Classes
I am available to teach a variety of full day, half day, or short (one hour) classes. Below is a sample of classes and lectures I have available. For more information or to schedule a class, please contact me.
One Hour Lectures and Classes
Two at a Time Tubes
In this demonstration, knitters will learn the advantages and disadvantages of knitting socks, sleeves and other tubes at the same time on one long circular needle. I’ll demonstrate the basic techniques for working two tubes and managing yarn and needles.
Beginning to Design: One Knitter’s Path
In this lecture, I’ll explain how I began my career as a knitwear designer and describe the steps of taking a design from idea to a published pattern. A handout with ample resources for budding designers will be provided.
Circular Sock Machines
Have you ever wondered what a hand crank circular sock machine was and how it worked? Did you even know that they existed? These machines have been around since the 19th century and there are many groups around the world and on the web dedicated to using them. With a circular sock machine (CSM), knitters can create a pair of socks in just an hour or two! We’ll discuss the history of CSMs and their role in World War I as well as demonstrate an antique reproduction sock machine in action. Using a sock machine can be summed up by this quote from a CSM enthusiast: “The Sock Machine is definitely the Be-All, End-All of Knitter’s Toys. It takes a lot of patience to make it behave, but when I see that sock (or pair of socks) come to completion, it’s all worth it.”
Two to Three Hour Classes
Top Down Sock Workshop
In this workshop, we’ll be making a small sock with worsted weight yarn on large needles so that knitters can learn the basics of how a top down sock is made. At the end of the class, I will provide further resources for making socks and a basic recipe for creating a full size sock.
Prerequisite skills: knit and purl stitches, casting on and binding off, decreasing stitches
Toe Up Sock Workshop
In this class you will learn all the techniques for making socks toe up on double pointed needles, from the special cast on for a toe up sock, to making a short row heel, to creating the cuff. Instead of making a full size sock, we’ll create a mini sock in worsted weight yarn so you can practice all the techniques needed in one class. Make a second mini sock and you will have a lovely pair of baby booties or sock for a child’s doll or stuffed animal.
Prerequisite skills: knit and purl stitches, simple decreases, binding off
Learn to Knit: Knitting 101
In this class, you will learn the basics of knitting. You will learn to cast on, knit, purl, and bind off while making a small square with a knit and purl pattern that can be used as a coaster or “mug rug” when you are finished. We’ll also discuss how to read a simple knitting pattern and practice identifying and fixing your mistakes as you go. This is a great class for those who have never knit before.
Prerequisite skills: none
Learn to Knit: Coffee Cup Cozy
In this class, you will learn to cast on, bind off, knit, purl, and create a simple yarnover buttonhole while creating a knitted cozy for your favorite coffee mug. This class is perfect for those who are just learning how to knit or who learned a long time ago and want a refresher course to update their skills. Students will leave able to handle the directions in beginning level knitting patterns.
Prerequisite skills: none
Read Your Knitting
Designed for beginners with a few projects completed or early intermediate knitters, during this workshop you’ll learn how to “read” your knitting so you can identify problems as you work and fix your errors quickly before they multiply. We’ll learn about stitch mount, how to see where you are knitting in the row below, how to identify different stitches including dropped stitches, and how to fix common mistakes.
Prerequisite skills: should be familiar with knit and purl stitches as well as simple increases and decreases
Slip Stitch Knitting
In slip stitch knitting, you create color patterns by slipping stitches at predetermined intervals to create complex looking patterns. Unlike stranded knitting where you must alternate between yarns on the same row, you only use one color of yarn per row which makes it a great introduction to colorwork. Slip stitch knitting is a great way to use highly variegated yarns. In this class, we will first create a swatch with several slip stitch patterns, then cast on for a cowl using your favorite one!
Prerequisite skills: knit and purl stitches, casting on and binding off
Full Day and Multi-Day Classes
Learn to Knit: Knitting in the Round
In this two session class we’ll learn to knit in the round while making a hat. In the first session, we’ll learn to cast on and join in the round using circular needles and begin the ribbing and body of a hat. Knitters will complete the body of the hat as homework. In the second session, we’ll transfer the knitting to double pointed needles (DPNs) and work the decreases for the crown of the hat.
Prerequisite skills: should be familiar with knit and purl stitches
Design Your Own Lace Shawl
In this two session class, knitters will design and begin knitting their own shawl using a top down triangular shawl pattern they have designed. In the first session, we’ll discuss the basic steps to creating a shawl and learn to chart a written lace pattern and how to identify repeats in a pattern. As homework, students will swatch selected stitch patterns and select a yarn for their design. In the second session, we will learn how to lay out a pattern within a top down shawl template and how to handle partial repeats. We’ll explore options for finishing the shawl.
Prerequisite skills: should be familiar with knit and purl stitches as well as common increases and decreases