403 |
SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 19 | TEACHER/CLASS |
|---|---|
| Sunday Morning Session 1 9:00 - 12:00 This session is 3 hours total CLOSED | Teacher: Stephanie Pearl-McPhee Knitting with Mawata This is a 3 hour class – This is the same class Stephanie is teaching on Saturday morning and afternoon. This class explores the pleasures of knitting with pure silk (silk hankies). We’ll talk about how to make silk hankies (each is a stretched cocoon) and how to knit them straight from that form … no spinning at all! Lace, baby things, warm things… try this interesting and inexpensive form of silk. You’ll be intrigued. Cost: $85 + $10 materials fee – Total $95 Experience: Advanced Beginner Supplies: Needles: A selection of knitting needles from your collection to try with this unique stuff – with sizes ranging from about 2.5 mm to 4mm. Many knitters prefer blunt wooden needles for this work, but a few can’t live without sharp metal – or the other way around. Having a selection to try would be great. Also bring your usual knitting tools, notepaper, pen or pencil. Location: TBA |
| Sunday Morning Session 2 9:00 - 10:30 | Teacher: Carol Rhoades Wrapped Stitches Learn several ways to wrap groups of stitches for decorative effects. We’ll try methods found in British, Finnish, and Estonian knitting traditions that include passing slipped stitches over from right and left, winding yarn around stitches, and wraps created with loops of the working yarn. Experience: Basic knitting: knit/purl, cast-on/bind-off, knit in the round. Supplies: 1 ball smooth sport-weight wool yarn (Dale Heilo or Falk or Nature Spun Sport work well); small amount of contrast yarn if desired; set of 4 or 5 dpn or long circular appropriate for yarn (approx. US size 3-4); notepaper and pen. Homework: With light yarn, CO 36 sts; join to work in the round. Purl 1 rnd, knit 1 rnd, purl 1 rnd and then knit 4 rnds. Leave piece on needles so you can begin the class sampler. Location: Upper Rotunda in the Pavilion |
| Sunday Morning Session 3 9:00 - 10:30 | Teacher: Margaret Radcliffe Get the Best from Your Variegated Yarn: Patterns and “Un-Patterns” Learn to avoid stripes, highlight desired colors, and emphasize texture while understanding what to expect with your variegated yarn’s properties. Margaret will bring swatches to demonstrate the effects of pattern stitches and combining yarns. Experience: Ability to cast on, knit, and purl, increase, decrease, and bind off Supplies: Worsted or bulky weight variegated yarn where the color sections are between 1 to 6 inches in length and needles appropriate for the yarn size. Location: Hospitality Suite #403 |
| Sunday Morning Session 4 10:30 - 12:00 | Teacher: Carol Rhoades Decorative Knit Braids Embellish your knitting with a basic 3-round purl braid and then try some variations. Experience: Basic knitting: knit/purl, cast-on/bind-off, knit in the round. Supplies: 1 ball each of 2 contrasting colors (white and a medium to dark contrast recommended) sport-weight wool yarn (Dale Heilo or Falk or Nature Spun Sport work well); set of 4 or 5 dpn or long circular appropriate for yarn (approx. US size 3-4); notepaper and pen. Homework: With light yarn, CO 36 sts; join to work in the round. Purl 1 rnd, knit 1 rnd, purl 1 rnd and then knit 4 rnds. Leave piece on needles so you can begin the class sampler. Location: Upper Rotunda in Pavilion |
| Sunday Morning Session 5 10:30 - 12:00 CLOSED | Teacher: Margaret Radcliffe Maggie’s Top 20 Knitting Tips Make your knitting and finishing more fun and better looking with these top tips. The class covers everything from casting on to seaming with gauge, edges, shaping, fixing mistakes, binding off, and borders in between. Experience: Ability to cast on, knit, and purl, increase, decrease, and bind off Supplies: Plain, smooth worsted weight yarn in a light color, needles sized appropriately for the yarn – US sizes 6-8 (4.0mm - 5.0mm) Location: Hospitality Suite #403 |
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