FALL/WINTER KNITTING CLASSES

Class:  Lacy Victorian Capelet (inspired by Vogue Knitting Magazine)
Instructor:  Nancy Ruehle

This lacy Victorian shrug is knit in chunky-weight, super-soft alpaca, so it's sure to chase away the chills. And because it buttons at the neck, it doesn't have to be held in place by the wearer, as a shawl would.  Surely there's someone on your holiday list -- aunt, mom, grandma, mother-in-law, sister, cousin, niece -- who'd be thrilled to pieces to open a package and find this one-size-fits-most lacy beauty nestled inside! (In fact, I say make two and keep one for yourself . . .) Instructor Nancy "Blue Ribbon" Ruehle has reworked a pattern from the current issue of Vogue Knitting Magazine by using Misti Chunky Baby Alpaca instead of the yarn called for, and changing the needle size and all stitch counts accordingly (her feeling was that the capelet wouldn't have draped nearly as prettily in the super-bulky yarn the magazine called for).  If you've always wanted to learn to knit lace but were intimidated by the cobweb-like yarn and tiny needles, learn the basics of lace-knitting with Nancy as you knit this soft, sumptuous, Victorian-inspired alpaca capelet.

Skill Level:  Advanced Beginner and Up  (You'll need to know how to knit, purl, cast on, and cast off)

Have you always wanted to learn the ins and outs of knitting with two colors in the same row?  Believe it or not, with a little practice -- and with tips and tricks from instructor Alison -- pretty soon you'll be able to knit with two colors almost as easily and quickly as you knit with one.  Alison's hat -- designed exclusively for this class -- will teach you all the basics of two-color knitting, as well as how to make a jaunty, striped pom-pom.  Today, a hat -- tomorrow, an Alice Starmore fair-isle sweater on size 3 needles!

Skill Level:  Advanced Beginner and Up  (You'll need to know how to knit, purl, cast on, and cast off)

Materials Required:  Yarn for our classes must be purchased at Yarnzilla; in the case of the Two-Color Fair Isle Hat, you'll need one skein each of two different colors of worsted-weight wool (we recommend our NatureSpun Worsted, Malabrigo, ArtYarns, or Karabella Aurora 8).  You'll also need 16- or 20-inch circular needles in US sizes 6 and 8, as well as double-point needles in size 8 (for your swatch, as well as for the very top of the hat, when the stitches won't fit around a circular needle).  You're welcome to bring your own needles, if you already have them.  Alison's original pattern is included in the course fee.

About the Teacher:  Alison Chambers is an expert and life-long knitter, and manages (to our great happiness) to fit in class-teaching at Yarnzilla despite her full-time job.  Many of you have admired the gorgeous Koigu Charlotte's Web she's been kind enough to loan us to display in the shop.

Class Limit:  8 students

Cost:  $25 (3 2-hour sessions)

Days and Times:
Class will meet on the following Saturdays from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.:  December 3, December 10, and December 17.

Please phone the store at 952-936-0030 to sign up for Alison's Two-Color Hat class.

Thanks so much, Karen N., for modeling the hat!!!

This cardigan is a true classic -- comfy, customizable to any yarn and any size, and knit in a really neat roundabout way so that when you're done, you're done -- not a single seam to sew!  Depending on the yarn you use and how much ease you add, it can look tailored and crisp or Saturday casual.  Whether you're as small as an Olsen twin or as big as all-outdoors, this is the sweater for you -- it's completely customizable to your size, your yarn, and your gauge.  Instructor Nancy added a shawl collar to hers (instructions for this will come with your pattern), or you can finish yours with a regular button band, as shown in the drawing at right.  Whether you choose a big fat chunky wool (as Nancy did -- her sample on display in the shop is knit from the new "Painted Desert" yarn from Nashua Handknits on size 11 needles) or you opt for worsted weight (how great would this sweater be in one of our 80 colors of Malabrigo?!?), your new Circumnavigated Cardigan will help you stay snug and warm as you say "HA!!!" to sky-high heating costs this winter.

Skill Level:  Advanced Beginner and Up  (You'll need to know how to knit, purl, cast on, and cast off)

Materials Required:  Yarn for our classes must be purchased at Yarnzilla; in the case of the Circumnavigated Cardigan, you could use virtually any of the thousands of skeins we have in-stock (we recommend using bulky or worsted-weight yarn).  You'll also need long circular needles (I recommend 47-60" Addi
Turbos) suitable to the yarn you pick, and a copy of the pattern (this costs $5 and is available at the shop).  If you're unsure what yarn you'd like to use, we'd love to help you pick some out -- come by the shop and we'll show you our favorite choices!

Cost:  $25 (3 two-hour sessions)
Day and Times:  
SATURDAYS -- Nov. 5, Nov. 12, and Dec. 3
12:30 - 2:30 PM
 

Skill Level:  Advanced Beginner and Up  (You'll need to know how to knit, purl, and cast off)

Materials Required:  1 100-gram skein of sock yarn (fingering weight), 2 size 1 US circular needles of any length, stitch markers, a copy of the new book "Sensational Socks."  (All supplies are available at Yarnzilla, and materials purchased for our classes always receive a 10% discount.)