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Knitting: Just the Basics
Date: March 8 and 15
Time: 12:00-3:00 pm
Registration Deadline: March 5
Location: GAAC
We will briefly discuss yarn: fiber, yarn weight (what the numbers mean), needles (what the numbers mean), ball band – much info is contained on this piece of paper so please bring your ball band to class. We will also briefly discuss common abbreviations used in knitting patterns as well as the vocabulary of knitting.
You will begin by learning to cast on using the conventional “Long-tail cast on” and learn to make the “knit” stitch. After the knit stitch comes the purl stitch. These are the only two stitches in the world of knitting. The magic comes in learning the thousands of different ways to combine and manipulate these two stitches to create a multitude of design possibilities. You will never be bored knitting as long as you enjoy it and are willing to keep learning.
Lindy is a retired K-8 teacher with both a BA and M.Ed. in education. She learned to knit when she was ten years old and began teaching knitting 8ish years ago following her retirement from public education. She enjoys teaching and sharing this craft with others.
Yarn: One ball Plymouth Encore Worsted Weight, 75% Acrylic, 25% Wool.
The above brand is just a suggestion and is not written in stone. However, it is an excellent choice for this particular class. Any wool/acrylic blend in chunky (or bulky) #5 from any good yarn stores in our area will be perfect for this class. Please NO cotton and NO 100% acrylic; wool/acrylic blend or 100% wool ONLY. The yarn must be smooth, light-colored, NOT variegated. Also, a relatively tightly spun yarn works best for new knitters.
Some other yarn brand suggestions: King Cole (Knitology), Lion Brand (Joann’s. Please do not buy your circular needle here), Malabrigo (W&H and Knitology). There are many suitable yarns available at reasonable prices. Talk to the wonderful yarn people at any of these shops, and they can help steer you in the right direction. They may even have suggestions that I haven’t mentioned.
Needles: One circular needle 32″ inch length. US 8 (this is the size of the needle itself and has nothing to do with the length). Please request a needle with an extremely flexible cable. ChiaGoo makes a wonderfully flexible cable at a very reasonable price.
If you already have straight needles in the size range US 7, 8, 9, you may use them.
Disclaimer: I have no affiliation with any of our yarn stores. I highly recommend using them as opposed to one of the hobby/craft stores as you will be able to find everything I have listed here in their shops, plus your questions will be answered, and you will receive excellent service. You will also be shopping locally. Take this sheet with you, show it to the person helping you.
If you purchase a skein rather than a ball, it MUST be wound into a ball, ready to knit with, before you come to the first class.
Knitology (Michael or Randy),
308 US-31, Traverse City, MI 49685
Phone: (231) 492-019
Leelanau Fiber (Demarie or Diane)
Address: 310 N St Joseph St, Suttons Bay, MI 49682
Phone: (231) 271-9276
Lost Art (Katie)
Address: 733 Woodmere Ave, Traverse City, MI 49686
Phone: (231) 941-1263
Wool & Honey (Melissa, Liz, et al.)
9031 S. Kasson St., Cedar, MI 49621
Phone: (231) 228-2800
NOTE: Neither Leelanau Fibers nor W&H carries acrylic/wool blends. Ask for Malabrigo or a suitable yarn as described above.
Knitting Tools: along with yarn and needles, bring the following to class: scissors (small pointy ones work best), retractable cloth measuring tape, tapestry needle used to weave in ends (an inexpensive plastic one works just fine), crochet hook used to pick up dropped stitches (a size Gish or smaller). Also, bring any packaging and the yarn’s ball band to class.
Please take this list with you so the person waiting on you will know how to help you.
I’m looking forward to meeting you in class. Enjoy shopping.
Lindy
Please read the GAAC cancellation and refund policy here: https://glenarborart.org/terms-and-conditions/
COVID-RELATED UPDATES TO 2022 PROGRAMS AS OF December, 2021
To ensure the safety of our students and staff, we have implemented new procedures for our 2022 programs, to mitigate the spread of COVID and still allow participants to have a wonderful time creating art.
Class sizes will be limited to 12 persons or less for outdoor programs and 8 or less for indoor programs.
All students must wear face coverings inside the center.
Students and staff will wash and sanitize hands frequently throughout the day.
Common areas and touched surfaces will be sanitized regularly.
To keep pace with the evolving conditions related to the pandemic, any new policies or procedures for classes will be communicated.
