Classes at Needleworks — Fall 2010

(217) 352-1340
needleworksinc@msn.com
http://www.cu-needleworks.com
24 E. Green St, Champaign, IL 61820
and
207 S. Buchanan, Danville, IL 61832

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.
Danville     Thursday     November 4     9:30 AM  –   12:00 PM     Kate Winkler

Beginning Embroidery      1 Session      2 1/2 Hours      $25

Surface embroidery has traditionally been used to embellish household linens, garments, and furnishings. Many of the same stitches used to decorate dishtowels and pillowcases are also used in more advanced techniques, such as crewel and stumpwork embroidery. We will discuss the history of embroidery, sources for patterns, and practice some frequently-used stitches. Materials: Prior to the class, you will select a primitive pattern (our gift to you) from our pattern basket. You will need to transfer it to a piece of prewashed and ironed good-quality unbleached muslin; you will also need a 7" or 8" embroidery hoop or QSnap frame; embroidery needles (size 8); scissors; three skeins of 6-strand cotton floss in colors of your choice. Cost of supplies will vary slightly with the size of your piece of muslin.
Danville     Thursday     November 4     1:30 PM  –   4:00 PM     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     Thursdays     September 16, 23, 30; October 7, 14     7:00 PM  –   9:00 PM     Kara Walz
Danville     Fridays     October 1, 8, 15, 22, 28     1:00 PM  –   3:00 PM     Ray Arseneau

Best Baby Sweater      2 Sessions      Each 2 Hours      $40

Welcome a wee one with Elizabeth Zimmerman's Best Baby Sweater, from her Knitter's Almanac. In the process, you will gain experience with increases, picking up stitches, and working seamlessly, as well as knitting a simple lace pattern . Materials: Knitter's Almanac, 100g of fingering-weight yarn and size 3 or 4 needles, OR 150g of DK-weight yarn and size 5 or 6 needles.
Champaign     Wednesdays     November 3, 17     6:30 PM  –   8:30 PM     Kate Winkler

Buttonholes and Buttonbands      1 Session      3 Hours      $30

Learn a variety of ways to put a buttonband on a sweater, as well as various methods of working buttonholes in your knitting. Materials: smooth, worsted-weight wool or wool-blend yarn, size 7 or 8 needles; another set of needles two sizes smaller than used for swatch. Homework: Knit a 6" x 6" stockinette stitch swatch on larger needles, and bring to class on the needles.
Danville     Thursday     October 7     1:00 PM  –   4:00 PM     Kate Winkler

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     October 20     6:30 PM  –   8:30 PM     Kate Winkler

Eco Shopping Bag      2 sessions      each 2 Hours      $40

Help save the environment while learning to make this wonderful, crocheted, eco shopping bag in two easy lessons. Great for carrying groceries, knitting, swim suits etc. You will learn 4 basic stitches for this project. It's fun, easy, and fast. Pattern included with class registration. Materials: 4 skeins/400 yards of worsted weight cotton yarn (one variegated and two solid colors) and size H or I crochet hook.
Champaign     Saturdays     October 2, 9     2:00 PM  –   4:00 PM     Beth Wiese

Felted Flowers      1 Session      2 hours      $20

Learn to create felted flowers to embellish bags and hats, to wear as a brooch, or simply to display in a vase. Patterns and materials must be purchased from Needleworks prior to class meeting.
Champaign     Thursday     October 21     10:00 AM  –   12:00 PM     Kate Winkler

Functional Kniteracy      1 Session      3 Hours      $30

You know how to knit, but you may “lose your place” after putting your knitting down. This class will teach you to “read” your knitting and relate it to your pattern instructions, as well as providing tips and techniques for keeping track of increases and decreases. We'll also explore ways of correcting mistakes WITHOUT ripping out and starting over! Materials: smooth, light-colored worsted-weight yarn, size 7 needles, and a size G crochet hook.
Danville     Saturday     November 13     12:00 PM  –   3:00 PM     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     October 28; November 4, 11, 18     7:00 PM  –   9:00 PM     Kara Walz
Danville     Fridays     November 5, 12, 19; December 3     1:00 PM  –   3:00 PM     Ray Arseneau

 

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     October 2, 9     9:30 AM  –   11:30 AM     Kate Winkler

One-Day Toe-Up Socks      1 Session      4 Hours, with lunch break      $40

Learn the techniques you need to knit toe-up socks in this one-day workshop. For advanced beginners and above, with some experience working in the round on double-pointed needles. Materials: light-colored worsted weight wool or wool-blend yarn and size 5 double-pointed needles.
Danville     Saturday     October 16     9:30 AM  –   3:00 PM     Kate Winkler

Pattern Reading 101      1 Session      2 Hours      $20

Knitting patterns, like recipes, have a distinctive structure and vocabulary. This class will help you understand what is printed in patterns, and how to identify what might be missing. Materials: smooth, light-colored worsted-weight yarn, size 7 or 8 needles, a measuring tape, and a calculator.
Champaign     Wednesday     October 6     6:30 PM  –   8:30 PM     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.
Danville     Thursday     October 7     9:30 AM  –   11:30 AM     Kate Winkler

Short Rows      1 Session      2 Hours      $20

You can knit flat pieces, and you can knit tubes. Now learn to add a third dimension to your knitting with "short rows". We will explore several methods of working short-row shaping and discuss the applications of each method. Materials: light-colored worsted weight wool or wool-blend yarn, size 7 or 8 needles, and several locking ring markers or coilless safety pins.
Champaign     Thursday     November 18     10:00 AM  –   12:00 PM     Kate Winkler

Socks with the Magic Loop      3 Sessions      2 Hours      $60

Learn to knit socks on one circular needle, using the Magic Loop technique. Skills needed are casting on, knitting and purling. You do NOT need prior sock-knitting experience. Materials: light-colored yarn, and one 40-inch circular needle with a soft cable, such as Addi Turbo or Natura, or Hiya Hiya. Consult with Needleworks staff if you're not sure about your yarn/needle choice.
Champaign     Saturdays     October 23, 30; November 6     2:00 PM  –   4:00 PM     Kara Walz

 

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     Saturdays     October 23, 30     9:30 AM  –   11:30 AM     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     October 16, 23     1:30 PM  –   3:30 PM     Ray Arseneau