Boot Camp and Focus Class Series

In our search to better serve the needs of fiberists, we have developed these two aproaches to intensive, in-depth learning that's both focused and fun. If you're at least an advanced beginner, Boot Camp in your chosen fiber area of knitting, spinning, or weaving will deepen and polish your skills. After that, if you're hungry for more knowledge of a particular aspect of your area, try the Focus classes for more depth.

Neither is for the faint-of-heart; they're a big committment of time and effort! But if you're really interested in exploring fiber in depth, without much of the trial-and-error that usually accompanies such exploration, give these classes a try!

Boot Camp Classes

Our Boot Camp classes are in-depth and intense, but also a rewarding and fun! These classes provide a well-rounded learning experience for knitters, spinners, and weavers. They are not for beginners and are not learn-to classes. They are for you if you consider yourself at least an advanced- to intermediate-level student in the area you are interested in. In class we'll consider yarn, color, and texture our playground. We learn through swatches and finished pieces. You'll work hard, but you'll learn a lot, and take your skills to the next level.

Focus Classes

Focus classes do just that, focus on one aspect of a fiber craft. They require less time committment than Boot Camp, since the subject area is narrower, but still get into rewarding depth on the topic. It's strongly recommended that you take the relevant Boot Camp series before doing a Focus series.

3711 Focus On Socks

Dates (2008-2009): Fridays 7 pm to 9 pm, September 26, October 10 and 24, November 14, December 5, and January 9, six sessions

Explore the fit and function of socks - not to mention beginnings and endings when knitting from either direction. You'll learn lots of tips that will translate to all of your knitting, have at least one pair of great-fitting socks when you are done, and have a really great time exploring!

Required Books: Vogue Knitting: The Ultimate Sock Book and Knitter's Book of Finishing Techniques

Optional Books: Sensational Socks, More Sensational Socks, and New Pathways to Sock Knitting

Required supplies and equipment: Leftover sock yarn for swatching - approximately 120 yards. 200 yards light colored, smooth, plyed worsted weight yarn. Needles: US Size 6 double-pointed needles or circular needle, 400 to 800 yards sock weight yarn (400 per pair of socks), US size 1 needles

Prehomework: Using US size 1 and leftover sock yarn, cast on 60 stitches and knit in the round for 2.5 to 3 inches, then bind off. Repeat with k1, p1 rib. Repeat with arrowhead lace (Vogue, page 69). Read Vogue Chapters 1 and 3.

Instructor: Jae Koscierzynski, Cost: $120

3510 Focus on Fair Isle

Dates (2008-2009): Saturday, October 11, 8 am to 1 pm, Wednesdays 6 pm to 8 pm: October 22, November 5 and 19, December 3, January 7, March 4

Explore the history and techniques of Fair Isle knitting. Learn stranded knitting, how to work with yarn in each hand, modify patterns, steek (cut your knitting), design your own pattern and what a difference color placement makes. During class you’ll knit a hat and begin work on a sweater (from a pattern of your own design or a published pattern).

Instructor: Joan Hoover, $240 class fee, includes yarn for all swatches

3511 Focus on Fit

Dates, 2009: Sundays, January 25, February 8 and 22, March 8 and 29, April 29, May 3 and 31, 10 am to 1 pm, eight sessions

This class is all about making a sweater that fits. Learn exactly what ease means, how different styles suit different body types, how to substitute yarns, how to change the gauge, and how bust and waist shaping can make a big difference.

Required books: Knitter's Book of Finishing Techniques by Nancy Wiseman, Handy Book of Sweater Patterns by Ann Budd.

Required supplies and equipment: for first class: 200 yards light colored, smooth, worsted weight yarn, US 7 needles, notepaper, tape measure, calculator

We provide: handouts and three approximately 50-yard yarn samples.

Prehomework: Bring your favorite knit top or sweater, handknit or commercial - the one that makes you feel like a million bucks!

Jae Koscierzynski, $195 class fee

3510 Focus on Shetland Lace

Dates, 2009: Saturdays, January 31, February 28, March 3 and 28, and May 2, 8 am to 10 am, six sessions

We will learn about the Shetland style of knitting, the island traditions, and designing within the tradition. We'll spend a bit of time familiarizing ourselves with the rhythm by swatching center and border patterns. Students will design a project of their own choosing and begin to knit it.

Required book: Heirloom Knitting by Sharon Miller

Required supplies and equipment: To start you'll need two balls Jamieson's Shetland Ultra Lace yarn, double pointed needles, US size 3. As the class progresses, you will likely need more lace weight yarn and you will also need supplies for your final project.

Prehomework: Read through page 18 in Heirloom Knitting

Joan Sheridan Hoover, $175 class fee, materials not included