Friday, 5/17/19
2:30 – 5:00
Drop Spindle Spinning - Beginners
Leader: Aaron Bush
This workshop introduces new spinners to the craft using one of the earliest and most basic, yet amazingly versatile tools: the drop spindle. We will learn about fiber preparation, staple length, drafting and some of the different ways to do it, the different types of drop spindles and their construction, and how all of those things come together to make yarn.
Workshop participants are encouraged to bring a drop spindle, preferably a top whorl spindle weighing between 1 and 1.5 ounces. If you need help choosing one I can give recommendations for well made and affordable spindles suitable for beginners. I will also bring a few extras of my own if someone needs one.
Fiber will be provided for this workshop. If you have some fiber you’ve already purchased please bring it. You will still start with the fiber provided for class and when you feel ready you can start with yours.
Skill: Spinning
Level: Basic
Cost: None
Location: Main Room
Max Participants: 5
Intro to Weaving Part 1
Leader: Dave Sledesky
Learn how to weave using a rigid heddle loom in this two part beginner weaving class. You’ll come to class with two skeins of wool and finish with a beautiful “pinwheel” (a.k.a., faux houndstooth) scarf. In the first session, you’ll learn how to set up or “dress” the loom and start weaving. In the second session, you will remove your woven scarf from the loom, finish the ends, and fix any mistakes made during weaving. In between the two sessions, you will be expected to weave your scarf. You’ll also learn some key terminology regarding looms and other basics during this class. Looms will be available for rent if you do not have a rigid heddle loom of your own.
Skill: Weaving
Level: Basic
Cost: $20 if you need to rent a rigid heddle loom
Location: Main Room
Max Participants: 4
Lock 'er Up! - Trapping Floats in two-handed Stranded Knitting
Leader: Hayes Russock
One of the biggest challenges with Fair Isle or any stranded colorwork knitting is managing your yarns so they don’t become twisted, and catching your floats on the back of the work in order to ensure you avoid puckering and snags (plus, it looks pretty!).
You don’t need to be an expert at both Throwing and Picking (English vs. Continental), but if you have the basics down, I can help you navigate the mysteries of locked floats so you can up your game.
Skill: Knitting
Level: Requires some knowledge
Cost: None
Location: Sun Porch
Max Participants: 8
Introduction to Double-Knitting
Leader: Alasdair Post-Quinn
Double-knitting is a unique method of making a fabric with no “wrong” side and a built-in reversible colorwork pattern. Significantly different from the standard intarsia and Fair Isle colorwork that are so well known, double-knitting is a labor-intensive but wholly worthwhile technique to have in your repertoire. In this workshop, you’ll learn my 2-color cast-on for double-knitting, get comfortable with the techniques involved, then move into colorwork. At the end of the workshop, you should have a motif swatch and be confident that you can tackle a larger standard double-knitting pattern. This is an advanced technique, but you need only be comfortable with the long-tail cast-on and basic knit and purl; previous experience with colorwork is also helpful but not necessary.
Equipment Required: 2 well-contrasting colors of worsted or dk-weight yarn and needles in an appropriate size
Skill: Knitting
Level: Requires Some Knowledge
Cost: 0
Location: Temple
Max Participants: 10
Saturday, 5/18/19
9:30 – Noon
Planned Pooling
Leader: Chris Fava
Students will be shown how yarn with regular color repeats can be knitted such that the colors stack upon each other in interesting ways… in fact many use this technique to create excellent examples of argyle – just by knitting in stickinette stitch back-and-forth! Stripes are also possible.
Works with crochet, too!
Skill: Knitting
Level: Requires Some Knowledge
Cost: None
Location: Main Room
Max Participants: 15
Friending Knit Companion
Leader: Brady Robinder
Being a companion can be difficult. Find out how to make Knit Companion for your iPad your new best friend. This introductory course explores how to set up a pdf pattern to knit, pop out a chart to track progress, and take project notes as you go. Students will need to bring an iPad and a pdf pattern with either a cable or color work chart to participate in the class.
Skill: Other/Tech
Level: Basic
Cost: 0
Location: Sun Porch
Max Participants: 8
Knit to Fit Your Pampered Pet
Leader: Franklin “Mad Dog” Habit
Custom sweaters for four-legged friends are among the most rewarding projects in all of knitting–but also one of its greatest challenges. How do you resize a design for a dachshund and to fit a great dane–or vice versa? How do you make something just right for a special mutt, or–if you are a brave sort–for a special kitty? In this lecture-based class, Franklin will guide you through the process of measuring, calculating, and designing simple but effective garments to suit any animal companion. It’s not just fun, it can make you stronger knitter–because these fundamental principles of knitting to fit work for humans, too! Prerequisites: This class will best serve knitters who have reached at least the advanced beginner level. Students must be fluent all in the fundamentals of knitting, including increases and decreases.
Materials Notebook and pencil with eraser (preferred) or pen for making notes Calculator or calculator app (option) Homework None
Skill: Knitting
Level: Requires Some Knowledge
Cost: 0
Location: Temple
Max Participants: 20
Saturday, 5/18/19
2:00 – 4:30
Intro to Weaving - Part 2
Leader: Dave Sledesky
Continuation of Part 1 from Friday afternoon – Finishing off your woven masterpiece!
Skill: Weaving
Level: Basic
Cost: $20 if you need to rent a rigid heddle loom
Location: Main Room
Max Participants: 4
Sock Heels
Leader: Tom Belunis
The heel can be the trickiest part of the sock, not just knitting it, but getting a good fit. We’ll take a look at considerations for knitting the heel for a better fit and explore a few variations of heels. In the workshop we’ll knit an afterthought heel with a gusset. Participants should be comfortable knitting in the round with either DPNs, magic loop or two circulars.
Skill: Knitting
Level: Requires Some Knowledge
Cost: 0
Location: Temple
Max Participants: 12
To Steek or Not to Steek (or Cut or Uncut)
Leader: Kirk Hochstetler
Introduction to steeking. Participants will learn various techniques to prepare their fabric to be steeked. Pre-class homework will be a 2-color circular knit sample.
Get your tetanus updated and bring band aids if you’re clumsy.
Skill: Knitting
Level: Requires Some Knowledge
Cost: $0 to about $10
Location: Sun Porch
Max Participants: 6