![]() STITCHES Midwest 2012 Classes Back To STITCHES Midwest 2012 Class List
Friday 10:30 am - 11:30 am
All knitters make mistakes. It can be frustrating when you can’t fix them yourself so you rip out and start over numerous times. This class focuses on the most common skills beginners need: picking up dropped stitches, correcting mistakes a few rows back, and understanding the difference between ripping back and un-knitting. These skills will help you relax when an 'oops' comes along.
Friday 10:30 am - 11:30 am
Come and learn the two popular ways of using long circular needles to knit on small circumferences, such as socks, sleeves, baby hats, and the like. You’ll never have to use double points again unless you want to! The first method uses two 24-inch circulars. The second way, commonly called The Magic Loop, uses one long (32-40 inch) circular needle. Both methods can be used on any circumference of knitting, enabling knitters to go from cuff to toe of a sock or brim to crown of a hat without ever having to change needles. Knitters should already be comfortable with knitting in the round or have at least tried it before class.
Friday 10:30 am - 11:30 am
Make this small, bead knitting treasure and learn more about knitting and finishing. Your finished fob can be used on scissors, zippers, or your key chain. Basic knitting skills are required — casting on and simple knit stitch.
Friday 10:30 am - 11:30 am
NEW
Begin Beading! Simple Spiral Bracelet The basics of knitting with beads! Make a simple bracelet based on a pattern from Betsy Hershberg’s book, Betsy Beads. This I-cord variant spirals on its own with beads placed to highlight its twists and turns. You’ll see how easy it is to string the beads, place them in the knitting, and work the I-cord.
Friday 12:30 pm - 1:30 pm
French for 'interlaced,' entrelac is recognized by its characteristic basketweave appearance. Learn how to make the basic units of left and right rectangles, linking them together in tiers worked back and forth across the fabric. You will learn some of the knitting lingo specific to entrelac such as LR and RR. Included in this class is a pattern for an entrelac scarf that you will begin.
Friday 12:30 pm - 1:30 pm
Continental knitting involves tensioning the yarn in the hand holding the unworked stitches (for most people this is the left hand) and using the other needle to pick stitches through in a quick and efficient manner. It is a great technique to have in your knitting repetoire. It can solve a multitude of knitting problems or just be a good companion to the way you already knit. Your instructor will teach the basics of tensioning the yarn and picking the stitches rather than throwing. We will learn the knit and purl stitches and have time to practice and discuss how to transition to this useful method of knitting.
Friday 12:30 pm - 1:30 pm
Make a simple bracelet that covers all the basic techniques of bead knitting — how to put beads on yarn, knitting with beads, and binding off with beads. Learn the tips and tricks that make the project easier and more enjoyable. You will be enticed to do more bead knitting! Basic knitting skills are required — casting on and simple knit stitch.
Friday 12:30 pm - 1:30 pm
Create blocks of color in your knitting with intarsia! Each area of color is knit with its own length of yarn. We'll teach you the tricks that will make this technique as easy as it is beautiful.
Friday 2:00 pm - 3:00 pm
Short rows can create curves and shapes in your knitted fabric. They are used for heels of socks, bust darts, and shoulder shaping. You will learn basic short rows in both garter and stockinette stitch, wrap and turn, and 'hiding' the wraps to make them virtually invisible. Included in this class is a pattern for a Wavy Scarf that we will begin.
Friday 2:00 pm - 3:00 pm
Knitting in both directions allows the knitter to always be looking at the right side, even if you are knitting flat. The work is never turned, and the knitter cleverly works both knit and purl stitches from the same side. This saves time when working on a very small number of stitches as for bobbles or entrelac, and it saves effort when working on a very large number of stitches. Your instructor will teach the basics of working knit and purl stitches from the right side of the work. There is time for practice and a discussion of how to use this technique in your every-day knitting.
Friday 2:00 pm - 3:00 pm
Seaming is one of those basic skills, just beyond the knitting fundamentals of cast-on, knit, purl, and bind-off. We'll make small swatches in class and practice the basic techniques of seaming rows-to-rows and stitches-to-stitches. And we'll talk about how these techniques are used to put garments and other knit pieces together. Learn to seam, and a whole new world of knitting will open for you!
Friday 3:30 pm - 4:30 pm
NEW
Don’t let a chart scare you. Many knitters prefer working from charts over written directions. Charts can make knitting a lot easier once you get the hang of them. In this class you will learn the basic symbols, the basic rules for chart reading, and some tricks that make it easy. We’ll practice knitting from a simple chart while making a cozy for your coffee cup (or soda can).
Friday 3:30 pm - 4:30 pm
Try Double Knitting! Magically create 2 layers of fabric from 1 row of knitting with this method for working pairs of stitches. You'll learn how to cast on and bind off as well as keep your edges closed (or not!) working our sample coaster project. Once you master the basics, you'll find a multitude of uses for this brilliant technique!
Friday 3:30 pm - 4:30 pm
Learn the basics of patchwork technique and explore log cabin knitting! Rectangles called logs are worked in tiers around a center square. We’ll make a basic garter stitch block in class, then talk about different ways to size, color, arrange, and join blocks. Intrigued? Come play with patchwork! Like the quilting technique of the same name, log cabin knitting is an excellent way to be thrifty AND creative!
Saturday 10:30 am - 11:30 am
Basic knitting skills such as casting on, picking up, and decreasing — combined with color and texture — create endless possibilities. Mitered knitting can become squares, rectangles, diamonds, or strips and is the foundation of some of today’s best designs. You will learn to make a basic square, to join squares as you go, and to build the squares into a project. You will also receive a pattern for a Kindle or iPad cover and begin the project in class.
Saturday 10:30 am - 11:30 am
Continental knitting involves tensioning the yarn in the hand holding the unworked stitches (for most people this is the left hand) and using the other needle to pick stitches through in a quick and efficient manner. It is a great technique to have in your knitting repetoire. It can solve a multitude of knitting problems or just be a good companion to the way you already knit. Your instructor will teach the basics of tensioning the yarn and picking the stitches rather than throwing. We will learn the knit and purl stitches and have time to practice and discuss how to transition to this useful method of knitting.
Saturday 10:30 am - 11:30 am
NEW
Learn to knit with color without the fuss of having to use bobbins or carry more than one color throughout the row. You can create some beautiful patterns using Mosaic Knitting, both in garter and stockinette stitch. In this class we will knit a cuff for take-out coffee cups. Must be able to knit and purl.
Saturday 10:30 am - 11:30 am
Learn to work holding 2 colors at the same time! Commonly called Fair Isle knitting, this technique for stranding colors across the back lets you create brightly colored and patterned fabrics. While working on a small bag/hat project you'll practice getting an even tension (not too tight, not too loose), learn ways to prevent yarns from twisting, and try different holding techniques. Come get a taste of this classic knitting technique!
Saturday 12:30 pm - 1:30 pm
Discover stitch patterns, tips and tricks to showcase the beautiful striping yarns. We’ll discuss how to minimize or emphasize the stripe and how to use them to your design advantage. Lots of samples will be shared in class.
Saturday 12:30 pm - 1:30 pm
NEW
TT21 Easy Kitchener Stitch Kellie Nuss Never fear Kitchener Stitch, aka Grafting, again! With an easy-to-remember mantra, you’ll be able to master this essential technique for elegantly joining two pieces of live knitting. It is used in socks, shoulders, side-to-side knitting, and many other places, so a working knowledge will instantly increase your confidence to try new things. Sample materials for practice will be provided.
Saturday 12:30 pm - 1:30 pm
Cables can be fun, but it’s sometimes difficult to track the cable twists as you work across an entire row. In this class you will make a coaster by working one cable column at a time, adding more as you go.
Saturday 12:30 pm - 1:30 pm
NEW
The granny square — crochet rite of passage and icon of the 60s. And more fun than a barrel of monkeys, given how quickly you can turn odds and ends of yarn into cute motifs to applique on jeans, join together for a scarf, or assemble into an afghan. This class is geared for those who have never worked in the round: we’ll join and work into a center ring, change colors, and weave in ends as we go.
Saturday 2:00 pm - 3:00 pm
NEW
How many hours have you spent searching to no avail for buttons for your project? Consider making buttons that are a perfect match for your garment. Crochet buttons are simple to make and will look good, too. Learn to make two different kinds of buttons using only basic crochet skills.
Saturday 2:00 pm - 3:00 pm
Try Double Knitting! Magically create 2 layers of fabric from 1 row of knitting with this method for working pairs of stitches. You'll learn how to cast on and bind off as well as keep your edges closed (or not!) working our sample coaster project. Once you master the basics, you'll find a multitude of uses for this brilliant technique!
Saturday 2:00 pm - 3:00 pm
NEW
Begin Beading! Simple Spiral Bracelet The basics of knitting with beads! Make a simple bracelet based on a pattern from Betsy Hershberg’s book, Betsy Beads. This I-cord variant spirals on its own with beads placed to highlight its twists and turns. You’ll see how easy it is to string the beads, place them in the knitting, and work the I-cord.
Saturday 3:30 pm - 4:30 pm
French for 'interlaced,' entrelac is recognized by its characteristic basketweave appearance. Learn how to make the basic units of left and right rectangles, linking them together in tiers worked back and forth across the fabric. You will learn some of the knitting lingo specific to entrelac such as LR and RR. Included in this class is a pattern for an entrelac scarf that you will begin.
Saturday 3:30 pm - 4:30 pm
Judy's Magic Cast-on has spread to much of the knitting world and for good reason—it is a wonderful way to begin perfect toe-up socks. This class offers an introduction to this seamless, two sided cast-on. We will discuss how to read the instructions, work the cast-on and practice several times before learning how to move on in a pattern.
Saturday 3:30 pm - 4:30 pm
NEW
Interested in taking your knit fabric into the 3rd dimension? Tucks can take you there! You’ll learn 2 methods for working a tuck and explore its use in creating fabric with horizontal welts or ridges. We’ll discuss variations in color and stitch pattern and ways you can use tucks to create fabric. Take a taste of tucks!
Sunday 11:30 am - 12:30 pm
Learn how to transform single stands of yarn into 3-ply perfection! This is a great technique for transforming fine gauge yarns into worsted or bulky weight yarns. Featured in Gemstone Soup, the cover garment of Knitter’s Magazine K100, this technique will inspire your next project. You’ll learn how to cast-on, work the plys, and add a new ball as you work with beautiful sock yarns.
Sunday 11:30 am - 12:30 pm
Knitting in both directions allows the knitter to always be looking at the right side, even if you are knitting flat. The work is never turned, and the knitter cleverly works both knit and purl stitches from the same side. This saves time when working on a very small number of stitches as for bobbles or entrelac, and it saves effort when working on a very large number of stitches. Your instructor will teach the basics of working knit and purl stitches from the right side of the work. There is time for practice and a discussion of how to use this technique in your every-day knitting.
Sunday 11:30 am - 12:30 pm
NEW
Learn to do diagonal knitting while you help the environment by knitting your own coffee cuff. This technique can easily be transferred to sweaters, scarves, blankets, and more. Must be able to knit, purl, increase by knitting into front and back of same stitch, SSK, and k2tog.
Sunday 11:30 am - 12:30 pm
Columns of color! Mysterious mixes! And always, fabulous fabric, easily produced with only 1 color per row. Begin this scarf and learn the basics of this wondrous and versatile stitch.
Sunday 1:30 pm - 2:30 pm
Basic knitting skills such as casting on, picking up, and decreasing — combined with color and texture — create endless possibilities. Mitered knitting can become squares, rectangles, diamonds, or strips and is the foundation of some of today’s best designs. You will learn to make a basic square, to join squares as you go, and to build the squares into a project. You will also receive a pattern for a Kindle or iPad cover and begin the project in class.
Sunday 1:30 pm - 2:30 pm
NEW
Broomstick Lace takes us back to the 1960’s when larger yarns and more free-spirited crochet surfaced. Broomstick is fun for all but excellent for those with minimal dexterity since the tools used are large and easy to grasp. In class you will make a sampler to learn the technique. Must be able to single, double and treble crochet. Materials: 1 oz. #4 weight yarn for main color, one US 35 knitting needle, size I crochet hook, scissors, 24 6/0 seed beads (optional).
Sunday 1:30 pm - 2:30 pm
Make a simple bracelet that covers all the basic techniques of bead knitting — how to put beads on yarn, knitting with beads, and binding off with beads. Learn the tips and tricks that make the project easier and more enjoyable. You will be enticed to do more bead knitting! Basic knitting skills are required — casting on and simple knit stitch. |
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