General Knitting

Where a Knitting Kit is mentioned, you should bring the following items:

Must have: various sizes crochet hooks (based on yarn you are working with), ruler, scissors, pencil, large and small tapestry (blunt or darning) needles (we prefer bent-tip needles).

Nice to have: point protectors (if you use them), sticky notes, cable needle, row counter, stitch markers (including locking stitch markers), calculator, stitch holders, needle gauge, tape measure.

Learn to Knit

Class A, with Gayle as instructor: Tuesdays, July 29, August 5, 12, and 19, 7 to 9 pm, four sessions

or, Class B, with Gayle as instructor: Tuesdays, September 23, 30 October 7, 21, 7 pm to 9 pm, our sessions

or, Class C, with Gina as instructor: Thursdays, September 25, October 2, 9, 16, 1 pm to 3 pm, four sessions

or, Class D, with Gina as instructor: Thursdays, October 30, November 6, 13, 20, 1 pm to 3 pm, four sessions

In just four weeks we'll teach you how to knit, including the knit and purl stitches, increasing, decreasing, sewing a seam and lots more. You will knit the "My First Hat" and begin a project of your choice. Small classes: just four people per class. Can't wait for a class to start - check the shop or our website for our Drop In Knitting times and start NOW!

Required books: Knitting Basics by Betty Barnden

Required supplies and equipment: Bring 10-inch long non-metal single point needles US size 7 or 8, one skein smooth, light colored worsted wool yarn for practice, and a loose-leaf notebook to begin your knitting records. You will also need yarn and needles for your first hat but we'll select those in class.

$60 class fee per four-session class, no materials fee

1507 Joan's Quick Flap Cap

Date: Monday, July 21, 6 pm to 9 pm, one session

This cap is a great introduction to knitting in the round. You'll also learn how to change colors, weave in ends, and make tassels and pompons. A fun knit project because it goes so quickly knit with two strands of yarn held together throughout. Perfect for knitting for all the nieces and nephews for Christmas! This is our original pattern, which is included in the class fee.

Required supplies and equipment: three skeins of Shepherd's wool (or similar worsted weight yarn) in coordinating or monochromatic colors. Leftovers from other projects will work fine! A set of double-pointed needles and a 16-inch circular needle, both US size 10.5, tapestry needle.

Joan Sheridan Hoover, $30 class fee, no materials fee

3503 Estonian Garden Scarf (or Wrap)

Class A: Wednesday, August 8, 10 am to 4 pm, one session,

or 2009, Class B: Sunday, March 15, 10 am to 4 pm, one session

Fascinated by the Lily of the Valley pattern? This scarf uses it as a spectacular accent. Designed following traditional Estonian style, it uses three different lace patterns. You'll learn the secret to making good nupps (Estonian two-row bobbles), what mistakes can be fixed and which ones must be ripped, and how to avoid mistakes in the first place.

Required supplies and equipment: Pattern FT-043, supplies per pattern (you may choose larger yarn than the pattern calls for *#45; I used a double knitting weight yarn and one size larger needle for a warmer wrap). Bring yarn similar in weight to what you have chosen for your scarf for practicing.

Pre-class homework: Practice knitting the lace pattern for the body of the scarf. Work it until you are comfortable doing it and don't need to refer to the pattern.

Joan Sheridan Hoover, $70 class fee, no materials fee

1529 Felted Clogs

Dates: Wednesdays, October 1, 8, and 15, 1 pm to 3 pm, three sessions

Keep your feet toasty warm this winter! These clogs are a great advanced beginner project and fun to make. Learn to knit short rows and some valuable tips for keeping track of where you are in a pattern. Make this for kids or adults. Before felting you can convince someone your adult-sized slippers are for the family "troll"!

Required supplies and equipment: Fiber Trends felted clog pattern (either adult or child) and supplies listed on pattern.

Su Hatfield, $45 class fee, no materials fee

1503 Baby Surprise

Dates: Saturdays, October 4, 11, 18, November 1, 10 am to 2 pm, four sessions

This is the ingeniously clever Baby Surprise sweater that Elizabeth Zimmerman made famous. It looks like a complicated puzzle but really isn't. Marge will walk you through it and the magic will happen! Classic sweater, great fun! Quick baby gift.

Required Books:<,/span> Knitter's Workshop or The Opinionated Knitter, both by Elizabeth Zimmerman.

Required supplies and equipment: two skeins of Panda Cotton or Panda Wool or similar yarn (up to DK weight) 24" circular needle in size to give you a gauge of 24 stitches to 4". 5 small buttons.

Prerequisite: Have taken a beginning knitting class or have these basic skills: knit, purl, decrease, use stitch markers, understand the basic of reading a pattern.

Marge Townley, $50 class fee, no materials fee

1524 Sampler Afghan

Dates, 2008 into 2009: First Sunday, October 5 through June 7, 2009, 12 pm to 2 pm, nine sessions

Start simple and work your way up in the level of difficulty. Choose one color (buy all your yarn at one time!) or choose multiple colors (buy it as you go). We are using the Sampler Afghan booklet - our afghan is on the chair in the sitting area. It is very comfy. At the rate of two squares per month, you can have an afghan done in less than a yearr. Remember: squares are very portable. Since they are small, they don't become too hot to knit on in the summer time. You may also use your Drop-In card to attend these sessions (get six visits for the price of five).

Required supplies and equipment: Leisure Arts Sampler Afghan booklet, yarn and appropriate needles.

Anneliese Pruett, $10 class fee per sessions, no materials fee

1529 Geometric Beaded Scarf

Date: Sunday, October 19, 12 pm to 3 pm, one session

Learn how to incorporate beads into your knitting and follow a chart. The knitting is simple garter stitch so you can focus on the bead pattern. Learn how to load the beads and slide the beads to lock them in the right place. An original Heritage Pattern is included in the class fee.

Required supplies and equipment: one skein Bloomfield handpainted yarn or similar fingering weight yarn, US size 3 needles (10” straight, or 16” or greater circular), 3000 size 6 seed beads (approximately 15 strands or three packages - available in the store), tapestry needle.

Prehomework: work two identical swatches using scrap yarn and appropriately sized needles as follows: CO 25 stitches, knit 10 rows garter stitch and leave on needles, cutting tails to 24 inches.

Anneliese Pruett, $30 class fee, no materials fee

2517 Mariko Scarf

Date: Sunday, October 26, 12 pm to 3 pm, one session

This Orenburg-lace inspired pattern is a great introduction to knitting lace. Knit in a simple cat's paw lace pattern on a garter stitch ground, there is a lot to learn if you've never done lace before or if you'd simply like to take some of the mystery out of lace knitting. You'll learn how to follow a chart, keep track of your pattern, and fix simple mistakes. This pattern is Joan's original design and is included in the class fee.

Required equipment: US size 5 needles (10” straights or 16 or 24 inch-circulars), stitch markers, highlighting tape.

Gina Sheehan, $30 class fee, no materials fee

2516 Four-Ruffle Scarf

Date: Sunday, November 2, 12 pm to 3 pm, one sessions

Take the class from the designer! Learn how to knit this uniquely fashioned four-ruffle scarf. Learn how to work a provisional cast on, knit a simple lace pattern, and pick up stitches. Great gift, just in time for Christmas! Pattern free with class.

Required supplies and equipment: two size 5 60-inch circular needles, two needles of the same length in a smaller size, one skein Bloomfield or three skeins Panda Silk or similar sock yarn, crochet hook size E, F, G, H, or I; tapestry needle.

Joy Stimac, $35 class fee, no materials fee

2556 Wonderful Wooly Wallaby

Dates: Fridays, November 7, 14, and 21, 1 pm to 3 pm, three sessions

This sweater is a perennial favorite for kids and grown ups alike. Learn special techniques that include pockets and i-cord. You'll also learn how to keep better track of where you are in a pattern and tips for making your increases and decreases look more uniform.

Required supplies and equipment: Wallaby Pattern from Cottage Creations, yarn and needles for the size you are making (we strongly recommend making a baby-sized version for the class).

Cindy Benson, $50 class fee, no materials fee

2524 Stuffed Mittens

Date: Sunday, November 9, 12 pm to 4 pm, one session

These ultra warm and fluffy mittens use roving (traditionally used for spinning) as the second color. It acts as extra insulation and molds to the wearer's hands with use. Learn how to knit in the roving, work a Kitchener ending, and pick up and knit the thumb. Pattern and roving provided.

Required supplies and equipment: US size 5 and 7 double point needles (or circulars if you are already accustomed to knitting in the round with them), 150 yards of worsted weight yarn such as Shepherd's wool or Noro Kureyon, small stitch holder, stitch markers.

Prehomework: CO 28/44 (child/adult) stitches using size 5 needles and work 3 inches of k2, p2 ribbing in the round. If you feel that your ribbing is too loose, switch to the next smaller size needles.

Gina Sheehan, $40 class fee, no materials fee

3506 Mini Latvian Mittens

Date: Saturday, November 29, 12 pm to 4 pm, one session

A tiny project packed with technique! Learn a bit about the Latvian knitting tradition and make mini mittens suitable for decorating a package, tree, lapel, or even for framing. They are that cool! We'll practice casting on and two different knitted beginnings that you can use on other projects. Class fee includes yarn.

Required equipment: Size 0, 1, or 2 double point 5 or 6” needles (how low will you go?!).

Required book: Latvian Mittens by Lisbeth Upitis.

Skill level: Very confident intermediate level knitter

Joan Sheridan Hoover, $50 class fee which includes yarn, no materials

2505 Andean Inspired Flap Cap

Dates, 2009: Mondays, January 12 and 19, 6 pm to 8 pm, two sessions

Joy's original design features slip stitch knitting. You never knit with more than one color at a time, yet it appears as if you do. This hat demonstrates how important color is to good design. Knit from Shepherd's Wool we've assembled into kits - choose brights or pastels.

Required supplies and equipment: Hat kit with pattern and appropriate needles based on pattern requirements (also depends if you are making the hat for a child or adult).

Cindy Benson, $25 class fee, no materials fee

3507 Reversible Cabled Scarf

Date, 2009: Thursday, January 15, 11 am to 1 pm, one session

Most cables are one-sided, which makes them more difficult to wear as a scarf. This clever Lily Chin pattern uses cable stitches that look great from both sides - as a scarf, shawl, or throw. We'll make the scarf, learn how to keep track of where you are in the cable, and keep track of where you are in the pattern.

Required supplies and equipment: Fiber Trends Pattern (FT-68), wool or alpaca sport weight 700 yards yarn. Size 5 and 8 straight or circular needles, cable needle, and stitch markers.

Gina Sheehan, $30 class fee, no materials fee

3505 A Vest for YOU!

Date, 2009: Sunday, February 1, 10 am to 4 pm, one session

Take the technique and structure of the cobweb scarf and transform it into a vest that fits you perfectly. Based on your swatches, Christa will help you develop your own personal pattern. You'll get started knitting the vest in class

Required supplies and equipment: bring your knitting needle collection and any alpaca yarn you already have that you might want to use for this vest. If you do not have yarn, please wait until class to select your yarn based on Christa's lecture. Christa will also have Michigan alpaca yarn from her animals available to select from.

Christa Kindt-Newhouse, $65 class fee, no materials fee

2575 Christa's Scarf

Date, 2009: Wednesday, February 4, 6 pm to 9 pm, one session

This scarf is a wonderful introduction to cables and bobbles. Christa's European flair and sense of design make this scarf a perennial favorite. Depending on the colors you choose, this scarf is appropriate for a man or woman.

Required supplies and equipment: Pattern, 250 yards of fingering weight alpaca, 75 yards of fingering weight angora. 24" circular or 14" straight, size 7 needles, size 9 double pointed needles, or sizes to obtain gauge or desired fabric texture. Cable needle. Basic knitting tools. Note: if using yarn single strand you need one ball, if using yarn double strand you will need two balls.

Christa Kindt-Newhouse, $35 class fee, no materials fee

1521 Christa's Cobweb Scarf

Class A, 2009: Monday, February 9, 1 pm to 3 pm, one session,
or Class B, 2009: Monday, February 9, 6 pm to 8 pm, one session

Try a new stitch pattern and revel in the luxury of alpaca. This magical drop stitch technique creates a lacey beginning and ending. Christa figured out how to make the ends symmetrical without working a provisional beginning or grafted ending. Join the class and learn the secret! Pattern included.

Required supplies: 200 yards bulky weight alpaca, US size 9 needles, tapestry needle.

Christa Kindt-Newhouse, $40 class fee, no materials fee

2510 Barefoot Knits

Dates, 2009: Fridays, February 13, 20, 27, 1 pm to 3 pm, three sessions

This is a great class for someone who has just learned to knit and isn't ready to start on an adult-sized project. All the projects in the Barefoot Knits book are cute, fairly small, and not-so-hard to do. Come work with Ann who has made several of the designs for her little ones.

Required book: Barefoot Knits by Christine Schwender and Paula Heist

Required supplies and equipment: Check the book, figure out what you'd like to make, and have us help you gather the supplies.

Ann Ryan, $35 class fee, no materials fee

3509 Double Knitting Intensive

Dates, 2009: Friday - Sunday, February 13, 14, and 15, 9 am to 5 pm, three sessions

Spend three full days knitting. Is that bliss or what? You will fine-tune your double knitting technique, learn about designing for double knitting, and plan and begin your first double knitting project.

Prerequisite: Learn to Double Knit class or previous double knitting experience.

Required supplies and equipment: bring your needle collection, fingering weight yarn (Christa uses alpaca), tapestry needle, pencil with eraser.

Christa Kindt-Newhouse, $225 class fee, no materials fee

3509 Learn to Double Knit

Date, 2009: Tuesday, February 3, 6 pm to 9 pm, one session

Learn how to double knit Christa's way, working both sides of the piece at the same time. You'll learn how to cast on and bind off and begin work on a double knit alpaca headband.

Required supplies and equipment: double knitting or worsted weight yarn with US size 4 or 5 needles for practicing, and 16” circular needles size 0 or 1 (depending on gauge).

Christa Kindt-Newhouse, $50 class fee, includes yarn and pattern