Class: Crockpot Dyeing vs. Hand Painting Sock Weight Yarn

May 2, and 9 (Saturdays) | 10:30-1:30 | $80 | Materials Included
(Only one spot left in this class!)


Curious about what it takes to dye your own yarn? Come find out!

Class members will get approximately 400 yards of a sock weight yarn which will be split up in three ways and dyed.

Week one: learn a little bit about color theory, how to get the color you want, crock-pot dye one small skein and hand-paint a second skein of yarn. There will be at-home work involved for your hand-painting!

Week two: go over your at-home results and ask questions about the two skeins dyed in the previous week, and kettle dye the third skein using what you’ve learned in the last two weeks.


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, we will cancel or reschedule the class and a full refund will be given. 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.

Class: Introduction to Knitting

May 2, 9, 16, and 23 (Saturdays) | 10:30-1:30 | $100 | Materials Included (Only one spot left available in this class)
or
June 4, 11, 18, and 25 (Thursdays) | 6:00-8:00 | $100 | Materials Included


This class will be for those who have never knit before, or perhaps learned years ago but set it aside and feel that they need a refresher from the beginning steps.

Week One: Learn about different weights of yarn and the different projects they can be used for; how to read a yarn label; tools of the trade; casting on; the knit stitch.

Week Two: Refresher on casting on and the knit stitch; the purl stitch; the difference between garter and stockinette.

Week Three: Ribbing; increases and decreases; changing to a new ball of yarn; changing to a different color.

Week Four: Symbols and charts; the importance of dye lots; yarn substitution; cables; binding off.


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, we will cancel or reschedule the class and a full refund will be given. 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.

Class: Intermediate Lace Knitting - The Scottish Lace Stole

May 2, and 23 (Saturdays) | 2:00-5:00 | $60 | Materials Included

This two-session class (there is a break in between classes to allow for homework) would be fantastic for anyone who has either done a few simple lace projects or is an intermediate knitter motivated to learn more.



The first week of class will get you started on the project, teaching you the lace stitch needed for this lovely stole and getting the first repeats down.

The second week of class will get you finished up on your project, completing the stole and talking about blocking.

The teacher will be available some days of the week during the break between classes in order to answer any questions you may have.

Upcoming Classes

Please read this first:
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, we will cancel or reschedule the class and a full refund will be given. 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.

Introduction to Knitting
May 2, 9, 16, and 23 (Saturdays) | 10:30-1:30 | $100 | Materials Included

Knitting vs. Crochet: An Introduction to Both
May 21 and 28 (Thursdays) | 6:00-8:00 | $55 | Materials Included

Intermediate Lace Knitting: Scottish Thistle Stole
May 2, and 23 (Saturdays) | 2:00-5:00 | $60 | Materials Included

Crockpot Dyeing vs. Hand Painting Sock Weight Yarn
May 2, and 9 (Saturdays) | 10:30-1:30 | $80 | Materials Included

Intro to Cables: Knit a Soap Sweater
May 9 (Saturday) 2:00-5:00 | $30 | Materials Included

Intro to Sock Knitting on Two Circular Needles
May 15, 22, and 29 (Fridays) | 6:00-8:00 | $75 | Materials Included

2009 Afghan: The May Square
May 16 (Saturday) | 2:00-5:00
$15 (materials not included)/$30 (materials included)

Intro to Twisted Stitches: Knit a Soap Sweater
May 18 (Monday) | 6:00-8:00 | $30 | Materials Included

Technique: Magic Loop
May 20 (Wednesday) | 6:00-8:00 | $35 | Materials Included

Introduction to Crock Pot Dyeing (Worsted Weight Yarn)
May 23 (Saturday) | 10:30-1:30 | $40 | Materials Included

Intro to Knitting Socks on DPNs
May 25, June 1, and 8 (Mondays) | 6:00-8:00 | $75 | Materials Included

Intro to Fair Isle: Knit a Soap Sweater
May 30 (Saturday) | 2:00-5:00 | $30 | Materials Included

New patterns!

Here is a random sampling of a few patterns we've gotten into the shop recently -

New organic yarns just in time for Earth Day!

What better way to celebrate Earth Day than with some new organic yarns!



We have Organico (100% organic cotton) and Biosoja (40% Soy/34% Cotton/26% Bamboo). And a pattern book that has both knitting and crochet patterns for both yarns!

Got plans on Friday, May 1st?

It's time for another Art Hop! We've done it twice now and both times have been a lot of fun and we'd love to have you join us! The district of Uptown at 43rd Street includes art galleries, businesses and restaurants in Millhopper Square, Thornebrook Village, and The Market Place. See a sampling of some of the best art in Gainesville, ranging from one-of-a-kind locally made art, to gifts from the far corners of the earth. A rickshaw shuttle will allow event goers to easily travel the short distance between stops. More information is available at The Uptown Art Hop website.

We will be having spinners, knitters, and crocheters hanging out and doing what they do best (having fun) - and of course we will have wine, cheese, coffee, and cookies if you work up an appetite having so much fun.

Please come out that Friday night from 6-9 PM and show locally owned business that you support us by finding out what we have to offer the community!

Mmmm, alpaca

If you don't feel like knitting up those cute little alpacas we posted about the other day, maybe you'd like to spin up some of the alpaca fiber we have in stock...?

New patterns!

Here is a random sampling of a few new patterns we've gotten into the shop recently -

Sale patterns

Many of you have already noticed that we are marking down and moving out many patterns. All of them have now been added to the sale bin. Subjects include bags, pullovers, tank tops, shawls, socks, scarves, and cardigans. Many of these patterns are fantastic - we’re only moving them out because they are geared towards using specific brands of yarns which we are no longer stocking. So come by and take a look, and also take a look at some of the new patterns we’ve been bringing in to take their place!

Why we should keep our crafting supplies in every room

While we're sure many of you have already read about the 98-year-old woman pulled from the rubble of the earthquake in Italy a couple of weeks ago...



...but a friend of ours posted this, and so we had to share it. She's just as cute as a button!

Class: Learn to Knit Hats

April 17, 24, and May 1 (Fridays)
6-8 PM | $75 | Materials Included

Learn to knit hats using an easy, basic pattern; after you learn the basics you can use the same pattern to make a variety of hats using a variety of different weight yarns and needle sizes.





Once you learn the basics of knitting in the round and decreasing, you can add your own stripes, change colors, throw in a rib... be adventurous!

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, we will cancel or reschedule the class and a full refund will be given. 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.

Class: Intro to Fair Isle (Knit a Soap Sweater)

April 18 (Saturday) | 2:00-5:00 | $30 | Materials Included


The last time we did this class, the students had a lot of fun! If you missed it, now is your chance to learn how to do a quick, fun, fair isle project. This would be a great class for someone who is ready to take an easy leap into colorwork. The project is knit in the round, but don't let that scare you if you've never used DPNs (Double Pointed Needles) before. This is also a great chance to learn that technique!


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, we will cancel or reschedule the class and a full refund will be given. 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.

Thursday evening Spin-a-long

Don't forget that on the third Thursday of the month, from 5-7, 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 or go to school during the day and can't get to the morning gathering.

See you on April 16th?

Purple Raven is now available!

The October 2008 sock club colorway, Purple Raven, is now available for sale (this also means that if you are in the club and the colors just weren’t for you, feel free to sell or trade for something else).



It’s available in the shop, or online– we have it in our Superwash Merino base and also a few in the Bamboo base.

Class: Knitting vs. Crochet (An Introduction to Both)

There is still room in tonight's class!

April 9 and 16 (Thursdays) | 6:00-8:00 | $55 | Materials Included

Are you new to the fiber arts and don't know which you want to learn? Want to learn the difference between knitting and crochet? Think that you might want to learn both but don't know which one to start with? This is the class for you! We will teach you a little bit about both, and give you the tools to carry on after the class is over.

Week one: learn the absolute basics of knitting, including casting on and the knit stitch.

Week two: learn the absolute basics of crochet, and finish up a little project that will incorporate both of your new-found hobbies.

We will also be offering this class May 21 and 28 (Thursdays) | 6:00-8:00 | $55 | Materials Included


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, we will cancel or reschedule the class and a full refund will be given. 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.

Just in time for a freak cold spell!

It's supposed to get down to 34 degrees tonight - YES! I said 34! In Florida! In April!

But I don't care because look what I finished knitting over the weekend...



This took about five skeins of Aslan Trends Artesanal (4.5 of "Candy Apple" and about .10 of "Bright Gold"). So bring on the cold, because I have a new sweater to wear!

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 April 6th?

2009: The Year of the Afghan (April)

The April Square is ready and available. As previously stated, while we will be using yarn from our shop to make each square, the patterns will be written for any worsted weight yarn that gets approximately 4.5 stitches/inch on a US 8. So feel free to substitute anything you have in your stash! At the end of the year you will have twelve squares (more, if you do some of them twice) and while the squares will be interesting enough to keep even advanced knitters interested, it would also be a good project for the new or intermediate knitter who is interested in learning some new skills throughout the year. Please keep in mind that depending on how you knit, your square may come out to be a different size. The size given on the pattern is just an estimation - tight knitters will get a smaller square, and loose knitters will get a larger square. It doesn't mean that you're doing the pattern wrong if you come out with a bigger or smaller square; all this means is that we all knit differently!



Here is the Ravelry pattern page for the April square! You can download the pattern for free off our website, or we have hard copies available in the shop. Enjoy!

Discussion of the Month

This month we'd like to talk about the 2009 Afghan Squares. We're working on a "Frequently Asked Questions" page and would love your questions about the squares (such as "why is my square a different size" or "when do you release the new patterns").

Thanks, y'all!