Knitting Classes
The following are descriptions of knitting classes that I’ve offered at my local yarn shop, Yarn Harbor, since I began teaching there in 2008. I composed these class descriptions while employed by Yarn Harbor, so please do not copy them without permission.
Knitting 101
Learn the basics of knitting by making a cozy hat. This is the basic knitting class where you will learn how to cast on, knit, purl, increase, decrease and sew a seam. Join the fun!
Three two-hour sessions
Materials: pattern provided by instructor, 14” size US 8 needles, 3 oz. of worsted weight yarn, tapestry needle.
Dovetail Cowl
This beautiful cowl is easier than it looks and is a great project to take on after you’ve mastered the basics of knitting. The textured pattern is composed of only knit and purl stitches, and two sizes are included. Instructions are both written and charted out, making this pattern a nice first chart-reading project. Choose a beautiful hand-dyed yarn or a luscious fiber blend–either way, you’ll have a stunning cowl when the weather gets chilly! Students in this class should be comfortable casting on, knitting, and purling.
One three-hour session.
Materials: Dovetail Cowl pattern, 220 or 400 yds worsted weight yarn, 16″ or 24″ US 7 circular needle, 7 or 13 stitch markers, tapestry needle.
Basic Mittens
Come make your first pair of mittens! You’ll learn how to use double-pointed needles with this pattern by Minnesota designer Theresa Gaffey that is sized from a child’s 2 to an adult XL. Before you know it, you’ll be able to make mittens as gifts to keep all of your friends and family warm! Students in this class should be familiar with knitting, purling, and decreasing (Knitting 101).
Three two-hour sessions.
Materials: Theresa Gaffey Designs Warm Woolly Mittens pattern #51, worsted weight yarn for your desired size, US 5 and 7 dpns, small stitch holder or waste yarn, tapestry needle.
Basic Socks
Socks are the perfect “go anywhere” project—quick, easy and portable. In this class, you will learn how to knit a basic worsted weight sock on double point needles. Students in this class should be familiar with knitting, purling, and decreasing (Knitting 101).
Three two-hour sessions.
Materials: Knitting Pure & Simple Beginner Socks pattern #9728, 230 yards worsted weight yarn (superwash is recommended), US size 6 dpns or size needed to obtain gauge, locking stitch markers, tapestry needle.
Railroad Rib Socks
Socks are among the best summer knitting projects because they are small enough to be portable and don’t involve a large amount of fabric in your lap during the heat of summer. This pattern has directions for three different weights of yarn from fingering to worsted, so it’s suitable for both beginner and intermediate sock knitters. Once you start knitting socks, you’ll be hooked! You should be comfortable casting on, knitting and purling in the round on double-pointed needles, and decreasing.
Four two-hour sessions
Materials: Fiber Trends pattern AC-51, yarn, needles for gauge, and tapestry needle.
Cabled Keyhole Scarf
Have you been wanting to learn how to cable? This is the perfect project for beginning cable knitters, and it’s also a beautiful, quick-to-knit gift. Since this scarf only requires a little over 100 yards of yarn, you’ll find that it’s a great way to use up those single, luscious skeins. Students in this class should be comfortable knitting and purling (Knitting 101).
Two two-hour sessions.
Materials: Anne Hanson’s Cabled Keyhole Scarf pattern, 115-130 yards DK or light worsted weight yarn, US 7 straight
or circular needles, cable needle, tapestry needle, stitch markers.
Loxley Hooded Scarf
Stephen West’s hooded scarf is the perfect design to get you or a loved one through our cold Northland winters. In this class, we’ll explore some intermediate techniques including short-row shaping and attached i-cord. Students in this class should be familiar with knitting, purling, and decreasing (Knitting 101).
Four two-hour sessions
Materials: Loxley pattern or West Knits Book 2, 580 yards worsted weight yarn, US 8 dpns and 16” circular needles, locking stitch marker, waste yarn, 6 stitch markers, tapestry needle.
Try a variation on the typical sock pattern with the Turkish Bed Socks, which are great to wear with flats, clogs, or around the house. They’re quick and don’t take much yarn, and their unique construction makes them a lot of fun to knit. Start with a pair for yourself, and then make them for all of your friends!One three-hour session.
Materials: Churchmouse Classics’ Turkish Bed Socks pattern, approx. 175 yds fingering weight yarn, US 3 double-pointed needles, tapestry needle.
These booties are sure to stay put, even on energetic little feet! Join us for a workshop to make Jean Christensen’s fun, quick baby booties that are sure to impress, whether at a baby shower or as a charitable donation.One three-hour session.
Materials: Jean Christensen pattern #5, approximately 100 yds fingering weight yarn, US 3 double-pointed needles, tapestry needle, small crochet hook (optional)
Try a variation on the traditional felted slipper with the very popular “French Press Felted Slippers”. Once you get the hang of the construction, you’ll be able to whip up a pile of slippers for your gift stash, and you can even felt them to a perfect fit! Students in this class should be comfortable knitting, purling, increasing, & decreasing.
Three two-hour sessions.
Materials: French Press Felted Slippers pattern, 330 yards of feltable worsted weight wool, US 15 needles (straight or circular), two 1” buttons, tapestry needle.
Toe-Up Socks
Want to use every yard of your beautiful sock yarn? Take your knitting in a new direction by learning how to knit your
socks from the toe up. Chrissy Gardiner’s Mix-and-Match Rib options provide some interest between the toe and heel to keep you moving while you learn a new way of knitting socks. Students in this class should have knit at least one pair of socks prior to the class so that they are familiar with traditional sock construction.
Three two-hour sessions
Materials: Gardiner Yarn Works’ Mix-and-Match Rib Toe Up Socks pattern, sport weight yarn for your desired size, US 2 (or size needed to obtain gauge) dpns or two 24″ circular needles, stitch marker, tapestry needle.
You’ll be ready for fall with these stunning Oak Grove mitts. This pattern features a beautiful oak leave on the back of the hands and has both fingerless glove and fingerless mitt options. The chart may look intimidating at first, but we’ll talk through chart reading in this class, and the instructions are also written out.
Two two-hour sessions
Materials: Oak Grove pattern, 150 yds sport weight yarn, US 3 double-pointed needles, stitch marker, small stitch holders, cable needle, tapestry needle.
In the words of Elizabeth Zimmermann, “It is better not to make mittens in a hurry.” Let’s play with color while getting a head start on our winter mitten stashes. We’ll knit the Norwegian Mittens from EZ’s Knitter’s Almanac as an introduction to two-color knitting. Use the provided traditional pattern or substitute a design of your own. Students in this class should be comfortable casting on and knitting in the round.
Four two-hour sessions
Materials: Elizabeth Zimmermann’s Knitter’s Almanac, approx. 50g each sport weight wool in main color and contrasting color, doublepoints or 9″ circular needles to give you 6 stitches to 1″, stitch markers, tapestry needle.
Two Socks on Two Circulars
Do you suffer from SSS — Second Sock Syndrome? Do you cast on the first sock with enthusiasm, and then slog through the second sock with dread? If so, then this is the class for you. Learn how to knit both socks at the same time on two circular needles. When you’re done, you’re done! You should know how to knit, purl, increase and decrease. This is an advanced beginner or Intermediate class.
Four two-hour sessions
Materials: Knitting Pure & Simple Mid-Weight Socks pattern #242, 275 yards sport weight yarn, two US size 3 24” circular needles or size needed to obtain gauge, locking stitch markers, tapestry needle.
Bad Hair Day Hat
During the summer months, it’s nice to have a cute, lightweight hat to disguise those inevitable bad hair days from lazy afternoons at the beach. Learn beginning lace knitting techniques while creating the border, then top it off with a hat knit in the round. This hat is such a pleasure to knit that you’ll want to whip one up for all of your friends! Students in this class should be comfortable knitting, purling, and decreasing (Knitting 101).
Three two-hour sessions
Materials: Gardiner Yarn Works’ Bad Hair Day pattern, 125 yards worsted weight yarn, US 6 16″ circular and doublepoints, tapestry needle, stitch marker.
Damson Lace Shawl
Damson is a simple little shawl that can double as a scarf. It’s a great way to dip your toes into lace knitting while exploring a beautiful edging. Students in this class should be comfortable knitting, purling, increasing, and decreasing. Four two-hour sessions.
Materials: Ysolda Teague’s Damson pattern, or “Whimsical Little Knits Book 2”, 440 yards of fingering weight yarn, 32” US size 6 circular needle (Addi Lace needles are recommended), stitch markers, tapestry needle.
Intermediate Lace: Aestlight Shawl
Aestlight is a simple shawl that can be constructed in two different sizes. It’s a great way to improve your lace knitting while exploring a beautiful edging. Students in this class should be comfortable knitting, purling, increasing, and decreasing. This is an advanced beginner or intermediate class.
Four two-hour sessions.
Materials: Gudrun Johnston’s Aestlight Shawl pattern, 440-550 yds fingering weight yarn, 32” OR 24″ US 6 circular needle (Addi lace needles are recommended), stitch markers, tapestry needle.
Curling Neckwarmer and Mitts
Expand your lace knitting skills with the Curling Neckwarmer. The finished cowl is a beautiful accessory for those chilly fall days or for your holiday knitting stash. We will begin by knitting the neckwarmer, and more experienced or faster knitters may move on to the fingerless mitts. Students in this class should be comfortable casting on, knitting and purling in the round, and binding off. Prior lace experience is not required, but will prove helpful.
Four two-hour sessions
Materials: Anne Hanson’s Curling Neckwarmer & Mitts pattern, 300 — 400 yards fingering weight yarn, US size 3
16” circular needle, US size 1 double pointed needles, tapestry needle, stitch markers.
Spiraluscious Cowl
Learn how to knit lace with this gorgeous cowl-it’s easier than it looks! The Spiraluscious cowl incorporates three different lace patterns including a hem edging. After finishing this cowl you will have the skills you need to try bigger projects like scarves, stoles, and shawls.
Prerequisites: experience knitting in the round on circulars (Knitting 102)
Four two-hour sessions
Materials: Anne Hanson’s Spiraluscious pattern, 140-150 yards fingering weight yarn, 16″ circular needle size US 3, stitch marker, small tapestry needle.
Francie Socks
Step up your sock knitting with “Francie”, a beautifully contoured take on the average ribbed sock. While this wouldn’t be the best pattern for your first pair of socks, it’s also not as hard as it looks. If you’ve tried knitting socks before and have a sense of adventure, you’ll be prepared for this class.
Four two-hour sessions.
Materials: Francie sock pattern, 340—450 yards fingering weight yarn, US 1 dpns, tapestry needle.
Sock Innovation
Take your sock knitting to the next level with sock designer Cookie A’s fabulous new book Sock Innovation. For this class you may choose any of the fifteen innovative patterns in the book, which range in difficulty but are consistently stunning. We will also discuss sock design, construction and fit. Knitting socks is always fun, but Cookie A’s beautiful designs are truly addicting!
Prerequisites: you should have knit at least one pair of socks prior to taking this class.
Four two-hour sessions
Materials: Sock Innovationby Cookie A, yarn and needles for your selected sock pattern, tapestry needle
Seven Things That Can “Make or Break” a Sweater
Take your knitting from homemade to handmade by learning the seven garment construction techniques that can “make or break” the look of your finished sweater. We will explore techniques from cast-on edge to button band by knitting a sample baby cardigan as we progress through the book. Beginner and experienced sweater knitters alike will take something away from this class. Students in this class should be comfortable casting on, knitting, and purling. Prior sweater knitting experience is not a prerequisite!Six one-hour sessions
This pattern is just as the title describes it, Pure & Simple! It’s a great summer basic coverup that is ideal for wearing over tanks and spaghetti straps, especially in our Northland climate. It is knit in one piece beginning at the neck edge, has short raglan-style sleeves, and no buttons to sew on at the end. Join us for a fun, easy summer knit class and make something special for yourself! Students in this class should be comfortable casting on, knitting, and purling. Prior sweater knitting experience is not a prerequisite! Please determine the appropriate needle size for your individual knitting by swatching prior to the first class meeting. If you don’t check your gauge before casting on, your sweater may not fit properly.Four two-hour sessions.
Materials: Knitting Pure & Simple pattern #294, worsted weight yarn in appropriate yardage for chosen size, 29″ US #10.5 and US #8 circular needles, 16″ US #10.5 circular needles, double-pointed needles US #10.5 and US #8 or size required to achieve gauge, scrap yarn, stitch markers, tapestry needle.
We’ll explore different ways of interpreting Elizabeth Z’s “pithy directions” for this darling baby sweater, which is sure to be a hit at any baby shower! We’ll talk about these interpretations in the first class, so bring whatever straight, circular, or double point needles you have in the size you’re knitting so that you’re prepared for whichever option you prefer. Students in this class should be comfortable casting on, knitting, purling, and binding off.
Four two-hour sessions
Materials: Elizabeth Zimmermann’s Knitter’s Almanac, approx. 300 yards sport weight yarn, needles to give you
5 stitches to the inch, buttons, tapestry needle.
Baby Aran Pullover
Are you interested in learning how to cable but intimidated by large sweaters and afghans? If so, this baby aran is the perfect introductory project for you. After you’ve sewn the last seam and attached the last button, you’ll feel like a cabling pro! Skills learned include cabling, reading a chart, blocking, and seaming.
Four two-hour sessions
Materials: Pattern: Knitting for Baby book or Time for Baby booklet, both by Melanie Falick and Kristin Nicholas, enough worsted weight yarn for the size of your choice, size 6 and 8 needles (sweater is knit in pieces back and forth, so you may use either straight or circular needles), cable needle, two stitch holders, tapestry needle, and four 1/2-inch buttons.
Knit Your Man a Sweater
There are plenty of beautiful women’s and children’s sweaters out there, but the selection of men’s sweaters is considerably smaller. Luckily, Jared Flood has designed “The Ranger” textured cardigan, which would be an excellent addition to any guy’s wardrobe. Knit one for the special guy in your life, or, if you’re one of Yarn Harbor’s beloved male knitters, knit one for yourself!
Student in this class should be comfortable knitting, purling, increasing, and decreasing and should be prepared to complete homework between class meetings. Please check to make sure you are achieving gauge with your yarn and needles before the first class meeting.
Five two-hour sessions
Materials: Jared Flood’s Ranger pattern, worsted weight yarn for your desired size, 32” size 7 and 8 circular needles or size needed to achieve gauge, stitch markers, tapestry needle, waste yarn or stitch holders, seven 3/4” or 7/8”
buttons.
Manu Cardigan
The pleats, deep pockets, and i-cord edging on this cardigan give it some beautiful touches that also introduce new techniques. This cardigan is knit largely in one piece and involves very little seaming, so all of the finishing work is fun! Students in this class should be comfortable knitting, purling, increasing, and decreasing and should be prepared to complete homework between class meetings. Please check to make sure you are achieving gauge with your yarn and needles before the first class meeting.
Five two-hour sessions.
Materials: Kate Davies’ Manu pattern, enough DK weight yarn for your size, 32” circular needles in size 4, 5 and 7, double point needles in size 4 and 7, five 1/2” buttons, stitch markers, waste yarn, tapestry needle.
Red Knits 