Fair Isle Knitting: A Simple Hat
Every year, Shetland Islanders open their doors to knitters from around the world. Shetland Wool Week draws hundreds of folks to these beautiful islands. There is also an “official” hat, and the pattern is posted for free on the website.
The pattern for 2018 is perfect for beginners. It’s called “Merrie Dancers Toorie” and is designed by Elizabeth Johnston. If you’ve been yearning to try stranded knitting, this is the project for you.
Materials to bring:
- Five colors of DK weight yarn. One should be dark gray or black, and the others should be bright and light to contrast with the dark and each other.
- US4/3.5 mm circular needles, 40 cm long
- Scissors
- Yarn needle
One, three-hour session. Maximum of two students. $100
email to register: melanie@crockettfiberstudio.com
Instructor: Melanie Perkins
Beginning Knitting, Part 1
In this first class you’ll learn to cast on and knit back and forth. This will be the start of your first scarf.
Supplies you’ll need to bring:
- One skein of worsted weight (4) yarn of your choice. A good beginning yarn is Michael’s brand, Loops & Threads® Impeccable™ Yarn. It’s inexpensive, has a nice hand, isn’t slippery, and comes in a variety of colors.
- A pair of knitting needles, size 8 U.S., 10 inches long. You can use 16 inch needles, but the shorter ones are easier for beginners to manage.
One, one and a half-hour session. $100 Maximum of two students.
Instructor: Melanie Perkins
email to register: melanie@crockettfiberstudio.com
Beginning Knitting, Part 2
In this second class, you’ll learn to purl, yarn over, and knit two stitches together. You’ll also learn to read a basic knitting pattern.
Supplies you’ll need to bring:
- The yarn and your scarf on the needles from Part 1.
One, one and a half-hour session. $100 Maximum of two students, maximum of four students.
Instructor: Melanie Perkins
email to register: melanie@crockettfiberstudio.com
Beginning Knitting, Part 3
In the third class of this progression, your knitting will be complete and you’ll learn how to bind off, hide your ends, and block your beautiful scarf.
Supplies you’ll need to bring:
- The yarn and your scarf on the needles.
- Yarn needle with a large eye and blunt tip
- Small pair of scissors
One, one-hour session. $75 Maximum of two students.
Instructor: Melanie Perkins
email to register: melanie@crockettfiberstudio.com
Socks: Toe-Up, Tiny Sock
There’s not much better than pulling on a cozy pair of hand-knit socks on a chilly morning. They are easier to make than you might think! Don’t be intimidated by tales of terrible heel-turning or the horror of grafting the toe. I’ll teach you how to make a lovely sock with an easy heel, a perfectly simple cast-on, and no grafting required. During the class, you’ll complete a “tiny sock,” using larger needles and worsted weight yarn. By the time you’re done, you’ll have all the skills you need to make your own full-size version. The full-size pattern is included in the class.
This is NOT a class for beginners. I won’t be teaching you how to knit or purl. These are the skills you’ll need:
- Knit
- Purl
- Knit two together and slip, slip, knit*
- Slip one stitch
*I’ll teach you these if you don’t know them.
Supplies you’ll need to bring:
- One skein of worsted weight (4) yarn of your choice. A good yarn for this tiny sock is Michael’s brand, Loops & Threads® Impeccable™ Yarn. It’s inexpensive, has a nice hand, isn’t slippery, and comes in a variety of colors.
- One circular knitting needles, size 7 U.S., at least 40 inches long.
- A small pair of scissors.
- A yarn needle with a large eye and blunt tip.
One, two-hour session: $150 Maximum of two students. Masks required.
Instructor: Melanie Perkins
email to register: melanie@crockettfiberstudio.com
Socks: Toe-Up, Two-at-a-Time
No more of the dreaded “SINGLE SOCK SYNDROME” where you finish the first but never seem to get that second sock done! Knitting socks this way is easy, fast, and a whole lot of fun. You’ll use Judy’s Magic Cast On to start with the Magic Loop method and short rows for the heel. You’ll leave with a pair of socks well on their way and my “recipe” for making socks of any size in worsted weight yarn.
This is NOT a class for beginners. I won’t be teaching you how to knit or purl. These are the skills you’ll need:
- Knit
- Purl
- Knit two together and slip, slip, knit*
- Lift increase, right and left*
- Slip one stitch
*I’ll teach you these if you don’t know them.
Supplies you’ll need to bring:
- One skein of worsted weight (4) yarn of your choice.
- One circular knitting needles, size 7 U.S., at least 40 inches long.
- A small pair of scissors.
- A yarn needle with a large eye and blunt tip.
One, two-hour session: $150. Maximum of two students. Masks required.
Instructor: Melanie Perkins
email to register: melanie@crockettfiberstudio.com
Introduction to Lace Knitting: Top-Down, Center-Out Lace Shawl
Ysolda Teague is one of my favorite knitting designers, and my favorite thing she has designed to date is her classic Ishbel Shawl. It begins with a tiny swatch, continues with a stockinette top section, and finishes with lovely, airy lace. If you’ve never knitted lace before, this project is a great way to start. You’ll learn to decipher a lace knitting pattern and how to knit from a chart. This shawl is such a fun knit, you’ll want to make it again and again!
This is NOT a class for beginners. I won’t be teaching you how to knit or purl. These are the skills you’ll need:
- Knit
- Purl
- Yarn over
- Knit two together and slip, slip, knit*
- Slip one stitch
*I’ll teach you these if you don’t know them.
Supplies you’ll need to bring:
- A printed copy of the pattern. You can download it from Ravelry. The cost is around $6.00, depending upon the rate of exchange: pounds to dollars. I ask that each participant purchase his or her own copy in respect of Ysolda Teague’s intellectual property and copyright law. You can do this at the studio before class if you come early.
- Fingering-weight yarn of your choice: smaller size shawl, 330 yards / 300 meters; larger size shawl, 610 yards / 555 meters. I prefer a solid color yarn for this project to best show off the lace.
- Circular knitting needle, size 6 U.S., at least 24 inches long. I prefer 32 inches for this pattern.
- A small pair of scissors.
- A yarn needle with a large eye and a blunt tip.
One, three-hour class. $200.00 Maximum of two students. Masks required.
You won’t finish your shawl during the class, but will have all the skills you need. You can arrange for one-to-one help after the class via email.
Instructor: Melanie Perkins
email to register: melanie@crockettfiberstudio.com
Beginning Crochet, Part 1
In this first class you’ll learn to chain and single crochet. This will be the start of your first scarf.
Supplies you’ll need to bring:
- One skein of worsted weight (4) yarn of your choice. A good beginning yarn is Michael’s brand, Loops & Threads® Impeccable™ Yarn. It’s inexpensive, has a nice hand, isn’t slippery, and comes in a variety of colors.
- Crochet hook, Size 8 U.S. (5mm)
One, one-hour session. $75 Maximum of two students. Masks required.
Instructor: Melanie Perkins
email to register: melanie@crockettfiberstudio.com
Beginning Crochet, Part 2
In this second class, you’ll learn to double crochet and combine chain, single crochet, and double crochet together to create interesting design elements
Supplies you’ll need to bring:
- The yarn, your scarf, and crochet hook from Part 1.
- Small pair of scissors.
One, one-hour session. $75 Maximum of two students. Masks required.
Instructor: Melanie Perkins
email to register: melanie@crockettfiberstudio.com
Beginning Crochet, Part 3
In this third class, you’ll finish your scarf with a fringed edge and learn how to hide your ends.
Supplies you’ll need to bring:
- The yarn, your scarf, and crochet hook from Part 1.
- Small pair of scissors.
- Yarn needle with a large eye and a blunt tip.
One, one-hour session. $75 Maximum of two students. Masks required
Instructor: Melanie Perkins
email to register: melanie@crockettfiberstudio.com