Class fees do not include materials and are paid (by cash or check) directly to the instructor. A non-refundable deposit is required one week before the first meeting of the class, with the balance due at the first session. Yarns and other supplies must be purchased from Needleworks before the first class. Students receive a 10% discount on required yarns and needles.
All Thumbs: Knit Mittens 1 Session 2 1/2 Hours $25
| Mittens are simply tubes, and thumbs are just smaller tubes. The tricky part is putting the two together. This class will teach you four ways to put thumbs into your mittens or gloves. Materials: worsted-weight wool and size 4 or 5 double-pointed needles*, stitch holder, and stitch markers. *You may use double-pointed needles, two circulars, or the Magic Loop method for your pre-class homework; however, the techniques covered in class will assume the use of double-pointed needles. Homework: Cast on 32 stitches and work one inch of ribbing, then one-half inch in stockinette. Bring this to class, on the needle(s), so that we may immediately launch into our thumb-knitting. You must have experience knitting in the round to take this class. |
| Champaign | Wednesday | February 3 | 6:00 PM – | 8:30 PM | Kate Winkler |
Argyle Knitting 1 Session 2 hours $20
| Learn to knit THE classic intarsia pattern, and how to use it in socks or garments. Materials: worsted-weight yarn (wool or wool blend) in at least 4 colors, yarn bobbins, size 7 or 8 needles, and a tapestry needle. |
| Champaign | Wednesday | January 27 | 10:00 AM – | Noon | Kate Winkler |
Beginning Knitting 5 Sessions Each 2 Hours $80
| This comprehensive class will teach you all the skills you need to knit an easy pattern: knit, purl, increase, decrease, cast on, and bind off; basic colorwork, cables, and buttonholes. Your instructor will also help you choose and begin your first project. Materials: smooth, light-colored worsted-weight yarn and size 7 or 8 needles. |
| Champaign | Saturdays | January 23, 30, February 6, 13, 20 | 2:00 PM – | 4:00 PM | Ray Arseneau | ||
| Champaign | Thursdays | February 18, 25; March 4, 11, 18 | 7:00 PM – | 9:00 PM | Kara Walz | ||
| Danville | Fridays | March 19, 26; April 16, 23, 30 | 1:00 PM – | 3:00 PM | Ray Arseneau |
Cast Ons 1 Session 2 Hours $20
| Explore a variety of cast on methods and be able to choose the most suitable method for any purpose. Materials: smooth, light-colored, worsted-weight yarn (preferably NOT cotton), size 7 or 8 knitting needles, and a size G or H crochet hook. |
| Champaign | Wednesday | March 3 | 10:00 AM – | Noon | Kate Winkler |
Darn It! 1 Session 2 Hours $20
| Now that you have all those lovely handknit socks, what are you to do when a hole develops? Don't curse the hole, darn the sock instead! We'll cover preventive maintenance and techniques for mending socks and other types of knitwear. Materials: a darning egg (available at Needleworks), tapestry needles, and a small amount of mending wool. |
| Champaign | Thursday | March 18 | 10:00 AM – | Noon | Kate Winkler |
Knit to Fit: Adjusting Patterns 2 Sessions Each 2 Hours $40
| Kate will teach you to refigure a pattern for a different gauge yarn, change a neckline, and adjust armhole and sleeve shaping. We'll also discuss potential pitfalls and how to avoid them. Materials: smooth, light-colored yarn in two weights, appropriate needles for each weight, a pencil and a calculator. |
| Champaign | Saturdays | March 20, 27 | 9:30 AM – | 11:30 AM | Kate Winkler |
Knitting 102 4 Sessions Each 2 Hours $80
| A follow-up to our Beginning Knitting Class; also suitable for those who need a refresher course. This class will provide structured hand-holding and guidance through your first project, or your first project in a while. You should already know how to cast on, cast off, knit, purl, increase, and decrease. |
| Champaign | Thursdays | March 25; April 1, 8, 15 | 7:00 PM – | 9:00 PM | Kara Walz |
On Your Toes 2 Sessions Each 2 Hours $40
| Learn to knit socks from the toe up, using a “figure-8” cast on and a short-row heel. For advanced beginners and above, with some experience working in the round on double-pointed needles. Materials: light-colored yarn and suitable double-pointed needles. Consult with Needleworks staff if you're not sure about your yarn/needle choice. |
| Champaign | Saturdays | February 6, 13 | 9:30 AM – | 11:30 AM | Kate Winkler |
Seams So Simple 1 Session 2 Hours $20
| Learn techniques for joining garment pieces for a finished, professional-looking result. Materials: four 4" x 4" stockinette stitch swatches OR the pieces of a sweater to be assembled, plus a tapestry needle. |
| Champaign | Wednesday | March 10 | 6:00 PM – | 8:00 PM | Kate Winkler |
Sox Appeal 2 Sessions Each 2 Hours $40
| Socks are HOT!! This class will walk you through the techniques used to knit the classic Western top-down sock. The first session will cover sock basics, including the heel, and the second session will be devoted to toe shaping and grafting. Materials: light-colored worsted-weight wool or wool-blend yarn and size 5 double-pointed needles. |
| Champaign | Wednesdays | February 10, 24 | 6:00 PM – | 8:00 PM | Kate Winkler |
Two-Fisted Two-Color Knitting 2 Sessions Each 2 Hours $40
| You will learn the skills needed to do stranded two-color (“Fair Isle”) knitting, with one color in each hand and no floats on the back of the work. Materials: You will need two 100g skeins of worsted-weight yarn, in contrasting solids, 16" circular size 6 or 7 needles, and a set of double-pointed needles in the same size. We will begin by knitting the Fake Isle hat in the round. Download a copy of the free pattern at http://www.spunkyeclectic.com/pattern_fakeisle.htm, and come to the first class with 1 1/2 inches of ribbing, in the main color, on the needle. You'll select your own pattern(s) to knit flat -- either as a sampler or as part of a second project. |
| Champaign | Saturdays | February 27, March 6 | 2:00 PM – | 4:00 PM | Ray Arseneau |