2025 Classes
Advanced Cables
Improving Your Colorwork Techniques
Successful Sweaters and Other Garments
Tips and Tricks
Cast Ons and Bind Offs
Embroidery for Hand Knits
Knit to Fit Mitts
Mosaic Knitting
Gauge and Blocking
Shawl Shapes
Slipped Stitch Cables
Tunisian Crochet for Beginners
Saturday Morning
Saturday Afternoon
Sunday Morning
Sunday Afternoon
Beyond Mobuis Strips
Design Your Own Colorwork Yoke
Knitting with Beads
Mosaic Crochet
Saturday Morning Class Descriptions
Beyond Möbius Strips - a mathematical exploration of knitted surfaces– Lynne Yengalulp
As knitters, we are very familiar with two-sided surfaces. For example, when knitting a cowl in the round there is a definite outside (RS) and inside (WS). In mathematics, we call these “orientable” surfaces. Many of us know that if we accidentally twist our cast-on, our cowl will be twisted (one full twist, or in other words, two half-twists) but it will still have a RS and a WS. In this class, we’ll learn about “non-orientable” surfaces, which have only one side, and we’ll learn about their edges, which are mathematical “knots”. One might be familiar with a Möbius strip, which is a non-orientable surface like a cowl with one half-twist. One does not accidentally achieve a single half-twist (or, in fact, any odd number of half-twists) with a circular cast-on. A special cast-on is required. There are many complicated and beautiful surfaces with knot edges that mathematicians and knitters can construct using special cast-ons and intentional twists. We have the option to pair the Möbius cast on with double knitting to add a new dimension to knitting non-orientable surfaces. Double knitting allows us to create symmetric images along our surfaces; like ants to make an Escher-like cowl. Participants will choose the number of half-twists that they want to make and whether they would like to try double-knitting to increase the complexity. Choosing three half twists remarkably creates a trefoil knot as the edge!
Skill Level: Adventurous beginner or intermediate. More advanced knitters may choose to increase the complexity by using double-knitting on their project.
Required Skills: Familiarity with knitting in the round
Homework: None Materials Fee: None
Supplies to Bring: Circular needle long enough to wrap comfortably around in a circle twice. Two different colored yarns with strong contrast (light and a dark/bold).
Design Your Own Colorwork Yoke – Rachel Offerdahl
Choose your own colorwork adventure! With guidance from Tin Can Knits’ Strange Brew formula, we’ll use the wedge method to design our own yokes. We’ll do some sweater math, discuss color selection and contrast, create our charts, and swatch our designs.
Skill Level: Intermediate to Advanced
Required Skills: Colorwork experience is required. Sweater experience is strongly
recommended. Knitting and purling both flat and in the round, basic sweater skills.
Materials Fee: None
Homework: Students should think about what colors they would like to include in their sweater (at least two!) and bring yarn for swatching in colorwork. Students should make, block, and bring a swatch in stockinette stitch using larger needles as detailed on page three of the pattern.
Supplies to Bring: A copy of the Strange Brew Pattern by Tin Can Knits. Fingering, DK, or Aran weight yarn in at least two colors. Students may bring a full sweater quantity or just a few skeins for inspiration. Circular knitting needles in a variety of sizes for your yarn weight
as colorwork gauge can be very different from a knitter’s normal
gauge.
Knitting with Beads– Emily Wood
Knitting with beads is a fun way to add a little sparkle or a burst of contrasting color to your projects. Shawls are an ideal canvas for adding beads, where they provide glamour and help with drape at the same time. This workshop is based on the Charmayne shawl, which features a simple diamond lace pattern embellished with beads. The asymmetrical shape of the project allows knitters to use up all of one’s yarn. You’ll learn the crochet hook method of beading (rather than the pre-stringing method). Knitters may choose to add one color of beads or do an entire rainbow.
Skill Level: Advanced Beginner
Required Skills: Knits, purls, yarnovers, k2tog, kfb, sk2p
Materials Fee: None
Homework: None
Supplies to Bring: Approximately 400-500 yards of fingering weight yarn, wound and ready to knit
US size 4 / 3.5 mm circular needles, at least 28” / 70 cm in length
50 grams of 6/0 seed beads
1.0 mm crochet hook (or smaller)
Mosaic Crochet – Rusty Boyd
Carrying yarns to create a 2 color pattern can make a crocheter nervous. Carrying yarns can also create a heavier piece. In this class we will create a beautiful 2 color motif using only one color at a time, and overlaying double crochet stitches. We will learn to read a mosaic chart, single crochet, double crochet a row below, and how to switch yarns at beginning of rows to create a nice edge. Participants will receive pattern with chart and written instructions and important notes with helpful suggestions.
Skill Level: Intermediate crochet.
Required Skills: chain, single crochet, double crochet identifying front loop and back loop. Chart reading
Homework: None
Materials Fee: None
Supplies to Bring: Two highly contrasting yarns in worsted weight (ex: white and navy cream and brown, or a solid and self striping contrast)
Size I/9 crochet hook, Tapestry needle, stitch marker
Saturday Afternoon Class Descriptions
Cast Ons and Bind Offs – Kerry Bullock-Ozkan
What is the best cast on for ribbing? How about bind offs for garter stitch or lace? This class will cover a variety of cast on and bind off techniques, and we’ll discuss the best techniques to use in particular situations.
Skill Level: Advanced Beginner
Required Skills: Students should be able to knit and purl, and do a basic cast on and bind off.
Homework: None Materials Fee: None
Supplies to Bring: Smooth yarn (DK or worsted recommended) and appropriate size needles for practicing with. You may also wish to bring a few yards of waste yarn in a different color.
Embroidery for Hand Knits – Heather Storta
There are so many ways to embellish your knitting! In this class we will cover a few different applied crochet and embroidery techniques for adding embellishments. Whether you want to do some “visible mending” to spruce up worn knitwear, do subtle embroidery embellishments, or decorate your knitting to the hilt, this class is for you!
Skill Level: Beginner
Required Skills: Some embroidery experience is helpful, but not required.
Materials Fee: $5 (for stabilizer, embroidery needle and various embroidery threads and silk ribbons)
Homework:
Using worsted or DK weight yarn, cast on 30 sts using appropriately sized needles. Gauge is not important but aim for a fabric with no holes and not too drapey.
Row 1 (WS): P8, k1, p21.
Row 2 (RS): K21, p1, k8.
Repeat these rows until swatch is 5” tall.
BO in pattern.
Block.
Supplies to Bring:
Homework and/or other piece of knitting to embroider
Tapestry needles (in sizes appropriate to embroidery yarns)
Sharp embroidery needle
Crochet hook, size G (4mm)
Selection of yarns (same weight as base fabric, or thinner) in multiple colors, or embroidery threads
Scissors
Knit to Fit Mitts – Rachel Offerdahl
Knowing how to work with gauge to your measurements is a
priceless skill in knitting and ensures a perfect fit every time. In class
we’ll measure our hands and use a worksheet to design and begin
working on a pair of mitts. We’ll discuss adding design elements
such as cables or colorwork, and different options for the hand, such
as gloves, mittens, convertible mitts, etc. This is a great way to use a
treasured skein of extra soft yarn!
Skill Level: Advanced Beginner
Required Skills: Knit and purl in the round, working small circumferences using DPNs or Magic Loop. (sock or mitten knitting experience is helpful).
Materials Fee: None
Homework: Knit a gauge swatch - cast on 24 stitches and work in stockinette stitch for four inches. Bind off. A somewhat tighter gauge is recommended for durability, so if your yarn suggests a range of needle sizes, use needles on the smaller end of sizes.
Supplies to Bring:
100g skein of yarn - any weight is fine as the pattern is adaptable.
Knitting needles in appropriate size and style for working small circumference in the round (DPNs or 32 or 40 inch circular needle for Magic Loop).
Knitting needles one or two sizes down for ribbing, also DPNs or needle appropriate for Magic Loop.
Basic knitting kit including stitch markers, darning needle, scissors, etc.
Mosaic Knitting– Rusty Boyd
Have you been afraid to learn knitting with multiple colors? Mosaic knitting is a great start for color knitting. In this class we will learn the ease of 2 color knitting using one color at a time. Patterns will be created by slipping stitches from the previous row, and no purling! Class will include attaching new yarn, reading a mosaic chart, slipping stitches, fixing a mistake, and carrying the yarn up the side of the work to create similar edges. Examples of mosaic in the round will also be shared.
Skill Level: Intermediate
Required Skills: Knit stitch, casting on, slipping a stitch no purling required
Homework: None
Materials Fee: None
Supplies to Bring: Worsted weight yarn in 2 highly contrasted colors (such as black and white or cream and brown) You may also choose to knit with a self-striping/long color change yarn and a solid to contrast. Size 8 knitting needles, tapestry needle, scissors, stitch marker.
Sunday Morning Class Descriptions
Advanced Cables – Emily Wood
Cables cross some stitches over others to fold the knitted fabric into wonderful 3D braids and lattices. This workshop goes beyond the basics to explore a variety of more complex cables, including reversible and ribbed cables, two-color cables, and cables that require two cable needles. We’ll make several swatches to delve into the ins and outs of how these fabrics are crafted. Along the way, the workshop will also offer tips about how to make your cables pop, how to fix mistakes, and how to cable without a cable needle to increase the speed of your knitting.
Skill Level: Intermediate
Required Skills: Knits, purls, different kinds of cables, knitting with two colors, working with two cable needles
Homework: None Materials Fee: None
Supplies to Bring: At least two colors of scrap yarn, either DK or worsted weight. US size 5 or 6 / 3.75 or 4.00 mm needles. Two cable needles
Improving Your Colorwork Techniques – Rachel Offerdahl
Take your colorwork knitting to the next level! We’ll cover preventing the dreaded jog at the beginning of round, different techniques for tensioning multiple yarns, managing color dominance, staggering floats, and working ladderback jacquard. We’ll also discuss mapping floats and ladderback jacquard onto colorwork charts. We’ll use the Alaska Hat by Camille Descoteaux to learn the techniques.
Skill Level: Intermediate
Required Skills: Students must know how to knit and purl in the round and be comfortable knitting stranded colorwork.
Materials Fee: None
Homework: Using smaller needles, cast on and work ribbing as directed in the pattern. Switch to larger needle and knit one round.
Supplies to Bring:
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Pattern for the Alaska Hat by Camille Descouteaux. Students do not need to print the entire pattern, but will need a printed copy of the chart page.
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Fingering weight yarn in two colors - a solid or lightly heathered yarn for color A. It is extra fun to use a yarn with long color changes for color B, such as KnitPicks Chroma, Spincycle Dyed in the Wool, Yarn Hero Freeform Sock, Queensland Perth, etc.
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US 2.5 or 3 for ribbing, US 4 for hat body.
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Six stitch markers; one unique for BOR.
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Basic knitting kit including stitch markers, darning needle, scissors, etc.
Successful Sweaters (and other Garments) – Kerry Bullock-Ozkan
Knitting a successful, well-fitting garment is about more than getting the right measurements. In this class we’ll explore how choice of yarn interacts with a pattern’s design to produce a successful project - whether a sweater, hat, or any other garment. We’ll discuss choices in fiber content and yarn construction, gauge, garment construction, ease and key fit points for a successful, well-fitting garment.
Skill Level: Advanced Beginner
Required Skills: Participants should have basic knitting skills and know how to read a knitting pattern.
Materials Fee: None
Homework: None
Supplies to Bring: You may wish to bring a tape measure and a well-fitting garment you own (it doesn’t need to be handknit!), and pen and paper to take notes (a handout will be provided).
Tips and Tricks – Heather Storta
Baffled by gauge swatches? Having trouble with tension? Want to improve your cast ons and bind offs? This class is for you! Join us for this eclectic, fast-paced class that is full of Heather’s tips and tricks to make your knitting shine. We will cover blocking and measuring gauge quickly, then move on to perfecting your cast ons and bind offs, taming your tension, ways to join new yarns, weaving in ends, joining to work in the round, cabling without a cable needle, and loads more!
Skill Level: Beginner
Required Skills: Knit, purl, cast on, bind off, basic increases and decreases.
Materials Fee: None
Homework: One swatch, blocked. Using a solid, light-colored, smooth, worsted weight yarn, cast on 30 sts with appropriate needles (size 7 or 8 will work for most knitters.)
Work 5” of stockinette st. Bind off. Please block your swatch before class.
(Ideally, soak in lukewarm water, then lay it flat to dry, uncurling the edges and pinning square – without stretching the swatch.)
Supplies to Bring: Homework swatch, blocked. Smooth, light colored worsted weight yarn. Appropriate needles to yarn – circulars. Pen and paper (to take notes).
Sunday Afternoon Class Descriptions
Gauge and Blocking– Heather Storta
Does knitting a gauge swatch mystify you? Have you knit a gauge swatch and it ‘lied’ to you? Thought you had gauge, but your finished sweater grew or shrunk and didn’t fit? Do you wonder what it means to ‘block’ something? Well then, this class is for you! We will learn the ins and outs of gauge swatching, accurately measuring our gauge so that it doesn’t ‘lie’ to us, and how to block a variety of items. Knit up a swatch and join us!
Skill Level: Beginner
Required Skills: Cast on, bind off, knit, purl, basic increases and decreases.
Materials Fee: None
Supplies to Bring:
•Homework swatch.
•Rust-proof pins. (*not* rust-resistant pins)
•Small blocking mat (a 12” commercial blocking mat, or a piece of cardboard and a towel, or similar water-resistant surface that can be pinned). Instructor will bring a few extra mats to borrow.
•Small hand towel. •Ruler, pen, calculator. •Tapestry Needle.
Homework:
Knit one swatch in stockinette, at least 5 inches by 5 inches. Worsted weight yarn in a light color would be best for ease of seeing the stitches. Do not block the swatch.
Optional: knit a second swatch in 1x1 ribbing for 3”, then work in stockinette (knit one row, purl one row) for 2”. BO all sts. Do not block the swatch.
The Shape of the Shawl – Rusty Boyd
You bought that gorgeous hank of yarn on your last vacation. It was so beautiful in the store, but now you are home and not sure what to do with it? Not sure how the colors will match with other yarns in your stash? Here’s a solution: Make a shaped shawl! We’re all familiar with the triangle shawl, but what about heart-shaped, square, or half-circle. This class will show you how to take that unique yarn and create the shape you want for your shawl. We will cover casting on with a garter tab, placing markers, and how to get 4 shapes other than the basic triangle. Participants will receive a 2 sided guide to 5 shawl shapes for future reference. Let the beautiful color of the yarn do the work for you.
Skill Level: Intermediate
Required Skills: Yarn Over
Homework: None Materials Fee: None
Supplies to Bring: DK or Worsted weight yarn for practice/sample and knitting needle 1-2 sizes larger than suggested. If you’d like to start practicing and continue to finish the shawl, bring yarn of choice and needle 1-2 sizes larger (example: fingering weight and size 4 needle)
Slipped Stitch Cables – Emily Wood
Slipped Stitch Cables are a colorwork technique that combines mosaic knitting with cables. Only one color of yarn is used at a time in each round, but in addition to slipping stitches, some are crossed over others in cables. In this workshop, we’ll practice slipped stitch cables using the Tulip Parade hat pattern, which features an enchanting tulip stitch, perfect for a variegated yarn plus a solid. We’ll also practice cabling without a cable needle, since the slipped stitches help to make this technique easier to visualize and to execute.
Skill Level: Advanced Beginner
Required Skills: Knits, purls, yarnovers, k2tog, slipping stitches, (k3tog, yo, k3tog) into one stitch, 1/1 cables, working in the round
Materials Fee: None
Homework:
Please note that Color 1 will create the “tulips” and Color 2 is the background color.
With Color 1 and the smaller needle size, cast on 98 (112, 126, 140) stitches for a hat circumference of 16.5 (19, 21.25, 23.5)” and join to work in the round. Work in k1, p1 rib for 3 rounds, then switch to Color 2 and work 8 more rib rounds to create a single brim (or 25 more rounds to create a doubled brim).
Supplies to Bring:
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175 (200, 225, 250) yds / 160 (183, 206. 229) m of worsted weight yarn – approximately 45 (50, 55, 60) yds / 41 (46, 50, 55) m of Color 1 and 130 (150, 170, 190) yds / 119 (137, 155, 174) m of Color 2
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US size 6 and 7 / 4.0 and 4.5 mm double-pointed needles or one’s preferred needles for working a small circumference in the round
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Stitch markers, cable needle (optional), and yarn needle
Tunisian Crochet for Beginners– Kerry Bullock-Ozkan
Tunisian Crochet is a fun technique that can be thought of as a hybrid between knitting and crochet. In this class we’ll cover the basics of casting on, binding off, and several basic Tunisian crochet stitches such as Tunisian simple stitch, Tunisian knit, and Tunisian purl while creating a sampler that can be used as a mug rug. You do not need to know how to crochet to take this class.
Skill Level: All levels
Materials Fee: None
Required Skills: None
Homework: None
Supplies to Bring: Tunisian crochet hook in size J-10 (6mm); 1 skein worsted weight yarn