Classes

I teach traditional three-hour classes and I also offer one- or two-hour lectures. Depending on your location, I can teach/lecture in person or via Zoom. Please leave a comment below if you are interested in scheduling something and I’ll reach out to you. 

Yarn Substitution Made Easy (three-hour class or condensed one-hour lecture)

One of my most popular classes for its accessible approach to yarn categorization, gauge and the process of substituting yarns in commercial patterns. Topics covered include classificying yarn by weight(fingering to super bulky); the relationship between categories of yarn and needle size, gauge, yardage and plies; and fiber and yarn characteristics that affect substitution.

Making Friends with Your Handpaints (three-hour class or condensed one-hour lecture)

I’ve designed this class for knitters who love hand-painted yarns, but aren’t quite sure what to do with them. We’ll discuss hand-painted yarn effects, classifying hand-paints based on the color patterning and best options for knitting with each type; discussing pooling, blotching and other unattractive effects, and finishing up with tips/tricks for working with handpaints in socks and other projects.

Unraveling the Past: A Short History of Knitting (one-hour lecture)

We’ll start with some of the earlier existing examples of knitting, then travel to the present time. Along the way, we’ll make stops in medieval times to learn about guilds and knitting Madonnas, travel to England for the industrial revolution and the knitting machine, discuss marketing various styles of folk knitting, and see examples of knitting trends up until the current day.

Secrets of the Skein (one-hour lecture)

Added by popular demand, this class is an offshoot of my Yarn Substitution class and goes into greater detail about yarn construction and fiber characteristics. We’ll cover the differences between wool, plant and synthetic fibers, discuss how yarns are built (such as the difference between singles and plied yarns), and review other yarn qualities that can affect your knitting or crochet.

Self-Striping Yarns: How They Work & How To Use Them (three-hour class or condensed one-hour lecture)

Love the self-striping yarns like Noro and self-patterning ones like Regia & Opal, but not sure how to use them effectively? This class explains how self-striping & self-patterning yarns work, then gives concrete tips for how to work with them effectively.

Slip It — Slip It Good (one-hour lecture)

Slip stitches are fun, easy, and full of creative possibilities. We’ll talk about the mechanics of slip stitching, including the different variations in where the yarn is held and how the stitch is slipped, learn how to decipher slip stitch abbrevations and chart, discuss different edge variations, and much more.

Glorious Garter (one-hour lecture)

It’s the most basic stitch and often the first stitch that new knitters learn. But garter is so useful that it’s worth a closer look. Topics covered: different was to create an attractive edge to garter stitch, increases and decreases in garter, making a clean bound-off edge, structural properties of garter and creative ways to use garter.

Mittens Around the World (one-hour lecture)

We can find examples of beautiful knitted mittens in many cultures — Norwegian, Latvian, Fair Isle and more. We’ll take a look at some of these lovely folk knitting traditions as we take a short trip around the world. You’ll find yourself inspired to try some new mitten styles (and maybe find a few vacation destinations, too!)

Secrets of the Schematic (one-hour lecture)

This class, aimed at those new to sweater knitting, explains the information that is available from a pattern’s schematic, including what the measurements mean, how measurements correspond to fit, ease, shoulder styles, and how to use that information to select better-fitting sweaters. Discusses a number simple adjustments that can be made to customize fit, including modifying body length and adding waist shaping.

Sock Knitter’s Seminar: Basics and Beyond (three-hour class)

Take your sock knitting to the next level with techniques and tricks including adjusting patterns for fit; tips for working with self-patterning and handpainted yarns; different toe and heel styles; mastering kitchener stitch (grafting); and more. Students are expected to be familiar with the basics of sock knitting and able to knit in the round without coaching and are encouraged to bring questions they may have.

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