I’m going back to my favorite place on earth, y’all. This will be my ninth year teaching at the Medomak Fiber Arts Retreat! Classes are still TBD, but word on the street is that there’ll be some brioche, some short rows, and maybe even some lace.
I’m going down under! I’m pleased to announce that I’ll be the guest at the annual Camp Conference of the Knitter’s Guild of New South Wales. Classes TBD, but keep an eye out! I’ll be adding some further events in Australia (and maybe New Zealand!) around this time period as well!
To the mountains! Registration for this amazing retreat with The Farmer’s Daughter Fibers is now closed, but I’ll be hitting the hills with Andrea Mowry and Caitlin Hunter, teaching Knitting Outside the Box and crossing my fingers I don’t get eaten by bears.
It’s been almost twenty years since I last set foot in Ireland, and I can’t wait to meet the knitting community there for Woollinn! I’ll be teaching the following:
Shawl Shapes: 6/14, 10:00-1:00
Shawls are one of the most popular projects in the knitting world right now. They’re the perfect way to explore new techniques or use just a few skeins of precious yarn for something lovely. In this class, we’ll look at a how to create a few different shawl shapes, and then discuss adding stitch patterns or playing with unconventional shaping.
Materials: Though we will mostly be swatching, you can bring between 500-900 yards of fingering weight yarn to start your chosen shawl and a size 5 or 6 32” or longer circular needle. For swatching, please bring around 200 yards of dk or worsted weight yarn, appropriate needles, and stitch markers.
Knitting Outside the Box: 6/14, 2:00-5:00
One of the most interesting and best parts about knitting is the huge variety of patterns available. But where does the inspiration for those patterns come from? In this class, we’ll talk about different forms of inspiration and different ways of thinking about knitting, and then explore methods and theory to bring those ideas to reality. This is a great class if you’re interested in designing, or just want to experiment with all the possibilities knitting has to offer!
Materials: A pencil and sketchbook, scrap yarn and needles for swatching ideas, and any items/photos/tearsheets that inspire you.
Short Rows: 6/15, 2:00-5:00
Short rows are a very handy way to add shaping to your knitting in both conventional and unexpected ways. Use them to turn a heel on a sock, better tailor a garment to your shape, or add un-expected twists and turns to accessories. In this class, we’ll discuss the mechanics of short rows, try out different short row techniques, and think about when and where to use them.
Materials and homework: Smooth, non-haloed, light-colored worsted weight yarn and appropriate needles. Students should cast on 30 stitches and work about an inch in stockinette prior to class.
Islands ahoy! I’ll be back on Block Island with Northlight Fibers, this time teaching an extensive workshop on designing your very own lace patterns, and then creating a cowl from that design. It’ll be nine hours of pure creative fun!
Find out more details and register here!
I am THRILLED to be heading back to Galiano Island! In this Knit Social retreat, I’ll be teaching alongside the inimitable Norah Gaughan, and I’ll be teaching the following:
Shawl Shapes
Shawls are one of the most popular projects in the knitting world right now. They’re the perfect way to explore new techniques or use just a few skeins of precious yarn for something lovely. In this class, we’ll look at a how to create a few different shawl shapes, and then discuss adding stitch patterns or playing with unconventional shaping. Experience needed: knitting, purling, increasing.
Materials and homework: Though we will mostly be swatching, you can bring between 500-900 yards of fingering weight yarn to start your chosen shawl and a size 5 or 6 32” or longer circular needle. For swatching, please bring around 200 yards of dk or worsted weight yarn, appropriate needles, and stitch markers.
A Lace for Everything and Everything in Its Lace
Lace is one of the most beautiful ways to manipulate your knitting into something truly spectacular. In this class, we’ll work on designing our own lace patterns based on two different development techniques: encoded and improvisational. From there we’ll swatch, play, and perfect that lace ready to add to any project you want!
Please bring: smooth, light-colored worsted weight yarn and appropriate needles, graph paper, pencil, and eraser.
Sign up through this registration page!
Heading to the other Portland! I can’t wait to visit Starlight Knitting Society, where I’ll be teaching the following:
Shawl Shapes: Saturday, 4/27, 10:00-1:00
Shawl Shapes are one of the most popular projects in the knitting world right now. They’re the perfect way to explore new techniques or use just a few skeins of precious yarn for something lovely. In this class, we’ll look at how to create a few different shawl shapes, and then discuss adding stitch patterns or playing with unconventional shaping.
Materials: Though we will mostly be swatching, you can bring between 500-900 yards of fingering weight yarn to start your chosen shawl and size US 5 or 6 - 32” circulars. Bring around 200 yards of dk or worsted, stitch markers, and appropriate needles for swatching.
Short Rows: Saturday, 4/27, 2:00-5:00
Short rows are a very handy way to add shaping to your knitting in both conventional and unexpected ways. Use them to turn a heel on a sock, better tailor a garment to your shape, or add unexpected twists and turns to accessories. In this class, we’ll discuss the mechanics of short rows, try out different short row techniques, and think about when and where to use them.
Materials and homework: Smooth, non-haloed, light colored worsted weight and appropriate needles. Students should cast on 30 stitches and work about an inch in stockinette prior to class.
Knitting Outside the Box, 4/28, 12:00-3:00
One of the most interesting and best parts about knitting is the huge variety of patterns available. But where does the inspiration for those patterns come from? In this class, we’ll talk about different forms of inspiration and different ways of thinking about knitting, and then explore methods and theory to bring those ideas to reality. This is a great class if you are interested in designing, or just want to experiment with all of the possibilities knitting has to offer! Must be comfortable with stitch patterns , and have a willingness to experiment and play.
Materials and homework: A pencil and sketchbook, scrap yarn and needles for swatching ideas, and any items/photos/tearsheets that inspire you.
Sign up through the links above!
Hey look—Vogue is coming to my hometown! I’ll be giving lunchtime speeches in both sessions of Vogue Knitting Live Destinations, which also features classes with the amazing Joji Locatelli and Veera Valimaki!
I’m crossing the pond once again to take part in the incredible Edinburgh Yarn Festival. Classes are now sold out, but you can get on a waiting list here.
I’m crossing one off the bucket list and heading to Stephen and Penelope in Amsterdam, baby! I’ll be giving a talk on Friday night entitled Camera Roll Full of Sweater Photos, and on Saturday, teaching:
Darn It, Saturday 3/16, 10:00-1:00
In this class, we’ll discuss when bad things happen to good, well- loved knits, and how we can fix it. We’ll discuss basic repair tech- niques, as well as yarn structure and picking yarn for projects to make our knits last as long as possible. Experience needed: none.
Materials and homework: Please bring any handknit items that might need repair.
Knitting Outside the Box, Saturday 3/16, 2:00-5:00
One of the most interesting and best parts about knitting is the huge variety of patterns available. But where does the inspiration for those patterns come from? In this class, we’ll talk about different forms of inspiration and different ways of thinking about knitting, and then explore methods and theory to bring those ideas to reality. This is a great class if you’re interested in designing, or just want to experi- ment with all the possibilities knitting has to offer! Must be comfort- able with stitch patterns, and have a willingness to experiment and play.
Materials and homework: A pencil and sketchbook, scrap yarn and needles for swatching ideas, and any items/photos/tearsheets that inspire you.
Sign up through the links above!
Making my way back down to the Sunshine State! We’re still deciding on classes, but I’ll be teaching all weekend at A Good Yarn in Sarasota.
I’ll be heading to sunny southern California (my first time south of the bay area!) to Yarning for You. I’ll be teaching the following three classes:
Knitting Outside the Box: Friday, 1/25, 12:00-4:30
One of the most interesting and best parts about knitting is the huge variety of patterns available. But where does the inspiration for those patterns come from? In this class, we’ll talk about different forms of inspiration and different ways of thinking about knitting, and then explore methods and theory to bring those ideas to reality. This is a great class if you’re interested in designing, or just want to experiment with all the possibilities knitting has to offer! Must be comfortable with stitch patterns, and have a willingness to experiment and play.
Materials and homework: A pencil and sketchbook, scrap yarn and needles for swatching ideas, and any items/photos/tear-sheets that inspire you.
Intro to Brioche: Saturday, 1/26, 10:00-1:00
Brioche is an easy stitch that creates a lush, drapey, warm fabric. In this class we’ll learn the basic principles of working brioche flat and in the round, and increasing and decreasing in pattern, and get started on knitting the Hey, Little Songbird pattern. Experience needed: knitting, purling, increasing, decreasing.
Materials and homework: Approximately 70 yards of worsted weight yarn and US7 (4.5mm) needles for swatching and practicing. 800 yards of sportweight/DK yarn and US10 (6mm) needles for the stole.
The Winterlong Cowl: Saturday, 1/26, 2:00-5:00
The Winterlong Cowl is a warm, cozy bit of squishiness that employs some interesting techniques to create a flowing, organic shape. In this class, we ’ll explore the techniques necessary to create it, and discuss the rhythms and patterns inherent to the design that make it so addictive to knit.
Materials and homework: Please bring 450 yards of worsted weight yarn and US8 (5 mm) needles, as well as smooth, non-wool yarn and a crochet hook for provisional cast on.
Call at (760) 744-5648 to sign up!
I’ll be visiting the glorious Halcyon Yarns in Bath, Maine, to sign copies of my book Knitting Outside the Box! Be sure to let your fam know if this book is on your holiday list!