Class: Knitting Lace Socks

December 12 and 19 (Saturday) | 2:00-5:00 | $75

If you have knit socks previously, and are wanting to learn more about lace patterns and chart reading, this is the class for you. Knit cuff-down on US size 1 double-point needles, this intermediate lace pattern also incorporates columns of stitches knit through the back loop - trust me, those really pop out and make the pattern look fantastic!

This is not a good class for a first-time sock knitter, as the cuff of the sock will need to be knit on your own before class; but if you have previous experience knitting socks and are familiar with basic sock construction, this is the class for you (even if you've never knit lace before).



What you need to know how to do:
- cast on
- the knit stitch
- the purl stitch
- you should have some previous sock knitting experience

What we'll teach you how to do:
- twisted stitches
- incorporate lace stitches into a sock pattern
- read charts

What materials are included:
- pattern
- appropriate yarn for a pair of socks

Students should provide their own sock needles, so that they can knit using whichever method they prefer (double-pointed needles, magic loop, socks on two circulars).


Classes do fill up early; so please reserve your space in the class by paying in advance as it is unlikely we will be able to accommodate walk-ins. Payment is required within 7 days of signing up for the class or within one week before the class begins (whichever comes first). All classes limited to five people unless otherwise stated. A minimum of 2 students is required for most classes to take place. If the minimum for a class is not reached within 48 hours of the class, we will cancel the class and contact you in regards to rescheduling or a refund. Individual classes/lessons available by request (prices may vary). Homework is required in most of our classes; we know that all of you have busy schedules but please be sure to allow time to finish the work needed for classes.

Sock Monkey Yarn

We've started to bring in the June sock club colorway, Sock Monkey - right now we only have a few skeins, but we'll have more by the end of the month. So keep your eyes on our blog to find out when we get more!

PS. We're going to be working on redoing the website soon, so right now this isn't up on the site - but swing by or give us a call if you're not in the area and we'd be happy to tell you what we have and/or ring you up over the phone!

Class: Blending Fibers with Hand and Drum Carders

December 11 (Friday) | 6-9 PM | $40
Students should bring their own wheel or drop spindle

Spinners must have some experience in spinning and should bring own wheels or drop spindles if they wish to spin their blends immediately.

Spinners should bring hand carders and/or drum carders if they have one; however, there will be a drum carder available for the class.




What you need to know how to do:
- You should have some experience with spinning.

What we'll teach you how to do:
- blend different fibers together using hand carders and/or a drum carder

What materials are included:
- silk, bamboo, and wool fibers for blending
- appropriate fiber for spinning



Classes do fill up early; so please reserve your space in the class by paying in advance as it is unlikely we will be able to accommodate walk-ins. Payment is required within 7 days of signing up for the class or within one week before the class begins (whichever comes first). All classes limited to five people unless otherwise stated. A minimum of 2 students is required for most classes to take place. If the minimum for a class is not reached within 48 hours of the class, we will cancel the class and contact you in regards to rescheduling or a refund. Individual classes/lessons available by request (prices may vary). Homework is required in most of our classes; we know that all of you have busy schedules but please be sure to allow time to finish the work needed for classes.

Monday Morning Spin-a-long

Don't forget that on the first Monday of the month, from 11-1, you can bring your wheel or drop spindle and some fiber and sit with others to do some spinning! This gathering is great for spinners who work at night and can't get to an afternoon or evening gathering.

See you on December 7th?

Friday Photo

If I could have gotten a foot into that photo, too, you could have seen my handknit socks. I love colder weather (for the three days we have it, anyway).

2009: The Year of the Afghan (December)

Aw, it's December! And that means the last of our monthly afghan squares. You can download this fair isle pattern here. If you need a few pointers on fair isle, consider signing up for our class for this square on Saturday, December 5th at 2pm.

Watch this space for the date of our afghan seaming party! We'll have nibbles and wine on hand, as well as lots of help and advice on how to attach your squares together.

Revisiting my 2009 afghan squares

(Continued from here.)

When last we left our intrepid hero afghan, it was lying on the floor in pieces, dejected because I pitched a number of squares and didn't like the color combo of the squares who were left.

Over-dyeing, however, can be your friend!

Sometimes.



Am I maybe color-blind?

Clearly it's time to talk to myself as if I were a customer asking for help.

Self, what don't you like about these squares?
- I don't like the variation in color. In hindsight, I should really have stuck to one color, maybe two. I know, I know, I was knitting from stash for a gauge... but next time I should just buy the yarn in bulk.

Anything else?
- I also don't like the white as a border/tie-in, especially since over-dyeing the lightest squares in a darker color. I feel it jumps out too much. Especially since I ran out of the tweedy white and switched to a bright white.

Well, then, self; I have two bits of advice. One is to consider over-dyeing everything, even the ones you've already done, in black. The other thing to consider is getting a different, darker color yarn to do the borders (did you really just spell that "boarders"?!). Rip out the white - you're going to be dyeing those squares anyway - and redo all of the borders/tie-ins all in the same color. Perhaps a brown, or dark red. Either one of those would look good with the black.
- Hey... that might work. Thanks, self!

Stay tuned, hopefully for the resolution...