Upcoming Class - First Time Top-Down Sweater

contributed by Shawn

This weekend I started my own little sweater example for the First Time Top-Down Sweater Knitting class that starts on February 13th. I've decided to use the new Berroco Floret yarn since it has a super soft hand and is a machine washable acrylic & cotton blend. This means it's perfect for spring babies! I can't wait to pick out buttons when it is finished.

This class features the knitbot Yoked Cardigan knitting pattern and this is what it looks like in Fibre Company Terra yarn:

Customers have loved this shop sample but keep saying it looks hard. Trust us, it's not! It's a really fun pattern to make, and since there are still a couple of spots left in the class, maybe you should join us!

Fringe, Tassels & Pom Poms (Upcoming Class Preview)

We all know that the finishing touches can really make a project.  Afghans are cozy with an added flare of fringe. Scarves swing and sway with braided or twisted edgings.  Hats become well-worn favorites with an added tassel or pom-pom.  

Learn how to make these finishing touches for your special hand-made gifts this season.  We even have specialty tools that you can try out, which make this process faster and give more consistently fabulous results!

This ONE SESSION class meets Wednesday, November 28, 5:30 pm - 7 pm.

Crocheting the Clapotis (Upcoming Class Preview)

Want to learn how to crochet?  This class features an easy project where you will learn beginning crochet skills with dazzling effects! The amazing Clapochet scarf is based on the wildly popular Clapotis knitting pattern by Kate Gilbert (originally released in Knitty, Fall 2004).   

This project is worked on the diagonal, with chain spaces peppered throughout to create a texture similar to the original Clapotis. Using a self-striping yarn creates a striping effect that runs with the texture of the stitches. The finished project can be worn scrunched up as a scarf or spread out like a shawl making it a very versatile wardrobe piece that you won’t want to be without!

This ONE session class meets Wednesday, December 12, 5 pm - 7 pm.

Mittens to the Max! (Upcoming Class Preview)

Maxima that is!  We have new multi-colors and new semi-solid colors of the super soft merino wool yarn Maxima from Manos del Uruguay.

One skein is the perfect match for a basic set of mittens and will keep you toasty all winter long. What? You've never knit mittens before? Well, come on in and sign up for our Basic Mitten class!

Mittens are not as difficult to knit as they look and shaping the thumb gusset won't remain an intimidating task for long. This class features an extended version of our free Basic Mitten pattern that includes tips and tricks for future mitten knitting.

This TWO SESSION workshop meets Wednesdays, December 5 AND December 19, 5:30 pm - 7 pm.

Toasty Toes (Upcoming Class Preview)

Learning how to knit using two-circular technique is easy and comfortable!  In the Pleated Ballet Slippers class you'll learn this technique, plus how to properly pick up and knit stitches from garter stitch fabric, and how to form short rows for shaping.  

These little slippers are toasty warm, comfortable, and portable so be sure to pack your pair for your holiday travels. And, they knit up in no time so you'll want to make some extra for giving this year! 

(We recommend treating yourself to a luxury blend of machine washable fiber for the optimum toasty toes experience!)

This ONE SESSION class meets Wednesday, November 21, 5:30 pm - 7 pm.

Let it Snow! (Upcoming Class Preview)

We're hoping for a winter full of snow this year. To get ready we're inviting you to join us for Snobuddy knitting.  

 The Knitting at Knoon's SnoBuddy Family pattern is always in demand as the flakes begin to fly, so come join us for an early start!  Winter will be upon us soon and these little soft snow people are a great way to celebrate the season. You'll be amazed how quickly you can knit up one or two snowball stacks for the 'body' of this project. The added accessories (hats, mittens, and scarves) for these little snow creatures are an excellent way to use up your leftover yarn scraps.

This ONE SESSION class meets Wednesday, November 14, 5:30 pm - 7pm. 

Learn to Crochet (Upcoming Class Preview)

We've had tons of requests for crochet help in the past couple of weeks because of our beautiful Sashay scarf shop sample. 

This super soft scarf is an easy project in bulky weight yarn and it's a generous size at 11" x 74". But if you haven't crocheted before, why not tackle one that's a more manageable size?

We've modified this pattern and scheduled a Learn to Crochet a Granny Square Scarf class.  In no time at all you'll be wrangling a crochet hook like a professional. Starting with a simple chain and basic crochet stitches you will build colorful circles within squares in this Granny Square technique.

You'll learn crochet joining techniques to bring your motifs together in our own adaptation of this popular pattern. The Berroco Lodge yarn is so fun, it stripes all by itself and looks amazing in crochet patterns!

This TWO SESSION class meets Wednesdays, October 3 AND October 24, 5:30 pm - 7 pm.
 

Happy as a Frog! (Upcoming Class Preview)

Hop to it - The Happy Frog Class is coming to your local knitting store!  Join the designer, Emily (the Crafty Hedgehog herself!) for a two part class on the art of knitting toys. 

Small knitted toys are quite the rage these days. This type of project is a wonderful way to use up leftover project yarn and they knit up quickly making great gift ideas.  Get tips for casting-on with double pointed needles, practice your increasing and decreasing techniques, and learn how to knit i-cord in this class.  Get ready to explore the world of knitted toy patterns with your new-found skills. (We know you know someone that needs a knitted zebra, dinosaur, alien, or rabbit to play with this winter!)

This TWO SESSION class meets Fridays, October 12 AND October 26, 10 am – 11:30 am.

Double Knitting Strikes Again! (Upcoming Class Preview)

Our Rectangly Hat class was so popular and filled so quickly last session that we are offering it again! Double your knitting fun by learning how to knit two layers of fabric at the same time.  Put on your thinking cap and come on in for a brain-bending experience you're sure to enjoy. 

We love this hat because it's so warm when it's finished and we know you'll love it too. This completely reversible hat is an attention grabber and the mod rectangle pattern can be altered to make your own custom cap once you've mastered the double knitting technique.

This TWO SESSION class meets Wednesdays, October 17 AND October 31, 5:30 - 7 pm.

First Ever Hat (Upcoming Class Preview)

So you know how to knit and purl but you're tired of knitting scarves? This class is for you! Come in and learn how to knit a hat using circular needles.

We'll use super bulky yarn and large needles so this project will work up quickly. You'll learn how to join into a round, how to work a "k2tog", how to knit on double pointed needles and how to finish in your ends. You'll even learn how to make a pom-pom if you want to put one on your hat!

This TWO SESSION class meets Wednesdays, September 19 AND October 10, 5:30 pm - 7 pm.

Lace Wingspan Shawl (Upcoming Class Preview)

We love the Wingspan Shawl by maylin of Tri'Coterie Designs.  We've had so many customers comment on our shop sample knit in Lang Jawoll Magic Degrade yarn (pictured below) that we knew we needed to offer this project as a class! 

The triangle shaping is created using short-row technique and self-striping yarn makes the simple garter stitch stunning.

The Wingspan Shawl has been so popular that several other adaptations are now available. We decided it would be fun to take our class to the next level - so join us for the Lace Wingspan class!

We recommend a soft, luxurious, fingering weight yarn in a solid or semi-solid colorway to show off your pattern stitches.  You will master the written and charted instructions for 8 different lace patterns in once project!

This TWO SESSION class meets Wednesdays, September 12 AND September 26, 5:30 pm - 7 pm.

Socks that Rock! (Upcoming Class Preview)

Handknit socks rock! Customers always mention to us how intimidated they are to try knitting socks for the first time because they're afraid of the shaping needed for a good fit.  Here's your chance to learn how to wield your double pointed needles in the fine art of turning a heel without coming to grief!  

The socks we knit in class will be a small size. That gives us the opportunity to teach you the seamless toe join, aka Kitchener stitch.  We're using our favorite sock pattern, Yankee Knitter Classic Socks for the Family, a tried and true favorite.   

When we finish the class, you'll be ready to knit some "gift" socks... after all, the holidays are just around the corner!

This TWO SESSION class meets Fridays, September 14 AND September 28, 11 am - 12:30 pm.

Knitted Jewelry

We've got a lot of customers who like to be creative with yarns we sell. Some knit and crochet fun fibers into necklaces or earrings, and we've even got several folks who just combine interesting fibers together to make mixed fiber neckalces... no needles or hooks required!

This winter we came across a few free patterns online for some necklaces and we made up some samples for the shop. They became quite the rage over the past couple of months and we really enjoyed seeing people wear them in.

The Three Circles Necklace was popular, and we love our version in Berroco Captiva:

The Braided Cable Necklace was also a fun one to make: 

We now have two incredible knitted jewelry kits in the shop. They're both from Nelkin Designs, and they come with everything you need, except the knitting needle, and a bit of sew thread. These are quick and easy projects - and a great introduction to bead knitting.

The Butin Necklace is gorgeous. I love how the beads form a "swag" at the neck!

And the Ribband is an easy project that can be worn either as a necklace or a multi-looped bracelet.

These started selling in the shop the other day before we'd fully unpacked them. And we don't even have a sample made up yet!

Stay tuned, we'll be having a class on these.

June Knitting Classes

School is almost out for the year and that means it's summertime! We do slow down our class offering in the summer, as most of our local customers are hard at work in their gardens, having fun hiking in the beautiful mountains, or relaxing by the lake. But, we have two fun classes coming up that you won't want to miss.

How's your seaming? Many of our customers have already taken one of our 2 hour seaming workshops. When they arrive for the class, they're all in agreement about one thing... they hate finishing, and they definitely don't do it well. 

After the 2 hour class, the "finishing light bulb" goes off in each person's head. They finally GET IT! They learn how easy it is to complete a beautiful seam. And they no longer hate finishing, because it's what takes each hand knit garment to the next level. So please, if you haven't taken this class - join us. It's quick, easy and totally painless! Class meets Thursday, June 14th from 2-4pm.

Sign up for out ballet flats class and make yourself a beautiful pair of machine washable slippers to wear around the house.

This project is quick and fun and you will learn how to pick up stitches properly, work in the round with 2 circular needles, and work short rows. This is a great gift idea! The class meets Thursday, June 28th from 2-4pm.

If you missed our crochet basket class last week, we're sorry! Stay tuned as we will be scheduling similar crochet classes shortly.

Both of these classes have a small amount of pre-class work, so don't delay in signing up. You can sign up online or call the shop at 802-288-9200 x4.

Rectangly Hat Class - Completed!

contributed by Shawn

In our last session of group knitting classes here at the shop we had some brave students who learned the skill of double knitting.  We used the free Rectangly Hat pattern by Catherine Hughes that Barb discovered last fall. She knit one up for the shop and we've had so many people ask about it that we scheduled a class. 

We started by learning how to create both layers of knitted fabric (inside and outside) simultaneously after forming the cast on row.  There was a lot of "don't think too hard" about what you are doing moments! The color chart was intimidating at first but, once everyone got theirs minds going in a binary sort of way it wasn't too hard to keep going.   

We used markers to help us out with our repeats - a must! After our first session everyone went home to work on their hats.  One hat was re-started in colors that showed a better contrast.  Be sure to pick colors that will show your hard work if you knit something like this - it helps if you can see the difference in the colors clearly as well. 

We had a couple of stop-in-the-shop emergencies until everyone realized how easy it really could be to fix one of their mistakes without even ripping out their work! 

In the second class session we learned how to manage the simultaneous decreases. I finished my hat just after class. The Berroco Vintage yarn is lovely in the hat!   

One of our customers from class finished her hat and has already started teaching her knitting friends the art of double knitting - I can't wait to see the snowflake pattern that she adapted to the original pattern for her second hat project!

The Five Spice Hat

contributed by Barb

So my second crochet "show and tell" for the Learn to Crochet class later this month is a quick crochet hat.  We just started carrying some Brown Sheep Burly Spun colors and I happened upon this free pattern – Five Spice Hat. 

I know it is not really winter here in Vermont right now, but what a great hat!  I was able to make this in about 1 ½ hours.  I actually made the hat twice over the weekend.  My first attempt was too small, it is a little tricky to keep the tension loose enough – this is done in slip-stitch crochet, which I had never done before. 

I am considering making several of these now and putting them away for gift giving next winter!

Tapestry Crochet

contributed by Barb

There seems to be an explosion of crochet projects lately.  Our learn to crochet class is coming up on the 24th, and sold out just like our last one. 

Because so many more people are becoming interested in crochet, I thought I would make several items for show and tell.  I  recently purchased several patterns from Interweave Press. they've got some great patterns! One was the Spring Market Bag.

I began the bag with similar colors, but have chosen very different colors to finish off the top.

I realized that my spiral is going in the opposite direction. Oops! Clearly, it's been a while since I did tapestry crochet. I know what I did wrong but it is only a bag so I am not going to rip it out!

Flowing Locks - Upcoming Class

contributed by Shawn

Get ready to cable!  I just finished the sample of the Flowing Locks Hat for our Knitting Cables Class (http://www.kyarns.com/product/3259/knitting-classes) that is coming up in a few weeks. We still have a few spots so give us a call if you want to get some cable instruction!

This Figheadh pattern that makes a great beginning cable project. And remember, all Figheadh patterns are available as PDF downloads, which is convenient since knitters are looking for more of those these days.

I'm so tired of the "browns" of our mostly snow-less winter that I decided to brighten things up a bit with a Debbie Bliss Cashmerino Aran in bright red. This is a wonderful yarn to knit with and it shows off the cables in this pattern really well. The little bit of cashmere really makes this yarn even softer! It is a great choice for items that will be worn close to the skin like scarves, hats, or cowls.