Friday, October 11th, 9 am-12 pm
$45 members, $55 non members

Wondering what to do with those odds and ends of yarn that collect in your wool room? The magic ball method is a fun way to handle them! In this class you will learn how to arrange random colors in a way that looks inten¬tional and not scrappy. Knotting these yarns together you will wind balls that you can then knit into a lacy cowl, surprising yourself with the unpredictable results. I will discuss the kinds of stitch patterns that show off a magic ball’s characteristics while you are making your balls, and the handout includes two other patterns and recom¬mended free patterns.

Level of experience: For beginners to experts.
Estimated materials fee: $22 for yarn and handout.
Homework: None
Bring: Size 3 & 4 24-32" needles; stitch marker.

Friday, October 11th, 2-5pm
$45 members, $55 non members

Want to use large, isolated motifs in your design but hate intarsia? Want to use long floats in your stranded design but hate the color peek-through when you trap the float? Invisible stranding and Armenian knitting offer different ways to approach stranded knitting design when you want to do something non-traditional. There are many situations when you might want to have these alternative—and very different—techniques in your stranded knitting toolkit!

Level of experience: Some experience in stranded knitting and reading charts.
Estimated materials fee: $3
Homework: None
Materials needed: 2 balls of smooth worsted-weight wool yarn, one much darker than the other (it is important that these be the same yarn brand)—for example, Cascade 220 or the equivalent; appropriately sized 24-32” circular needles to make a firm fabric (size depends on your yarn and knitting style); markers.

Working from a Source of Inspiration
Saturday, October 12th, 9 am-12 pm, 2-5 pm, and
Sunday, October 13th, 9 am-12 pm
$135 members, $150 non members

The infinite number of color possibilities in Fair Isle knitting can be intimidating! I be¬gin by discussing color theory, sources of inspiration, and the specific requirements of Fair Isle design. You will start your color exploration by knitting a value swatch; guided by your color inspiration, you will then choose colors for increasingly complex designs.

Level of experience: Experience with two-color stranded knitting
Estimated materials fee: $20 for Shetland yarn for swatching and handout.
Homework: None

Bring: Sizes 1-4 24-32" circular needles (the range of sizes allows you to determine your gauge); regular sharpened pencils; inspiration photos (instructions will be sent before class); optional: 3-in-1 Color Tool.

Sunday, October 13th, 2-5 pm
$45 members, $55 non members

Making a sweater fit and flatter requires that we pay special attention to the shoulders. Well-fitted sweaters have a slope built into the shoulders, but this technique has always been a challenge for stranded knitters: how can we knit a slope without knitting back in color pattern? In this class you will knit a small sample of my shaped shoulder in the round technique, which avoids purling in pattern. This technique can be used with any published pattern. We will also determine the optimal slope for your body by pinning a t-shirt to fit and discuss how to translate this information to your pattern.

Level of experience: Experience in stranded knitting, reading charts, and knitting in the round.
Estimated materials fee: $3
Homework: Yes

Materials needed: 2 balls of smooth worsted-weight wool yarn, one much darker than the other (it is important that these be the same yarn brand)—for example, Cascade 220 or the equivalent; appropriately sized 16” circular needles to make a firm fabric (size depends on your yarn and knitting style); markers; tapestry needle; a t-shirt that fits you very loosely; safety pins.