Class: Introduction to Spinning

February 5, 12, 19, and March 5 (Fridays) | 6:00-8:00 | $125 | Materials Included

The price of the class is $125, due within 7 days of signing up for the class or within one week before the class begins (whichever comes first). In addition there is a $200 refundable materials deposit for the spinning wheels, hand carders, and drop spindle that you will be taking home for practice. The refundable deposit can be paid on the first day of class and your check will be returned to you upon return of the materials after the end of class.



Class Description:

This is a 4 week basic spinning class. Participants will learn about different types of fibers and preparation from grease wool straight off the sheep through highly processed roving. You will learn how to wash grease wool, card it, and then spin it on a drop spindle and a spinning wheel.

Week 1: We will discuss fibers and their characteristics that help determine the resulting yarns. Everyone will work with a drop spindle and learn about drafting triangles and how to control the diameter of their yarns. Participants will also begin to spin on a spinning wheel. Home work will consist of practicing on the drop spindle, treadling, and spinning on the wheel.

Week 2: Everyone will swap their spinning wheel with someone in the class. By the end of the 4 week class, you have spun on 4 different wheels! We will continue working with drop spindles and the spinning wheels. We will discuss working with shorter fibers, blending fibers, and spinning ratios. Home work is continued practice on the drop spindle and the wheel.

Week 3: We will set aside the drop spindles and continue with the spinning wheels after swapping wheels. This week we will work on plying techniques: 2 ply, Navajo 3 ply, 4 ply cabling, bouclé, etc. We will also begin discussions of spinning and plying with colors. Homework: keep spinning and plying!

Week 4: Last wheel trade! We will explore the different effects of spinning yarns with fibers colored at different points of the spinning process using different techniques such as carding in colors, adding them during the spinning process, and the effects of plying.

By the end of the 4 week class, you will be able to process fiber, spin and ply yarns. We will discuss the history of spinning, characteristics of different fibers for spinning, and the care and feeding of spinning wheels. The cost of the course is $125 for 4 weeks plus a $200 refundable deposit for the use of the spinning wheel, drop spindle, and hand carders that you will be taking home for practice. The deposit will be refunded at the end of the class if all the equipment is returned in the same condition they were in at the beginning of the class. Or the deposit can be put toward a new or used wheel, including one of the wheels from the class. 4 to 8 oz each of grease wool, washed wool, roving and carded batts will be provided. Additional materials will be available for purchase.

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.

Friday Photo

Monday Morning Spinning

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 February 1st?

Class: Design and Knit Fair Isle Mittens

February 1, 15, and March 1 (Mondays) | 6-8 PM | $80

Love Fair Isle mittens but afraid to knit them? Or just never see a pattern that jumps out at you? Learn to design your own pattern, and learn to knit fair isle all at once!



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

What we'll teach you how to do:
- design a fair isle pattern that you like
- knit mittens

What materials are included:
- pattern
- two skeins of Classic Elite Fresco

You will need to provide 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.

Class: Knitted Gloves with Twisted Stitches

January 30, February 13 and 20 (Saturdays) | 2-5 PM | $80

Learn to knit these beautiful gloves using twisted stitches to their finest -


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

What we'll teach you how to do:
- knit gloves to fit your hand
- twisted stitches (slightly different from cables)

What materials are included:
- pattern
- needles appropriate to yarn
- appropriate yarn


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.

Traveling up to Maine shawl

One of our customers (slychickadee on Ravelry) made the most beautiful shawl from the last sock club installment.


Yarn: Perhaps Today is a Good Day to Dye, Surino, in "Raspberry Beret"
Pattern: Traveling Woman (Ravel it! Also, slychickadee's project!)

She says she's new to lace knitting; we say she was born to be a lace knitter!

Ten reasons to come to our plaza

A lot of people come to our plaza to grocery shop - Publix is just right across the parking lot. Sadly, it's closing on the 23rd of this month - but only long enough to be rebuilt - and it will also be taking over the spot next door and so will be almost twice as big.

But here are ten other good reasons to still come to the Millhopper Square area -
1. Us - Hanks Yarn and Fiber!
2. Leonardo's Pizza
3. The Artisan's Guild
4. Alternatives
5. Wild Birds Unlimited
6. Gifts of Avalon
7. Book Gallery West
8. Bagel Bakery
9. Roly Poly
10. The Post Office

Just because we won't have a grocery store nearby for a few months is no reason to keep driving by - clearly our little corner still has a lot to offer! And don't forget, Fresh Market is just across the street!

Friday Photo

New Mind's Eye Yarns!

We got a shipment of Lucy's lovely Mind's Eye Yarn; six different colorways. Call us at the shop (352.338-7222) if you're interested (we don't carry this on our website) and we'd be happy to tell you what we got in, and ring you up over the phone!

Class: Australian Locker Hooking

Friday January 22 | 6-8 PM | $50

Come join us for a fun evening of Australian Locker Hooking! This is a technique that involves using a hook to pull loops of unspun fiber through rug canvas and then locking them into place with a hidden strand of yarn. You will learn how to prepare the canvas, work straight and diagonal lines, circles, and then finish off the edges for a wonderful trivet. We will talk about designing larger pieces such as rugs and how to care for your locker hooked items. This is not rug hooking and you do not need to know how to spin, knit or crochet!



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.

Seaming my afghan

I took this at the night of our seaming party, and unfortunately haven't gotten too much farther than this (but for good reasons, as we've been busy in the shop). This is the start of my seaming together, the first strip of five. Then I plan to put borders around the next five, seam them together like this, and then seam the two sets of five together (ultimately my afghan will be 5x5, in case I forgot to blog about that).

Hopefully I will have something more to show you about this time next week!

Charlene's Cardinal

Introducing Charlene's Cardinal, a limited edition colorway that will be included in the upcoming class by Charlene Schurch. If there are any skeins left after the class, they will be available (first come, first served) for sale that weekend until they are gone (and this colorway will not be repeated).

Class: Learn to Knit Hats

January 21, 28, and February 4 (Thursdays) | 6:00-8:00 | $80

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!





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

What we'll teach you how to do:
- knit in the round on circular needles
- knit in the round on double-point needles
- decrease while knitting in the round

What materials are included:
- pattern
- needles appropriate to yarn
- two skeins of GGH Tara


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.

There are still a few spots available!

Hanks Yarn and Fiber is over the moon to announce that Charlene Schurch will be here to teach a class on Saturday, January 23, 2010. There are still a couple of spots available, but they're going fast!

The subject of the class is Sock Heels, and will run from 9-4:30 with an hour-and-a-half break for lunch at 12. During the last half hour of the lunch Charlene will be available to autograph books. The price of the class is $125, and includes lunch from Leonardo's. And a goodie bag, which will include some special sock yarn dyed just for this occasion!

(Note to Frequent Shoppers - you can apply your Frequent Shopper Discount to the price of this class.)

Class description:
There are many ways to knit a sock heel. Over the years inventive knitters have solved the problem of turning the tube of knitting into a sock. We will explore several of these structures and the intricacies of making your selected heel easy to knit, durable and attractive. We will explore short row heels, heel flaps, reverse heel flaps as well as looking at ways to make them an interesting part of the sock design.

Materials:
Students should bring 1 oz white worsted weight wool or wool blend yarn, 1 oz darker worsted weight yarn, size 6 or 7 sock needles, you may bring double points, two circs or magic loop. 1 oz darker worsted weight yarn, standard knitting supplies.

Previous Experience:
Student must have knit at least 2 pairs of socks.

This class is limited to 15 people, so... just sayin'!

Mmmore Mmmalabrigo!

We got five colors in worsted (on the bottom) and four in sock (on the top). Swing by the shop or feel free to call us and we can ring you up over the phone!

Friday Photo

Thursday Night Spinners

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 January 21st?

Ten little Hogtowns all in a row

Pictured are five skeins in Superwash Merino, and five in BFL sock; we're having some issues with the online shop so if you want any of these feel free to swing by or give us a call!

Friday Photo

Doesn't this make you want to come to our slumber party this Saturday? We still have open spaces...!

Ten little sock monkeys all in a row

Pictured are five skeins in Bamboo Sock, and five in BFL sock; Superwash Merino is drying and should be ready by the weekend.

Spinning Wheel Sale!

In preparation for the upcoming spinning class, we are trying to move some of our spinning wheels! You lucky ducks are looking at 20% off all of the wheels that we currently have in stock (No other discount applies, and we cannot ship them.). We currently have two Louet S10's, a Louet S51, a Louet Julia (My personal favorite!) and an Ashford Traveler (That one is 25% off!). These wheels have all been used for classes in the past and are ever so slightly used. So if you've been looking or thinking about a wheel, now is the time to act! You have until January 26th to take us up on this limited time offer.


p.s. The wheels will be taking a little vacation on January 8th and 9th, but other than those two days they will be available for you to take a little spin on them at the shop.

Slumber Party!

Get out your PJs on Saturday, January 9th from 8:00pm to 11:00pm (We’re actually old ladies in disguise. Can’t miss that late showing of McGuyver, you know.). Ten dollars will get you in the door and covers drinkies and snacks.

This event will be limited to 15 people, so pull out your wallets and get them to the shop asap! We’ll also take Paypal sent to hanksyarn@gmail.com.

As of right now, there are 11 spaces left.

Class: Yarn Bombing

Saturdays 1/9 (2-5 PM) and 2/20 (6-8 PM) | $45

Plus a Knit-a-long meetup on Sunday 1/24 | 10:30-1:30 | Free with class

What exactly is "Yarn Bombing"? According to Wikipedia, Graffiti Knitting or Yarn Bombing is a type of graffiti or street art that employs colorful displays of knitted or crocheted cloth rather than paint or chalk. While yarn installations may last for years, they are considered non permanent, and unlike graffiti, can be easily removed if necessary.


Week One: Go over the techniques in the book, scout out the areas to be "bombed", and discuss our preliminary ideas.

KAL Meetup: just a check-in to see how everyone is doing!

Week Two: Finish up any loose ends, and then hit the secret area and get to tagging!

What you need to know how to do:

- cast on
- the knit stitch
- the purl stitch
- some basic crochet skills may come in handy

What materials are included:

- Appropriate yarn

Students will want to bring a variety of knitting needle and crochet hooks, as we will have a variety of yarns available. The book "Yarn Bombing" by Mandy Moore will be available to purchase at a 20% discount for students.

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: Introduction to Knitting

January 13, 20, 27, and February 3 (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.

Charlene Schurch "Heels" class at Hanks!

Hanks Yarn and Fiber is over the moon to announce that Charlene Schurch will be here to teach a class on Saturday, January 23, 2010.

The subject of the class is Sock Heels, and will run from 9-4:30 with an hour-and-a-half break for lunch at 12. During the last half hour of the lunch Charlene will be available to autograph books. The price of the class is $125, and includes lunch from Leonardo's. And a goodie bag, which will include some special sock yarn dyed just for this occasion!

(Note to Frequent Shoppers - you can apply your Frequent Shopper Discount to the price of this class.)

Class description:
There are many ways to knit a sock heel. Over the years inventive knitters have solved the problem of turning the tube of knitting into a sock. We will explore several of these structures and the intricacies of making your selected heel easy to knit, durable and attractive. We will explore short row heels, heel flaps, reverse heel flaps as well as looking at ways to make them an interesting part of the sock design.

Materials:
Students should bring 1 oz white worsted weight wool or wool blend yarn, 1 oz darker worsted weight yarn, size 6 or 7 sock needles, you may bring double points, two circs or magic loop. 1 oz darker worsted weight yarn, standard knitting supplies.

Previous Experience:
Student must have knit at least 2 pairs of socks.

This class is limited to 15 people, so... just sayin'!

Calling the Malabrigo junkies!

I've been promising a few people that I would post here when we got our small shipment of Malabrigo in... and so here it is!

Class: Introduction to Knitting Cuff-Down Socks on Double-Pointed Needles

1/11, 1/18, 1/25 (Mondays) | 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.

2009 FOs Year in Review - Pullovers

This last year was the year I learned to love knitting tank tops and pullovers -



Pattern: Tubey
Yarn: Trendsetter Merinos VIII




Pattern: Monogrammed Sweater
Yarn: Aslan Trends Artesanal




Pattern: Green Gable
Yarn: Classic Elite Premiere




Pattern: Pioneer
Yarn: Lorna's Laces Green Line Worsted




Pattern: Wicked
Yarn: Malabrigo worsted weight, and some handspun




Pattern: Wicked
Yarn: Louet Gems Worsted Weight

Afghan Seaming Slumber Party Reminder

Get out your PJs and gather up all the afghan squares you've been plugging away on all year, it’s time for an afghan seaming slumber party at Hanks!

It’ll be on Saturday, January 9th from 8:00pm to 11:00pm (We’re actually old ladies in disguise. Can’t miss that late showing of McGuyver, you know.). Ten dollars will get you in the door and covers drinkies and snacks.

Ideally you would have at least two completed squares to bring to the party. And if you have a handful of squares but no idea of how to seam them together, no worries - there will be people there to talk things over with and to help you learn to seam your afghan squares together.

This event will be limited to 15 people, so pull out your wallets and get them to the shop asap! We’ll also take Paypal sent to hanksyarn@gmail.com.

Want to come to the party but don't have an afghan to seam? If we have any spots open after January 6th, we'll open those up to people who just want to come and hang out with knitter peeps in PJs. Heck, maybe you could even whip up two swatches before then, and learn some seaming skills!

Class: Kids Series - Intro to Knitting Hats

1/9, 1/16, 1/30 (Sat) | 10:30-12:30 | $80

This class is geared towards kids who have previously taken our "learn to knit class" and are ready for the next step! This class is on how to knit a simple, rolled-brim hat in Stockinette (all knit stitches! no purling!).



Week One: Cast on, and learn to knit in the round

Week Two: Continue to knit in the round, fixing any mistakes that have happened.

(There is a two-week break in between weeks two and three to allow for knitting time)

Week Three: Decreases and finishing the hat!

What you need to know how to do:
- the knit stitch
- casting on (although we will certainly help with this)

What we'll teach you how to do:
- knitting in the round on circular needles
- knitting in the round on double-pointed needles
- decreasing evenly in the round

What materials are included:
- pattern
- needles (both circular and double-pointed)
- appropriate yarn


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.