2010 Class Descriptions
Essentials of Knitted Lace - sold out - Do you welcome a knitting challenge? Are you ready to take your lace knitting to the next level? Then this is the class for you … come discover the ESSENTIALS … your ticket to more enjoyable, more productive, more hassle-free lace knitting with acclaimed lace expert Galina Khmeleva. In this unique workshop, Galina will cover the broad range of knitting techniques that will enable every knitter to successfully complete the project of their choice, ie. elegant border and cornering techniques, superior shaping using Galina’s modified short-rows method, simple yet so effective cast-ons and bind-offs, continental knitting … faster, more efficient, more wrist-friendly, and the unique Russian grafting method … it will ’seam’ almost magical in its simplicity and usefulness. Master the ESSENTIALS … master your lace knitting.
A hands-on demonstration of the unique Orenburg handspinning technique(s) will be included, with a special emphasis on domestically produced fiber(s). Authentic Russian spindles provided for class use.
- Student Supplies:
- Students should bring note-taking materials and favorite needles (any style) sizes 0-3.
Dimensional Knitting - Would you like to give your knitting projects new life - adding style, substance and texture? The addition of “spiders,” “clover leafs,” and “mooshky” (lily-of-the-valley motif) will add a new dimension to your knitting. Traditional they’re not - a real hoot to knit, most definitely.
Student Supplies: Students should bring a light-colored, non-textured , sport weight or fingering weight yarn (no acrylics) and needles appropriate for the size of the yarn ... and note-taking materials.
Materials Fee and/or Homework: There is no pre-class homework or specific preparation.
Lace Repair - It’s a knitter’s worst nightmare … a tear, a pulled thread, broken stitches; maybe even your version of ‘the dog ate my homework’? Or those creepy, crawly pests! You’ve spent countless hours (not to mention $$$) on a favorite knitting project … it doesn’t have to end this way!! Galina will show you her tricks of the trade on how to ‘mend your ways’. If you adore it … restore it!
Student Supplies: Students should bring notetaking materials.
Materials Fee and/or Homework: There is no pre-class homework or specific preparation.
Introduction to the basic elements & pattern designs of Orenburg Lace - Mouseprint, cat’s paw, honeycomb … these are but three of the ten basic elements that form the basis of Orenburg’s knitted lace, combinations of which result in the near-mystical pattern designs that evolve into Orenburg lace shawls and scarves. In this class, Galina will introduce students to the basic elements, border and corner preparation, grafting method(s)…all in preparation to render each student capable of knitting their own heirloom shawl.
- Student Supplies:
- Students should bring note-taking materials and favorite needles (any style) sizes 0-3.
Top Down Sweaters - Making a sweater from neck-to-hem is no longer a knitter’s trick. Crocheters can create beautiful raglan style sweaters and cardigans from the neck down, quickly, easily and without a pattern! The objectives are as follows:
- Learn which 3 measurements you need to take in order to make this sweater from start to finish.
- How to work with gauge to make a perfect fit every time
- Make the sweater in ONE Piece.
- How to make it work with any stitch
- Complete a Toddler size sweater by end of class
Skills Required: Knowledge of the Chain stitch, the Single Crochet, the Double Crochet and the Slip Stitch
- Student Supplies:
- 16 ounces of solid color worsted weight / sport weight yarn (No dark colors or boucle yarns)
- Hook sizes that student is comfortable using with yarn selected.
- Measuring tape
- Yarn/stitch Gauge (optional)
- Scissors
- Small steel yarn needle (no plastic please)
Materials fee is $10 for spiral-bound, 24 page book of how to instruction.
There is no homework for this class except for students to email me pictures of their completed projects.
Basics of Lace Crochet - Take the mystery out of crocheting lace. Making lace is as easy as learning a new stitch pattern. In these three hours you will learn to create your choice of a filmy scarf or shawl using lace-weight yarn. The objectives are: getting comfortable with using a lace weight yarn; create a small swatch using a simple stitch pattern; get started on a simple scarf or shawl.
Skills Required: Knowledge of the Chain stitch, the Single Crochet, the Double Crochet and the Slip Stitch
- Student Supplies:
- About 25 yards of Lace weight yarn to swatch with
- 800-1000 yards of Lace weight yarn to make shawl. (this amount will make 2 scarves)
- Size G (4.0mm) Crochet hook
- Scissors
- Small steel yarn needle (no plastic please)
Beaded Crochet Ropes - Love beads? Love Crochet? Let’s combine both to make some stunning pieces. Learn the basic stitch pattern first with larger yarn and hooks then try our hand at thread and seed beads to make a stunning bracelet. Learn to make beautiful Beaded Ropes using Size 10 crochet thread and seed beads. Learn how different size beads and starting chains can change the look and feel of your ropes. This is a project class. After learning to create a rope, we will make a bracelet.
Skills Required: Knowledge of the Chain stitch, the Single Crochet, and the Slip Stitch
- Student Supplies:
- Size I (5.5mm) Crochet hook
- Size 5 or 6 steel crochet hook
- Scissors
- Fray check or Hypo Cement (found in the Jewelry aisle at most craft shops)
- Optional: Ott light to help with lighting.
Materials Fee and/or Homework: Materials fee will be $25, which covers the cost of a complete kit that includes a spiral bound handout, pre-strung beads and all supplies to make 2 bracelets and practice pieces.
Venetian Lace - Venetian Lace was created in the 16th to 19th centuries with needle and thread connecting motifs with bar like structures to create relief patterns in the lace. Learn to take the same technique in thread crochet.
Skills Required: Knowledge of the Chain stitch, Single Crochet, Double Crochet, and the Slip Stitch
- Student Supplies:
- Either size 8 or 10 crochet cotton in white or ecru
- Steel hooks sizes 0 (for size 8 thread) or 6 (for size 10 thread)
- Scissors
- Steel Thread Needle
Delta Crochet - Delta crochet has been primarily touted as a technique used in Thread Crochet. Adapting this technique to yarn allows for projects that are easy for advanced-beginner to intermediate crocheters. Learn this technique hands-on by creating a lacy shawl for spring / summer. The objectives are to: learn the Basic Delta Mesh; discover that Delta can be created with stitches other than the double triple; and have a good start or complete a lacy shawl.
Skills Required: Knowledge of the Chain stitch, Single Crochet, Double Crochet, Triple Crochet, and the Slip Stitch
- Student Supplies:
- 200 yards of ribbon or fashion yarn of choice
- 1 ball of worsted weight yarn for practice.
- Size I (5.5 mm) crochet hook and any hook that will work well with yarn chosen
- Scissors
- Yarn Needle Large enough to weave in thread ends
Photograph Finished Items & Fiber - sold out - new section added - Bring your own camera and a small project or two, and learn the basics of lighting, depth of field, styling and common fiber-photography problems like capturing true color, capturing stitch definition and photographing lace. We will also learn how to make a light box at home, cheap! No prior knowledge of photography necessary. The emphasis will be getting the best possible shots using your camera. Class size limited to 15 students.
- Student Supplies:
- Camera (preferably digital)
- Manual for camera (if available)
- A selection (one or two) of projects to photograph
- Notebook and pen or pencil
Franklin's Styles, History, & Methods of Lace Class - sold out - In this three-hour session, learn the basic principles and techniques of knitting’s grandest tradition. Subjects to be covered include beginnings and endings, chart reading, lifelines, nupps and other fancy maneuvers, edgings, dealing with mistakes, blocking finished work, and more. Students will also learn about the great national traditions of knitted lace and what makes them unique. Participants must be fluent in the basic moves of casting on, knitting and purling.
- Student Supplies:
- One ball Dale Baby Ull or equivalent in white or a light color. Wool or another non-slippery animal fiber is recommended. [Note: My recommendation is Dale Baby Ull because it is on the thin side, rips back easily, and doesn't have any halo to obscure the structure of the knitting. Any yarn of a similar weight that fits those criteria should be fine. The white/light color is also important because students must be able to see what they're doing.]
- One pair US size 4 needles (8" or longer) or circular needle (24" suggested length).
- Notions: Scissors, yarn needle, stitch markers (6), pen (or pencil) and paper for making notes. (In all of my classes, note-taking is highly advised!) Row counter recommended, but optional.
Knitted Lace Edgings - Learn the fundamentals of designing lace edging and how to choose the correct edging to accent a project. Learn visual aids to keep track of your pattern and where you are in the pattern. Make a lace cover for a candle or a coffee mug.
Skills Required: Knit and Purl stitches
Student Supplies: Fingering or lace weight yarn and appropriate needles for the yarn. Highlighters or colored pencils in at least 4 colors.
Tip Toe Into Lace - Ease into lace for beginners using worsted weight or DK weight yarn that you are already comfortable with. Learn to use a stitch dictionary in order to create your own scarf lace sampler. Students will learn how to read lace charts and use a stitch dictionary. Overcome your fears of knitting lace. Begin a scarf sampler.
Skills Required: Knit and Purl stitches
Student Supplies: DK or WW yarn with appropriate size needles for the yarn chosen.
Beginning Shuttle Tatting - sold out - Learn the various ways tatting can be used to create beautiful works of art. Decorate linens, clothing or just create a fun tatted animal. Tatting has only one stitch. You will learn this stitch and create a beautiful piece of trim or a medallion. This stitch can be used to create traditional lace trim, doilies, cute little tatted animals, creative landscapes, jewelry, etc. Only your imagination is the limit. The one stitch used in different variations will result in a variety of delicate beautiful lace. Students will learn the basics of tatting: a chain and a ring. They will also see some of the ways tatting can be used. They will learn about the various threads used in tatting, where to get the supplies and resources for patterns and books. They will also learn about the different types of shuttles. A brief mention of needle tatting.
Skills Required: Imagination and initiative to learn.
Student Supplies: #10 Crochet Cotton in 2 contrasting colors.
Materials Fee and/or Homework: Teacher requires purchase of a specific tatting shuttle - $3 class fee.
Silk Dyeing and Spinning - CANCELED - Silk is such a beautiful and lustrous fiber to spin! This workshop will show you how to prepare and spin all the various forms of silk available to spinners today. You will also learn how to dye silk. Even though it is an expensive fiber relative to our wools and such, it takes MUCH less to produce light and airy products than wool! So working with small amounts is a pleasure!
Hand-painting Roving and Yarns - sold out - Dyeing your own yarn or roving is a whole new level of excitement! There are many methods to getting luscious color onto your fibers, and this class will concentrate on hand-painting dye color directly onto your roving or spun yarn. We will use protein fibers and acid dyes, however the techniques you will learn will transfer to any fiber and their relative dye.
Skills Required: None.
- Student Supplies:
- Notebook
- Pencil
- Full apron
- Latex or vinyl gloves
- dust mask
- 3 - pint jars with tight fitting lids
- 3 - one inch sponge brushes OR large stencil brushes
- 2-3 ounces of natural (undyed) wool yarn wound into a large skein and tied in at least 3 loose figure eight ties OR, bring 2 ounces of natural protein based roving
Beginning Drop Spindle - One of the oldest spinning tools is the hand spindle. They have been found all over the world in just about every culture. Learn how to make good functional yarns using the hand spindle. Students will learn how to make a good yarn using twist energy. Also learn about spinning fibers, how to draft and how to control yarn size and twist energy.
Skills Required: None
Student Supplies: Bring your own medium weight top or bottom whorl hand spindle and 4 ounces of carded slyver of a good fiber length, or you can buy a kit in class for $12.
Materials Fee and/or Homework: Optional kit for $12.
Knitting with Beads - In this class we will make a scarf with 2 different styles of beading - prestrung beads and added in as you go. This would be knitted as a sampler in class and students will leave class with a pattern for a complete scarf. Students should bring yarn specified in materials list.
Student Supplies: We will make a sampler that can be used as a bookmark. You will need to bring 100yds of a fingering weight yarn to class and size 6 needles (any style). Beads and other supplies will be provided.
Blocking Lace - Knit or Crochet - Learn several different blocking methods, washing methods and care of shawls. In class we will block using wet blocking and steam blocking techniques with T-pins and blocking wires. Students will have to bring swatches of lace patterns to class.
Student Supplies: This is a hands-on class; you will need to bring at least three lace swatches - no smaller than 6 inches square. At least one of your swatches should have a fiber content of 70% or more wool. Any size yarn works for these swatches, just use the appropriate sized hook or needle. Use this opportunity to try out a lace stitch, your imagination is the limit! This class is appropriate for any level needle-person.
Crochet Beaded Loop Bag - CANCELED - Decadently luxurious evening bag, dripping with long loops of beads. Basic Crochet skills are all you need to create this heirloom bag.