2013 Class Descriptions

FRIDAY NIGHT EVENT

Impractical Magic:  The Other Side of Weldon's Practical Needlework

Presented by Franklin Habit

Beginning in the 1880s, and for decades thereafter, the editors of Weldon's Practical Needlework provided an enormous audience of amateur craftswomen with patterns for garments designed to be warm, strong, long-lived and, well, practical.  But Weldon's had another side, too.  A side that proposed the knitting of covers for tennis balls, of knitting whips for children, and of covering open flames with crinkled tissue paper.  In this illustrated talk – not for the faint of heart – we'll take a look at what our great-great-grandmothers got up to after they'd already knit a sufficiency of Socks for Invalids.  Warning:  May induce seizures in persons with good taste.

Knitting     |     Crochet     |     Spinning     |     Any Craft

FRIDAY ALL DAY

Wool Sampler Shawl

Teacher:  Beth Smith
Skill Level:  Student must be able to spin a continuous thread.
Craft:  Spinning

It’s a breed sampler using mill prep fibers!  So many spinners are not aware of the wide range of wools available that are all ready to spin.  We will break out of the Merino and BFL rut and get to work looking at the wide variety of wool fibers available.

It does help to know something about these wools, from lock to yarn.  What are their strengths and weaknesses?  What are the things they do best?  Using mill prepped fibers we will talk about how to spin different fiber types, with an emphasis on creating knitting yarns best suited to each category.  Knitters who spin can benefit greatly from knowing the properties of the different wool breeds so they can make informed decisions about appropriate uses.

In the end we will work on getting similar yarn thickness for a beautiful final knitted shawl project to be swatched in class and finished at home.  We will spin and knit small swatches of each fiber discussing how breed and style of spinning affects knitting yarns for our shawl.  Which fiber and yarns would be used next to skin, which for lace, which for drape, which for cable patterns?

Thirteen wools will be sampled and discussed.  The breeds fall into four different wool categories and students will leave with a shawl pattern designed for just this purpose.

Felts in 3D

Teacher:  Suzanne Morgan
Skill Level:  Beginner
Craft:  Any Craft

Learn to sculpt with wool!  In this fun workshop we will create a small whimsical felted pod with some interesting finishes.  (Think of Chihuly’s glass shapes or Dr. Seuss characters in felt!)  Students will learn to make wool prefelts and also learn some basic needle felting skills.  Come with a sense of play!  If you make glass, please bring your own small marble sized pieces which you can felt into your work.  Please note:  Felting does require that participants use some upper body strength.  We will also be needle felting in this class which requires some repetitive back and forth wrist motion.

return to top

FRIDAY MORNING

Working with Antique and Vintage Knitting Patterns

Teacher:  Franklin Habit
Skill Level:  Intermediate
Craft:  Knitting

Don't let the tiny type and archaic language fool you:  there's a goldmine of beautiful, functional designs waiting to be rediscovered within the pages of Victorian and Edwardian books and magazines.  In this session, we'll discuss the history of patterns; the selection of appropriate yarns and needles; methods for deciphering and troubleshooting arcane recipes; and "reverse engineering" from photographs and extant pieces.  You don't need to be a historian or re-enactor to enjoy this class–just a knitter with a curious mind.

Entrelac Basics

Teacher:  Gwen Bortner
Skill Level:  Knitting basics, comfortable working on double pointed needles
Craft:  Knitting

Have you always wanted to learn entrelac but thought it would be too hard?  Whether a beginner or advanced knitter, this class is for you.  During this class, each student will have the opportunity to knit a small project to gain hands on experience in the entrelac technique.  Participants will learn the seamless entrelac technique and basic entrelac construction techniques.  A discussion of other project possibilities will also be included.  Students will create a small entrelac project to learn entrelac basics.

The OH! of Math

Teacher:  Shannon Mullett-Bowlsby
Skill Level:  All Levels - Men or Women
Craft:  Knitting and Crochet

Math ... love it or hate it, math is an essential part of every stitcher's life and in this class we'll have you geeking out on crochet and knit math with our super easy methods for everything from averaging the number of decreases to calculating your gauge, figuring yarn amounts for your next project to ... well ... even altering existing or writing your own patterns!  That's right ... we're going to unveil the secrets that we use every day in our design studio to create everything from afghans and hats to runway couture.  You'll have more OH! moments than an herbal shampoo commercial!

return to top

FRIDAY AFTERNOON

Photographing Your Fiber

Teacher:  Franklin Habit
Skill Level:  No prior knowledge of photography is necessary.  Just have a camera and a sense of adventure
Craft:  Any Craft

Bring your own camera and a 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 tent at home, cheap!  You don't need fancy equipment to make good photographs – the emphasis will be on getting the best possible images using your camera.

Knitting in Both Directions

Teacher:  Gwen Bortner
Skill Level:  Must be very comfortable with both knitting and purling
Craft:  Knitting

Most of us knit in one direction, but what would happen if you could knit in EITHER direction?  Bobbles would pop out faster, entrelac would be even more fun, edgings would be added quicker and your yarn would be less tangled.  Some call it knitting back backwards, but regardless of the name, it is a great skill to have in your knitting arsenal.  You can learn the basics to knitting (and purling) in "the other direction" regardless of the way you knit now!  All it takes, as with most things, is a little bit of practice.

Crochet Cables:  Put a Little Twist in Your Stitches!

Teacher:  Shannon Mullett-Bowlsby
Skill Level:  Intermediate - Men or Women; know how to make sc, hdc, dc, tr, dtr
Craft:  Crochet

We all love the look of those luscious, sumptuous cables in sweaters, afghans, hats, scarves and ... well ... we just love cables!  What's that?  You thought cables were only for knitters?  Not so!  In this class we will learn to wield our hooks to create these wonders of twisted yarn in ways previously reserved for those with pointy sticks (knitters).  You will leave class with the knowledge and skills necessary to add these useful and stunning design elements to your bag of stitching tricks.

return to top

FRIDAY AFTERNOON OFF SITE

Creative Clay Buttons

Teacher:  Louise Schubert
Skill Level:  All skill levels
Craft:  Any craft

Take a break and have some fun making custom buttons from polymer clay to embellish your next project.  Basic techniques will be discussed and students will have an opportunity to make several buttons to take home.  If you have ever wanted to experiment with clay, this is a great time to do so.

return to top

SATURDAY MORNING

Garter Jacquard:  Garter Stitch Gone Wild

Teacher:  Franklin Habit
Skill Level:  Fluency in the basic techniques of knitting.  Previous epxerience of stranded (aka jacquard or Fair Isle colorwork) may be helpful, but is not essential.
Craft:  Knitting

Poor, plain garter stitch.  So often confined to the edge of the party, so seldom seen in anything but the same old blocks or stripes.  But not today.  Today, garter stitch breaks out into fully-fledged stranded color patterns, courtesy of an intriguing but little-known technique called garter jacquard.  We'll work charted garter jacquard patterns both flat and in the round, look at possible applications for it in sock knitting, and chart our own patterns to play with.

The Entrelac Shift:  Combining Fabrics for Max Effect

Teacher:  Gwen Bortner
Skill Level:  Pick up stitches, work a basic stitch pattern
Craft:  Knitting

Incorporating entrelac with other knitted fabrics can create an outstanding accent in agarment, but the smooth transition between fabrics can be challenging.  With a few guidelines, the fabric changeover can be accomplished nearly anywhere.  Start by exploring the various options for incorporating chevron stitch fabrics along the pointed edges.  Next discover tricks for moving between entrelac triangles and standard knitted fabrics.

Foundations & Finishing:  Start with a bang and finish like a pro!

Teacher:  Shannon Mullett-Bowlsby
Skill Level:  All skill levels - Men or Women
Craft:  Crochet

We will get you off to a great start and help you end with a professional touch.  Beginner, intermediate or advanced crocheters will be sure to have an "AHA!" moment learning foundation stitches and how to work back into those for borders and joining.  Learn the secrets of hand-stitched couture and utilize Better Borders, After-the-Fact Selvedge Stitches and Joining Stitches with hooks and yarn needles for clean finishing and more polished pieces.  The most basic accessories and the most complicated garments will all have that little added touch of polish and flare.  Show off your work with perfectly framed borders, professional looking stitches and joins and seamless construction.

Mastering Wool Combing

Teacher:  Beth Smith
Skill Level:  Student must be able to spin a continuous thread.
Craft:  Spinning

Using Hand combs to process your fibers is very satisfying and gives a beautiful preparation to spin from.  Though it can be tricky, with a little practice everyone can use these fabulous tools to make worsted prep.  This preparation method is wonderful for bringing out the luster of wools as well as removing any neps, second cuts or weak fibers that might add unwanted texture to an otherwise smooth yarn.  Beyond using combs to process raw locks, they can additionally be used for blending colors and different fibers.

Students will learn how to safely use hand combs and also learn 3 methods of removing and using the combed fibers and the differences these techniques can make in the finished yarns.

return to top

SATURDAY MORNING OFF SITE

NOTE:  All off-site classes will be held at our event hotel, the Hilton Garden Inn, located directly across Highway 114.  It is a five minute drive by car, and the hotel has a shuttle available as well.

Perfectly Plus

Teacher:  Kristin Hansen
Skill Level:  Intermediate
Craft:  Knitting

Using the fitting system from the book Perfectly Plus, we'll create customized patterns for a shell, crewneck pullover and a cardigan.  We will discuss some of the fitting issues that occur when knitting for larger sizes.  Finally, get that sweater that fits you perfectly!

Tablet Weaving 101

Teacher:  Michael Cook
Skill Level:  Basic yarn-handling skills will be helpful, but are not required.
Previous weaving experience not required.
Craft:  Any Craft

Students will learn the basics of tablet weaving, including how to wind the warp, how to start on and weave, how to control beat and tension, and how to finish the band.  Patterns covered include solid colors, horizontal stripes, vertical stripes, checks, diagonal lines and waves.

Shuttle Tatting

Teacher:  Bart Elwell
Skill Level:  Beginner
Craft:  Any Craft

Tatting is lacemaking that is both fascinating and much admired.  With the aid of one simple tool you can be making delicate laces virtually anywhere.  Once the knack of tatting is learned it can provide you with endless hours of enjoyment and countless beautiful lace designs.  Tatting has unlimited possibilities from tiny edgings to finish infant clothing and handkerchiefs or even large mats and tablecloths.  Its intricate looking loops and chains are made up of one basic stitch repeated in a variety of arrangements to create the designs.

return to top

SATURDAY AFTERNOON

Snip 'n' Zip:  Steeks and Zippers

Teacher:  Franklin Habit
Skill Level:  Fluency in the basics of knitting, including knitting in the round, fluency in stranded two-color work (i.e., Fair Isle Knitting), and completion prior to class of the homework assignment.
Craft:  Knitting

This empowering class is designed to guide timid and/or inexperienced knitters through two operations that are famous for causing anxiety in the uninitiated:  the cutting of steeks (slashed openings in hand-knitted fabric), and the installation of zippers.  We'll be doing both by hand – no sewing machine required!

Brioche:  The Basics and Beyond

Teacher:  Gwen Bortner
Skill Level:  Must be comfortable with yarn overs, manipulated stitches and reading a pattern
Craft:  Knitting

Brioche is a category of stitches that is often overlooked by many knitters, but it has several characteristics that make it great for lots of projects.  It is a great choice for scarves or blankets as it tends to lay flat and is attractive on both sides.  Learn the basics of brioche, including the classic construction as well as alternative construction techniques while creating a sampler of several brioche patterns.  Gain an understanding of this unique fabric that just might become one of your favorites.

Chart Reading 101:  Alien language, ancient heiroglyphs or the key to your hooking heaven?

Teacher:  Shannon Mullett-Bowlsby
Skill Level:  All skill levels - Men or Women
Craft:  Crochet

Enough of drooling and getting itchy fingers every time you see one of those FAB stitch dictionaries ... only to discover it is all in charts ... and a language that looks a lot like the charts.  All those pretty pictures just taunting you!  It's time to laugh in the face of those squiggles and dashes and get your hook moving rather than drooping.

Oh ... and remember all of those ENDLESS crochet patterns with lines and lines and lines of text??  Sure, you could use another post-it or ... you could just learn how to read that set of hieroglyphs (chart) along the side of the pattern.

We WILL unravel the mystery of the chart.  You WILL make a motif and a swatch reading only a chart.  You WILL be the master of your crochet destiny!!

Woolen and Worsted

Teacher:  Beth Smith
Skill Level:  Student must be able to spin a continuous thread.
Craft:  Spinning

It seems so confusing.  What is which and which goes where?  Should you spin with the cut end first or the tip?  Does it matter which way you load your hand cards?  What about all that processed wool?  There are so many different ways to look at woolen and worsted.  Experts have been arguing for decades about the right and wrong of it.

We will explore woolen and worsted wool in both preparation methods and drafting methods.  After we look at all the technicalities of the words we will break it down into simple methods that are easy to understand and then combine the techniques in different ways to get wonderful yarns that are perfect for every project you can imagine.

Students will use hand combs, hand cards and flick cards to prep several different wool types and see what happens when thye follow the rules and when they begin to learn how to break the rules in ways that change the final yarns in beautiful ways.  We will also spin processed top and roving to look at the differences between machine and hand processed fibers.

Students will leave with a deeper understanding of the words Woolen and Worsted and how those two small words can open up worlds of possibility with their spinning.

return to top

SATURDAY AFTERNOON OFF SITE

NOTE:  All off-site classes will be held at our event hotel, the Hilton Garden Inn, located directly across Highway 114.  It is a five minute drive by car, and the hotel has a shuttle available as well.

Sock Yarn Temari Balls

Teacher:  Kristin Hansen
Skill Level:  No knitting or crochet skills required.  You should be able to thread a needle and make basic calculations (i.e. dividing numbers in half).
Craft:  Any Craft

Let's make some non-traditional temari balls!  Using left over sock yarn and Styrofoam balls we'll create some interesting, decorative temari balls.  We'll cover the basics and discuss how to customize the embroidery stitches to create your own signature temari balls.

Color Me Project Perfect

Teacher:  Molly Andries
Skill Level:  Beginner - basic crochet skills, slip knot, slip stitch, chain, single crochet and double crochet
Craft:  Crochet

How do you get those perfect projects?  How do you use the color wheel?  What is tint?  Get those answers and more from this class.  Once you have a basic understanding of the terms used for color you can learn how to use the color wheel.  Afterwards you will put your new color skills into practice by creating grannie squares.  Come join us in the fun!!

Design Your Own Cables

Teacher:  Margo Lynn Hablutzel
Skill Level:  Knit, purl, counting, addition.  It helps if the student has done cables.  This is NOT a "how to make cables" class.
Craft:  Knitting

Have you wanted to add a cable to a plain sweater, hat, or mitten, or change one cable for another?  Have you thought about creating a meaningful combination of cables for a special person or couple?  Are you intimidated because you're afraid the garment will be too tight or the blanket ended up looking uneven?  Learn how to calculate how many extra stitches to add to the design, and where to put them.  Learn how to successfully swap one cable design for another, and why all eight-stitch cables are not the same.  Learn how to balance cables to make the knitting more rhythmic.

From Shabby to Chic:  Knitting from T's

Teacher:  Misty Urech
Skill Level:  Beginner
Craft:  Any Craft

Learn to make your own yarn from old t-shirts.  Students will learn tricks on how to cut, connect, and create the yarn to then use for projects.  Demos will also be done to show how to use other things in the house that can also be made into "yarn" to knit or crochet.

return to top

SUNDAY ALL DAY OFF SITE

NOTE:  All off-site classes will be held at our event hotel, the Hilton Garden Inn, located directly across Highway 114.  It is a five minute drive by car, and the hotel has a shuttle available as well.

Introduction to Silkwork

Teacher:  Michael Cook
Skill Level:  Basic yarn-handling skills will be helpful, but are not required.
Craft:  Any Craft

Starting from silkworm cocoons, students will learn three different methods of creating usable fiber.  Village-style reeling yields a charming and rustic yarn; fine reeling makes a variety of fine yarns, and degumming for hankies creates a versatile fiber form that can be used later on for spinning, felting, and other fiber arts.  This class will not cover spinning from prepared silk fibers such as sliver or batts.

return to top

SUNDAY MORNING

Knitted Tessellations:  Playful and Powerful Patterns in Practice

Teacher:  Franklin Habit
Skill Level:  Students will be offered the choice of swatching in knit/purl texture patterns or in two-color (stranded) knitting; those choosing the latter should be adept at it as the technique is not taught in this class.

The method used for swatching is the student's choice:  in the round, flat, or speed-swatching are all suitable.  Whichever method is selected, the student must be adept at it as knitting and swatching techniques are not taught in class.

A sense of humor, a taste for adventure, and a reasonable ability to concentrate are strongly advised.
Craft:  Knitting

A hands-on introduction to the creation of tessellations:  motifs that interlock without gaps or overlaps.  Tessellations are as old and pervasive as design itself; they can be found in some of the most ancient examples of human craft, and were famously used in the modern era by the artist M.C. Escher.  In this class, we will discuss the theories behind tessellating, and then put into practice the basic techniques for creating tessellated shapes that can be used for knitting (or other charted needlework).

Diamonds of a Different Color

Teacher:  Gwen Bortner
Skill Level:  Students must be very comfortable with knit and purl and reading a basic pattern
Craft:  Knitting

Diamonds, or more specifically argyles, are a classic pattern.  But argyles are no longer just limited to socks.  We are using the argyle pattern to provide a great introduction to intarsia and duplicate stitch.  In this class, make a simple card holder while discovering the basics of intarsia, gaining insights on color selection and learning tips and tricks.

Fashion, Fit, Form & Function:  Designing Garments for Everyone

Teacher:  Shannon Mullett-Bowlsby
Skill Level:  Intermediate/Advanced - Men or Women
Craft:  Knitting and Crochet

There are a million patterns in the naked city ... yeah ... a million ... and wouldn't it be nice if just ONE of them fit?!?  Well, my friend, the search is OVER!  We will teach you the basics of fit, form and function that we use daily as fashion designers so you can see a garment and make it for yourself ... or someone else.  You will create a template that you will be able to use for every garment you ever want to make ... EVER ... did we mention the ever part?  No matter whom you are making for, no matter what the body type, you will be able to create a garment that anyone would be thrilled to wear.

We will start with measurements and form – what measurements do I take from where and how do I apply them to my template?

Then we'll talk about fit – how do I make a garment that fits a certain style or body type?

Then we'll move to function – whom am I making this for and where will they wear it?

Finally ... fabrics – how to take your swatch and convert that into a pattern.

Finish that Skein

Teacher:  Beth Smith
Skill Level:  Student must be able to spin a continuous thread.
Craft:  Spinning

There are many ways to finish those freshly spun skeins.  Many time we spinners can't tell how successful our spinning was until we have washed and dried our skeins.  It can be a bit confusing and overwhelming deciding how to choose the finishing technique.  Some finishing techniques work beautifully with certain spinning techniques to get exactly the yarn the spinner wants.  At other times, that tried and true finishing method is not the best.

What are the benefits and draw backs of each finishing method?  How can a spinner make a decision about what finishing method is best for this skein and/or this project?  Why I may not want to use that thwacking method for a worsted spun skein or, on the other hand, why I might want to try that out when it doesn't seem to be a good match to the spinning technique.

Spinners will leave this class with a new set of ideas and information about finishing their skein.  This class will help them make informed decisions and also will help them break out of their finishing box.

Art-ticulate Your Knitting

Teacher:  Sony Hartley
Skill Level:  Advanced Beginner / Intermediate
Craft:  Knitting

Learn to spice up your regular knitting patterns by adding in fun and decorative designs and details as you knit.  Buttons, beads, flowers, belt buckles, conchos, etc will add spice and details to a plain pattern.  Learn to do this while you knit to save time and design as you go, creating one of a kind pieces.

return to top

SUNDAY MORNING OFF SITE

NOTE:  All off-site classes will be held at our event hotel, the Hilton Garden Inn, located directly across Highway 114.  It is a five minute drive by car, and the hotel has a shuttle available as well.

Crochet Wire Jewelry

Teacher:  Aimee Abernathy
Skill Level:  Students should be familiar with crochet and be able to chain and single crochet easily.
Craft:  Crochet

Crochet is fun - crocheting with wire to make beautiful jewelry is not only fun, but beautiful, creative and awesome for gift making - or making a personal statement!  In this class, you will learn how to make a beautiful beaded bracelet out of wire.

Learn to Spin on a Hand Spindle

Teacher:  Leef Bloomenstiel
Skill Level:  Beginner
Craft:  Spinning

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 this simple tool.

return to top

SUNDAY AFTERNOON

Photographing Your Fiber

Teacher:  Franklin Habit
Skill Level:  Any
Craft:  Any Craft

See description for the same class on Friday afternoon.

Kumihimo Custom Closures

Teacher:  Gwen Bortner
Skill Level:  No knitting experience required
Craft:  Any Craft

Finding the perfect button for your handcrafted creation often is a frustrating endeavor.  Instead, learn to create intricate frogs, creative buttons and classic toggles all out of a unique cord from the project's leftover yarn.  Students will begin by learning the basics of creating a Kumihimo braid.  Next we will explore a variety of ways to utilize the braid in creating Chinese style frog closures, simple toggles and three-dimensional buttons.  Then let the creative juices flow to the boundless possibilities all with small amounts of leftover yarn!

The Joy of Ribbing

Teacher:  Shannon Mullett-Bowlsby
Skill Level:  Intermediate - Men or Women
Craft:  Crochet

Ribbing with a hook is definitely different than ribbing with two sticks.  We will explore crochet ribbing 'round the front and back, sideways and inside out using post, slip, single, half, and double stitches.  Strong and firm or stretchy and shapely, your ribbing will never be the same again.

Working Toward Consistency

Teacher:  Beth Smith
Skill Level:  Student must be able to spin a continuous thread.
Craft:  Spinning

In this class we will cram in every trick I know to get that more consistent yarn that so many of us long for.

We will talk about how twist can affect the yarn thickness just as much as drafting.  Students will learn how to get an even amount of twist throughout the skein.  We will also work on tweaking our drafting techniques to help things even out.  The importance plying is to a finished skein and its consistency will be discussed and students will put this to the test.

Lots of examples of mistakes will be shown to demonstrate the points being made.  We will also look at some finished skeins with problems and students will have an opportunity to look at the skeins and diagnose what went wrong.

Leaving Patterns Behind

Teacher:  Jennette Cross
Skill Level:  Intermediate
Craft:  Knitting

How is it that with all of the patterns out there you still can't find the one that's exactly right?  This one would be perfect, if only it had a different hemline, or cables on the back too, or if it came in your size, or used a different yarn.  Leaving Patterns Behind is about altering and combining patterns, rewriting patterns for new gauges, or coming up with new patterns altogether.

return to top

SUNDAY AFTERNOON OFF SITE

NOTE:  All off-site classes will be held at our event hotel, the Hilton Garden Inn, located directly across Highway 114.  It is a five minute drive by car, and the hotel has a shuttle available as well.

Cuffs 4 All

Teacher:  Aimee Abernathy
Skill Level:  Students should know how to knit, purl, perform the long tail cast on and do a basic "leapfrog" bind off.  Students should be able to knit comfortably in the round using whichever technique they prefer (dpns, 2 circs, or magic loop).
Craft:  Knitting

Do you enjoy making socks, but are frustrated by sock cuffs that strangle your legs?  Are you tired of those deep sock lines on your legs?  Do you want to try to knit socks, but you are afraid after hearing cuff horror stories?  No more!  In this class, we will explore four techniques for a stretchier cuff - 2 cast ons and 2 bind offs - so no matter if you are knitting cuff down or toe up, you have a perfect cuff every time!

Spinning Multicolored Rovings

Teacher:  Leef Bloomenstiel
Skill Level:  Advanced Beginner / Intermediate
Craft:  Spinning

Multicolor rovings are exciting to spin!  Colors draft and blend in beautiful ways.  There are several different techniques to spin these colorful preparations to make very different yarns.  In this class we will focus on these techniques.