Finding Time to Knit-- How Do You Do It?

So I'm working a short term day gig in an office. It's just a few months, the people are great, the office is beautiful and I honestly don't mind this temporary structure since in my "real" working life I'm usually running around like mad in fifty different directions. That said, it does seem to cut into my knitting time. Awhile back I posted about the debate over whether or not it's okay to knit in meetings. I'm happy to say my coworkers are fine with me knitting in meetings, though I'm usually too busy taking notes to get more than a row or two done.

What I want to know today is-- how many of you designate X amount of time each day to knitting? And how to you make that happen? Do you put a Go Away sign on the door? Do you forego other activities like answering emails, doing the laundry, washing dishes, bonding with your spouse, etc? Please let me know. I'm really curious.

I do know one way to absolutely make time to knit (or crochet or weave or felt) is to sign up for a class. That said, here's a list of some upcoming classes:

WET FELT FRIDAYS - FLOWERS


Novemver 12
10-2
Fee $45

We will explore the methods of wet and nuno felting and create lovely one of a kind masterpieces,

from bags to hats, scarves to booties and much more.

This class meets the second Friday of each month from 10 am to 2 pm (that includes a short lunch

break)

You will need wool fleece, which you can purchase at HCW. Bring a few old towels and dress in

comfortable clothes. Wet felting can be quite a workout.

Warping from the Back

Date: November 13
Time: 1-5
Fee: 40.00

$10/2ft per raddle

Experience Level: Beginner (a little experience)

PREREQUISITES: Students need to know the anatomy of a table/floor loom and preferably have some experience weaving.

Participants will learn a fast, tangle-free way to warp a loom, especially beneficial when using finer fibers. Strategies for winding a warp, tools for warping and methods of customizing processes to individual looms with be covered. Everyone will see a demonstration of warping from the back and then each will wind a warp on from the back, thread the loom and weave a project. Looms, with all necessary warping equipment, are available from Hill Country Weavers: students may bring their own looms.

MATERIALS: Everyone must bring: 4 yards of stout string, a threading hook, two medium sized C-clamps or 2 small Quik Adjust Bar Clamps (or arrange to borrow clamps from me).

Students bringing their own looms: must have lease sticks, an extra tie-on bar for the back beam, and a raddle if it came with the loom. You can request that a raddle be made for your loom for this class (see materials fee).

Students may bring their own yarn(s) (do NOT pre-measure/wind a warp): Bring enough for at least a 6-inch wide and 60-70 inch long scarf. Students are welcome to buy yarn from HCW for their project. Multiple colors/mixed warp yarns are fine.

Contact Meg Wilson with any questions about supplies.

TWO SOCKS on ONE NEEDLE

November 13/20
Time 1-4 (a 2 class series)
Fee: 60.00

We love socks so much at HCW that we are adding yet another way to knit up a fabulous treat for your toes and this time it's knitting two socks at the same time on one needle!

Students will learn to utilize one long circular needle to knit two entire socks in the round. In this two part class Deb will introduce you to the technique of using one needle to knit small circumferences and then guide you through the process of sock knitting from cuff to toe. When you are done you will have two socks completed!!! In the second class, students will also learn how to use the pattern template to make their own custom fitted socks.

EXPERIENCE LEVEL: This challenging yet very gratifying class is for the advanced beginner/intermediate knitter. Students must be independent and proficient in basic knitting skills.Experience with magic loop helpful but not mandatory, previous sock knitting experience is not required.

MATERIALS: For the first class, students need to bring 2 contrasting colors of worsted weight yarn like cascade or encore about 50 -75 yards each, US #6 or #7 needles that are 42 inches in length, split ring markers, calculator, tape measure and knitting gear. Given the complexity and challenge of this technique, we will learn the technique on a small sampler size socks but students will be given instructions and a pattern template to make a customized sock in the instruction booklet.
PLEASE HAVE YOUR MATERIALS IN "READY TO KNIT" MODE, YARN WINDED AND NEEDLES PURCHASED.

Contact Debbie at marvinfamily@sprintmail.com with any questions

TUNISIAN CROCHET

November 14
1-4
45.00
PREREQUISITES: Student must have basic Crochet skills, this isn't considered a beginning level class.

Learn the basics of Tunisian Crochet and working with a Cro-Cable hook. This hook allows a much longer length offabric to be made than a standard straight Tunisian hook.

Option one for the class - The Tunisian Shrug (pattern free with class). The Shrug can be made with one yarn (one yarn is easiest - Marble Chunky suggested) or 3 to 5 colors/textures (a mix of textures is best) of yarn for class.

A second option for the class is the 60-inch Scarf/Wrap. This project is worked lengthwise with self-fringe. Very little finishing required! Combine multiple types of yarns (colors, textures up to your imagination or your stash) to create a one-of-a-kind piece.

Use these techniques to expand your creativity to almost any width - shawls, blankets - it's up to you! Thesetechniques are quickly learned and allow projects to be completed quickly. Yes you CAN finish Holiday gifts in time!

MATERIALS:
11.5mm Tunisian cro-cable hook

scissors

tapestry needle

at least 5 colors of yarn - the more the merrier!

- lots of color, lots of texture (but no chenilles)

Landscape Basket November 16 6:00 - 9:00 Fee: 50.00 Fee PREREQUISITES: Must have some weaving experience and be comfortable weaving on their own and finishing rims (cutting/tucking/applying and lashing rims.) We will begin with a solid oak slotted oval base and finish with a hand-carved white oak quality handle. This basket requires some weaving experience and will need to be finished at home (so you will need to be confortable with cutting and tucking stakes and applying and lashing rims on your own.) We will learn to weave with slotted bases and sides will alternate colored weavers with twined seagrass. A variety of colors will be available. Finished dimensions are 8" x 12" x 5 1/2" (weaving height), handle height is 10". all materials will be furnished.