Knitting|  Crochet|  Weaving  |  Spinning|  Dyeing

The latest 2012 class calendar is online here!  To sign up for one of the classes, follow this link!

Knitting:

Knit & Purl, Continental Style
Skill Level: Beginner

Whether you have never knitted the first stitch, or can already knit American Style, you can learn knitting and purling Continental Style! Continental knitting, also called German knitting, or picking knitting, is one of the easiest and fastest ways to knit. In this class you will learn to properly carry and tension your yarn, to cast on with a knitted cast on, and to make the knit and purl stitches in the Continental style. You will also learn how to make that nice crochet-look edging on the sides of your knitted item, how to “read” your knitting, and how to pick up dropped stitches. We will also address any questions or issues that come up with your knitting along the way!

Class Duration – 3 hours
Minimum: 4
Maximum: 8
Supplies: Students should bring a ball of smooth cotton yarn in a solid color (Lily Sugar & Cream is perfect), Size 7 knitting needles, either needles (approx 11” long) or circular, and a size US H crochet hook.

Any Hat +Any Yarn (No Swatch) = Perfect Fit!
Skill Level: Intermediate**

**Students should be able to knit with two circular needles or using the Magic Loop

Throw away the pattern book!  Take your knitting into your own hands and knit any hat with any yarn.  Achieve a perfect fit every time!  In this class, students will learn to knit a hat from the top down, set up the stitches for increasing, and basic guidelines for shaping different styles of hats.  Hats may not be finished in class, but students will leave with instructions for casting off and finishing.

Class Duration – 4 hours
Minimum: 4
Maximum: 8
Supplies:  Yarn you would like to knit into a hat and either two circular needles or one circular needle with a 40” flexible cable in a size appropriate for your yarn

Crochet:

Beginning Crochet
Skill Level: Beginner

Crochet is not just for Granny Squares anymore!  With just a few basic stitches, you can make clothing, scarves, hats, purses, toys, and tons of other wonderful things! Are you a knitter?  Crochet adds another dimension to your knitting with edges, embellishments, and more.  In this class you will learn how to make a basic chain, and how to make single, double, and triple crochet stitches.  You will also learn some tips and tricks along the way about reading crochet patterns and how to keep your crocheting neat and even.

Class Duration – 2 hours
Minimum: 3
Maximum: 6
Supplies:  Students should bring a ball of smooth worsted weight yarn (not black!) and the crochet hook recommended for the yarn purchased.

Tapestry Crochet
Skill Level: Advanced Beginner.  Students should be able to chain, slip stitch, and single crochet

Tapestry crochet (also called mosaic crochet, jacquard crochet, intarsia, colorwork, fair isle, and hard crochet) is similar to regular crochet, except that one or more yarns are usually carried while another is crocheted. Yarns are swapped back and forth to create motifs.  Unlike knitted fair isle, there are no yarns carried across the back, so the finished piece look woven and is entirely reversible.

Class Duration – 2 hours
Minimum: 3
Maximum: 10
Supplies:  Students should bring two balls of bulky weight wool in coordinating solid colors appropriate for a Size E crochet hook.  A hook will be provided for your use in class and may be purchased separately.

Bosnian Crochet & Shepherd’s Knitting
Skill Level: Advanced Beginner.  Students should be able to chain, slip stitch, and single crochet

Bosnian Crochet and Shepherd’s Knitting are really two sides of the same coin.  A form of Eastern crochet, both Bosnian Crochet and Shepherd’s Knitting use a short flat hook with an angled shaft often referred to as a pjoning hook.  The primary stitches used are  the slip stitch and single crochet. The technique is primarily circular, although the resulting fabric may be cut and bound for sewing.

Class Duration – 2 hours
Minimum: 3
Maximum: 10
Supplies:  Hooks and yarns will be provided.  Hooks may be purchased at the end of class.

Spinning:

We offer the following spinning classes as well as individual wheel spinning lessons.

Beginning Wheel Spinning –

Have you ever wondered whether you would like to spin fiber into yarn, but don’t want to have to buy a wheel in order to find out? Then this class is for you.  Here’s your chance to be immersed in the world of spinning your own yarn and see for yourself whether this is a fiber craft that you want to pursue.

In this class, you will learn about the parts of the wheel and their various functions, how to treadle, how to adjust the tension and ratio on the wheel and why you would want to adjust them. You will learn and practice spinning singles, then learn to ply two singles together to make a balanced yarn.  Next, you will wind off your yarn, create a skein, and set the twist so that your yarn is ready to use!

Here’s your chance to go from a beginner to a spinner all in one fun-filled day!  If you already have your own wheel, feel free to bring it. Otherwise, we will provide a wheel for you to use for the day.  Spinning fiber and tools are also provided.

Length of Class: 6-1/2 hours (includes a 30 minute lunch break)
Minimum number of students: 1
Maximum number of students: 5
What to bring to class:  A sack lunch, a spinning wheel if you have one

Core Spinning Plus++
Skill level: Intermediate

In this class, you will learn core spinning, coreless core spinning, and tail spinning using a variety of fibers to produce a variety of highly textural yarns.  We will also experiment with different plying techniques to give a different look to your core spun singles.  If you are looking to move beyond smooth, even spinning, and ordinary two-ply yarn, this class is for you!

Class Duration – 3 hours
Minimum: 3
Maximum: 10
What to bring:  Spinning Wheel (a large orifice and sliding hook flyer work best), 3 bobbins, Lazy Kate.

Dyeing:

Hand Painting Yarn and Spinning Fiber
Skill Level: Beginner

Do you dream of working with beautiful yarn, but can’t quite find what you’re looking for? You can have exactly the yarn or spinning fiber that you want to work with if you paint it yourself! Learn how to prepare either 4 ounces of spinning fiber or one hank of yarn for painting, how to apply the dye, how to set the color so that it won’t wash out, and how to wet finish your newly dyed creation!

Class Duration – 3 hours
Minimum: 3
Maximum: 6

Special notes:  Bring an apron and/or wear clothes that you won’t mind getting dye on. If you are planning to dye yarn, please specify desired size (lace, fingering, worsted, or bulky).

Acid Dye Diva!

This class is all about color and how you get it out of its little jars and on to your spinning fiber and yarn!  After this busy class, you’ll leave with your head swimming with beautiful colors, and an armload of pretty dyed fiber and yarn!

In this class, you will participate “hands on” in the following dyeing techniques using Jacquard Acid Dyes (activated with white vinegar):

* Solar dyeing
* Crock pot dyeing
* Quick Dyeing with boiling water
* Hand painting roving
* Hand painting yarn
* Low water immersion dyeing
* Your customized requests!

All your fiber and tools will be provided for this wonderfully creative day.
Length of Class: 6 hours (includes a lunch break)
Minimum number of students: 1
Maximum number of students: 3
What to bring to class:  A sack lunch (or plan to run to Sonic, Dairy Queen, etc.), apron (or wear old clothes)

Weaving:

Weave a Scarf in a Day!
Skill Level: Beginner

Learn to weave on a rigid heddle loom.  Go step-by-step through the weaving process while you create something beautiful.  By the end of the class, you will have learned the necessary weaving vocabulary, how to warp the loom, how to wind and weave with a stick shuttle, and how to finish your project.  When you leave, you will be wearing your own handwoven scarf!

Class Duration – 6 hours with a working lunch
Minimum: 2
Maximum: 5
Supplies:  The instructor will provide the looms and a selection of yarns for you to choose from for your scarf project.