6 hour course on big lace knitting: lace for those who are afraid to use chunky yarn and size 9+ needles.
Love lace but not into knitting with thread-like yarn on tiny needles? Then this class is for you! We will explore different lace knitting stitches, all using fat yarns and needles size 13 and above. I first tried this technique to knit a Victorian lace border pattern that was designed to be made with crochet cotton and sewn onto a dainty handkerchief. At a luncheon during a knitting conference, a friend challenged me to make a project using that stitch in one afternoon. I bought some Rowan Big Wool and size 19 needles, and made a capelet before dinner.
In this workshop, we will work swatches and then cast on and begin knitting a big lace neck warmer, using the lace pattern stitch of your choice.
Easy. Students should know how to cast on, bind off, knit, and purl, and should have completed several projects.
Skills Covered: Tools and materials for knitting big lace, stitches used in lace, blocking, casting on and binding off with bulky yarn, reading charts, what's special about knitting lace on big needles?
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6 hour course on Lithuanian socks: colorwork with unique heel and toe shaping
Working from instructions I have translated from early Lithuanian knitting books, we will knit several types of heels and toes that I have never seen used in contemporary American knitting patterns. We will also look at different types of sock construction used in Lithuania in the 19th century, and discuss the history and cultural development of Lithuania, with a focus on influences on knitting patterns and techniques used in the country. We will learn how to knit an unusual short row heel that also has a gusset, a stair-step heel, and several variations of heel stitches for heels with flaps. We will also look at several ways to shape toes including two unusual spiral designs with decorative decreases. Students will also receive a collection of colorwork and lace charts for sock stitches that are popular in Lithuania.
For intermediate knitters who have experience working on double- pointed needles and who have made at least 1 sock or Christmas stocking.
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3 hour course on Lithuanian knitting: beaded wrist warmers
These wrist warmers are inspired by Lithuanian beaded wristers that I saw on BritKnitCast website, hosted Carrie Anne Dennison, who attended Woolfest in england a few years ago. I have since found out that these are a traditional design for wristers that were worn by women in Lithuania for at least 100 years. They are called riešine.s (wristbands) in Lithuanian. They are often made in garter stitch with beaded patterns, but are also made in circular knitting with colorwork, lace, and cable patterns.
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