Monday, September 28, 2009

Announcing Brooklyn Tweed Schedule: Don't Wait-- Classes Will Sell Out!



About a month ago, I breathlessly informed y'all that Brooklyn Tweed is coming to town in November. (You can read that post here if you missed it.) Back then, we were still working out a class schedule. Well, we've got it now! These classes are all going to sell out so do not, I repeat DO NOT wait to sign up. You can do that by calling the store: 512-707-7396. Hurry!

Oh, and if you can't make the classes (or even if you can) remember there's a reception for Brooklyn Tweed that will be held in the store on November 6th (Friday) from 7 - 9 p.m. This is a mere ten bucks-- more than a bargain, an outright steal.

Here are class descriptions and cost info:

Seamless Sweater Workshop
NOVEMBER 6th, 1:30 - 4:30
Fee: 45.00

Description: This course will cover the foundations of seamless sweater knitting: construction, percentages, techniques, and yoke variations. We will be exploring Elizabeth Zimmermann’s 7 seamless sweater models and discussing her percentage system (EPS). The goal of this course is to familiarize knitters with the seamless method of sweater construction and design, and give them the confidence to formulate original garments, without a pattern, to suit their own tastes.

Pre-Requisites: Knitters should be comfortable with the following techniques:
• knit and purl stitches; basic stitch patterns (ribbing, seed st, garter st, etc)
• knitting in the round (required)
• directional decreasing (k2tog, ssk, centered decrease variations will all be discussed)
• experience working small garments in the round (hats)
• sweater knitting experience encouraged but not required

Materials:
• One skein (50g or 100g) of worsted weight wool or wool blend (animal fibers only please). Smooth, multiple-ply yarns are recommended for clear stitch definition. Boucle and novelty yarns prohibited.
• One pair of US8 16” circular needles
• One stitch marker
• Notebook and writing utensil for note taking

We will be making a shaped swatch in-the-round, exploring ways of using different types of increases and decreases as design elements.

Homework: Come prepared to knit a hat-sized swatch in the round with needles and yarn listed above. No other preparation required.

Reception and Presentation with Jared Flood
NOVEMBER 6, 7:00 - 9:00
Fee: 10.0 0

Jared will share information about the design process, discuss his new book and provide some tips to enhance your fiber photography!


A Taste of Lace
NOVEMBER 7, 10:00 - 1:00
Fee: 45.00

Description according to Tweed: I have particular love for knitting lace garments in heavier weight wools than is traditionally the case. I find that, not only does this pairing of yarn and technique create beautiful and unique pieces of knitwear, but serves as a wonderful learning tool for beginning lace knitters.

In this course we will be talking about the basics of lace and trying our hand at making some of our own with larger needles and heavier yarn. Topics covered include how to read a chart, yarn overs and directional decreasing, planning lace projects, getting ‘gauge’, and the most important and magical part of lace knitting: blocking.


Pre-Requisites: Knitters should be comfortable with the following techniques:
• knit and purl stitches
• working a decrease

Materials:
• One skein (50g or 100g) of worsted weight wool or wool blend (animal fibers only please). I like woolen spun 2-ply yarns with lace. Light colored yarns are better for improved stitch visibility. Boucle and novelty yarns prohibited. Wooly yarns like Shetland, are particularly suited for the blocking techniques we will be discussing.
• One pair of US8 needles, at least 8” in length
• One packet of stitch markers
• Notebook and writing utensil for note taking

We will be swatching simple lace patterns, provided by me, in order to practice the basic techniques of lace knitting. I will also bring pattern recommendations for further exploration after the conclusion of the course.

Homework: Come to class with all necessary materials. No other preparation required.

Plan Your Own Aran
NOVEMBER 7, 2:30 - 5:30
Fee: 45.00

Description: This course is intended for intermediate to advanced knitters, prior sweater knitting experience highly encouraged. We will be covering a seamless design model for planning a unique aran garment, and will discuss both pullovers and cardigans. The course will cover swatching, blocking, gauge and construction techniques as they uniquely apply to heavily cabled garments. Participants should be comfortable with simple cabling techniques.

A crocheted steek will be demonstrated during the course, as well as techniques for cabling without a cable-needle.

Pre-Requisites: Knitters should be comfortable with the following techniques:
• knit and purl stitches; basic stitch patterns (ribbing, seed st, garter st, etc)
• knitting in the round (required)
• directional decreasing (k2tog, ssk, centered decrease variations)
• experience with simple cable motifs (4 to 6 st cables)
• experience working garments in the round (recommended, not required)

Materials:
• One skein (50g or 100g) of worsted weight wool or wool blend (animal fibers only please). Smooth, multiple-ply yarns are recommended for clear stitch definition. Boucle and novelty yarns prohibited. Wooly yarns like Shetland, are particularly suited for the blocking and steeking techniques we will be discussing.
• One pair of US8 16” circular needles or double pointed needles, as you prefer
• One stitch marker
• Notebook and writing utensil for note taking

We will be working a thorough in-the-round swatch with cable motifs from which knitters will be able to begin accurate garment planning. Swatch is intended for at-home-steeking, if student desires, after course.

Homework: Come prepared to knit a hat-sized swatch in the round with needles and yarn listed above. No other preparation required.

Hemlock Ring Crash Course
NOVEMBER 8, 10:00 - 12:00
Fee: 35.00

Description: We will begin knitting my Hemlock Ring Blanket pattern together. We will dis cuss the piece’s general construction/shaping, the basic lace techniques employed, chart reading, circular cast-on, and methods for increasing the size of the finished piece. We will also discuss the general benefits of knitting lace at a heavier gauge, with the hopes of making this unique way of making lace accessible to those students who would like to experiment.

Pre-Requisites: Knitters should be comfortable with the following techniques:
• knit and purl stitches
• knitting in the round
• basic understanding of simple lace techniques (yarn over, ssk, k2tog)
• chart reading experience recommended but not required

Materials:
• at least 100g worsted or aran weight wool (wool blends and other animal fibers also encouraged, although 100% alpaca, mohair, or silk fibers are not recommended). Completion of project will require between 600 and 1000 yards of yarn, depending on
intended dimensions, although students will only need 2 balls of yarn for class. Recommended Yarn: Cascade Eco Wool
• One set of double pointed needles, one or two sizes larger than recommended size on your yarn label
• One package of stitch markers
• One 16” circular needle in same size as DPNs (optional)
• One 32” circulare needle in same size as DPNs (for completion of project. It is unlikely you will need to switch to this needle size during class, unless you prefer working the Magic Loop Method)

Homework: (To Be Completed Before Class)
Download Hemlock Ring pattern from Brooklyn Tweed
(http://brooklyntweed.blogspot.com/2007/08/hemlock-ring-blanket.html) - includes original doily pattern (http://www.angelfire.com/folk/celtwich/KnitHemlockRing.html) and Jared’s Chart (http://www.flickr.com/photos/68971937@N00/1161874254/); Read over patterns to familiarize yourself with content of course.

Come prepared with listed materials to begin your project during class.

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