Summer is coming to an end and soon everyone will be heading back to school... elementary, secondary, college or university and Knitting and Crochet! Yes, Knitting and Crochet!
September's New Classes:
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Grannies Galore
Beginning Sunday September 17th 12-2pm |
Crocheters... This is not your Granny's Granny Square class. Each month a different Granny Square motif will be explored offering the perfect opportunity to expand your skills, learn new stitches and techniques. In class, the block of the month will be completed and students will reinforce the newly learned skills by making additional blocks at home. The final session teaches several techniques for assembling your project. A syllabus with date & pictures (& completed samples) of the squares is available at the store.
Materials required include: "100 Colorful Granny Squares to Crochet" book by Leonie Morgan, approximately 2,000 yds of worsted weight yarn for a lap-ghan (approx 36" by 48"). Total yardage actually used depends final size, the motifs used, and the total number of squares used. A US H/8 or US I/9 hook is also required. the cost of each class session is $25 and registration is required, as class size is limited to 8 students. Yarn orders must be placed by Friday, 8/25
Get ready for October Classes!
"Building in Color" by Michelle Hunter
First Thursday of each month - beginning
October 5th
Playing with color is fun! This program is the next level in building your skills. Learn color techniques and how to combine color with basic and complex stitch patterns to produce stunning results.
The project is a lap-ghan measuring approximately 40" by 54". Each month a different stitch or technique is explored, then students have the remainder of the month to complete the strip. The 10 strips are assembled and the final border is applied. Confidence with basic skills such as casting on, knit & purl stitches and binding off is necessary. The cost of each class session is $25 and pre-registration is required, as class size is limited to 8 students.
Materials include:
- US6 24" circular needle
- About 950 yds each of 3 colors of DK weight yarn (light, medium and dark). The recommended yarn is 'Simplicity' by HiKoo.
- Program Book (available at the store)
"Building With Lace" We are excited to begin this brand new program, by renown knitwear designer Michelle Hunter, is set to begin on Thursday, October 12th from 7-9pm. It will meet the 2nd Thursday of each month, finishing in July, 2018. This once-a-month program will guide you through a myriad of lace techniques from the basics to working with cables &lace, beads, NUPPS, and double sided lace patterns, just to name a few.
The project is a 22" by 72" wrap with 9 lace panels and a border added at the end. The recommended yarn is 'Rylie' by HiKoo (or approx 1,500 yds of a sport weight yarn may be substituted). US 6 24" circular needles are also needed and lace or other pointy needles are strongly recommended. The accompanying book will be available at the store. If you are confident in your stitches & interested in learning about lace, this is the class for you.
Each class session will cost $25, the cost of the book is $22 & the yarn is $154. If you would like to order 'Rylie', your order must be placed by Friday, August 25th to ensure that it is received in time for the class. Pre-registration is required for this class, as class size is limited to 8 students.
"Building Blocks" by Michelle Hunter
Third Thursday of each month - beginning
October 19th
Gain confidence and learn about pattern reading, chart reading, increases, decreases, cables and much more. This program give you the ability to look at a pattern and say "I know how to do that", select your yarn and get started.
This monthly program creates an afghan that is about 36" by 48". Each month, the class will meet to begin the assigned block, including instruction in the various techniques and stitches for the month. Students then complete the month's square at home. Any knitter, from a confident beginner through intermediate, is invited to join us. The cost of each class session is $25 and pre-registration is required, as class size is limited to 8 students.
Materials include:
- US 10 circular needle
- About 1,700 yds worsted weight yarn. The recommended yarn is 'Simpliworsted' by HiKoo.
- Program Book (available at the store)
All classes require pre-registration and class sizes are limited to a maximum of 8 participants. Please sign-up early. Please contact the store for additional information and ordering information for recommended yarns. As always, you are welcome to de-stash and participate in our classes. We do not require that you purchase your class materials from us, but we would really love it if you did. Discounts are offered for materials purchased for classes.
... Most patterns were handed down orally & visually. There weren't many written patterns and those that were published were contained in annual or seasonal compendiums. Knitting, Crocheting, Tatting, Netting and many other forms of hand work were contained in these volumes. So how did a young lady learn a new stitch pattern? By doing it! A part of her work basket was a sampler where she learned and practiced new stitches. If she wanted to use one, she went there for the information. If your grandmother immigrated from Europe or she was part of the first generation born in the US, she probably learned how to "read" stitches. She can look at a piece and recreate it.
What's on Mitzy's Needles? 
Cacti and Succulents! The best way to use up scraps and bits of yarn is to find small things to work on. Never one to waste good yarn, Mitzy found some Cactus patterns and then branched out (so to speak) to Succulents. They are for sale by the pot or in kit form to make your own. The Cacti are knitted and the Succulents are crocheted.
