Sunday, June 29, 2014

July and August Knitting Classes at Michael's in South Austin - June 30 deadline Knitting class discount!

June just flew by! I spent much of the month preparing for my parents 40th anniversary surprise party. I'll have a couple of pictures up later.

So I'm late with the July schedule. The good news is that I already have my August schedule completed, so I can kill two birds with one stone by putting them both up.

Also, I have more good news, in case you missed it on my Facebook page. You have until the end of business June 30 to sign up for knitting classes for $20. These classes are usually $25, so you can save $5. You can get this discount by signing up for any classes already on the calendar. July classes are already up, and August classes should be up soon.

New Classes - Discover Knitting classes are updated every few month, so you'll see some new classes. The good news is that I can bring back last month's classes upon request, but this month I'm focused on scheduled the new summer classes.

I'm excited because summer means kids classes! This July, Michael's is introducing kids classes with Weaving Sticks. Weaving sticks work like the bracelets I used to weave with straws when I was in elementary school. Except these are bigger and better.

I've also been doing the Passport to Imagination classes. It's been a new experience for me. I've never taught such a large group of kids. Luckily my fellow instructor is a seasoned veteran, and we've been getting in some great kids. Of course, I'm especially looking forward to the day we have a weaving project.

Let's get on to the schedule itself.

Beginning Knitting - No Experience Needed

These two classes, Knit Simple Scarf 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 basic skills. Both classes teach casting on (putting stitches on the needle), knit stitch, binding off (taking stitches off the needle), weaving in ends and a basic understanding of yarn and knitting tools. Knit Beginner 1 also covers basic seaming, and the Simple Scarf Class teaches how to make fringe.

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

Knit Beginner 1: Hat or Mitts - $25
Saturday, July 12 from 2:30 pm until 5 pm at Michael's in Sunset Valley
Wednesday, July 2 from 5:30 pm until 8 pm at Michael's in Westlake
Saturday, August 9 from 3 pm until 5:30 pm at Michael's in Sunset Valley
Sunday, August 10 from  2 pm until 4:30 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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Knit Simple Scarf - $25
Wednesday, July 9 from 5:30 pm until 8 pm at Michael's in Sunset Valley
Sunday, July 20 from 2 pm until 4:30 pm at Michael's in Westlake
Saturday, August 2 from 3 pm until 5:30 pm at Michael's in Sunset Valley
Sunday, August 17 from 2 pm until 4:30 pm at Michael's in Westlake

Knit on large needles with fringe accents, this scarf drapes beautifully and is the perfect accessory for any outfit.


Knit Simple Scarf photo K18_CYC_Knit-Simple-Scarf_0.jpg

Arm Knitting - No Experience Needed - $10
Tuesday, July 1 from 6 pm until 7 pm at Michael's in Sunset Valley
Tuesday, July 8 from 6 pm until 7 pm at Michael's in Westlake
Friday, August 1 from 3 pm until 4 pm at Michael's in Sunset Valley
Tuesday, August 12 from 6 pm until 7 pm 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

Beginner Classes: Learn the Purl Stitch


These classes are designed for people who have taken Knit Beginner 1 or the Knit Simple Scarf 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, a skill that can be used to add new textures to your knitting.

Knit Beginner 2 - Neck Warmer or Tassel Hat - $25
Prerequisites: Casting On, Knit Stitch, Binding Off
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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.

Knit Jersey Pillow - $25
Prerequisites: None (See the paragraph below for details)
Thursday, July 17 from 5:30 pm until 8 pm at Michael's in Sunset Valley
Thursday, July 24 from 5:30 pm until 8 pm at Michael's in Westlake
Saturday, August 16 from 3 pm until 5:30 pm at Michael's in Sunset Valley
Tuesday, August 5 from 5:30 pm until 8 pm at Michael's in Westlake

Knit Jersey Pillow photo K19_CYC_Knit-Jersey-Pillow_1.jpg

You’ll love resting your head on this pillow because this unique yarn has a T-shirt look and feel.

About the Knit Jersey Pillow class prerequisites: Beginners usually learn the knit stitch first and then the purl stitch. However, the Knit Jersey Pillow class is designed to teach beginners how to purl first. So it can either be taken as a first class, or after Knit Beginner 1 or the Knit Simple Scarf class to learn how to purl. However, if you take Knit Jersey pillow first, I suggest taking a beginner knitting course also so you know the knit stitch as well.

Advanced Beginner Classes

This is your chance to take your knitting to the next level. These classes cover skills like Cables, decreasing, increasing, cables and working with specialty yarns. Be sure to check the prerequisites before signing up.
        
Knit Ruffled Scarves (Discover Time Knitting) - $25*
Prerequisites: Knit Stitch, Binding Off
Thursday, July 3 from 5:30 pm until 8 pm at Michael's in Sunset Valley
Thursday, July 10, from 5:30 pm until 8 pm at Michael's in Westlake
Thursday, August 7 from 5:30 pm until 8 pm at Michael's in Sunset Valley
Wednesday, August 13, from 5:30 pm until 8 pm at Michael's in Westlake

Ruffle yarns and ruffled scarves have become very popular recently. 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 others. 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.)

*This class is listed as "Discover Time Knitting" online.

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Knit Baby Hat - $25
Prerequisites: Cast On, Knit Stitch, Purl Stitch, Bind Off
Tuesday, August 26 from 5:30 pm until 8 pm at Michael's in Westlake

Knit Baby Hat photo K21_CYC_Knit_Baby_Hat_0.jpg

Baby will look so stylish in this beautiful hat, and you'll learn about decreasing. Crown shaping ensures a perfect fit. (Personally, I'm fond of the swirl that forms at the top of the hat.)

Knit Twisted Headband - $25
Prerequisites: Cast On, Knit Stitch, Purl Stitch, Bind Off
Wednesday, August 27 from 5:30 pm until 8 pm at Michael's in Westlake

Knit Twisted Headband photo K20_CYC_Knit_Twisted_Headband_0.jpg

It’s a headband with a twist! Two cable stitches create the design and the ribbing ensures a perfect fit. (There's also a picture of me wearing mine on my Facebook page.)

Kids Weaving Classes – Recommended for Age 7 and Up 

Like I talked about above, this summer I'll be offering classes for kids using Clover Weaving Sticks. When you use these weaving sticks, the “warp” yarn is thread through the holes at the bottom of the sticks, while the “weft” yarn is woven in between the sticks. It’s a twist on traditional weaving that is fun and quick.

Kids Weaving - Monsters - $15 
Wednesday, August 6 from 10:30 am until 12 pm at Michael's in Westlake
Wednesday, August 20 from 10:30 am until 12 pm at Michael's in Westlake

Kids Weaving - Monsters photo W1_CYC_Kids-Weaving-Monster_0.jpg

These wiggle-eyed monsters will be a child’s best friend and perfect for decorating a backpack.

Kids Weaving - Monster Scarves - $15 
Tuesday, August 12 from 2:30 pm until 4 pm at Michael's in Westlake

Kids Weaving - Monster Scarf photo W2_CYC_Kids-Weaving-Monster-Scarf_0.jpg


Kids will love this scarf with its fun monster mitts!

Kids Weaving - Headband with Bow - $15 
Tuesday, August 19 from 2 pm until 3:30 pm at Michael's in Westlake

Kids Weaving - Headband photo W3_CYC_Kids-Weaving-Headband-with-Bow_0.jpg

Choose your favorite yarn colors and wrap it around four weaving sticks to create this eye-catching headband and bow.

Things to Remember About Signing Up for Classes
  • You need to sign up for classes and pay ahead of time. You can sign up for classes both in store and online. The links above should take you to the proper page for signing up for that class.
  • Ideally, you should try to sign up at least 24 hours before the class starts. When there is less than 24 hours left before the class, you won't be able to sign up online anymore. However, I usually accept in-store sign ups until the morning of the class, or sometimes as late as a couple of hours before the class. However, signing up at least 24 hours before the class is the only way to truly guarantee you a spot.
  • You can always get 10% off your class materials by showing your receipt and syllabus for the class to the cashier when you check out.
  • Usually you should have no problem signing up for classes online. Occasionally, due to typos in the calendar, you may not be able to sign up online until we fix the calendar. If you have problems, contact either me or the store, and we'll help you.
  • I take requests! If you want to take a class, but it isn't at a convenient time,  you want to take a different class from the Discover Knit programs or if you want to learn a skill that isn't covered in the courses, let me know. I can probably accommodate you.
  • Always feel free to contact me about anything related to the classes, including materials for the class, the curriculum or any basic questions about knitting in general. My e-mail is sallyvillarreal AT gmail DOT com . You can also e-mail me to get on my mailing list. Every month I e-mail next month's schedule to everyone on the list.
Thanks for checking out my classes. See you in the classroom!

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