Class: Introduction to Entrelac

October 2 and 9, 2008 (Thursdays)
6-8 PM
$50 | Materials included

During the two weeks of this class a washcloth 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.



This is not a good class for someone who has no previous experience in knitting; but those who are already familiar with casting on, binding off, knitting, purling, and picking up stitches would be comfortable.


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).

Spinning 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)


Spinning classes are all on Friday nights from 6-8 PM
October 3, 10, 24, and 31, 2008
or
November 31, December 5, 12, and 19, 2008 This class is already full; we would be happy to take two names for alternates in the event of a cancellation in this class but please be aware that we can not guarantee you a spot if you are an alternate.
or
January 9, 16, 23, and 30, 2009

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.

Sharon is having a birthday!

Sharon's birthday (A BIG ONE!) is Monday, but she'll be sipping champagne in a cottage in the mountains-- so if you have time, swing by today (there will be cupcakes!) or give her a call and wish her a happy birthday!

Upcoming class list

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)

Introduction to Entrelac
Oct. 2 and 9, 2008 (Thursdays)
6-8 PM | $50 | Materials Included

My First Sweater: Top-down Raglan
Oct. 4, 11, 25, and Nov. 1, 2008 (Saturdays)
2-5 PM | $80 | Materials Not Included

Introduction to Lace Knitting
Oct. 6, 13, 20, and 27, 2008 (Mondays)
6-8 PM | $100 | Materials Included

Knit a Small Beaded Bag (“Square Cake”)
Oct. 16, 23, and 30, 2008 (Thursdays)
6-8 PM | $75 | Materials Included

Intro to Knitting 1 (The Knit Stitch)
October 22, 29, November 12, and 19, 2008 (Wednesdays)
6-8 PM | $100 | Materials Included

Introduction to Crochet
Oct. 25 and Nov. 1, 2008 (Saturdays)
10:30 AM – 1:30 PM | $50 | Materials Included

Buttonholes, Seaming, and Picking Up Stitches
Monday, November 3, 2008
or
Wednesday December 10, 2008
6-8 PM | $25 | Materials Not Included | Homework required before class

Sock Knitting using the Magic Loop Method
November 8 and 15, 2008 (Saturdays)
2-5 PM | $65 | Materials Included

Knit a Purse (“Counterpane Bag”)
November 15, 22, December 6, 13, and 20, 2008 (Saturdays)
10:30 AM – 1:30 PM | $125
Most Materials Included

Introduction to Cables, Slipped, & Twisted Stitches
November 17 and 24, 2008 (Mondays)
6-8 PM | $50 | Materials Included

Knit and Felt a Bag
December 1, 8, 15, and 22, 2008 (Mondays)
6-8 PM | $100 | Materials Included

Sock Knitting using DPNs
Dec. 4, 11, and 18, 2008 (Thursdays)
6-8 PM | $75 Materials Included

Intro to Knitting 2 (Purling and Cables)
December 6, 13, 20, 2008 and
January 3, 2009 (Saturdays)
2-5 PM | $100 | Materials Included

The Hanks Question of the Week

It's September, and down here in Florida we can almost see the turn of the season from "Really Amazingly Skin-Meltingly Hot" to "Barely Hot In Fact Maybe Even Just Warm". I think the rest of you call that the turn from Summer to Fall...? Anyway. It's got us thinking about sweaters, and scarves, and hats, and all the other cold-weather things that we can spend the next four months making because we really won't need them until we hit those three cold days in January. So yes, our thoughts are turning from socks and tank tops to sweaters and hats. Do you find this happens to you as well? Do you plan ahead for what you want to be wearing in three-to-five months?

September is for Antony

Continuing with 2008: A Year in Scarves... we have September is for Antony. This scarf was knit with two skeins of Lorna's Laces Green Line Worsted (shown in "Chagrin") on size 8 straight needles. The pattern is available here, and you can check it out on Ravelry here.

As with our other scarf patterns, this one is easily customizable; one could easily make it wider by adding to the cast-on number, or using more yarn and making it longer.

The Hanks Question of the Week

Although it's still approximately the same temperature as the surface of the sun here in Florida, the college students are coming back into town and that makes us think of slightly cooler weather, and football (Gainesville is home to the University of Florida, in case you're not local). And that made us think... have you ever crafted something college related? Either a scarf or hat in school colors, or a little crocheted football, or anything along those lines? I think the closest I've gotten is the August scarf (ravel it!). What have you done? Anything? Yes, Harry Potter school color scarves count!