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| Name
| Description, Materials, Homework
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learn to knit!
knitting made simple
4 sessions, 2 hours each
Prequisite Skills:
none
| Knit one, purl two... what on earth does it mean? Come find out! In only four sessions! Learn the
basics and start your first scarf, shawl or afghan.
Topics: Yarn and needles, casting on, knitting, purling, fixing mistakes, simple increase and
decrease, binding off
Materials: For learning and practicing your stitches you will need the following
for the first class:
- about 100 yards of bulky weight (3 stitches/inch, usually written or in graph form on ball bands
as 12 stitches/4 inches) yarn
- US size 10 to 101/2 needles (diameter). Needles may be either short or long straights (sticks)
or 24" or 29" long circulars (two needles connected by a length of plastic).
- point protectors to prevent the work from sliding off the needles
Materials for your third-week project will be discussed in class.
Homework: There is no homework before the first class. Knitting is a hand skill, so the more you practice the easier it becomes and the more fun you will have!
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knit. purl. now what?
beyond knitting 101
2 sessions, 2 hours each
Prequisite Skills:
cast on, knit, purl, bind off
| There's a world out beyond the 101! Hop in and take a spin through some new territory. Knit up the
sample scarf patterns as you learn about gauge, decipher knitting instructions, create cool stripes,
and see how to make those extra-long "drop" stitches.
Topics: Gauge and effect of needle size, creating stripes of color and texture, reading stitch
pattern instructions, elongating stitches
Materials: For learning the patterns in the first class, bring the following:
- ~100 yards of heavy worsted to bulky weight (4.5-3.5 stitches/inch) yarn in 2 light or bright colors
- US size 9 to 10 1/2 needles (whatever is recommended on the ball band)
- needle 4-5 sizes larger than recommended for yarn
Further materials will be discussed during first class.
Homework: There is no homework before the first class.
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exploring increases and decreases
the basic units of shaping
2 sessions, 2 hours each
Prequisite Skills:
cast on, knit, purl, bind off
| How do I add a stitch? Let us count the ways... and how to get rid of them, too.
Single increases and decreases, double increases and decreases, these are the means by which
knit fabric is shaped. Turn your samples into kerchiefs, shawls or bias scarves!
Topics: single increases and decreases (Kf&b, m1, k2tog, SSK, etc), yarnovers, double increases
and decreases (KOK, SK2P, S2KP, etc.), bias fabric
Materials:
- ~100 yards of heavy worsted to bulky weight (4.5-3.5 stitches/inch) yarn in 2 light or bright colors
- US size 9 to 10 1/2 needles (whatever is recommended on the ball band)
- ring markers
Further materials will be discussed during first class.
Homework: None before first class.
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hats 101
basic headwear
2 sessions, 2 hours each
Prequisite Skills:
cast on, knit, purl, bind off
| Put a lid on it! Keep your head warm this winter, and knit your first hat in 2 easy sessions.
Pick your yarn, grab appropriate needles, and follow these instructions to make your first hat!
Students will use a worksheet to make either a rolled brim cap or a 2x2 ribbed watchcap in
any yarn.
Topics: Sizing, swatching and gauge, knitting in the round on circular and double-pointed needles,
decreasing, finishing.
Materials: The label on most yarns lists the number of stitches the manufacturer got over
4 inches/10 cm., and the needle size their knitters used. Use this information to figure out
which yarn and needles to buy.
- ~100 yards of worsted weight (5 stitches/inch) or thicker yarn
- 16" circular needle in appropriate size for yarn
- 1 set of double-pointed needles in same size
- pen/pencil
- ring markers large enough to fit on needles
- calculator (optional)
- tape measure (optional)
Homework: There is no homework before the first class, but you will be doing some knitting
between classes!
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it's a mistake!
the mis-knit potholder
1 2-hr session
Prequisite Skills:
cast on, knit, purl, bind off
| Mistakes happen. Make lots of mistakes making the mistake potholder:
holes, twisted and dropped stitches, twice-knit stitches—we'll make 'em all.
Learn how they happen, how to fix them, and how to prevent them!
Topics: What do stitches look like, and how to count them, counting rows, twisted
stitches, dropped stitches, why are there more (fewer) stitches than I started with,
why edge stitches are ugly, fixing mistakes, prevention
Materials:
- ~100 yds heavy worsted (4.5-4 stitches per inch) cotton, preferably mercerized, in light or bright color
- appropriate needles for yarn (US 8/ 5mm), any type
- circular needle, 3 to 5 sizes smaller
- crochet hook, size G
Homework: none
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basic pattern reading
understanding knitting jargon
1 session, 3 hours
Prequisite Skills:
cast on, knit, purl, bind off
| Are patterns Greek to you? Does (WS) k1, *k4[yo, k2tog, k7] 4 times, yo* look like a computer
program to you? Fear no more! Learn to read patterns and choose ones that are right for you. Become
a knitting interpreter!
In this class you will learn to read and understand patterns. While the focus is sweater and cardigan
patterns, we will also discuss other types of patterns. Bring perplexing pattern questions to class
and find out the answers! Selected techniques will be demonstrated or taught in class, time permitting.
Topics: Basic pattern structure, knitting abbreviations, knitting jargon.
Materials: Scrap yarn and needles.
Homework: None.
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my first sweater
an easy first step into sweaters
1 session, 3 hrs
Prequisite Skills:
cast on, knit, purl, 1 increase, 1 decrease, bind off
| Get your feet wet! Skip the sleeves and knit a shell, a sweater without sleeves. Learn all the
necessary techniques and gain confidence by making a doll shell in class, leave ready to
cast on one for yourself!
Ready to go beyond scarves & hats? Take the terror out of sweater-making and learn how to read a
pattern, shape an underarm and neckline, and sew things together.
Topics: what is gauge, pattern reading, paired decreases (k2tog & SSK), picking
up stitches, finishing techniques, detecting problems and fixing them yourself
Bring to first class:
- approximately 70 yds of worsted (4-5 stitches/inch) smooth yarn in light or bright color
- needles of size recommended on ball band (~US6 to 8)
- small stitch holders
- tapestry needle for sewing
Homework before class: Make 2 small squares: Cast on 28 stitches. Knit 2 rows. Then repeat 2 row
pattern until work measures 4":
- Row 1 (Right side): knit.
- Row 2 (Wrong side): knit 1; purl to last stitch; knit 1.
Slip stitches onto a stitch holder. Make second square, and leave on needles
|
make a shell!
a first adult sweater
4 sessions, 2 hrs each
Prequisite Skills:
cast on, knit, purl, 1 increase, 1 decrease, bind off
| Go swimming! Sweater-making made easy! Learn all the techniques necessary to create a shell, a sweater
without sleeves. We'll supply the pattern, teach you how to read it and help you make simple adjustments.
Topics: what is gauge, pattern reading, paired increases and decreases, yarnovers, picking
up stitches, basic finishing, problem-solving
Materials: Pattern is included in the class cost.
- 1 pair needles for body, eg, US 9
- 1 pair needles two sizes smaller for ribbing, eg US 7
- 1 16" circular needle in smaller size
Sizes below are body meaurements, not the measurements of the finished sweater. Yarn
must be bulky weight, 3.5 stitches/inch.
| Size
| Amt. of yarn (yds)
| | 32" | 440
| | 34/36" | 530
| | 38/40" | 550
| | 42/44" | 600
| | 46/48" | 700
| | 50" | 750
|
Homework: With sweater yarn and appropriate needles, cast on 18 stitches and knit
in stockinette stitch (knit one row, purl one row) till work measures 4 inches from cast-on edge;
do not bind off, leave stitches on needle.
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just enough crochet
crochet basics for knitters
2 sessions, 2 hrs each
Prequisite Skills:
no previous crochet experience; for knitting, cast on, knit, purl, bind off
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Sometimes a sweater or shawl needs just a little something to really finish it. Learn the
spit-n-polish crochet moves that will make your knitwear shine!
While this class is designed for those who know nothing about crochet, it is not a companion
course to "Learn to Knit." But you will learn enough to make cords to tie those booties closed,
and put a nice edge around the neckline of your next sleeveless shell!
Topics: Chain, slip stitch, single crochet, reverse single crochet (crab stitch), cords, and
using them to create buttonholes, picot and other fun edges
Bring to class:
- about 100 yds of bulky weight (3-3.5 st/inch) yarn
- US size 10 to 10 1/2 (6 to 6.5mm) knitting needles, any type or length
- US size J or K crochet hook for crochet work
- US size G or H crochet hook for edging work
Homework: There is no homework before the first class, but will be both crochet and knitting homework between first and second sesions.
|
round and round and round sweaters!
the seamless way to make a sweater
5 2-hr sessions
Prequisite Skills:
cast on, knit, purl, 1 increase, 1 decrease, bind off
| The equivalent of the rolled-brim hat! A seamless raglan sweater, all knit knit knit, if you
like! Learn the ins and outs of making a sweater in the round with this child-size version, leave
ready to size up one for yourself.
In this class you will learn how to use a percentage system as the basis for knitting a seamless
raglan sweater from the bottom up. Pick one of the children's sizes, age 1 thru 3, then choose a
yarn between heavy worsted and bulky weight. Use one color or several, it's up to you! The small
size of the project means we'll have time to get through all techniques as well as experiment
a little with color and texture.
When class is over, you may choose to donate your sweater to
a program for those in need.
Topics: Gauge, percentage systems and simple knitting calculations, knitting in the round on large and
small circumferences, paired increases and decreases, basic design and swatching.
Materials: Approximate yarn amounts in yards are given below.
| Chest measurement
| 4.5 sts/1"
| 4.0 sts/1"
| 3.5 sts/1"
| 3.0 sts/1"
|
| 18-20" | 350 | 300 | 275 | 250
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| 20-23" | 500 | 450 | 400 | 350
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| 23-26" | 650 | 600 | 550 | 500
|
Base your needle size on recommendations on the yarn's ball band, or consult your local yarn store. The
number of circulars needed depends on which size you make.
- 1 16" circular needle in size recommended on ball band
- 1 24" circular needle in size recommended on ball band
- 1 set double-pointed needles in same size
Also: Calculator, pen/pencil, scissors, ring markers, tapestry needle.
Homework: Think about how you want the sweater to look, about the sweater's overall style as well
as color(s). While beginners should perhaps stick to a single color and stitch, more advanced knitters can
experiment with color stripes or different stitch patterns. If you like, create some swatches to test out your pattern/color ideas.
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