Friday, September 7, 2018, Issue 68: Fall Classes

I spent last weekend at my daughter's celebrating both her birthday and my grandson's 5th birthday! Despite leaving home with the weather reports predicting rain and storm warnings, we had perfect but hot weather for the block party with pool time and water balloon fights!

Caught Griffin tasting the cake before the candles even made it on...

Love the expression on Lennox's face...Cake! Sparkler candles!

My three grandson’s - Griffin, Lennox and Landon together in the new gift in the backyard! Those big wheels could really go even on the grass!

Bumper cars!!! Griffin in his family gift, and the neighbourhood boys in theirs! It really is great when you live on a court where the neighbours all have kids the same age and the court is safe enough to play on!

FALL 2018 CLASSES

Our list of upcoming classes is up on the website! Take a look to see if there is anything you are interested in and register soon! The minimum registration for our classes is four students and maximum is 6 people for most classes and workshops. 

The website Blog is the same as my newsletter but since many of you only read the newsletter and not the blog, this week's blog will be about the upcoming classes.

BASIC SOCKS CLASS - Register HERE

$60 – 3 Sessions plus materials 

Socks! You can’t have too many of them, and they make appreciated gifts too. Sock patterns seem tricky but once learned a sock is a satisfying and very portable project. We will learn the skills of picking up stitches, and shaping the heel, instep and the toe.

Materials: 2.00 - 2.75 mm double pointed needles and/or 9" circulars and fingering / sock weight yarn. 

Required experience: Intermediate. Students must be experienced and comfortable with double pointed needles or short circular needles before taking this class.

Knit 'top-down', these socks are cast on at the cuff, then worked in the round to the heel.

The heel is formed by working the heel flap back and forth in rows, then the heel turn is shaped by short rows which decrease and 'turn' the corner.

Stitches are picked up along the sides of the heel flap, the work is joined into the round again, and the gusset is worked in decreasing rounds.

The foot is worked in the round to the toe which is shaped decreases, then seamed closed using kitchener stitch (also known as grafting).

Sizing

Adult S (M, L)
Finished measurements (unstretched):
Cuff: 7.25 (8.25, 9) inches around
Leg (adjustable): 9.5 (10.5, 11.5) inches
Foot (adjustable): 9 (10, 11.25) inches

Yarn

400 yards (366 m) fingering / sock weight yarn      

Needles

2.00 mm (US 0) - 2.75 mm (US 2) dpns (short circular or long circular for magic loop)
(or as req’d to meet gauge)

Gauge

30 stitches and 42 rows = 4 inches in stockinette stitch

Notions
stitch markers, darning needle

Saturdays, November 17, 24 and December 1 – 10:00 am to 12:00 pm

BUILDING WITH LACE SHAWL Knit-Along Class - REGISTER HERE

$80 – 5 sessions plus materials

We will knit the Building with Lace from renowned knitter and teacher, Michelle Hunter for this Knit-Along style class. It is a carefully designed sequence of stitch patterns that introduce knitters to lace work starting with the basics and working towards more difficult stitch patterns to make one elegant shawl.

Knit one section every 2 weeks.

Skills Required:
Advanced beginner - You will need to know how to knit, purl, decrease, and increase

Required Materials: 

Building with Lace booklet

Yarn
HiKoo® Rylie. Each hank is 274 yards / 100g, 50% baby alpaca, 25% mulberry silk, 25% linen.
5 hanks are needed. (See Gauge) The close up photos of each section were knit using Color #092.

The pattern was designed using this yarn and if you want to use it, you will need to pre-order it.

Or sport weight yarn - 1260 - 1370 yards (1152 - 1253 m)

Needles:
US #6 / 4.0 mm (or as required to meet gauge) 24” circular needles, or size needed to achieve stated gauge.

Crochet Hooks
4mm (approx. US F), used in cast on
0.75mm or 1mm / (approx. US #14 or 12), used for bead placement

Beads
628, No. 6 beads
Beads are added in Section #5 and in the borders.

Size
The finished shawl measures approximately 22” wide and 72” long.

Gauge
The recommended gauge is 22 stitches and 29 rows = 4” x 4” in stockinette stitch.

Gauge is extremely crucial in this project from a yardage standpoint. Knit to the recommended gauge, the shawl uses five skeins with approximately 110 yards / 40g remaining. While the shawl doesn’t actually have to “fit”, proper sized stitches will use the recommended amount of yarn. Larger stitches use more yarn, potentially causing a shortage. Take the time to knit a swatch to assess the stitches, and change needle sizes if necessary.

Saturdays, October 20, November 3, 17, December 1 and 15 – 1 pm to 3 pm

CHRISTMAS MINI STOCKING WORKSHOP - REGISTER HERE

$40 – Tuesday, November 27, 2018 – 6:00 to 9:00

Our Christmas Mini Stocking Workshop is suitable for anyone with a basic knowledge of knitting who can knit and purl.

Details

Cast on mini Christmas Stockings that can be used as tree ornaments, to hold your cutlery at your holiday table, as a small gift bag, as an advent calendar or strung from an i-cord garland! They are knit flat and then sewn together. There is also a knit-in-the-round option.

Sizing
Finished sock ornament measures 3.25 inches

Needles
3.00 mm (US 2.5) needles

Gauge
26-28 sts = 4” in stockinette stitch

Notions
darning needle

Kits will be available for purchase. Needles are not included in the kit.

CROCHET 1 - REGISTER HERE

$80 – 4 sessions plus materials

Here you will learn all you need to know to create a simple shawl for fall! We will teach you the basics to get you started during the first class including how to make a foundation row, how to chain, how to make a single crochet and a double crochet and more. From there we will get you started on a one skein shawl using Katia Paint yarn.

Sizing
52” high by approximately 30” wide at the upper edge

Yarn
540 m (590 yards) per 150 grams (5 oz) worsted weight yarn - 1 ball of Katia Paint

Crochet Hook
4 mm (US G6)

Gauge
7 motifs and 7 rows = 4 x 4 inches

Notions
tapestry needle

Wednesdays, September 12, 19, 26 & October 3 – 6 pm to 8 pm

CROCHET - Granny Squares - REGISTER HERE

$80 – 4 sessions plus materials

We will teach you basic crochet stitches and then the granny square stitch, how to crochet some basic granny squares and how to join them! We will take this classic stitch and turn them into a pillow, throw or garment!

Yarn
sport weight yarn - amount will vary depending on project

Crochet Hook
3 mm (US C) or size needed to get 1 square to measure 6.5 x 6.5 cm / 2½“ x 2½”

Gauge
23 stitches and 12 rows = 4 inches in dc x rows

Notions
tapestry needle

Wednesdays, October 10, 17, 24 & November 7 – 6 pm to 8 pm

FIXING MISTAKES WORKSHOP - REGISTER HERE

$30 – 1 session

Are you scared of dropped stitches? Not sure how to fix that mystery hole you accidentally made? Then this is the class for you. Feel the stress melt away as your instructor guides you through the basics of knit fabric’s structure, and teaches you to methodically fix a variety of mistakes that may afflict you. This class will allow you to experiment with your knitting without the fear of “messing it up”. Please bring a pre-made swatch at least 5 x 5 inches to use.

Skill Level: Advanced beginner and up, must be comfortable with knit, purl, casting on and off

Materials Required: Please bring some smooth worsted weight yarn and 4-5mm needles. Practice materials can be provided

Friday, October 19 – 6 to 8 pm

GIRL OR BOY BUNNY CLASS - REGISTER HERE

$80 – 4 Sessions plus materials

Many of you have seen the little rabbits that I knit before they were gifted to my grandkids! Last winter we held a class for the little girl lamb and the little boy ram from the popular series of little animals from Julie Williams of Little Cotton Rabbits. We also discovered that 3 classes was not enough so we have added a 4th session. This time by popular request, we will do the rabbits which I find are my favourite! You can choose to do either the boy bunny or the girl. The pattern is for knitting flat and the pieces are seamed afterwards. The pattern calls for worsted/aran weight yarn, however I like using a DK weight yarn. In this class, you will learn how to knit increases and decreases to shape the bodies and their clothing, and how to assemble them using neat finishing techniques with a tapestry needle.

Skills Required: knit, purl, M1, ssk, k2tog (you should be an advanced beginner or intermediate knitter to be comfortable in this class).

Materials Required: Kits are available for $30 HERE.

• Pattern (boy bunny with a piebald patch or girl bunny)
• DK or light Worsted yarn - Yarn A
• DK or light Worsted yarn - Yarn B (for boy)
• Toy stuffing
• A tiny button

For the girl bunny:

• 4ply weight yarn in 3 contrasting colours for the clothing: Yarn B, Yarn C, Yarn D
• Scraps of black and grey yarn, DK or 4ply for the eyes and facial features

For the boy bunny:

• 4ply weight yarn in 3 contrasting colours for the clothing: Yarn C, Yarn D, Yarn E
• 4ply weight yarn in dark colour for shorts: Yarn E
• Scraps of black 4ply/DK yarn for the eyes and nose

Notions (Not included in the kits):

• Knitting needles: A pair each of 3mm and 2.75mm
• Tapestry needle

Note:  I used the same weight of yarn for everything and only 2.75 mm needles. I also recommend the boy bunny pattern since it includes all of the "faces" while the girl bunny has the single colour face only. The girl clothes can be purchased separately.

Saturdays, October 20, 27, November 3, and 10th – 10:00 am to 12:00 pm

KNIT 1 - NECK WARMER - REGISTER HERE

$60 – 3 sessions plus materials

Cast on and learn to knit a neck warmer / cowl with a fringe. Learn how to cast on, knit, purl, bind off, read a knitting pattern, mattress stitch and how to make and attach a fringe.

Sizing
About 22” by 9.5”

Yarn
208 yards (190 m) of bulky weight yarn

Needles
6.5 mm (US 10.5) (or as required to meet gauge for bulky)

Gauge
14 stitches = 4 inches

Notions
tapestry needle

Tuesdays, October 23, 30 & November 6 – 6 pm to 8 pm

Saturdays, January 12, 19, 26 - 10 am to 12 pm

KNIT 2 - HAT - REGISTER HERE

$40 – 2 sessions plus materials

Required experience: Knit 1 or ability to cast on, knit, and purl. In Knit 2, you’ll learn to cast on to circular needles, to join in the round, to switch to double pointed needles, and to make decreases while you knit your hat. Once you’re comfortable with knitting in the round, you can make a variety of hats, cowls, and infinity scarves. We will knit Purl Soho's Classic Cuffed Hat.

Sizing

finished hat to fit baby (child or adult)

• Finished Body Circumference: 15 (17, 18 1/2) inches
• Finished Ribbing Circumference (unstretched): 12 (13, 14) inches
• Finished Height (not including pom pom): 9 ½ (11, 12 ¼) inches

Yarn:

164 - 328 yards (150 - 300 m) of aran/worsted weight yarn 

Needles:

• A 3.75 mm (US 5) 16-inch circular needle
• A 4.50 mm (US 7) 16-inch circular needle
• A set of 4.50 mm (US 7) double pointed needles

Gauge:

20 stitches and 28 rows = 4 inches in stockinette

Notions:

5 stitch marker (one a different color from the others), darning needle

Tuesdays, November 13 and 20 - 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm

Saturdays, November 29 and December 5 – 10:00 am to 12:00 pm

COLOURWORK CLASS - NINILCHIK SWONCHO by Caitlin Hunter - REGISTER HERE

$80 – 4 sessions plus materials 

We will knit the Ninilchik Swoncho by Caitlin Hunter - Pattern required through Ravelry for this Knit-Along style class. Inspired by a desire to design a modern, unexpected take on a classic Lopapeysa, the Ninilchik Swoncho is Caitlin's personal dream come true of style meets cozy comfort…This swoncho is as comfy as being wrapped in a blanket, but is more functional thanks to its clever construction and sleeves. This cozy piece will surely be a go-to knit in your closet - you may find yourself reaching for it year-round! Coming in just 2 sizes that fit a wide range of bodies, you may even have to make a few to compensate for the family members who swipe one from under your nose! We will be knitting in the round, short rows, stranded colorwork (note that while most rounds use only 2 colors, there are 2 rounds which require carrying 3 colors).

Skills Required:
Advanced beginner - You will need to know how to knit, purl, decrease, and increase.

Sizing:
Size 1 will fit XS-M, size 2 will fit L-3X
Body Circumference: 69 (83)” 175 (211) cm

Required Materials: 

Ninilchik Swoncho Pattern (paid pattern through Ravelry)
Yarn: DK weight yarn 1,460 (2020) yards
MC: 800 (1100) yards
CC1: 230 (320) yards
CC2: 230 (320) yards
CC3: 200 (280) yards

Needles:
US #4 / 3.5 mm and US #6 / 4.0 mm (or as required to meet gauge) 24” and 40” circulars and DPNs (or longer cables for magic loop) in both sizes

Gauge:
20 stitches and 24 rows = 4 inches in stranded colorwork pattern

Notions:
stitch markers, darning needle

Sundays, October 21, 28, November 18 & December 2 – 10 am to 12 pm

RIGID HEDDLE WEAVING WORKSHOP - REGISTER HERE

$80 – 1 session

In this DIY class you will learn the basic techniques to make your own fabric using a rigid heddle loom! This introductory class will guide you through weaving your first scarf. You will learn how to warping your heddle loom, basic weaving methods and finishing techniques. Students will weave on looms provided by Sue2Knits. Practice and experiment with Plain Weave Patterns and colour changes to create stripes and texture.

1 session class, some of the materials are included in class fee, some can be purchased.
 
Materials: Class fee includes yarn for the warp and the use of a Sampleit Loom for the class.
 
Level: No experience necessary.

Sunday, October 7 – 10 am to 4 pm

YARN DYEING WORKSHOP - REGISTER HERE

$60 – 1 session

In this DIY class you will learn how to custom dye your yarns with really accessible “kitchen” techniques. Learn how to dye a hank of yarn using Wilton’s® Icing Color and a microwave. This is a safe and fun method of dyeing that does not require separate equipment and is a fun way to learn the principles of dyeing. Have a chance to play with colour application to get variegated patterns and really unique yarns. You will leave this one session class with several small skeins dyed to your fancy and the resources to dye more yarn in larger batches at home. Icing coloring will stain clothing so old clothing or an apron is a good idea.
 
1 session class, all materials are included in class fee
 
Materials: Class fee includes 100 grams of yarn and dyes. Yarns will be prepared so they are ready to dye in class consequently students will not be able to bring in their own yarns for this class. Additional skeins of yarn are available for purchase during the class if you wish to dye multiple colours.
 
Level: No experience necessary.

Sunday, September 16 – 1 to 4 pm

Happy Friday, Happy Knitting, Crocheting and Crafting!