Thursday, May 22, 2014

June Knitting Classes at Michael's in South Austin - Knit Beginner 2, More Advanced Beginner Classes, and another chance to take Beginning Knitting Classes, the Ruffled Scarf Class and Arm Knitting

May went so fast! I can't believe that I'm already making the June schedule. It's been a little slow getting students, but I'm not giving up. I'm also looking forward to teaching Kids Club classes and Rainbow Loom Meet Ups at the Sunset Valley Michael's. You can check the schedule to see what kids club classes are coming up. Rainbow Loom Meet-Ups are usually on Saturdays from noon until 2 pm. I've been practicing a lot on my own Rainbow Loom and loving it! I'll be blogging more about it later.

New Classes - I'm adding a few new classes in June, mostly for knitters with a little bit of experience. However, don't worry if you're new to knitting. We'll have three returning classes with no prerequisites. Also, it's not too late to learn arm knitting or take the Ruffled Scarf Class.

Beginner Knitting - Learn the Purl Stitch

These two classes are designed for people who have taken Knit Beginner 1 or the Discover Knit - Headwrap class, or knitters who know the knit stitch but haven't gotten to the purl stitch yet. As always, any knitter with the prerequisite skills can join us, even if they are more advanced. In these classes we will focus on learning the purl stitch, which is basically the knit stitch's mirror image. With this skill you'll be able to add new textures to your knitting.

Knit Beginner 2 - Neck Warmer or Tassel Hat
Prerequisites: Casting On, Knit Stitch, Binding Off
Thursday, June 12 from 5:30 pm until 8 pm at Michael's in Sunset Valley
Thursday, June 26 from 5:30 pm until 8 pm at Michael's in Westlake

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Now that you know the basics of knitting, you are ready to learn the purl stitch! Create a hat or neck warmer. You will choose one pattern for the class, but you will receive patterns for both projects.

Discover Knit - Phone Case
Prerequisites: Casting On, Knit Stitch, Binding Off
Saturday, June 7 from 2 pm until 4:30 pm at Michael's in Sunset Valley
Saturday, June 14 from 2:30 pm until 5 pm at Michael's in Westlake

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Protect your phone with this creative and cute phone cozy. Learn the purl stitch to make this functional, handmade piece.

Advanced Beginner: Discover Knit - Pom Pom Hat
Prerequisites: Casting On, Knit Stitch, Purl Stitch, Binding Off
Sunday, June 29 from 2 pm until 4:30 pm at Michael's in Sunset Valley
Tuesday, June 24 from 5:30 pm until 8 pm at Michael's in Westlake

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Show off your favorite colors in this striped ribbed hat. Maybe it's your school or team colors or maybe it's to match your favorite coat.

You'll be ready for this after you take Knit Beginner 2 or the Discover Knit - Phone Case class. This is also a good class if you know the knit stitch and the purl stitch, and you are ready to learn ways to increase and decrease. This class will focus on learning how to decrease, although changing colors will also be discussed. Decreasing is key to many hat patterns, not just this one.

Returning Classes - These classes from May are back for another month, in case you missed them the first time around.

Beginning Knitting - No Experience Needed

These two classes, Discover Knit - Headwrap and Knit Beginner 1, are designed for students with no knitting experience. However, they are also good for those who haven't knit for a while and need a review, or people who are having difficulty learning on their own. Of course, anyone who wants to join us to make one of these projects is welcomed.

Each class offers different projects that teach the same skills. Both classes teach casting on (putting stitches on the needle), knit stitch, binding off (taking stitches off the needle), basic seaming, weaving in ends and a basic understanding of yarn and knitting tools.

Also, if you want to take the Ruffled Scarf class later this month, these classes will teach you the prerequisite skills you need.

Discover Knit: Headwrap - $25
Sunday, June 1 from 2pm until 4:30 pm at Michael's in Sunset Valley
Tuesday June 3 from 5:30 pm until 8 pm at Michael's in Westlake

Keep your ears warm with a simple, yet stylish headband that you create yourself. You can take a look at the sample Headwrap I made here.

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Knit Beginner 1: Hat or Mitts - $25
Sunday, June 15 from 2 pm until 4:30 pm at Michael's in Sunset Valley
Saturday, June 28 from 2:30 pm until 5 pm at Michael's in Westlake

Select your favorite colors and start making your own hat or wrist warmers that you'll be proud to wear or give as gifts. You choose one project for the class, but you will get patterns for both. You can look at the sample hat and cuffs I made here.

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Arm Knitting - No Experience Needed - $10
Tuesday, June 10 from 6 pm until 7 pm at Michael's in Sunset Valley
Tuesday, June 17 from 6 pm until 7pm at Michael's in Westlake

According to The Wall Street Journal, "Arm knitting combines several things that are appealing to millennials: crafts projects, chunky knitwear (featured on the fall 2013 runways), social media and instant gratification." Of course, this innovative new craft is for people of all ages who have two arms.

Choose from four different projects using different types of yarn, including three cowls and a shawl. Pick one for the class, but you'll receive patterns for all four projects so you can try them all. (Pictures of more of the patterns are coming soon. However, the left picture is me arm knitting at a demo, and the right picture is the Sashay Arm Knit Cowl sample I made.)

               Arm Knitting Demo            Sashay Arm Knit Cowl at Demo - 5/3/2014

Ruffled Scarves: for Advanced Beginner Knitters - $25
Prerequisites: Knit Stitch, Binding Off
Saturday, May 31 from 2pm until 4:30 pm at Michael's in Sunset Valley (Last class in May!)
Sunday, June 8 from 2 pm until 4:30 pm at Michael's in Sunset Valley
Thursday, June 5, from 5:30 pm until 8 pm at Michael's in Westlake

Ruffle yarns and ruffled scarves have become very popular in the last couple of years. This is a chance to make your own ruffled scarf and get comfortable using these yarns. To get the look in the picture below, use Patons Pirouette, but you can use any ruffle yarn for this class, including (but not limited to) Red Heart Boutique Sashay, Premier Starbella and other ruffle yarns. Once you get the hang of it, you'll want to try them all. (I know I did. Or at least I got pretty close.)

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I'm excited about teaching, and I'm working hard to get my lesson plans just right. I hope I see you in the classroom!

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