Basic class descriptions are found here. If you are interested in having me teach at your shop, guild, or event, please contact me! I will happily deliver details such as skill levels, materials, and homework upon request. 

All about the stretch

There are many knitting situations that demand an edge that will stretch: necklines, shawl edges, sock tops, cuffs, and ribbed hems, to name a few, and there are, of course, uncounted more. This class will introduce you to a compendium of stretchy cast ons and bind offs for every situation. I rate each as to stretchability, ease of use, and attractiveness. We categorize them into types, offer helpful modifications, and discuss where each might shine. The goal is to leave you with the confidence to add stretch and beauty to every knitted edge. Come prepared to swatch! 3 hr class.

roosimine and vikkel — a perfect pair

Roosimine is an Estonian inlay colorwork technique that is as easy as pie - you simply lay the contrast color in as you go - it’s not even knitted! It produces a delightfully embossed texture that is unlike anything else. Vikkel braids, which look like a horizontal line of knitting, are incredibly complimentary to Roosimine, and the two techniques are often found together, a perfect pair!

I have designed a sample for this class that is a small, all-purpose carrying bag suitable for a cell phone, wallet, eyeglasses, or any small treasures you need to carry. We start with a provisional cast on, join in the round, and proceed to work alternate Vikkel braids and Roosimine sections for the length of the bag. I then demonstrate some of my favorite finishing tips, including two types of I-cord and a Japanese bind-off technique that produces a very strong and firm bottom seam. This is a 3-hr class.

GREAT SWEATERS ARE MADE, NOT BORN

Sweaters are the magnum opus of the knitting world, and yet something that many knitters are intimidated by. A sweater, more than a shawl that does not need to fit a particular size, can be quite a daunting proposition. It’s a lot of knitting, a sizable investment, and how can you be sure it will fit? After all, swatching is a pain, and swatches lie anyway, don’t they? When pondering such a large-scale project that needs to fit, a host of questions and doubts can arrive.

The key to knitting a great sweater is simple, yet often overlooked. Yes, one must have the requisite knitting skills, but more important than that is understanding how to create a good sweater fabric in the yarn you plan to use (regardless of the needle size and gauge stated in the pattern), and then adjusting the pattern to suit your own fabric and gauge. 

We look at common sweater structures and examine how, when, and where these adjustments to gauge can be safely made in a pattern, once you have found your ideal fabric. We also thoroughly discuss swatching as a means to an end, a necessary evil, if you will. Come with an open mind, prepared to learn tools to liberate yourself from the need to blindly follow a sweater pattern, hoping for the best. 3 hr class.

darn pretty

Darning is a creative activity, a meditation, as well as a way to extend the usefulness of socks and other garments. Prepare to be inspired as we learn to incorporate colors, patterns, and more to create an intimate objet d’art. We discuss the hows and whys of traditional and modern mending. Additionally, we will cover not only simple darns, but several other mends that are applicable to knits and woven clothing. 3 hr class.

pointillist knitting

Learn how to make pops of color in your knitting! In this class, I will introduce a bevy of fun, easy techniques combining color and texture that will jazz up your knitting while using up your leftover scraps of yarn. In the class, we start a cowl, wrist warmer, or headband to illustrate the basic principles, but you will have fun making up your own combinations for cowls, scarves, even sweater yokes! We discuss color theory to discover what makes things pop. You won’t look at your yarn leftovers the same way after this class!. 3 hr class.

Beaded Buttoned Bracelets

While working on a bracelet tutorial, we explore several beading techniques while learning about a million things about beads in the process. You emerge with inspiration and tons of ideas. The handout includes three additional bracelet patterns for you to enjoy making at home. 3 hr class.

Put a Bead on it

Beads in your knitting are magic, pure and simple. Learn ALL the ways to add beads to your knitting, along with sage advice on choosing and adding beads into everything you knit. We make a charming beaded treasure bag that utilizes several techniques while I divulge everything I know from years of designing beaded knits. 3 hr class.

Diamond Fantasy Shawl

This tip-to-top diamond lace triangle shawl features a garter stitch sawtooth lace edging that is worked at the same time as the stockinette lace pattern. Attached I-cord completes the shawl. In addition to basic and not-so-basic lace knitting topics, we discuss choosing the perfect bead for your project and other fine points of the versatile crochet-hook technique of adding beads. This is a great project for beginning and experienced lace knitters alike. 3 hr class.

Shapes of Lace

This class is an exploration of basic knitted geography. Ever want to knit half-circles, wide shallow triangles, or asymmetrical shapes? We start with simple shapes, and end up outside the box. We examine the structure of the shawl and learn the skills necessary to insert our choice of lace patterns to create an original design, with an eye to shaping, esthetics, and flow. We discuss charting patterns, shaping lace in pattern, modulation from one pattern to another, and borders and edgings. Students receive the benefit of my experience in designing innovative lace shawls and exceptional beaded lace. 6 hr class.

Round Yoke Fitted Cowl Workshop

A modification of Elizabeth Zimmerman’s EPS system is the basis for our exploration of cowls that are shaped like round yokes to fit over the shoulders. This amended system works for any size and any length cowl. Cowls that have shaping are especially versatile because they can be worn inside or outside (or instead of) outer garments, and can easily be made long, as in capes or ponchos. You can use the template to make a complex patterned cowl, or stay with simple stitches. 3 hr class.

I-cord Knitted Jewelry Workshop

The simplicity of I-cord lends itself beautifully to knitted jewelry forms. In this workshop, we combine several lariat variations with the added focal interest of a pendant that could be one or more lampworked beads, stones, or even buttons. We learn several bead techniques that can result in different looks for the necklace. This is an extremely addictive project and a very giftable item! 3 hr class.

Harmonia’s Rings: Moebius and More

The Harmonia’s Rings family (cowl, tunic and sweater) use Cat Bordhi’s Moebius cast on to achieve the mysterious spiral neck shape. They feature a stitch pattern that creates concentric rings reminiscent of ancient architecture. The cowl sits cape-like over the shoulders and flatters a wide range of body types. This class introduces many techniques: the Moebius cast on, shaping and texture within the Moebius structure, and the charming beaded picot bind-off, among others. We also discuss customizing the cowl shape to fit any body type. This class is guaranteed to take you through the looking glass! 3 hr class.

First Lace Workshop: Ophidian Beaded Shawlette

This perfect first lace project is a top-down triangle that begins with easy garter stitch while we learn the geometry of the structure. Soon a lovely textured lace pattern emerges, embellished with beads. We learn my favorite tab start and discuss the basics of chart reading and intuitive ways to increase accuracy and speed in your lace knitting. 3 hr class.

Toe Ups for All!

This class is a comprehensive introduction to toe-up sock knitting, suitable for all sock knitters, including beginners. Students start from their own individual stitch and row gauge and create perfectly fitting socks for their own feet. We start with Judy’s Magic Cast On and progress through my clearly explained gusseted heel flap construction. The class is demonstrated on 2 circular needles. Students receive my Toe-Ups for All! pattern template which includes an array of sock sizes for either sport or fingering weight yarn. This class is taught in 3 sessions of 2 hours each, a total of 6 hrs.

Moebius Skills Workshop: Wild Iris Cowl

Wild Iris, a graceful, asymmetrical Moebius cowl in fingering weight yarn, begins with Cat Bordhi’s Moebius Cast On and plunges immediately into a textured knit and purl pattern. A buttoned, asymmetrical edge incorporates a beaded lace edging, attached I-cord, and a perfect one-row buttonhole. What’s not to love? This class is taught in 2 sessions of 3 hrs each, or a 6 hr class.

SIDEWAYS LACE WITH ARTFUL EDGINGS

Knitted lace edgings, long having been a way to add beauty to garments, linens, and knitted shawls, are amazingly beautiful and diverse in their size, structure, and appearance. Aside from the traditional applications, however, edgings don’t have to be fussy. Approaching them as an add-on to an already sideways-knit piece makes it all so much easier. All it takes is a bit of planning.

In this workshop, we consider how and why you might choose to use an edging to beautify an already interesting shape, which could be symmetrical or not. We identify shapes and silhouettes that are particularly suited to this purpose. This kind of design is the perfect first design to attempt, with very little math involved. As simple as it can be, more complexity can be added if desired in the way of stitch treatments or added border elements. This class offers a template that can be used again and again for endless design ideas. 6 hr class.