Class Descriptions for Knit Inn 2012
PLANNING/FINISHING YOUR PROJECT
It is now time to put it together. You will learn to seam together your project using several techniques: mattress stitch, Kitchener stitch and 3 needle bind off. We will also discuss various issues of planning before and blocking after.
Supplies: Light colored worsted weight yarn (enough for swatches and extra for class to make additional swatches if needed). Size 6 or 7 needles, crochet hook, scissors, tapestry needle, stitch markers, paper and pen/pencil.
Homework: ABSOLUTELY ESSENTIAL
Knit four 4 inch square stockinet swatches, two 4 inch square garter stitch swatches, one rib knit swatch. Knit as follows: Cast on 16 stitches. Knit 3, (P2, K2) 5 times, purl 3 stitches. Repeat this pattern until the swatch is 4”, then stockinet for 1” and then bind off. Two 4” wide stockinet swatches knit until 2”. Put these on a holder. You should have 7 completed swatches and 2 swatches with live stitches on holders. This book is recommended: Nancie Wiseman’s THE KNITTER’S BOOK OF FINISHING TECHNIQUES.
TIPS, TECHNIQUES AND TREASURES
How do you add on a new skein of yarn, anyway? Make 1 always leaves a hole-let’s do away with that. Droopy ends on knit rows-we will tighten them up. How do you knit a stitch in front and back without leaving a bump? How do you knit a circular shawl with no hole in the middle? How do you pick up dropped stitches? All of this and lots more, lots more. No worries, only happy knitting.
Prerequisite: Beginner Knitter
Supplies: Solid worsted weight yarn and appropriate needles.
Homework: Work a stockinette swatch approximately 4” by 4”.
TOE UP SOCKS, PARTS ONE AND TWO
We will be doing toe up socks with the magic loop method. You will be learning Judy’s magic cast on, make 1 increase (M1), short row heel, EZ sewn bind off.
Prerequisite: Basic understanding of the magic loop, how to knit and purl.
Supplies: Basics, yarn for socks-sport weight or larger. 32” or 40” circular needle, size appropriate for yarn. The cable must be flexible; Boye will not work for this. Addi, Inox or Knitpicks will work. Stitch markers.
Homework: recommended if you have a chance to check out Youtube.com videos of “Judy’s magic cast on”. There are two by Cat Bordhi.
BABY HAT ON DOUBLE POINT NEEDLES PART 1 AND 2
Materials Needed: Size 7 or 8 bamboo double point needles, Worsted weight yarn,(baby colors or anything you have will be fine), will only need 2 or 3 oz. Needle for sewing in ends, Scissors, Row counter (optional)
Requirements: Know how to knit and decrease by knitting 2 together
Homework: Cast on 40 stitches on one needle and do 2 rows of knit one, purl one ribbing-so far just using just 2 needles.
KUMIHIMO
This is a beginner’s class on the basics of the Japanese ancient art of braiding. Kumihimo uses a small disk with notches for parking your yarn as you braid. The braiding is the same principle that we used for making those plastic braided bracelets as teenagers. The class will go over the basic equipment; then we jump into the actual set up for a project. Finally we will make a long braid to use as a handle on a purse or an ornate addition to a finished garment.
Supplied Needed: 1 Kumihimo disk - 1 or 2 sets of kumihimo bobbins
Three or four skeins of Pearl Cotton #3 or #5 in different colors, including some metallic.
NOTE: ALL OF THE ITEMS NOTED ABOVE WILL BE AVAILABLE AT THE SATURDAY MARKET or dig out the supplies you bought years ago!
FAIR ISLE KNITTING
Description of class: Fair Isle is a technique for knitting small color designs into circular fabric. In Fair Isle, only two colors are used per row, but amazingly sophisticated results are possible. It is most often used for all over designs. The class will knit a swatch with steeks in four colors using a chart. There will be a short introduction on chart reading for Fair Isle.
Prerequisites: Able to knit circularly
Homework: Cast on 40 stitches and knit circularly for 6 rows to provide a base for the Fair Isle work.
Supplies: Bring yarn in four colors of the same weight, double pointed needles of an appropriate size, stitch markers and scissors.
ENTRELAC SCARF
Description of Class: Entrelac is a knitting technique used to create a textured diamond pattern. While the end result resembles basket-woven strips of knitted fabric, the actual material comprises interconnected squares on two different orientations.
Prerequisites: If you know how to knit, purl, knit 2 together and ssk, then you ready to learn entrelac.
Homework: None
Supplies: 325 to 350 yards of worsted weight variegated yarn. You want a yarn that has color variation so your squares change color. Noro Silk Garden works great for entrelac, but any variegated yarn will do. Needle size that your yarn calls for (usually between 8 and 10 ½), tapestry needle, pen or pencil, row counter.
DROP SPINDLE SPINNING PARTS 1 AND 2
If you are like me, you always wanted to learn how to use your drop spindle. But standing up and trying to learn the traditional way just wasn’t in the cards. All I did was drop the spindle! I watched a lot of videos and read as much as I could. Then I found the PARK AND DRAFT METHOD. I still use it today as it is easier for me to spin sitting down. This is a beginner’s class, using this method. By the end of the class, you should have the basics of this method and be able to spin yarn.
Prerequisites: None
Homework: None
Supplies: Top-whorl spindle, 2-4 oz. of wool fiber (BFL is good for beginners)
IT’S NOT FINISHED UNTIL IT’S BLOCKED
In this class you will learn various techniques for blocking finished garments.
Supplies: None
Homework: None
BEGINNER’S KNITTING SAMPLER
You will knit a sampler with basic knit stitches. The stitches to be covered are garter, purl, small seed stitch, large seed stitch, box stitch and ribbing. Two methods of increasing and decreasing will be practiced. We will tag all of the stitches in your sampler for future reference.
Supplies: Worsted Weight yarn in a light color and needles, sized 8,9 or 10.
Homework: None
BABY BLANKETS BABY BLANKET FOR CAR CARRIER
Description: Three patterns will be shared. They all use 10 ½ or 11 24” circular needles. Two skeins together are used in each blanket, total of 370 yards. Example: 1 skein of Baby Bee and 2 skeins of Stella with Sparkle for each blanket. These yarns can be obtained from Hobby Lobby.
Homework: None
ENGLISH DRIVING CAP PART 1 and 2
What better way to show off than in your very own, one of a kind, handmade English Driving Cap? Learn the techniques of how to create this classic beloved style that adorns men and women, boys and girls.
Day 1- Learn how to start, increase, short row and make the brim.
Day 2- Finish constructing the cap back, inserting the stabilizer and either finish it or ready to be felted.
Materials: minimum of 220 yards of worsted weight wool, number 6 double point needles, number 6 circular 24 “ needle, tapestry needle, 36 markers-4 of them totally unique (as in color): 1 center and 3 sides, a piece of waste yarn of contrasting color, a foam visor matching the yarn.
INTARSIA
Description: Intarsia is a technique for knitting large color designs or pictures in flat fabric using multiple colors per row. It is often used for charted designs or pictures in one area of the knitted object. The class will knit a flat swatch in three colors using a chart, so chart reading for intarsia will be covered as well.
Prerequisite: Able to knit and purl
Supplies: Bring yarn in three colors of the same weight yarn with appropriate needles. Scissors If you have them, bring yarn bobbins or spools.
Homework: Cast on 40 stitches and knit for 6 rows to provide a base for the intarsia work.
FELTING, THE ULTIMATE RECYCLE
Recycling Sweaters: Felt Creations 101 (short course)
You will learn all you need to know about felting, working with felt I have already made. You will create any of the following fairly quickly: Purses, Frog closures, Flowers, Teapot cozies, Earmuffs, Bags (even carry on luggage), Potholders, Buttons, Jewelry, Stuffed toys, Balls, Puppets, Christmas ornaments, Trivets, Mittens, Cuffies (fingerless gloves- “The Joy of Text”), Hats, The energy-efficient can holder whose name we can’t put into print.
Prerequisites: None
Supplies: Nothing needed, I will provide plenty! If you want, you may bring any knitwear you have already felted or want to felt or decorative treasures to add.
INTRO TO CABLES
Description: For those who have never tried cable knitting, this class will show you how to make cables using a cable needle. You will be given a pattern for fingerless mitts which have a simple cable and rib pattern that is knitted flat and then seamed up to create the mitt. If time permits, we can explore other cable patterns and twists that do not require using a cable needle.
Prerequisite: Know how to cast on, knit, purl and bind off.
Supplies: 4 oz. worsted weight wool or acrylic yarn (lighter colors are best); size 7 needles, either straight or circular, a cable needle, scissors and other knitting notions.
ORENBURG LACE PARTS 1 AND 2
Tired of working hours on end creating lace center blocks just to pick up those stitches and spend even more hours creating an edging for your lace project? The Orenburg technique allows you to knit the edging and center simultaneously with only one corner to graft when you are complete!
Day 1 Casting on, reading a graph, knitting teeth, right and left corner creation.
Day 2 Lace bind off and grafting the final corner together
Materials: 1 skein of lace weight yarn, number 3 straight needles for flat knitting, number 3 circular 24” needle, stitch holder (I like the ones that look like double point needles). If you are new to lace, I suggest bamboo needles. Stitch markers- 2 for edging and 1 for each pattern you plan on using, Contrasting lace weight yarn for lifelines, (optional: knitpicks interchangeable circular needles size 4), tapestry needle, a needle threader us in hand sewing with thread, dry erase marker.
UNVENTIONS
Description: Learn some bizarre and obscure tips and tricks. The class includes trapped bind off (allows you to bind off at the end of a row), faux crab stitch (worked with double point needles), centered hole in even-numbered lace, unusual way to work right and left cross, scalloped cast on for 2x2 ribbing, loop attachment for beads, increase hidden behind a cable, folded cuff bind off and removable sleeve.
RUSSIAN GRAFTING
Description: Russian grafting is a method used to join knitted fabric, similar to mattress stitch, but it creates a flatter seam, doesn’t require any additional yarn and there is no sewing involved.
Prerequisites: Students should be able to cast on, knit and pick up stitches along a knitted edge.
Homework: Two swatches in contrasting colors. Use worsted weight yarn and needles that will give you a gauge of 4.5 to 5 stitches per inch. Cast on 20 stitches and knit 20 rows. Do NOT slip the first stitch of each row. Do not bind off. Leave a tail of about 5 inches and cut or break the yarn. Leave the stitches on the needle or put them on a holder. Make a second swatch exactly the same way but in a contrasting color.
Supplies: Double pointed needles-the same size you used for you swatches, scissors, locking stitch markers.
TATTING
Learn the basic stitch, and how to make rings and picots.
Supplies: None. Mary will bring enough thread and shuttles for the class to use. If you want to practice tatting after class, you should bring your own shuttle.
FELTING THE ULTIMATE RECYCLE
Recycling Sweaters: Felt Creations 201 (the cut-sew-embroider-glue-needlefelt-laugh til you drop long version)
Description: Please see Recycling Sweaters: Felt Creations 101
QUICK-I NEED A GIFT!
Come to learn about a number of knitted items that make lovely gifts you can make in a short time.
Supplies: Self striping wool, different colors of wool stash, cotton and microspun; needle sizes 3, 7, 8, 9 and 10
MAGIC LOOP
Are you tired of getting stabbed by all of those needle points? Are you frustrated when a double point needle slides out of your work? Are you weary of adjusting your stitches to eliminate ladders? The cure for these maladies is the Magic Loop!! Whether you are working on 100 stitches or 6 stitches, the technique is the same. As you are learning this wonderful technique for going around in circles, you will get a good start on a hat (pattern provided).
Materials: 1 skein of worsted weight or DK yarn. 40” or 47”circular needles, size appropriate to yarn. Circular needles must be Addi Turbo, KnitPick Options or other flexible cable needles. Plastic cables will not work for this technique.
LITTLE PROJECTS
Description: Learn how to make an Easter Egg, Fish, Headband and Hat and Scarf set for a bottle. Patterns will be given. Some items can be finished in class.
Prerequisite: Know how to knit, purl, increase and decrease
Supplies: Left over yarn, such as sock, baby etc. One skein or less. Needle size for yarn.
Homework: None
THE LONG AND SHORT OF SHORT ROWS
Description: Learn how to add length in specific area to improve the fit of knitted garments. Use short rows as a design feature. Use short rows to knit in a circle while not knitting in the round.
Requirement: Must be comfortable with cast on, knit, purl and cast off.
Supplies: Light colored worsted weight yarn, size 7 or 8 knitting needles, either circular or straight. Some worsted weight yarn of a contrast color. Optional: A third yard, fuzzy or novelty yarn compatible with your primary color.
Homework: None
INTRODUCTION TO LACE
Description: For those who have never tried lace knitting, this class will show you how to create a simple lace pattern using a chart. You will also be given written directions if working from a chart sounds too scary. You will be given a pattern for a simple scarf using the same lace stitches. The class will also show you how to do yarn overs and decreases. If time permits, we can explore other simple lace patterns and discuss how to incorporate stitch patterns into scarves and shawls.
Prerequisite: Know how to cast on, knit, purl and bind off.
Supplies: 4 oz worsted weight wool or acrylic yarn (lighter colors are best), size 7 or 8 needles, straight or circular, scissors and other knitting notions. If you want to make a more delicate lacier scarf, you can bring a lighter weight yarn and some smaller needles to produce the look you prefer. Not necessary to bring, but handy to have is a magnetic board or transparent highlighter tape for marking rows.
Homework: None
FIVE HOUR BABY SWEATER
Yes, really, this sweater can be knit in 5 hours! This adorable sweater is knit in one piece starting at the top. Even if you don’t have a special baby right now, you can use it as a skills-builder and donate your sweater to the Ronald McDonald House or similar children’s charity. Some luck baby and mom will be so happy to get it.
Prerequisite: Must already know how to cast on, knit and purl comfortably.
Materials: 100 grams (about 3 ½ oz.) of worsted weight yarn. I have used Sublime Baby and Knit Picks Comfy Worsted with good results. Size 10 ½ needles, either straight or circular. 3 stitch holders (you may use a few pieces of waste yarn if you don’t have stitch holders). 3 stitch markers. Yarn needle
Homework: Cast on 34 stitches and knit 2 rows
CUFF DOWN ANKLE SOCKS
Description: This cuff down sock class will teach you to turn a heel and Kitchener a toe. These socks or sport weight yarn, set of size 3 double point needles, tapestry needle, pen or pencil, row counter (optional)
Homework: Cast on 48 stitches using the long tail method. Divide the stitches evenly on 3 needles (16 stitches on each needle). Join in the round using care not to twist the stitches. Knit 8 rounds of the cuff using--*Knit 1tbl (through the back loop), P1 and continue around. After completing the 8 rounds, knit 4 rounds and stop. The class will begin at the heel!
KNITTED JEWELRY
From Your Needles to Your Neck and Ears
Can’t find just the right jewelry for that new outfit? Knit it! In this class, you will receive patterns for several knitted pieces of jewelry-necklaces, earrings, bracelets-all pretty simple and quick to knit. Bring the supplies and get started in class. Take home a finished piece of jewelry.
Supplies: For Mobius Necklace and Earrings—About 200 yds of a sock yarn in your choice of color, sizes 0(zero) and 3 needles or sizes to yield a gauge of 26 stitches = 3.25”, tapestry needle, two French hook ear wires.
Cable Braided Necklace: 15-20 grams of a fingering or sport weight yarn (cashmere or merino work well), size 4 needles, crochet hook C or D.
Necklace: Approximately 30 yards of either wool or alpaca and silk blend, sizes 5 and 8 needles, tapestry needle, button.
Carolyn said as people sign up for the class, she would be happy to email them the patterns so they can get started.
BEADED KUMIHIMO BRACELET
Description: Students will learn the basics of Kumihimo braiding and adding beads to the braid while creating a wearable bracelet.
Prerequisite: Students should have average manual dexterity and be able to follow spoken instructions.
Homework: Students should measure the length of a favorite bracelet, including clasps and bring that measurement to class. Or bring the bracelet and we can measure it in class.
Supplies: Students may borrow a Kumihimo loom from the teacher, or bring one from home if they have one. Students may bring a beading mat or borrow one from the teacher. Other materials will be provided at a cost of $4.00, payable to the teacher during class. Students may buy the Kumihimo loom that they use in class for $7.00
SEEING DOUBLE KNITTING
Double knitting (i.e. reversible stockinette) is an unfairly feared technique that produces a flat fabric with no wrong side. While it works well for a whole garment, it can also works great for button bands, collars, hood or other areas where both sides will show. And it makes fabulous blankets! If you can knit 1x1 ribbing, you are ready for double knitting.
Prerequisite: Know how to do 1x1 ribbing.
Supplies: Plain light colored dk or sock yarn and needles a size or two smaller than what you would typically choose for this yarn.
Homework: None mentioned
MOSAIC KNITTING
If you’ve admired two-colored knitted items, but can’t bear the thought of handling or carrying two yarns at the same time, then mosaic or slip stitch if the technique for you. Mosaic can be used for an entire item like a purse or scarf or placemat. Or it can be inserted as a band into a sweater or hat. Once you see how easy and versatile this technique is, you will be thinking of all of the places you can use it.
Supplies: 2 high contrast colors of smooth yarns (please, no fuzzies) in any weight with needles of appropriate size, either straight or circular.
Homework: None
CROCHET FOR KNITTERS
Description: Students will learn two crochet cast on techniques and one crochet bind off technique.
Prerequisite: Students should know how to cast on, knit, purl and bind off.
Supplies: Size G crochet hook, 2 oz. worsted weight yarn, size 7 or 8 knitting needles, scissors, locking stitch markers.
Homework: None
KNITTING WITH BEADS
Description: Learn different methods to incorporate beads into your knitting, to decorate and accentuate your knitted creations.
Prerequisite: Must know how to do long tail cast on.
Supplies: Smooth worsted weight yarn, preferably in a light color, and size 6 or 7 needles, size E crochet hook, your basic notions.
Homework: Cast on 30 stitches. Knit 6 rows of garter stitch and then 6 rows of stockinette. Do not bind off. Leave the stitches on a needle or stitch holder. Cut yarn.
Extra cost for beads and supplies=$2.00
KNITTING WITH DOUBLE POINT NEEDLES
Have you watched someone knitting with double pointed needles and wished you could do it? It is easier than it looks. Come and learn to handle all of those sticks without losing your mind or your patience. You will learn when and how dpns can be used (picking up stitches in tight spots, Icord, and more). Also how to choose double point needles.
Prerequisite: Knowledge of basic knitting techniques-knit, purl, casting on and binding off.
Supplies: worsted weight yarn and set of 7 or 8 double point needles
Homework: Knit a 4” by 4” swatch with your chosen yarn and needles.
TWISTS, SQUIGGLES AND CURLY FRINGE CLASS
This a fun class to knit a baby or child’s hat, scarf or shawlette with twists, squiggles or curly fringe. No experience necessary, except how to knit and purl. There are lots of uses for squiggles and these are just a few. Three patterns will be provided. You do not need the yarn for all—just pick which you want to do or just bring scraps and play with us.
Supplies: Yarn and suitable size needles. Hat will be knitted in the round-so you will need to bring a set of double point needles or short circular needles. Also circular needles for the scarf and shawlette.
Hat–Sport, DK or worsted weight, solid or variegated, approx 80-150 yds
Scarf-Sport, DK or worsted weight, solid or variegated, approx. 350-550 yds
Shawlette-Sport, DK or worsted weight, solid or variegated, approx. 250 yds.
Homework: None
CROCHET WITH PLASTIC BAGS
Description: We will be cutting plastic grocery bags into strips and looping them together to make “yarn”. That strip can then be used to make one of two different crocheted market bags.
Prerequisite: Basic crocheting skills (chaining, single crochet) will be used in class.
Supplies: Plastic bags, scissors that can be used to cut those bags (test them at home), large crochet hook, suggest I or J
Homework: None