Class: Knit a Cabled Hat

October 5, 19, and 26, 2009 (Mondays)
6-8 PM | $75 | Materials Included



Think that hat knitting might not have anything to teach you? Here are the skills you can learn during this class:
- provisional cast-on
- cables
- cabling without a cable needle
- grafting
- picking up stitches evenly around
- decreasing
- knitting in the round

Not to mention having fun, and having this fantastic hat when the class is over!

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.

How's that sock yarn wall looking these days?

We've gotten restocks in for both Louet Gems and Aslan Trend's Santa Fe - come on in and give a skein a squeeze!

Class: 2009 Afghan - The October Square

October 3 (Saturday) | 2:00-5:00 | $15 (no materials)/$30 (materials provided)

During 2009 we will be making an afghan. While the patterns will always be free (like the 2008 scarf patterns), we will be offering workshops for those that need a little jump-start. Classes will give you dedicated class time and instruction, a set of needles, and appropriate yarn for the project. Should you already have your yarn picked out, we are offering the workshop for half-price if you provide your own materials.



October revisits cables, and brings in a new knit and purl combination.

During the class we will get you started on the October square. We will provide needles and the appropriate weight yarn for the afghan (all squares will call for a worsted weight yarn that gets between 4-5 sts/inch on a US 7-9 needle), get you cast on and the first pattern repeat accomplished. As mentioned above, if you already have your yarn picked out, we are offering the workshop for half-price for providing your own materials.


What you need to know how to do:
- cast on/bind off
- the knit stitch
- the purl stitch

What we'll teach you how to do:
- cable
- cable without a cable needle
- read charts

What materials are included:
- the pattern
- appropriate yarn (if needed)
- appropriate needles (if needed)
- a cable needle (if needed)

If providing own materials, please remember to bring a cable needle.

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.

Class: Knit an Entrelac Lace Shawl

October 3 and 17th (Saturdays) | 2:00-5:00 | $50

This class is not for the new knitter; but it would be great for someone already experienced with casting on, both the knit and purl stitches, and increasing and decreasing. Even if this would be your first lace project, the motivated knitter can easily work this up.



What you need to know how to do:
- cast on
- the knit stitch
- the purl stitch
- increases such as knitting into the front and back of the same stitch
- decreases such as P2tog and K2tog

What we'll teach you how to do:
- how to knit lace
- how to knit entrelac
- how to add beads into your knitting even if the pattern doesn't call for them

What materials are included:
- the pattern
- a skein of Jojoland Melody
- appropriate needles



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.

Cookie's Deep Dark Secret

Latest in the Color Commentary Series by Lorna's Laces is Cookie's Deep Dark Secret -

We have it in the shop right now in Shepherd Sock, but should you want it in any other weight just give us a shout and we'll be happy to special order it for you!

Friday Photo

Class: Spinning Workshop (Drafting)

October 2 (Friday) | 6:00-8:00 | $30
Students should bring their own wheel or drop spindle

Spinners must have some experience in spinning; while you don't have to be a graduate of one of our spinning classes, previous spinning experience on either a drop spindle or a wheel is required. Students should bring their own wheel or drop spindle - please call at least 48 hours in advance if you will need a wheel or spindle provided, so that we can reserve a wheel or spindle for you (there will be a small additional fee).

What you need to know how to do:
- have at least a rudimentary understanding of spinning

What we'll teach you how to do:
- drafting techniques to improve your handspun

What materials are included:
- 1 ounce of commercially prepared roving
- 1 ounce BFL batt


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 Socks on Double-Pointed Needles

September 24, October 1 and 8 (Thursdays) | 6:00-8:00 | $75

This class is not for the new knitter; but it would be great for someone already experienced with casting on, both the knit and purl stitches, and increasing and decreasing. During the three weeks of this class a sock will be made using double-pointed needles and sport-weight yarn.



Week one will be casting on, learning how to handle the double-pointed needles, and knitting the cuff (homework will include knitting the leg of the sock to the length you would like).

Week two will be working the heel flap and turning the heel, picking up stitches along the heel flap, and doing the gusset decreases (homework will include finishing the gusset decreasing and knitting the foot of the sock to within two inches of your foot length).

Week three will be decreasing for the toe, and the Kitchener stitch closing of the toe.


What you need to know how to do:
- cast on
- the knit stitch
- the purl stitch

What we'll teach you how to do:
- how to knit on double-pointed needles
- basic sock construction
- how to knit socks

What materials are included:
- the pattern
- a skein of Lorna's Laces Shepherd Sport
- appropriate needles


Homework is required in this class, so be prepared to spend some time outside of class knitting!


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.

Countdown to Fiber-In (tomorrow, whee!)

Guess what starts tomorrow...? If you guessed the Florida Fiber-in - you'd be right.

And if a picture is worth a thousand words, here's a thousand words about why you should go:

2009/2010 Sock Club Update

Just a quick note to say that we've extended the entries into the Sock Club until Monday September 21st! So there is still room for you - yes, YOU!

Here are some photos from the 2008/2009 club to pique your interest -


There are three options for this club. Please read the three options carefully and choose the one that best suits your wants and desires.

Option 1 –
$100 for in-store pickup/$130 with shipping
You will get six 400-yard skeins of hand-dyed sock yarn, one each during the months of October, December, February, April, June, and August.

Option 2 –
$50 for in-store pickup/$65 with shipping
You will get three 400-yard skeins of hand-dyed sock yarn, one each during the months of October, February, and June.

Option 3 -
$50 for in-store pickup/$65 with shipping
You will get three 400-yard skeins of hand-dyed sock yarn, one each during the months of December, April, and August.

And now, the pinky swear: we promise to send you hand-dyed sock yarn and we promise to do our best to produce a quality product. We promise that the color for each month will not be for sale in our shop until six months after the month that we send it to you. We understand that the colors we choose to dye may not wind up being your particular favorite; we ask that just as we are not selling that color in a retail setting for six months, that you also do the same and promise not to sell anything you don’t like until after the six month mark.

Countdown to Fiber-In (4 days)

Guess what's this Friday...? If you guessed the Florida Fiber-in - you'd be right. Are you going? We are!

Why should you go?

Besides the reasons we've already mentioned... you should go because we've overheard a lot of our customers are going-- and if you've ever met our regulars, our "Silk Hankies", if you will; you know that they are almost more fun than the law should allow. So you might be thinking "pshaw; Fiber-In is no Rhinebeck"... but we promise you that if you're hanging out with the Gainesville crowd, you'll have as much fun as it's possible to cram into a weekend without getting arrested!

Also, I see in looking at the vendor page that Picasso's Moon and Uncommon Threads are both going to be there. Not to lessen the oompf of anyone on the vendor's page that we aren't mentioning in this post, but we've been to both of those shops and love them equally. We trust that they will wow you with beautiful yarns and fibers and with the great attitudes of the folks behind those shops. If you love us, but have never met them-- trust us. You'll love them, too!

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 September 17th?

Class: Knit an Entrelac Dishcloth

Thursday, September 17, 2009
6-8 PM
$25 | Materials included

During this class we will get you started on a washcloth that will be made using the technique called Entrelac. Entrelac is used to create a textured diamond pattern that looks like basket-woven strips of knitted fabric; however, it's actually knitted with interconnected squares and diamonds on two different orientations.



Because you will be finishing the pattern on your own, this class is not recommended for beginners.

What you need to know how to do:
- casting on
- binding off
- the knit stitch
- the purl stitch
- increasing and decreasing
- picking up stitches

What we'll teach you how to do:
- create a textured pattern with the Entrelac technique

What materials are included:
- pattern
- needles appropriate to yarn
- one skein of Aslan Trends Glaciar Del Cielo


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.

Uptown Art Hop

The next Uptown Art Hop is coming up soon! Friday, September 11th, from 6-9-- we will have spinning and knitting demonstrations all night, and of course wine, cheese, and general Good Times. And it's not just us -- the district of Uptown at 43rd Street includes art galleries, businesses and restaurants in Millhopper Square, Thornebrook Village, and The Market Place. We'd love to have you join us! 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.

As if you needed another reason, but... why else should you show up? Because Uptown Art Hop merchants will be selling raffle tickets with 100 percent of the proceeds donated to Florida's Eden's One Region One Book program. Tickets are $1 each or 6 tickets for $5. The prize is $150 in gift certificates (in $25 increments) valid at any participating location.

More information is available at The Uptown Art Hop website.

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 September 7th?

Upcoming Classes - September through December

Please note that we had to rework a couple of things in September - new classes are reflected below!

Please note: 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.

All materials included unless otherwise specified

September

2009 Afghan: The September Square
9/5 (Saturday) | 2:00-5:00 | $15 (no materials)/$30 (materials provided)
Intro to Knitting
9/9, 16, 23, and 30 (Wednesday) | 6:00-8:00 | $100
Entrelac: Knit a Dishcloth
9/17 (Thursday) | 6:00 - 8:00 | $25
Introduction to Knitting Socks (DPNs)
9/24, 10/1, 10/8 (Thursdays) | 6:00 - 8:00 | $75

October

Drafting and Spinning Short Fibers
10/2 (Friday) | 6:00-8:00 | $30
Knit an Entrelac Lace Shawl
10/3, 10/17 (Saturdays) | 10:30-1:30 | $50
The October Square
10/3 (Saturday) | 2:00-5:00| $15 (no materials)/$30 (materials provided)
Coronet: Knit a Cabled Hat
10/5, 10/19, 10/26 (Mondays) | 6:00-8:00 | $75
Knitting Socks with Handspun Yarn
10/9, 10/16, 10/30, 11/6 (Fridays) | 6:00-8:00 | $50 (students must provide yarn and needles)
Intro to Knitting Hats
10/14, 10/21, 10/28 (Wednesday) | 6:00-8:00 | $80
Knit Wicked (a Top-down Raglan Pullover)
10/15, 10/29, 11/5, 11/12 (Thursdays) | 6:00-8:00 | $60 (student must provide yarn and needles)
Knit a Fair-isle Hat (Beaumont)
10/22 (Thursday) | 6:00-8:00 | $50 (homework required before class)
Knit Fair-Isle Socks
10/24, 11/7 (Saturdays) | 2:00-5:00 | $50 (student must provide needles; homework required before class)
Intro to Knitting Toe-Up Socks
10/31, 11/7, 11/14 (Saturdays) | 10:30-1:30 | $75
The November Square
10/31 (Saturday) | 2:00-5:00| $15 (no materials)/$30 (materials provided)

November

Mini Bridgewater
11/2, 11/9 (Mondays) | 6:00-8:00 |$60
Intro to Knitting
11/11, 11/18, 12/2, 12/9 (Wednesdays) | 6:00-8:00 | $100
Sweater Design Workshop
11/13, 11/20, 12/4 (Fridays) | 6:00-8:00 | $75
Kids Intro to Knitting
11/14, 11/21 (Saturdays) | 2:00-5:00 | $50
Mini Bridgewater Blocking Demo
11/16 (Monday) | 6:00-8:00 | $15 (free if taking Bridgewater class)
Knit a Cookie A. Sock
11/19, 12/3, 12/10 (Thursdays) | 6:00-8:00 | $60
Beaded Lace Shawl
11/30, 12/14 (Mondays) | 6:00-8:00 | $75

December

The December Square
12/5 (Saturday) | 2:00-5:00 | $15 (no materials)/$30 (materials provided)
Blending Fibers with Hand and Drum Carders
12/11 (Friday) | 6:00-9:00 | $40
Knitting Lace Socks (Florentine Lace Sock)
12/12, 12/19 (Saturdays) | 2:00-5:00 | $60
Introduction to Spinning on a Drop Spindle
12/17 (Thursday) | 6:00-8:00 | $30
Seaming and Picking up Stitches
12/19 (Saturday) | 10:30-1:30 | $30

Countdown to Fiber-In (14 days)

It's only two weeks until the Florida Fiber-in - are you going? We are!

Why should you go?

Well, among the other reasons we've already listed, you should go if you want any of our line of sock yarns - just like our fiber, 100% of the Perhaps Today is a Good Day to Dye sock yarns are going to be at the Florida Fiber-in. So if you want to pick any up that weekend - including the Hogtown colorway - you'll have to pick it up there!

Class: Introduction to Knitting

September 9, 16, 23, and 30 (Wednesday) | 6:00-8:00 | $100

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.

What you need to know how to do:
- nothing!

What we'll teach you how to do:
- about knitting in general (what is yarn? How do you care for it?)
- about the tools used in knitting
- casting on
- the knit stitch
- the purl stitch
- simple patterns such as ribbing, garter, stockinette
- binding off

What materials are included:
- "How to Knit", the TNNA book
- needles appropriate to yarn
- Lorna's Laces AHAH yarn
- a tool kit including stitch markers, needle gauge, tape measure, row counter, tapestry needles, stitch holders, and more


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.

2009: The Year of the Afghan (September)

Once again in September, we are doing only a charted design, rather than written out; but don’t let that scare you! This month we are bringing in twisted stitches.

Remember that charts are a lot easier than they look, as long as you don’t try to read them like a book– the right side rows are read right to left (as if you were looking at front of the knitted piece) and the wrong side rows are read left to right (as if you were going backwards across the front of the knitted piece). The every-fabulous Knitty.com has an article here that we recommend you look over. There is also a shorter article on About.com (here) that is pretty informative.

Don’t forget also that we have a FAQ page here; feel free to add your questions.

You can download the pattern from our website here, and the Ravelry page for the square is here.