THE FULL SCHEDULE OF MADRONA CLASSES IS AVAILABLE BELOW ON THIS PAGE
REGISTRATION IS NOW CLOSED FOR THE SCHEDULE BELOW
- Class Schedule. Classes are listed in alphabetical order by teacher for each day along with class descriptions and level of experience required.
- Sort and Search the Class Schedule. Sort by teacher first name alphabetically, date, morning or afternoon class using the up and down arrows in the schedule header. Refresh your browser to return to the unsorted class listing. Use the small Search Box at the upper right of the schedule to do a search by teacher, date, or class name.
- Teacher Information. For more information about each teacher and links to their websites, click on the teacher’s name on the Class Schedule or go to the Meet the Teachers page.
- Be prepared with second choices. Many classes fill quickly so it is best to choose another class if you want to be sure to have a class in that time slot.
- Don’t over-schedule yourself. Leave time to play, practice new skills and finish projects, watch demos, or drop in on a clinic. There are lots of gathering spots in the Hotel Lobby and the Pavilion Rotunda and a great Marketplace to visit.
- Classes that have openings. Check the class schedule. We will update it regularly after registration opens and mark classes that are closed.
- Supply and Homework lists will be posted on the website in mid-December
- For lots more information visit the Winter Retreat FAQ page.
Repeated Classes: Here is a list of the repeated classes. We have also identified them in the schedule. As you look through the schedule, you will also find some classes on similar topics but taught by different teachers. So if one class is filled that you wanted you may be able to find another similar class to take.
- Amy Detjen: EPS – Elizabeth Zimmermann’s Percentage System Updated (Friday AM, Sunday PM)
- Franklin Habit: Photographing your Fiber (Thursday AM and PM)
- Judith MacKenzie: Rare Silks (Friday PM, Sunday AM)
- Stephanie Pearl-McPhee: Knitting with Mawata (Friday PM, Saturday AM)
Class Schedule for Madrona Winter Retreat 2013
| TEACHER | DAY | MORNING 9am-12noon | AFTERNOON 1:30-4:30pm |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sarah Anderson | February 14: Thursday | CLOSED Energy in your Handspun (3 hours) Twist is the magic glue that holds the fibers in yarn together. While spinners often strive for balanced, plied yarns, in this class we'll explore singles yarns with active twist. These yarns have energy that can be used to create knitted or woven fabrics that feel and look very different from those created by a balanced yarn. You'll learn to spin a consistent single for your energized yarns and Sarah will demonstrate how to contain the twist in your yarns with sizing. After knitting or weaving with the sized yarn, the fabric is washed to remove the sizing and release the captured twist energy. A spinner could spend years exploring the possibilities but we'll fit in what we can in 3 hours! Must be able to spin a continuous yarn Materials Fee: $10 | No Class Session |
| Janine Bajus | February 14: Thursday | Color Outside the Lines: The Fair Isle Tam (6 hours) Have you always wanted to design your own Fair Isle but were afraid because it looked too complicated? In this class you will work with a classic Fair Isle Tam pattern and a pre-defined colorway so you don’t have to worry about choosing colors! You will start by working on a series of swatches to learn how color is traditionally arranged in Fair Isle designs so you can see how changing colors affects the look of the pattern. Then Janine will walk you through the steps to fill in the entire Tam chart. She will also discuss how the skills you’ve learned translate into designing a traditional Fair Isle sweater or vest. Must have experience in stranded knitting and knitting in the round Materials Fee: $40 for yarn and pattern with handout. After you register you will be contacted and can choose from 5 different colorways. | Class Continues |
| Anne Berk | February 14: Thursday | Repair and Restoration of Handknits (3 hours) As hand-knits age with time and use, they may need special attention to preserve form and function. We will learn methods of repair, useful tools and tricks, and how to evaluate each situation to know what and how to achieve the best results. This can be incredibly rewarding, as you are able to bring beautiful, aging handwork back to life. All Levels: Should be comfortable with Kitchener (grafting) stitch. Knowledge of duplicate stitch, needlework, or embroidery would be helpful No materials fee HOMEWORK | No Class Session |
| Jacey Boggs | February 14: Thursday | No Class Session | CLOSED Beautiful Color through Chain Plying (3 hours) If you've ever found yourself confounded about how to translate the beauty of handpainted fiber into yarn, chain plying could be the perfect solution. It creates a 3-ply-like yarn spun from a single so that color separations and changes are maintained. Chain plying can be tricky to figure out but once you do you'll get perfect stripes with no left over singles. Students must have basic spinning skills including the ability to draft and spin singles yarn and know the mechanics of plying. Materials Fee: $15 |
| Gwen Bortner | February 14: Thursday | CLOSED Adaptations – Customizing a Published Pattern (6 hours) The pattern is just what you were looking for….except for a few changes. Get an introduction to design while gaining an understanding of how to adapt a published pattern to meet your stylistic needs. Whether selecting a different yarn, altering the stitch pattern, changing the sleeve length or choosing a different neck line the choice can be yours. Students will gain hands-on experience on converting a published pattern to meet their own design ideas. Students will work through the various steps to converting a basic pattern to a new yarn/gauge, identifying key pattern numbers and what those numbers mean. Students must be familiar with working with written patterns and calculating gauge. No materials fee HOMEWORK | Class Continues |
| Brenda Dayne | February 14: Thursday | CLOSED Advanced Top-Down Raglan (With a Difference) (6 hours) Participants will learn the secrets of knitting a top down raglan sweater that fits perfectly the first time and every time no matter what. You will complete worksheet and record all design decisions and be able to cast on for a basic top down raglan garment by the end of the morning session. After lunch, we’ll continue with the design process, exploring how to add color, texture, or lace stitch patterns to enhance top down designs. Techniques include calculating the “difference” and using it to calculate the number of stitches to cast on in order to arrive at a given size and the all important design decisions – necklines, seams, body and sleeves. Intermediate knitters and above. Previous design experience would be helpful but not required. No materials fee HOMEWORK | Class Continues |
| Amy Detjen | February 14: Thursday | Avoiding the Pitfalls of Circular Yoke Sweaters (6 hours) There are some easy remedies to solve common fit and construction problems knitters find with seamless yoke sweaters (we'll talk about bottom-up sweaters too). We'll discuss constructing a custom-fitted garment and then, using our swatches, do a tiny bit of math, and mentally knit our way through the yoke sweater of your choice. Amy will demonstrate lots of techniques as we discuss them. You can start with an existing pattern, or create your own from scratch. You will be stunned at how much control you have over your knitting! Intermediate Knitters. Helpful if you have knit a sweater. No materials fee HOMEWORK | Class Continues |
| Donna Druchunas | February 14: Thursday | Recreating Traditional Folk Socks (6 hours) In this workshop, we will look at vintage sock patterns, photos from socks in museum collections, and samples of folk-art socks that I've collected in Eastern Europe, as well as any socks you'd like to bring with you to examine. We will then learn how to "read" the socks to determine how they were made and answer these questions, and more: Toe up or cuff down? What type of cast on? What type of bind-off? What pattern stitches and colors? What is the gauge? What fiber is used? At the end of the class, each student will be ready to begin reproducing a pair of ethnic socks and will leave the classroom with charts and an outline of instructions for making their own reproduction or a modern variation inspired by a traditional sock design. Advanced Knitters – Need to know how to knit in the round, and be familiar with several kinds of sock heel and toe construction methods. No materials fee | Class Continues |
| Franklin Habit | February 14: Thursday | CLOSED Photographing your Fiber (3 hours) This class is repeated in the afternoon Bring your own camera and a small project or two, and learn the basics of lighting, depth of field, styling and common fiber-photography problems like capturing true color, capturing stitch definition and photographing lace. We will also learn how to make a light box at home, cheap! No prior knowledge of photography necessary. The emphasis will be getting the best possible shots using your camera. Everyone welcome No materials fee | CLOSED Photographing your Fiber (3 hours) This class is a repeat of the morning class Bring your own camera and a small project or two, and learn the basics of lighting, depth of field, styling and common fiber-photography problems like capturing true color, capturing stitch definition and photographing lace. We will also learn how to make a light box at home, cheap! No prior knowledge of photography necessary. The emphasis will be getting the best possible shots using your camera. Everyone welcome No materials fee |
| Sivia Harding | February 14: Thursday | CLOSED Sideways Lace (6 hours) Side-to-side crescent shaped shawlettes are great fun to knit, and provide an easy introduction to designing. You will choose between a few basic options to begin your crescent shape, then we explore side-to-side knitted lace edgings and choose one to showcase in your shawlette. We will discuss lace stitches, charts, and charting. This is a no-fail method of producing a striking and unique lace garment! This workshop is the perfect blend of lace design skills, inspiration and discovery. Students need to know basic lace stitches, basic increasing and decreasing, slipping stitches and knitting and purling. No Materials Fee HOMEWORK | Class Continues |
| Judith MacKenzie | February 14: Thursday | CLOSED Color in Your Hands (6 hours) Each one of us sees color differently and has an internal color system as individual as our own fingerprints. In this workshop, you will learn to identify that personal system. Through a series of projects and exercises, you will be able to discover your own unique colorways and explore various design possibilities using this personal system. Everyone welcome Materials Fee: $20 | Class Continues |
| Judy Pascale | February 14: Thursday | CLOSED Nuno Felted Scarf (6 hours) The traditional Japanese technique of Nuno felting will be used to make a lovely and contemporary scarf. Wisps of roving are placed on top of a silk underlay. Using a little water and a gentle rolling motion, the fibers are coaxed into penetrating the silk fabric. This produces a durable yet incredibly light-weight scarf that drapes beautifully. Use your own artistic touches to decorate with motifs and designs of different colors, silk hankies or beads. Options of styling and closures will be discussed, as well as the secret of how to make them stay in place all day. Everyone welcome Materials Fee: $25 | Class Continues |
| Clara Parkes | February 14: Thursday | No Class Session | CLOSED Wonders of Wool (3 hours) Join Clara Parkes for a hands-on journey into the world of wool in this class she jokingly calls the "scratch-and-sniff version of The Knitter's Book of Wool." We’ll follow this magic material as its makes its way from sheep to skein, learning all about the qualities that make wool so wonderful and diverse. We’ll talk about things like lanolin and luster, staple and crimp, what microns are and why they matter, why wool yarns can pill and what to do about it, and how machine washable wool is made—and why you should always swatch your superwash yarn before embarking upon a full-sized garment. We’ll pass around garments and swatches, and you’ll even get to swatch some of the most noteworthy breeds and blends for yourself. Everyone welcome No materials fee |
| Gayle Roehm | February 14: Thursday | Using Japanese Stitch Dictionaries (3 hours) This class is repeated Saturday afternoon. Knitters are finding that Japanese stitch dictionaries offer a wealth of beautiful stitch patterns, but it can be hard to follow charts for complex patterns. We’ll review how to read Japanese charts, and explore the intricacies of some of these stitches by swatching two or three. We’ll discuss the available dictionaries, and sources for obtaining them. If there’s time, we’ll also begin designing a garment with a Japanese chart. Intermediate to Advanced Students -All stitch patterns are charted, so you must be comfortable knitting from charts. No materials fee | Basics of Re-Sizing a Japanese Pattern (3 hours) Japanese knitting patterns are almost always shown in just one size, usually quite small. To knit one, you need to modify the design to fit yourself. We’ll analyze a design, compare it to a sweater of your own, and determine how to change the garment pieces and the stitch patterns to create a personal fit. You should be familiar with Japanese knitting patterns, because this class focuses on fit and alterations. We’ll use a sample pattern in class, but you may bring your own pattern and swatch if you choose. No materials fee HOMEWORK |
| Candace Eisner Strick | February 14: Thursday | The Beautiful Twisted Stitch Patterns of Austria (6 hours) These gorgeous patterns wind and twist around each other in complicated and intricate designs, but actually are done using only two basic techniques without the use of a cable needle. We will sample some of the traditional patterns from both Maria Erlbacher's book and Lisl Fanderl's book, and learn how to read the logical charts they use. Advanced Knitters - students must be well versed with knitting in the round, and must be able to knit in the conventional way. No materials fee | Class Continues |
| Stephannie Tallent | February 14: Thursday | Becoming an Indie Designer (3 hours) Do you want to publish your own designs? This class will introduce you to the basic steps in publishing your own patterns. We’ll cover the items to include in your pattern, general ideas on layout, producing a PDF, resources for test knitting, the importance of tech editing, and an overview of resources for self publishing on Ravelry & other platforms for indie publishing (IDP, Craftsy, Patternfish, etc). Students should have a pattern that they think they might like to publish No materials fee | Create your Style Guide for Self-Publishing (3 hours) Students will learn all about creating 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). Examples of style guides and patterns will be reviewed. 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. Familiarity with pattern writing No materials fee |
| Jean Wong | February 14: Thursday | Tailored Knitting the Japanese Way (2 Day Workshop Thursday and Friday) Join Jean Wong, a Nihon Vogue Certified Instructor, to move to the next level to adapt a pattern or create your own pattern for a custom fit. Using Japanese methods, Jean will teach you in class how to draft patterns by calculating stitches and rows to your measurements for a sample round necked sweater with set-in sleeves. This draft pattern you create will be custom fit to your own body measurements by using information from your knitted swatch and a Japanese gauge ruler. By learning these techniques you will be able to add your own personality to your knitting and be proud of the finished product. Intermediate Knitters interested in an introduction to Japanese techniques for creating custom fitted knit garments. It is helpful if you have completed one or two sweaters. Materials fee: $26 and includes the gauge ruler you need for class and further pattern drafting. HOMEWORK | Class Continues |
| Our 2nd Annual Teacher's Talent Show for Charity hosted by Stephanie Pearl-McPhee 7:30 PM FREE | February 14: Thursday | Are you ready for The 2nd Annual Teacher’s Talent Show for Charity on Thursday evening? Stephanie Pearl-McPhee turns on her special magic as host and will again produce an amazing show of teacher talent! We are all sworn to secrecy about last year’s event but what I can tell is that we went from laughing till we cried to inspiration and awe. We are grateful to our talented teachers who gave stunning performances and to all of you who responded by donating more than ever to our charity partners Doctors without Borders, Heifer International, and the Global Fund for Women. Join us for another unforgettable evening and show your appreciation by supporting our charity partners. We continue our support for our local “Caring for Kids” charity by accepting donations of knitted items including hats, scarves, sweaters, blankets on Thursday evening and throughout the retreat at our Registration check-in table |
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| Jacey Boggs | February 15: Friday | CLOSED Spinning Bouclè Yarns (3 hours) There's something magical about spinning loops in a yarn and this class will teach you how to do it! Beginning with long, lustrous fibers we'll create a traditional boucle yarn then moving on to other fibers and fiber preps we'll explore different types and grists of boucles all the while increasing your hand and fiber control. Take a trek into textured spinning and come out the other side spinning circles Students must have basic spinning skills including the ability to draft and spin singles yarn Materials Fee: $10 | No Class Session |
| Gwen Bortner | February 15: Friday | No Class Session | CLOSED Entrelac Basics (3 hours) Have you always wanted to learn entrelac but thought it would be too hard. Whether a beginner or advanced knitter, this class is for you. During this class, each student will have the opportunity to knit a small project to gain hands on experience in the entrelac technique. Participants will learn the seamless entrelac technique and basic entrelac construction techniques. A discussion of other project possibilities will also be included Students must have knitting basics and be comfortable working on double pointed needles. No materials fee. HOMEWORK |
| JC Briar | February 15: Friday | Charts Made Essential (3 hours) Being able to read charts is only half the story. Take this class and learn to write charts: to visualize written instructions, to convert between flat and in-the-round knitting, and to plan shaping. Use charts to demystify phrases like “at the same time,” “reverse shaping,” and “shape in pattern.” Students need ability to read charts. No materials fee | CLOSED Slick Set-in Sleeves (3 hours) Set-in sleeves give a sweater a crisp, tailored look. And for easy knitting, you just can’t beat sleeves knit from the top down. Pick up stitches from the body, shape the sleeve cap with short rows, and you avoid the bulk of a seam and the fuss of easing a sleeve cap into an armhole. Learn to adapt an existing pattern to this approach, or to design according to your measurements. Students should have experience knitting sweaters No materials fee HOMEWORK |
| Chris Bylsma | February 15: Friday | Design in a Day (6 hours) Want to turn that idea floating around in your head into a functional pattern with stitches on your needle by the end of the day? Or maybe you just wish you could change the neckline or sizing or… You CAN do it! Learn the practical, perhaps unconventional, ways to demystify gauge, sizing, style, measurements, swatch and yarn choice. The result is a personalized pattern for you and a new sense of empowerment. Whether you are adventurous or never ventured from a pattern before, learn to take control of your knitting. Intermediate knitters No materials fee HOMEWORK | Class Continues |
| Lisa Daehlin | February 15: Friday | Improvisational Intarsia in Knitted Lace (3 hours) The sinewy lines created by the increases and decreases of lace knitting provide a canvas on which one can explore the interaction of larger fields of color and the more delicate lines coursing through them. Using various lace and other stitch patterns, and blending them with intarsia color technique, this "guided improv" knitting exploration focuses on making choices in how to combine the various stitches as well as how to transition elegantly (or dramatically) from one stitch pattern or area of color into the next. The ridges and textures of the fabric help to inform those choices. Let the fabric speak to you as you knit and the work you create will be uniquely yours! The resulting fabric sampler serves as a palette of new ideas for maneuvering through combinations of texture, line, and color. Students should have a good and solid grasp of the basics of lace knitting and can comfortably read charts. No Materials Fee | No Class Session |
| Carson Demers | February 15: Friday | No Class Session | CLOSED Knitting Happily Ever After (3 hours) Ever know a knitter who hasn’t said, “Just one more row?” I’ll bet they’ve also complained of aches and pains while knitting. You’ll learn how knitting contributes to those aches and pains throughout the body and how to reduce them. A little knowledge and some simple changes can keep you knitting happily and safely ever after. Students who have taken this class have said that it should be “required learning for all knitters!” For everyone. Materials Fee: $7 |
| Amy Detjen | February 15: Friday | EPS - Elizabeth Zimmermann’s Percentage System Updated (3 hours) This session is repeated on Sunday afternoon EPS is Elizabeth Zimmermann’s method of constructing a custom-fitted garment that has either a seamless yoke style or a Scandinavian dropped shoulder. We will mentally knit our way through one or two sweaters, and Amy will demonstrate techniques as we bump into them. Intermediate Knitters comfortable knitting in the round. No Materials Fee HOMEWORK | Introduction to Double Knitting (3 hours) Learn the basics of Double Knitting, including casting on, increasing, decreasing, and binding off. We’ll practice both Open Edge stitches and Closed Edge stitches, and discuss when to use each. I’ll demonstrate both methods of working DK (both sides in one pass, and 2 passes per row). If you don’t know what that last sentence means, take the class and learn about your options! Advanced Beginner and up No Materials Fee |
| Donna Druchunas | February 15: Friday | CLOSED Stories in Stitches (6 hours) In this workshop, we will learn about stories from knitters around the world, and we will learn about a pattern stitch from each region and knit a sampler. Stories and techniques will be different in every workshop, so be prepared for a surprise! The class will include topics as diverse as: Bavarian twisted-traveling stitches, Irish cables from the Aran Islands, Danish texture patterns, Japanese bobbles, Ukrainian lace, Estonian nupps, Andean popcorn stitches, and a Latvian fringe stitch. Advanced Beginners and up. Need to know how to cast on, bind off, knit, purl, and work increases and decreases. No Materials Fee | Class Continues |
| Amelia Garripoli | February 15: Friday | No Class Session | CLOSED Power Spinning (3 hours) 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. Adventurous beginner to experienced spinners are welcome. Cost: $50 |
| Franklin Habit | February 15: Friday | CLOSED The Beautiful, Humble Art of Plain Sewing: A Workshop for Knitters. (3 hours) Plain sewing–a collection of stitches and related hand sewing techniques. Although most often learned in history past as part of a woman’s education, in our day, these skills are useful to all, but known by few. We will study and practice a select group of plain sewing methods that are most useful to knitters working with hand-knit fabrics, including useful and decorative stitches, attaching buttons, and finishing buttonholes. Students should be fluent in the basic techniques of knitting Materials Fee: $5 HOMEWORK | No Class Session |
| Catherine Lowe | February 15: Friday | CLOSED The Wow Factor (6 hours) Techniques and tips that will take the look of your hand-knits from ordinary to extraordinary and change the way you think about knitting. Catherine has distilled her signature approach to hand-knitting into six fundamental techniques for fabrication and construction that are easily integrated into your knitting repertoire, adaptable to all your projects, and a springboard for your own creative re-thinking of your knitting projects. This workshop will introduce you to the techniques, take you well down the path to mastering them, and explain how to adapt them to your projects. Intermediate Knitters No materials fee HOMEWORK | Class Continues |
| Judith MacKenzie | February 15: Friday | CLOSED The Art of Plying: Luxury Blends (3 hours) Plying is an amazing tool for handspinner’s. Not only can it change what a yarn can do for you, it can blend color, make a stronger yarn and modify the yarn’s diameter. It can also be an excellent way to blend fibers. In this class we will use plying to create a range of exotic blended yarns using luxury fibers including cashmeres, silks, fine merinos, yak and alpaca. Come see how plying can create some truly exquisite yarn. And you’ll pick up a few tips on spinning these lovely fibers as well. Students need a wheel in good working order and ability to spin a continuous thread. Materials Fee: $15 | Rare Silks (3 hours) This class is repeated on Sunday morning Silk is the most exotic of fibers. The fiber of wealth and luxury, its history is full of mystery and intrigue. In this class, we’ll spin two rare silks, Mugha and Eri, both from India, both wild and, until recently unavailable to handspinners. Here is a chance to try them out and see their beauty first hand. For experienced spinners proficient using their wheel Materials fee: $15 |
| Clara Parkes | February 15: Friday | CLOSED The Many Faces of Cashmere (3 hours) Ahhhh, cashmere. Who can resist this most luxurious and coveted, not to mention costly, fiber? In this class we'll look at the animals that produce cashmere, where they tend to live, who raises them, the economics of their industry, and the conditions that inspire them to grow their finest. We'll play with the fiber itself before looking at how it can be blended with others for different effects. Finally, we'll take out our needles, cast on, and swatch our way through an assortment of differently spun cashmere and cashmere blends. We’ll talk about twist, ply, durability, and you'll learn different ways to add structure and durability to this delicate fiber For the swatching portion of this class, you'll need to be able to cast-on, knit, purl, and bind off. Materials Fee: $5 | No Class Session |
| Judy Pascale | February 15: Friday | CLOSED Suitable Seams (3 hours) This class will present a variety of techniques to seam together sections of a garment. Emphasis is on producing a smooth nearly invisible transition; a trick accomplished by selecting the most appropriate seaming process to join particular stitch patterns and to determine the precise location to insert the sewing needle for optimum results. Ultimately, the goal is to create the illusion that the garment was created in one continuous piece. Advanced Beginner knitters and up No materials fee HOMEWORK | CLOSED Shapely Shawlettes: Simply Garter and Beaded Eyelet (3 hours) This class will be a hands-on workshop on how to achieve shaping for the "Shapely Shawlette." It's perfect petite triangular size and method of shaping makes it versatile for either work or evening. The first portion of the class will be to create the Simply Garter version. The class will then embellish the Shawlette through creative lace pattern work with a no "pre-stringing" beads technique going into The Beaded Eyelet. It should impel you to increase your collection of this adaptable wardrobe basic. Intermediate knitters Materials Fee: $3 |
| Stephanie Pearl-McPhee | February 15: Friday | No Class Session | CLOSED Knitting with Mawata (3 hours) This class is repeated on Saturday morning 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. Advanced Beginner and up Materials Fee: $10 |
| Gayle Roehm | February 15: Friday | Understanding Japanese Knitting Patterns (6 hours) Western knitters aren’t familiar with Japanese hand knitting designers, but their creative and often unusual designs can open up another world of knitting for you. Even without knowledge of Japanese, you can knit from Japanese knitting patterns once you become familiar with the charted format. This class focuses on understanding garment patterns. We’ll learn how to “read” a schematic, and how to find basic information such as gauge, yarn requirements and needle sizing. We’ll also cover the symbols used in stitch charts, which are standard among all Japanese publishers, and we’ll swatch several to practice Japanese symbology. Bring any Japanese patterns that you may have questions about. Advanced Knitters - You must be very comfortable knitting from charts. No Materials Fee | Class Continues |
| Candace Eisner Strick | February 15: Friday | CLOSED Strick-ly Socks (3 hours) Learn Candace's revolutionary and simple new method for heels and toes from her new book Strick-ly Socks. The heels and toes are worked flat, yet there are no seams. Sounds impossible? Yes, but so easy you will be amazed. And you can convert any existing sock pattern to this simple method. End your sock with a wonderful stretchy bind off for K1, P1, rib, even if you like to use K2, p2 rib. Intermediate knitters – must know how to knit in the round. Watch the You Tube video about the provisional cast-on. No Materials Fee HOMEWORK | Skirts for Every Body (3 hours) Most knitted skirt patterns call for a turned down waistband with an insertion of elastic. This creates a bulky area of fabric right where most people don't want it! With Candace's unique new method you can banish that bulk, plus learn all the necessary techniques required to knit a custom-fit skirt. Sample some of the fun and flirty options you can use on your skirt, from ruffles, to inserts, to hankerchief hemlines. Intermediate No Materials Fee |
| Stephannie Tallent | February 15: Friday | No Class Session | CLOSED Aran Lace (3 hours) Love cables? Love lace? Can’t decide which to use for your next project? Use both! Students will be introduced to the concept of “Aran Lace”, incor¬porating lace techniques with cabling and decreases. Students will practice the technique with a cowl sampler. Intermediate knitters who know increases, decreases, cabling, reading charts, and knitting in the round. Materials fee: $6 |
| Jean Wong | February 15: Friday | 2ND Day of Tailored Knitting the Japanese Way continues (2 Day Workshop Thursday and Friday) | Class Continues |
| Friday Evening Teacher’s Gallery and Donna Druchunas Presentation 7:30 PM FREE | February 15: Friday | 7:30 PM FREE Evening gathering to view the Teacher’s Gallery and presentation by Donna Druchunas. Donna has delved deeply into the knitting history and traditions of many cultures around the world to bring us their heritage in designs and stories. In her talk this evening, Donna will take us far north to the Arctic and treat us to a slide show and stories about the unique lace patterns of the native Alaskan lace knitters. It’s a fascinating story of the beginnings of the Oomingmak Cooperative and how Dorothy Reade was involved in an adventure of a lifetime. Following Donna's presentation you are invited to greet and talk with our teachers as they display their incredible work. |
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| Sarah Anderson | February 16: Saturday | CLOSED Foundations in Spinning – Drafting (6 hours) Every plied yarn starts with one or more singles. These building block singles can be fat, thin, woolen, worsted, slubby, s twist, z twist, high twist or low. Come and spend the day with Sarah learning how to create many different types of singles that can then be assembled to produce most of the yarns in her yarn library - The Spinner’s Book of Yarn Designs - just published by Storey Books. Not only will the singles you create be foundational, you will also learn principles and skills that will enhance all of the yarns that your spinner’s imagination can dream up. Students must be able to spin a continuous yarn and have a wheel in good working order. Materials Fee: $20 | Class Continues |
| Jacey Boggs | February 16: Saturday | CLOSED The Plies Have It (6 hours) Plying is just as important as spinning and can make or break a yarn. This full day class will cover 2-ply to spiral-ply, off-tension-ply to cable, 3-ply to coils. We'll talk about when it's okay not to ply, why plying matters, what considerations need to be taken in spinning the singles for different types of plying, what kind of strength different plying techniques add (or subtract). By the end of the class, you won't know it all, but you'll be much closer. Students must have basic spinning skills including the ability to draft and spin singles yarn and know the mechanics of plying. Materials Fee: $20 | Class Continues |
| Gwen Bortner | February 16: Saturday | The Entrelac Shift: Combining Fabrics for Max Effect (3 hours) Incorporating entrelac with other knitted fabrics can create an outstanding accent in a garment, but the smooth transition between fabrics can be challenging. With a few guidelines, the fabric hangeover can be accomplished nearly anywhere. Start by exploring the various options for incorporating chevron stitch fabrics along the pointed edges. Next discover tricks for moving between entrelac triangles and standard knitted fabrics. Students will create a customized neck warmer while they practice moving from entrelac to other knitted fabrics, both along the flat edge and along the pointed edge. Students must already be comfortable working entrelac, need to know how to pick up stitches, and work a basic pattern stitch. Basic technique for creating entrelac fabric will not be covered in class No materials fee. HOMEWORK | Flat to Circular and Back Again (3 hours) If you hate seams, but love stitch dictionaries, then learn how to take patterns written row by row and convert them to round by round. If the pattern is already charted, it can be even easier. Learn what to do with those extra edge stitches, the importance of stitch repeats and the secrets to selecting patterns that are easy to convert. Students will practice converting several stitch patterns to work circularly and convert a circular pattern to be worked flat. Students must be familiar with basic stitch patterning. No materials fee. HOMEWORK |
| JC Briar | February 16: Saturday | CLOSED Get Twisted! (3 hours) Cables and other twisted knitting stitches make for some of the most captivating knitting patterns. Though they look intricate, they are surprisingly easy to create. Learn how while knitting samplers that you can later turn into a drawstring tote bag. Along the way, you’ll pick up tips for reading charts, reading your knitting, and fixing mistakes. Advanced beginners and up No materials fee. HOMEWORK | Multi-directional Scarves (3 hours) Turn variegated yarn into striking scarves with this new form of multi-directional knitting. Learn to form triangles and diamonds from a continuous length of yarn, and to join them together without sewing any seams or picking up any stitches. Advanced beginners and up No materials fee. |
| Chris Bylsma | February 16: Saturday | Deliberate Drops – The Benefits of those Oops! Dropped Stitches (3 hours) Dropped stitches can be a wonderful asset, not a liability, in your knitting. This class will explore how dropped stitches can change sizes, add breathing room, “stretch” your yarn, update a traditional design and open a whole new world of options. Learn to adapt patterns accordingly. Explore combining a wide mix of fibers, textures, novelty yarns and colors with dropped stitches to create fabulous artwear projects Intermediate knitters No materials fee. HOMEWORK | Pocket Possibilities – Before, During and After (3 hours) Knitted-in pockets are so convenient, beautiful and yes, easy! Learn where to place pockets and how to determine the correct size for you as we explore several patch, slit and slash pockets that can be added at any stage in the knitting, even after the garment is done. Then add the secrets to linings, edgings and avoiding sagging and “grinning” pockets for your own pocket perfection. Intermediate knitters No materials fee. HOMEWORK |
| Lisa Chan | February 16: Saturday | No Class Session | CLOSED Introduction to Supported Spinning with contemporary Russian lace and Tibetan spindles (3 hours) Supported spinning is the new "it" in spinning trends, from zippy Russian lace spindles to long spinning Tibetan spindles. Participants will learn everything from spindle and fiber selection to plying supported. Supported spindles are versatile, portable, and an economical choice for entry into the world of handspinning. They're also handy for those with limited mobility, and who may have experienced arm and back fatigue with drop/suspended spinning. Everyone is welcome: Lisa will have spindles to try out and loan for class. Or, if you'd like to purchase a spindle prior to class, contact Lisa at admin@grippingyarn.com Materials fee: $6 |
| Brenda Dayne | February 16: Saturday | No Class Session | CLOSED Toe up Socks: Math Free, Beautiful, Durable and Friendly! (3 hours) Students will learn Brenda’s amazing toe-up sock recipe using the Sherman toe and heel. This produces the best-looking, absolute easiest, short-row method for toes and heels ever invented. (Brenda would know; she’s tried them all.) Socks feature a provisional cast-on, short-row toe, gusset combined with short row-heel, and a stretchy bind-off. Best of all, there are absolutely no complicated formulas and positively no need for math. Advanced beginners and up who can knit in the round and work Judy’s magic cast-on with confidence (you can learn the Judy’s Magic Cast-on on You Tube) No materials fee |
| Carson Demers | February 16: Saturday | No Class Session | CLOSED Ergonomic Consultations for Knitters – small intensive sessions of 6 persons. Sign up for one of four sessions in which you will receive individual feedback from Carson. Session A: 12:30–1:30 Session B: 1:30-2:30 Session C: 2:30 -3:30 Session D: 3:30- 4:30 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 these hour long small group sessions (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. During registration, you will be able to sign up for one of the sessions listed above. The cost of the session is $55. |
| Donna Druchunas | February 16: Saturday | No Class Session | Symbols in Stitches: Texture and Cable symbols and their meanings and codes with stories (3 hours) Have you ever wondered why some people can read charts easily and others find them incomprehensible? The truth is, charts are written in a code that can be deciphered by knitters who learn the symbols on the page and in their knitting. Charts do not use arbitrary symbols, but each symbol includes the instructions on how to make the indicated stitch! In this class, you will learn the secrets of interpreting chart symbols for texture and cable stitches. We will also talk about the mythology behind these stitches and the stories told about them throughout history. Advanced Beginners and up – need to know how to cast on, bind off, knit and purl No materials fee |
| Linda Gettmann | February 16: Saturday | CLOSED Lace Weaving on the Rigid Heddle Loom (3 hours) Using a pick-up stick with the rigid heddle loom allows for all sorts of patterns and textures to be added to your weaving. Tired of plain weave—it’s time to try pick-up. It’s not hard, just a little learning curve and you’ll be weaving lace in no time. Because the warp threads in the slots can move up and down freely, they are ripe for manipulating. Add a highlight, accent or special border to your projects. These versatile techniques allow the weaver to create alternate sheds, yielding many interesting and creative patterns in rigid heddle weaving. Students need to have used a rigid heddle loom and bring one with them to class. We will provide instructions for warping and resources for obtaining a “pick-up stick”. No materials fee HOMEWORK | No Class Session |
| Franklin Habit | February 16: Saturday | CLOSED Knitted Tessellations: Playful and Powerful Patterns in Practice (Deluxe Edition) (6 hours) A hands-on introduction to the creation of tessellations: motifs that interlock without gaps or overlaps. Tessellations are as old and pervasive as design itself; they can be found in some of the most ancient examples of human craft, and were famously used in the modern era by the artist M.C. Escher. In this class, we will begin by discussing the theories behind tessellating, and put into practice the basic techniques for designing new tessellated patterns in hand-knitted fabrics. In this expanded, six-hour edition we will also delve into eleven varieties of symmetry, and use them to create striking, original new designs. Intermediate Knitters who are fluent in the basics of knitting in the round (or, if it is the student’s preference, speed-swatching or flat stranded colorwork). Students are offered the choice of working in knit/purl texture patterns or in two-color (stranded) knitting; those choosing the latter should be adept at it. A sense of humor, a taste for adventure, and a good night’s sleep are strongly advised. No Materials Fee | Class Continues |
| Ilisha Helfman | February 16: Saturday | Knitted Sea Lettuce: Isolating Colors While Following the Thread (3 hours) This class will explore the Jazzknitting technique of separating colors out from hand-painted yarn as you knit with a continuous strand. By paying close attention to the color changes in hand-painted yarns, you will create beautiful ruffly forms that have tips or edges that will magically appear to have been dipped in dye. These ruffles (and the idea behind them) can have lots of uses in garment decoration and knitted art. See more info about the possibilities at www.followthethread.com . Students need to knit and purl, know the long tail cast on and Judy’s magic cast-on (see You Tube video). No materials fee HOMEWORK | No Class Session |
| Mary Scott Huff | February 16: Saturday | CLOSED Eek Steeks: A new exclusive pattern from Mary with a (gasp) Steek! (6 hours) Practice your new skills to complete the "Thistle" stole, Mary's 2013 exclusive for the Madrona Winter Retreat. Click Here to see the description, colors and design for this gorgeous Thistle Shawl on Mary's blog. You’ll do stranded colorwork knitting, working in the round, easy shaping, minimal seaming; but how do you get from knitted tubes to people-shaped garments? Easy: Make Steeks! Mary will show you how and take the mystery and risk from using scissors on your newly knitted fabric! Mary will guide you through three techniques for marking, securing, and cutting open your steek. You will also learn various ways to finish the cut steek edges. Mary will hold your hand as you make the cut in your completed stole, then walk you through the final finishing steps. If you wish, it's actually possible to leave class with a completed garment! Intermediate to advanced knitters Materials fee: $60 for Mary’s exclusive Thistle Stole pattern and the beautiful yarn specially hand dyed by Dicentra Designs. We will send yarn and pattern in December so you can begin knitting. HOMEWORK | Class Continues |
| William Jones | February 16: Saturday | No Class Session | Stabilizing and cutting your knitting: It’s more than just Steeks! (3 hours) A demonstration of techniques for inserting diagonal pockets, bound buttonholes, re-shaping armscyes, inserting zippers and much more. Bill will show you how to use fusible knitted interfacings to stabilize your knitting. We will cover fusing techniques, sewing techniques, and ways to "save" incorrect knitting...rather than ripping out. Bill’s creative and practical techniques become a design tool for every knitted fabric. Everyone welcome No materials fee |
| Judith MacKenzie | February 16: Saturday | CLOSED Bountiful Sheep: Lustrous and Rare (3 hours) The joy of fleece is its never ending, constantly amazing range and variety. In this class, we will look at three lovely long wools that are also rare and unusual: Gotland, Wensleydale and Teeswater. We'll look at each sheep's characteristics and history, learn how to choose them and how best to spin them to bring their unique characteristics forward. Students need a wheel in good working order and ability to spin a continuous thread Materials Fee: $10 | CLOSED Down South Luxury: Spinning Possum (3 hours) Not the opossum we are used to seeing in America, The Australian brush tailed possum has a ferocious appetite for the native plants of New Zealand and a healthy appetite for non-natives too! These furry little marsupials have been eating Australia and New Zealand down to the rocks. In an effort to bring back some type of ecological balance, government harvests have been put in place to decrease their numbers. These harvests have the support of many ecologists and animal rights groups. Unlike American possums, which are known as opossums, the Australian possum bush tail has a dense, lovely coat. As a byproduct of the government harvest, a limited amount of possum fiber is available for yarn production. Australian bush possum fiber is every bit as soft and warm as cashmere and qiviut. Come learn how to spin this rare fiber from the southern hemisphere. Students need a wheel in good working order and ability to spin a continuous thread Materials Fee: $20 |
| Susan Newhall | February 16: Saturday | CLOSED Blended Intarsia (6 hours) In this 6 hour class we will explore blended intarsia with the designer of Verdant http://knitty.com/ISSUEss11/PATTverdant.php. Using blended intarsia, a knitter can create a fabric that combines many qualities; varying opacity as in lace work, isolated multi-colored motifs, and harmonized color blending. Students will learn blended intarsia and explore reasons why this technique is a valuable addition to the knitter's toolbox as they work on a class project. We will take advantage of fine art examples and the magnificent glass art on display around the Hotel Murano to expand our understanding of blended intarsia, color play and light. If you have a desire to take your knitting into previously unexplored territory with an easily mastered new technique, then this class is right up your alley. Advanced Beginner. Whether you are a "thrower or a picker" please be comfortable with the way a stitch is formed with either hand. You needn't be proficient with your less-preferred hand, just aware of the direction the yarn is wrapped on the purl side as well as the knit side. Materials fee: $10 | Class Continues |
| Clara Parkes | February 16: Saturday | CLOSED Yarn 101 (3 hours) Join us on a journey deep into yarndom as we seek answers to the eternal questions, "What should I make with this yarn?" and, conversely, "What yarn should I use for this project?" We'll touch the raw fibers that can go into yarn, look at different ways those fibers are prepared and blended together, and play with samples of the most common twists and plies on the market -- all while keeping in mind our ultimate goal, a happy pairing of yarn, needles, stitches, and project. Even experienced knitters come away with an expanded understanding of how they can better match yarn and project. This is the class that launched The Knitter's Book of Yarn, and one that yarn store owners and past students frequently insist should be required for every new knitter. Everyone welcome No materials fee | No Class Session |
| Stephanie Pearl-McPhee | February 16: Saturday | CLOSED Knitting with Mawata (3 hours) This class is repeated on Friday 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. Advanced Beginner and up Materials Fee: $10 | CLOSED Knitting for Speed and Efficiency (3 hours) Here's your chance to learn Stephanie's perspective and secrets on knitting with speed. Want to knit faster? How about smarter or more efficiently? This class examines the various techniques, attitudes and history of the most productive knitters, and is designed not necessarily to change how you knit (unless you want to) but to help you become the most efficient knitter you can be on your own terms. All Knitters Welcome No materials fee |
| Candace Eisner Strick | February 16: Saturday | CLOSED Tapas (3 hours) Sample a little bit of the best knitting has to offer: try one fabulous cast-on that gives you instant k1, p1 set-up for ribbing, one unusual bind-off that requires no passing of stitches, one unusually beautiful stitch pattern, how to pick up perfectly, yarn-over increases that slant in both directions, a perfectly painless beginning for a circular shawl, a picot bind-off, and a few more delicious little tastes. Intermediate Knitters No materials fee HOMEWORK | Double Dare (3 hours) You'll do a double-take when you see what you can do with double knitting, double colors, and double hands! Learn how to create a two-sided fabric with two colors using both hands. After you master stockinette stitch you will continue on, learning several different stitch patterns. Advanced knitters No materials fee |
| Saturday Evening Banquet (sit down - no buffet) with presentation by Clara Parkes. Registration required. Please see registration page. Dinner is $55. | February 16: Saturday | Doors open at 6:15 PM - Sitdown Dinner (no buffet) Baked Salmon with green salad and veggies, dessert, coffee and tea - vegetarian alternative available on request. Registration Required $55. Clara Parkes is a teacher and author, whose online knitting magazine, Knitter's Review, has been leading thousands of knitters on a weekly yarn adventure for almost 15 years. Clara's many books on yarns and fibers help unravel the mysteries of when, how and why to use so many of the different yarns and fibers available today. Please come to the banquet and let Clara take you on a richly illustrated jaunt into her own love affair with yarn. From her farmhouse full of yarn in Maine to her many travels through the fiber world, Clara will share her personal perspectives. You'll be inspired and enlightened with humor, yarn wisdom, and even a few tricks. |
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| Lorilee Beltman | February 17: Sunday | Vertically Stranded Colorwork (6 hours) Explore various ways that color can be added when contrast stitches climb vertically from round to round. These techniques do not inhibit the elasticity of the fabric. Always working in the round, we'll play with simple zig zags, intersecting lines for diagonal plaid, lines between lace, and purl-only columns that look like caterpillars. We'll explore it's sketchy history - it is used in Rovaniemi knitting, as a substitute for duplicated stitch in argyle, and it even appears in a Japanese stitch dictionary. After class apply the coloring techniques to existing patterns worked the round. Intermediate knitters comfortable working in the round. Materials fee: $3 | Class Continues |
| Jacey Boggs | February 17: Sunday | CLOSED Things your Grandmother Would have Taught You (6 hours) In the modern world we gather our spinning knowledge from books and magazines, youtube and DVDs, here and there. We are very lucky to have so many sources but at the same time that kind of learning often leaves holes in our knowledge base. We'll talk about S/Z, directionality of combed top, woolen/worsted, long draw/short draw, joins, singles/plies, yarn energy, measuring your yarn, finishing your yarn etc. This class will help fill in the gaps and make you a stronger spinner all around. Students must have basic spinning skills including the ability to draft and spin singles yarn Materials Fee: $20 | Class Continues |
| Gwen Bortner | February 17: Sunday | Ten Textures (6 hours) If you are tired of stockinette or love the look of textured fabrics, this is the class for you. Come learn a new technique every 30 minutes and walk out of class with a variety of textures that can be added to your knitting projects. Textures can be created with a variety of techniques including slipping, twisting, adding, subtracting plus many more. Class will focus on building a sample of texture starting with the basics and building progressively throughout the class. Students must be familiar with knitting basics plus increase and decrease techniques. No materials fee | Class Continues |
| Chris Bylsma | February 17: Sunday | Neckline Love (3 hours) You love the sweater but not the neckline. So change it! Learn to design your own crew, funnel, V-neck, scoop or any shape neckline, in any gauge, that fits YOU. Finish it with perfect picked-up edges for flawless necklines you will absolutely love, love, love. Intermediate knitters No materials fee HOMEWORK | Eight Empowering Edges (3 hours) Ribbing and garter stitch edges are usually reliable choices for edges, but not all edges are equal. Learn eight hard-working edges (and maybe a few more) that empower you as a knitter to create beautiful, professional details, provide the control needed for various edges and give you the option of making your own design decisions in a project. Add these trusted friends of mine to your bag of tricks for future projects or even to solve an existing problem. Intermediate knitters No materials fee HOMEWORK |
| Amy Detjen | February 17: Sunday | No Class Session | EPS - Elizabeth Zimmermann's Percentage System Updated (3 hours) This session is repeated on Friday morning. EPS is Elizabeth Zimmermann's method of constructing a custom-fitted garment that has either a seamless yoke style or a Scandinavian dropped shoulder. We will mentally knit our way through one or two sweaters, and Amy will demonstrate techniques as we bump into them. Intermediate Knitters comfortable knitting in the round No Materials Fee HOMEWORK |
| Donna Druchunas | February 17: Sunday | CLOSED Arctic Lace: Eskimo lace patterns will inspire you in designing your own. (6 hours) Eskimo women in Alaska have been knitting qiviut (musk ox down) into lace since the 1960s. In this workshop, we will examine their unique pattern stitches, inspired by Eskimo artifacts, and learn how to chart our own custom lace patterns by adapting designs from other art forms. We will start by charting a basic diamond using yarn overs, then we will study several types of decreases and learn how each decrease works to create a different result with the same arrangement of yarn overs. We will also learn how to accentuate lace patterns with an outline stitch. Each student will then design and chart lace patterns, and swatch to see what works and what doesn't work on the needles. Intermediate to advanced knitters with experience knitting lace No materials fee | Class Continues |
| Amelia Garripoli | February 17: Sunday | Productive Spindling with a Turkish Spindle (3 hours) Have you walked away from your spindles in frustration? Do you want to expand your repertoire from wheel to spindle so you can bring spinning on your travels? Are you sure there must be some way to make spindling more productive? Expand your spindle skill-set in this fun class. Increase your spindle enjoyment and results using the versatile Turkish spindle. We'll match the right spindle for fiber and yarn, and play with a variety of handy techniques to get more out of your spindling. Students need to have basic spinning skills in which they can spin a continuous thread on either a spindle (top or bottom whorl) or a spinning wheel. Materials fee: $6 (Spindles will be available during class to use.) | No Class Session |
| Franklin Habit | February 17: Sunday | CLOSED History, Methods and Styles of Lace Knitting (3 hours) In this three-hour session, we'll examine the fundamental principles and techniques of knitting's grandest tradition. Students will learn about the history of lace knitting, and the development of the art in three parts of the world (Russia, Estonia, and the Shetland Islands) in which the craft was developed to the highest level of artistry. We will not only discuss, but practice and play with some of the methods and motifs that distinguish each of these traditions. Students must be fluent in the basics of lace knitting, including working from charts. No materials fee | CLOSED Garter Jacquard: Garter Stitch Gone Wild (3 hours) Poor, plain garter stitch. So often confined to the edge of the party, so seldom seen in anything but the same old blocks or stripes. But not today! Today garter stitch breaks out into fully-fledged stranded color patterns, courtesy of an intriguing but little-known technique called garter jacquard. We'll work charted garter jacquard patterns both flat and in the round, look at possible applications for it in sock knitting, and perhaps even chart our own patterns to play with. Advanced Beginner and up with basic skills of knitting flat and in the round. No materials Fee |
| Ilisha Helfman | February 17: Sunday | Butterfly Couture: Wings to Wrap the Body (6 hours) Butterfly wings can provide wonderful inspiration for collars, shawls and flared skirts that dance with joy as the body moves. This class will show you the design process of garments based on the creation of knitted wings. Students will have their choice of two of Ilisha's Butterfly Couture patterns (handouts will be available in class) and a half day will be spent working on the techniques and ideas behind each. Intentional color pooling will be an important part of the design process and we will talk about different kinds of symmetries and asymmetries that can be used in butterfly inspired garment construction. We will also explore ways of using wings in multiples to create fabulous scarves or flat fabrics. The use of novelty yarns, hand-paints and long color transitioning Noro-type yarns will be explored in class as we learn to make the most of each yarn's possibilities. You can find out more information at www.followthethread.com . Students need to knit and purl, know the long tail cast on and Judy's magic cast-on (see You Tube video). No materials fee HOMEWORK | Class Continues |
| Mary Scott Huff | February 17: Sunday | Start to Finish: Planning Ahead for Happy Endings (3 hours) "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 workshop we'll run through Mary's checklist of pre-knitting decisions. Choose your next knitting project and yarn, then bring them to the workshop. Mary will help you draw your own project roadmap setting yourself up for success by making informed construction and blocking choices. Learn how to prepare your garment for easy and elegant finishing, before you even begin knitting! Everyone welcome No materials fee | No Class Session |
| Brian Kohler | February 17: Sunday | Design your own Toe up sock! (6 hours) Never tried toe up? Want to know how to make a sock that fits your foot? Want to take a stab at your own design? Pick out a stitch pattern, work up a swatch, and come have some fun as we learn together the fun of designing a custom fitted sock. Feeling adventurous, then bring a couple stitch patterns and we'll explore how to do multiple socks. Designer Brian Kohler will guide you through the steps, from Judy's magic cast on, to Jenny's surprisingly stretchy bind off, we'll get you started on the journey of your own sock adventure. We'll explore toe and heel structures, and learn how to use a "make your own pattern" map to create your foot cover. Brian will also show you how his strategies for knitting multiple pairs of socks on a single needle (NOT for the faint of heart!) but don't worry, you won't be expected to do this. Students should have knit at least one pair of socks and are comfortable knitting in the round. No materials fee HOMEWORK | Class Continues |
| Judith MacKenzie | February 17: Sunday | CLOSED Rare Silks (3 hours) This class is repeated on Friday afternoon Silk is the most exotic of fibers. The fiber of wealth and luxury, its history is full of mystery and intrigue. In this class, we'll spin two rare silks, Mugha and Eri, both from India, both wild and, until recently unavailable to handspinners. Here is a chance to try them out and see their beauty first hand. For spinners who are experienced and proficient using their wheel Materials fee: $15 | CLOSED Popular Wheel Mechanics (3 hours) This class is about learning how to train your wheel to do its fair share of the spinning work. We'll learn how to adjust the wheel so you get the yarn you want, not just the yarn the wheel lets you have We'll Learn how different wheels work and how to modify them to work to their maximum. And, we'll learn how to reward our wheels for good behavior with proper oil and maintenance. Guaranteed to leave your wheel humming happily. Students who know how to spin a continuous thread and have a wheel in good working order. Materials fee: $5.00 |
| Judy Pascale | February 17: Sunday | Beaded Vine Lace Scarf (3 hours) This no pre-stringing technique allows the bead to slip onto a SSK or Knit 2 together to create a unique fashion accessory; The Vine Lace Scarf. In addition to viewing completed scarfs modeled in a variety of ways, you will complete critical segments of the Vine Lace and Eyelet Lace patterns in mini versions of the provided full patterns. The Beaded Vine Lace and an Eyelet Scarf pattern while attractive on their own, are enhanced when blended into one. All the samples will be available to learn the braided technique worn at the neck. Intermediate knitters Materials fee: $3 | Let's Band Together (3 hours) Here's an alternative to separately attaching a band to an already knitted panel by converting to a self-finishing edge that can be worked at the same time as knitting the garment. A sampler will be created with several compatible stitch patterns that blend the band and the body together to allow for the proper band tension providing the luxury of knitting them at the same time. Intermediate knitters No materials fee HOMEWORK |
| Stephanie Pearl-McPhee | February 17: Sunday | CLOSED Colorwork - all kinds (6 hours) This class is an exploration of knitting with color. We'll work on perfecting your stranded knitting, investigating Fair Isle, working with slipped stitches to create fancy patterns that only use one color per row, firmly grasp the principles of intarsia and talk about stripes. We'll even talk a little about how to choose colors that go together, and how you tell if they do. If you've ever wondered how to better manage color in knitting- this is your class. Advanced beginners and up who have at least tried stranded color knitting. Materials fee $10 (for yarn) | Class Continues |
| Gayle Roehm | February 17: Sunday | Even More Challenging Stitches from Japanese Stitch Patterns (6 hours) Japanese hand knitting patterns often use complex and interesting stitch patterns, but charted patterns can be challenging to interpret and knit. I've chosen a group of interesting stitches to show you some unusual manipulations used by Japanese designers: elongated stitches, lacy stitches, pulled-through or pulled-up stitches, dimensional bobbles, and other techniques. By the end of class, you should be feel confident approaching complex and unusual charted patterns. You may also want to use these stitches in your own designs. We'll do an explanatory review of Japanese stitch symbols, then you'll swatch eight or nine stitch patterns. Advanced: Students must be very comfortable knitting from charts - none of these patterns is given in words. No materials Fee | Class Continues |
| Candace Eisner Strick | February 17: Sunday | Casting Shadows and Backwards too! (6 hours) Now you see it, now you don't. By knowing where to use knits and purls, you can make a fabric that will magically show designs when viewed from a certain angle. Sometimes called shadow knitting, this technique is fun and intriguing, and can be applied to almost all shapes of knit garments. Here's a great new twist...since all the action of shadow knitting takes place on the wrong side rows, you can work everything from the front by knitting backwards, making it super-easy to see and know what to do on those rows. Intermediate Knitters No materials fee HOMEWORK | Class Continues |
| Jean Wong | February 17: Sunday | CLOSED Fine Finishing Techniques (6 hours) Learn the unique Japanese finishing techniques that will give your knitted garments a truly professional look. Jean covers seaming, using short rows for proper shaping of shoulder slope, shoulder joins, appropriate use of ribbing, joining yarns invisibly and how to cast off the rib to give a garment elasticity and fluidity. Advanced Beginner and up. Materials Fee: $10 HOMEWORK | Class Continues |