Our Intro to Brioche Knitting Class was so popular and filled up so fast that we’ve scheduled a second session!For those who missed out!
Date: Saturday March 23 & 30: 11am to 1 pm
Skill Level: intermediate-beginner (after mitts or sweaters)
In this class you will make a beautiful bi-colour brioche scowl while adding tons of new techniques to your knitting repertoire: a two colour cast on, hooded stitches (aka barks and burps), slide knitting, and a two colour bind-off. Don’t worry if that sounds daunting, our gentle instructor has got you covered!
This course is designed for the absolute beginner and covers ALL of the basics you’ll need to get started and keep you going. You will learn how to hold a hook, make a foundations chain, the basic crochet stitches, how to change yarns and colours, how to keep your edges straight – you should be able to make wristwarmers at this point. Then you’ll learn how to make a foundation ring or magic circle, how to keep your round flat with symmetrical increases, how to close your rounds properly, and how to interpret a schematic diagram (at this point you should be able to make a hat or a granny square).
Monday Jan 28, Feb 4 & 11: 6:30- 8:30pm
Intro to Socks
Skill level: intermediate-beginner (afte mitts)
Whether you’re just up for something different or you would like to learn to make socks for the first time, this class is a great place to begin. Here you will learn how to use double pointed needles, how to make short-row toes and heels, a mitred alternative to the heel-flap of the traditional cuff-down sock, and how to bind off with elasticity. Materials not included, but we sell everything you need and you receive 10% off all materials during your class.
Tuesday Jan 29 & Feb 5: 6:30pm to 8:30pm
Intro to Sweaters: Carbeth Cardie or Pullover
Skill Level: intermediate-beginner (after mitts or hats)
A great way to build your knitting skill-set, this fast and easy chunky cardigan will get a sweater under your belt in no time! Among other skills, you’ll learn knitting in the round, picking up stitches, decreasing, following a pattern, making buttonholes, and weaving in ends. You can choose to make this sweater as a cardigan (you’ll learn more skills) or if you’re feeling less intrepid as a simpler pullover.
Saturday Feb 2, 9, 16 & 23: 2pm to 4pm
Lace: Beginner & Beyond
Skill Level: moderate-beginner (after hats)
Lace isn’t just for advanced knitters! Novices learn the basics of knitting lace while making a gorgeous little wrap for yourself or as a gift for someone else. You’ll learn how to read a pattern, increase, decrease, make eyelets (yarn-overs), and use a life-line. Knitters who already have the fundamentals under their belt and want to up their game can also take this class and work on more advanced techniques and lace patterns. To take this class you must already know how to cast on, cast off, knit and purl.
Saturday February 2 & 8: 11am to 1 pm
Intro to Sweaters: Baby/Child Cardie
Skill Level: moderate-beginner (after hats or mitts)
A great way to build your knitting skill-set, this fast and easy little baby cardigan will get a sweater under your belt in no time! Among other skills, you’ll learn knitting in the round, picking up stitches, decreasing, following a pattern, making buttonholes, and weaving in ends.
Check out my new Carbeth Cardigan – I just finished blocking it, and it’s definitely a win. It was relatively quick, and I only used two skeins of Cascade Eco Peruvian Tones, so the price tag isn’t precious. I would totally make this sweater again, and in fact, I was so impressed with the design that we’re offering it as a class this February!
Fit
The fit is great! I made the second size and it fits true to a size small (sometimes with sweaters with a lot of ease through the body it’s hard to tell which size will fit. I wasn’t sure the decorative detail in the shoulder would make me happy (diagonal lines in that area don’t always flatter petite shoulders) but I was very happy and surprised to find that they made my tiny shoulders look great! It’s hard to see on the mannequin because it has even less shoulder than I do, but the lines are very elegant. I think the sweater will look great with a high waisted pant like a trouser cut (unfortunately, another garment my mannequin doesn’t wear well).
Happy Accidents
A small note about the colour of my yarn – it is not supposed to stripe or knit in blocks of colour. There seems to have been a problem with the dye lot I used, which was actually from last year’s stock. It looks like the dye was more saturated in part of the skein. After I figured out what was happening I decided to go with it – I wasn’t in the mood to rip it all back, so I figured I’d take a leap of faith, thinking it might look interesting or add something aesthetically. I think it did.
Check Your Gauge
I swatched A LOT to make sure my tension was accurate. My tension may not be what yours is, so PLEASE swatch and measure your gauge before casting on! The needles I used may not be the right size for you. The pattern called for 6.5mm/US10.5 needles, but I ended up going down to a 5.5mm/US9 to get the right tension.
To measure your gauge, you want to knit a square approximately 6 inches x 6 inches in the stitch that the pattern suggests (if they say their tension is in stocking stitch, then do that). Wash your swatch in cold water with a delicate wash like Eucalan or Soak, and lay it flat to dry. Then, on a hard surface with a ruler, measure the number of stitches and rows inside 4 inches/10 cm in the centre of the piece. DO NOT cast on the number of stitches that are stated in the pattern gauge, this will make a swatch that is too small to measure your tension accurately. How many stitches should you cast on for a swatch? Take the number of stitches in the pattern’s recommended tension (ex. 14 sts = 4″/10cm) and multiply it by 1.5 … so if the tension is 14 stitches you should cast on about 21 stitches. Also, always swatch with the same needles you are going to knit with – people’s tension can change with their comfort level with different types of needles.
For a more luxe cardie try Diamond Luxury Collection Baby Alpaca Sport and 7mm/US10.75 (& 6mm/US10) needles (alpaca tends to be very stretchy, so consider going down a size in the pattern). If you need a yarn that’s machine washable, try Berroco Vintage Chunky and 6mm/US10 (& 5mm/US8) needles.
Our Summer Class schedule is up! New this summer, we’re offering Private Classes on Saturdays from 11am to 3pm. Learn anything you want, at your speed. You can make an appointment for a private class online, over the phone or in person.
Our summer tank class is coming up soon, so don’t miss out! And don’t forget that you receive 10% off all materials during your group class.
Summer Tank Workshop
This fast & easy spring tank is a great way to build your knitting skills and gain confidence! You’ll learn how to shape a top-down garment, and strategically create shape in the round through the body – all while working with a gorgeous bulky weight organic linen you’ll love to knit with AND wear! To take this class you must already know how to cast on, cast off, knit and purl (Increasing and decreasing are an asset).
Skill Level: Intermediate Beginner (after hats)
Instructor: Liane Schwarz
Length: 2 session class (4 hours total)
Pattern included
Date: Tuesday June 12 & 19: 6:30 to 8:30pm
Materials
Materials are not included in the price of our classes, but we sell everything you need and you receive 10% off all materials during your group class (if you register online you will receive a discount code by email with your class information).
We are super excited to offer private lessons on Wednesday nights from 5 pm to 8 pm!
Instructor: Wednesday night private classes will be with the ever gentle and eternally patient Liane.
Price: $14.97 + tax per person (max two people, if you want to book more please contact us).
Time: 5 pm to 8 pm. you can register for segments of 30, 60 or 90 minutes.
Registration: All private classes are by appointment only, this is NOT A DROP-IN. You can register online HERE (you can find this link on our website, under “classes“), or call us at 416-753-7849.
Location: Classes are held in-person at our store, 1382 Bathurst St, Toronto Ontario, Canada. There is free parking on the side streets north and south of the store. For more information on where we are located, including how to get here, go to the “About Us” page on our website.
We’re always offering different kinds of classes and workshops, but with people’s schedules being what they are and their interests being diverse, sometimes it’s hard to sync up. To help remedy this situation we try to regularly offer Open Workshop Classes! In an Open Workshop you are the boss, you can do almost anything you want (unfortunately, the open class isn’t suitable for absolute beginners). You can work on just about anything: learn something new, make something you’ve been keen to wear, get help getting through a project you’re having problems with, or get finishing help. If you want to take a class but don’t know what to make that’s ok too, we’ll chat, figure out where your skills are at and make a suggestion for something suitable at the next level.
Each session is one-time only, so you can register for the number of classes you need, and take them at the pace you need them. You can bring your own materials, but we sell everything you’ll ever need and you receive 10% off all materials during your class.
Our Spring class schedule is up and all the classes are open for registration on our website! We’ve listened to you and have scheduled a bunch of classes on week-nights for the spring.
Don’t forget, if there’s something you want to learn but we aren’t offering you can always sign up for our weekly Project Help & Open Workshop on Saturday afternoons, or book a Private Lesson for only $14.97/hour on weekdays.
Get your Spring & Summer crafting on by learning how to crochet! Crochet is fast, easy, is very popular, and is GREAT for long, slow summer days. You’ll learn all the basics: how to make a chain, the foundation stitches, how to crochet in the round, increase and decrease, and how to read a basic pattern. You will graduate with a granny square or flower under your belt. $39.97 (+ tax). Materials not included, but we sell everything you need and you receive 10% off all materials during your class.
Suggested Materials
1 ball Cascade 220 Superwash(2 balls are needed to make a scarf. Don’t choose a dark colour like black, it is very hard to see what you are doing)
