Yarntender

UPDATED…………………………………………………………May 8, 2012

I recently heard a knitter say, “The more stressed out I am, the more furiously I knit!” Here are some classes to help you accelerate your knitting skills: KnitWitz classes require advance registration and payment of the class fee, and materials purchased at the shop. For individual attention, class sizes are limited and class fees are nonrefundable. Please register in advance. A surcharge of $5 will be added to class fees for registration on the day of the class, if space permits. Materials fees vary depending on yarn choices.

We have classes by appointment for beginners, and a class schedule for the slightly-more-advanced to advanced. NOTE: For most of our scheduled classes, you need only be fluent with knit and purl – we’ll teach you what you need!

KnitWitz also provides finishing and repair services for an hourly fee. Please call the shop or come by for an estimate.

EVENTS:

KNIT-INS! Just come in, no reservation required, no fee… just have fun and be knitting, crocheting, or spinning. The groups are great fun and welcome newcomers. A Knit-In is held every Friday evening, from 5pm-8pm.

MIDNIGHT KNIT IN: SELF-STRIPING SOCK YARN! Please join us for this dye your own workshop! When? Saturday, TBA.

CLASSES BY APPOINTMENT:

BEGINNING KNITTING: Lessons are available by appointment, with individual instruction, although small groups are welcome. These sessions are 2 hours in length and $35 + Materials per person. Please call the shop to schedule your class!

BEGINNING CROCHET: Learn the basics of crochet in this class, including how to make a chain and build the basic stitches – single, double, and treble crochet – upon it. Use crochet to supplement your knitting skills. This class is designed for the very beginner! This class is 2 hours in length and $35 + Materials per person. By appointment, just call the shop to schedule your class.

SPINNING CLINIC: Take the mystery out of making yarn – and enhance your knitting or crochet with new skills. Learn the basics of hand spinning on a drop spindle and wheel. Or take your spinning to the next level with advance drawing and plying techniques. Classes for small groups are available, please call. Class fee: $70 per 8 hours of instruction. Dates & Times: By appointment. Please note there is a scheduled offering of Spinning Clinic in April.

KnitWitz can also arrange for any of our scheduled classes to be yours by appointment. Simply call the shop to arrange a time!

CLASS SCHEDULE:

HAT Workshops:

Friday, May 11 – Baby Aviatrix – Knit and purl are all you need to create this hat for the baby pilot in your life!

Friday, May 25 – Knotty But Nice – Great gift for fall/winter with awesome cables!

Friday, June 8 – Bunny Ear Baby Cap – Very simple baby hat with very cute bunny ears!

Friday, June 22 – Crocheted Cap – Front post double crochet might sound daunting, but this cap is anything but!  If you’re a crocheter who wants a VERY COOL HAT, this is the class for you.

Friday, July 13 – TBA

Friday, July 27 – TBA

Friday, August 10 – TBA

Friday, August 24 – Crocheted Granny Square Slouch Hat – Granny squares are so much fun, and this slouchy hat revisits our old favorite in a new, hip way.

REGULARLY SCHEDULED PROGRAMMING:

Saturday, May 12, 2012

• 1pm-4pm – Entrelac Crochet – This beautiful shawl is on display in the shop.  Make your own with this fun crochet technique!  ($45 + materials)

Saturday, May 19, 2012

• 9am-11am – Wingspan – Mostly garter, this short row shawl/scarf is super for newbies or the more advanced who want something fun.

Saturday, May 26, 2012

• 1pm-4pm – Guinevere Entrelac Infinity Shawl – Much admired in the shop, make your own shawl or scarf!  Two-part class, this is the first meeting.  See photos below.  Fee: $45.

Sunday, May 27, 2012

• 12pm-4pm – Ka’ana Shawlette – Come see our scarf version of this crescent-shaped shoulder hugger and make your own.  Ours is in a beautiful alpaca blend, but try it in a lightweight cotton for shielding your shoulders from the sun!  Two-part classs, this is the the first meeting.  Fee: $45.

Saturday, June 2, 2012

• 1pm-4pm – Dragon Spine Scarf – Try your hand at a reversible cable and work with chunky alpaca at the same time!  Fee: $40.

Saturday, June 9, 2012

• 9am-11am – Wingspan - Mostly garter, this short row shawl/scarf is super for newbies or the more advanced who want something fun.
• 10-Noon – Sock Clinic
• 1pm-4pm – Louise - Are you tired of knitting blankets for new babies?  Try your hand at this lovely little vest instead – the model is on display in the shop – it takes just one ball of yarn!  Two-part class, this is the first meeting.  Fee: $45.

Sunday, June 10, 2012

• Noon-4pm – Ka’ana Shawlette - Two-part classs, this is the the second meeting.

Saturday, June 23, 2012

• 10am-Noon – Sock Clinic
• 1pm-4pm – Guinevere Entrelac Infinity Shawl – Two-part class, this is the second meeting.

Saturday, July 7, 2012

• 9am-Noon – Maluka Shawl – We have this shawl in royal blue hanging in the shop, but ours is MUCH larger.  Learn how to oversize any shawlette pattern in this class AND add a non-rolling bind off at the top!  Two-part class, this is the first meeting.  Fee: $55.

Saturday, July 14, 2012

• 9am-11am – Cupcakes – These miniature knit cupcakes are so cute and so very calorie-free.  Stick a bunch on a charm bracelet, or one on a present!  $35+Materials (Including Mochi Mochi book.)
• 10am-Noon – Sock Clinic
• 1pm-3pm – Crochet Necklace – This charmer is going to be your favorite wardrobe addition.
• 1pm-4pm - Louise - Two-part class, this is the second meeting.

Saturday, July 21, 2012

• 9am-11am – Grouchy Couch – Try your hook at amigurumi and make this darling little couch.  It’s only grouchy if you want it to be!

Saturday, July 28, 2012

• 9am-11am – Oscilloscope Shawl – This is a beginner shawl class, perfect for the cooler weather just around the corner.  Fee: $40 (Includes pattern).

CLASSES BY DESCRIPTION:

SOCK CLINIC. Learn how to sock your needles, the traditional way with double point needles, the magic loop way, or the two circular needles method. Toe up or top down, one or two at a time. You choose the method you’d like to learn, and choose three of the dates during which to learn it! This flexible, three-part class covers the basics of how to make socks – YOUR WAY. Class Fee: $45 (includes pattern) + Materials. This Saturday class will be held on every 2nd and 4th Saturday, from 10am-12pm (pick any three sessions).

TECH SQUARE! “Build your knitting skills one square at a time!” Are you a beginner? Want to graduate from scarves? Feel like you can’t do anything big? You may want to give this class a try. We’ll be meeting once a month to learn a little at a time – one square at a time. At the end, you’ll have a completed afghan AND a lot more confidence about your knitting skills. Take the whole class, or just the squares you want. Space is limited, please sign up early. Class fee: $20 per month + Materials. The Tech Square Afghan book will be needed order to take these classes. Dates & Times: Every third Saturday of the month, EXCEPT APRIL, 9am-12am. All classes include the crocheted provisional cast-on technique and will be held in the following order: · These classes started in June, but you can join in at any time throughout the rest of the scheduled classes. Arrange through the shop to do the other squares by appointment ($20 per square + Materials). Already covered are: Appliquéd Rose embellishment on a stockinette background, Decreases, Increases, and Pockets.

• May 19th will feature the Monogram Square, including knit and purl patterning, picking up stitches, and duplicate stitch.

GUINEVERE INFINITY SCARF. MANY of you have admired the scarf in the shop – one of Jane’s creations. She’s teaching it in this class! Infinity scarves are BIG this season, and you’ll want one of your own – or as a present for someone special. “Infinitely Guinevere” is an Entrelac scarf in three colors, with a knitted lace edge. Space is limited, so please sign up early!

DON’T SEE YOUR CLASS? – Let us know what YOU are interested in learning next, and we’ll arrange a class or private lesson!

We just got in an assortment of the Misti Alpaca Handpainted Chunky, and the chunky in Misti’s natural dyes as well. They are so pretty! Nobody does alpaca quite like Misti. They make alpaca FUN.

UPDATED…………………………………………………………April 1, 2012

I recently heard a knitter say, “The more stressed out I am, the more furiously I knit!” Here are some classes to help you accelerate your knitting skills: KnitWitz classes require advance registration and payment of the class fee, and materials purchased at the shop. For individual attention, class sizes are limited and class fees are nonrefundable. Please register in advance. A surcharge of $5 will be added to class fees for registration on the day of the class, if space permits. Materials fees vary depending on yarn choices.

We have classes by appointment for beginners, and a class schedule for the slightly-more-advanced to advanced. NOTE: For most of our scheduled classes, you need only be fluent with knit and purl – we’ll teach you what you need!

KnitWitz also provides finishing and repair services for an hourly fee. Please call the shop or come by for an estimate.

EVENTS:

KNIT-INS! Just come in, no reservation required, no fee… just have fun and be knitting, crocheting, or spinning. The groups are great fun and welcome newcomers. A Knit-Ins is held each Wednesday and Friday evening, from 5pm-8pm.

MIDNIGHT KNIT IN: YARN TASTING! Please join us for this yarn introduction evening – get a TASTE for our new yarns and old favorites. Try them out in a small project, and take home the must-haves for your spring and summer knitting! When? April 28. Fee? $20. Time? 5pm-Midnight.

CLASSES BY APPOINTMENT:

BEGINNING KNITTING: Lessons are available by appointment, with individual instruction, although small groups are welcome. These sessions are 2 hours in length and $25 + Materials per person. Please call the shop to schedule your class!

BEGINNING CROCHET: Learn the basics of crochet in this class, including how to make a chain and build the basic stitches – single, double, and treble crochet – upon it. Use crochet to supplement your knitting skills. This class is designed for the very beginner! This class is 2 hours in length and $35 + Materials per person. By appointment, just call the shop to schedule your class.

SPINNING CLINIC: Take the mystery out of making yarn – and enhance your knitting or crochet with new skills. Learn the basics of hand spinning on a drop spindle and wheel. Or take your spinning to the next level with advance drawing and plying techniques. Classes for small groups are available, please call. Class fee: $70 per 8 hours of instruction. Dates & Times: By appointment. Please note there is a scheduled offering of Spinning Clinic in April.

KnitWitz can also arrange for any of our scheduled classes to be yours by appointment. Simply call the shop to arrange a time!

CLASS SCHEDULE:

Sunday, March 18, 2012

• 11am-5pm – DYEING WORKSHOP: Hand-Painted Self-Striping Sock Yarn, $65 + materials

Saturday, March 24, 2012

• 10am-Noon – Sock Clinic
• 9am-11am – Sweet Garter Stitch Baby Cardigan (2 of 2)
• 1pm-4pm – Gossamer Square Shawl (2 of 2)

Sunday, March 25, 2012

• Noon-4pm – Knitting 911
• Noon-4pm – Butterfly Faroese Shawl (1 of 2)

Saturday, March 31, 2012

• 1pm-4pm – Felted Caribbean Bag (2 of 2)

APRIL, 2012

Sunday, April 1, 2012

• Noon-4pm – Beginning Spinning (1 of 2)

Saturday, April 7, 2012

• 9am-Noon – Knitting 911

Saturday, April 14, 2012

• 10am-Noon – Sock Clinic
• 1pm-4pm – Appalachian Gathering Basket (1 of 2)
• 1pm-4pm – Tunisian Crocheted Entrelac Shawl (1 of 2), $45 + materials&book

Sunday, April 15, 2012

• Noon-4pm – Stashbusting 101 – We’ll take a look at various projects for getting that stash out of the closet and into use! Bring your stash, or representatives from it.
• Noon-4pm – Spinning Class (2 of 2)

Saturday, April 21, 2012

• 1pm-4pm – Traveling Woman Shawl (3 of 3)

Sunday, April 22, 2012

• 11am-5pm – DYEING WORKSHOP: Hand-Painted Self-Striping Sock Yarn, $65 + materials

Saturday, April 28, 2012

• 9am-Noon – Tech Square Afghan
• 10am-Noon – Sock Clinic
• 1pm-4pm – Appalachian Gathering Basket (2 of 2)
• 1pm-4pm – Tunisian Crocheted Entrelac Shawl (2 of 2)

Sunday, April 29, 2012

• Noon-4pm – Knitting 911
• Noon-4pm – Butterfly Faroese Shawl (2 of 2)

CLASSES BY DESCRIPTION:

SOCK CLINIC. Learn how to sock your needles, the traditional way with double point needles, the magic loop way, or the two circular needles method. Toe up or top down, one or two at a time. You choose the method you’d like to learn, and choose three of the dates during which to learn it! This flexible, three-part class covers the basics of how to make socks – YOUR WAY. Class Fee: $45 (includes pattern) + Materials. This Saturday class will be held on every 2nd and 4th Saturday, from 10am-12pm (pick any three sessions).

TECH SQUARE! “Build your knitting skills one square at a time!” Are you a beginner? Want to graduate from scarves? Feel like you can’t do anything big? You may want to give this class a try. We’ll be meeting once a month to learn a little at a time – one square at a time. At the end, you’ll have a completed afghan AND a lot more confidence about your knitting skills. Take the whole class, or just the squares you want. Space is limited, please sign up early. Class fee: $20 per month + Materials. The Tech Square Afghan book will be needed order to take these classes. Dates & Times: Every third Saturday of the month, EXCEPT APRIL, 9am-12am. All classes include the crocheted provisional cast-on technique and will be held in the following order: · These classes started in June, but you can join in at any time throughout the rest of the scheduled classes. Arrange through the shop to do the other squares by appointment ($20 per square + Materials). Already covered are: Appliquéd Rose embellishment on a stockinette background, Decreases, Increases, and Pockets.

• April 28th will feature Fair Isle, including creating, knitting, and cutting a steek, the backward loop cast-on, charting, 2-handed stranded knitting in the round, and a double hem with 3-needle join.
• May 19th will feature the Monogram Square, including knit and purl patterning, picking up stitches, and duplicate stitch.

BEGINNING LACE SCARFLET. Join the ranks of the asymmetrical and confound your knitting friends with this 2-part class. An easy lace pattern provides the basis for bias shaping, and a scalloped border adds charm. You are done in a flash, simply knot up a corner and you’re on your way – or use a beautiful button closure for a different style. This is beaded, too! Class fee: $45 (includes pattern and beads) + Materials. Class dates & times: TBD.

SILVER STREAK COWL. Worked in an alpaca/cashmere/silk blended yarn, this 2-session project from the CowlGirls book is lace for intermediate level knitters. Lovely lace covers the head then cascades down the neck. Tuck it into your coat or wrap it around and secure it with a brooch or glittery button for a different look. Class fee: $55 (includes book) + Materials. Class date & time: TBD.

INFINITY SCARF. MANY of you have admired the scarf in the shop – one of Jane’s creations. She’s teaching it in this class! Infinity scarves are BIG this season, and you’ll want one of your own – or as a present for someone special. “Infinitely Guinevere” is an Entrelac scarf in three colors, with a knitted lace edge. Space is limited, so please sign up early! Class fee: $65 + Materials. Dates & Times: TBD.

SCALLOPED FINGERLESS MITTENS. A necessary Florida accessory. These scalloped cuff fingerless mittens feature a unique edging and slipped stitch pattern. Class fee: $25 (includes pattern) + Materials. Date & Time: TBD.

BROOMSTICK LACE SHAWL. Join us in this class to create your own lovely lace shawl. If you’ve never crocheted before, you can still take this class – it does use a knitting needle, too! You will need an H crochet hook for this class. Class Fee: $45, includes pattern and knitting needle necessary for project. Date & Time: Saturday, March 17, 1pm-4pm.

DON’T SEE YOUR CLASS? – Let us know what YOU are interested in learning next, and we’ll arrange a class or private lesson!

The cruise was fantastic.  I’ve never been on a cruise before, and the Carnival Fascination was a great first one.  Why first?  Because I’m already looking ahead to 2010!  How does BERMUDA sound?!  I’d love to do this again.  We were a small bunch, but had a good time.  Maybe next year you can join us.  Here are some photos of our trip.

Here we are, off and sailing under the Dames Point Bridge.  That’s a lifeboat in the upper right corner.

Proof of life aboard ship!  God bless the inventor of SPF 70 in a spray can.

Knitwits in Key West.  Great shop…wish we could have stayed longer.  I scored some orange yarn (and you have no idea how strange it is to say that – and how fun!).

Here was my yarn inspiration.

Our parking spot at Key West was alongside this beautiful 180′ sailboat.  It was telling of how small a community Key West is that about three people said “did you see it?” to our tour guide, Sheila, as our train passed.

But our boat was still bigger!

Where we just were.  Isn’t that water pretty?  The tour was great – I wish I could remember all the names of the flowers.  Key West was hot in the sun, but mostly windy and comfortable.

The second magic towel animal – we got a different one each night - and my favorite.

Sailing towards Nassau.

Nassau Harbor.

Sooooo pretty.

Quick, there’s only one spot left!  (All the Carnival ships were diverted per Carnival from Mexico that week so the habor was packed.)

From our spot in Nassau harbor.  Ahead in the distance you can just see Atlantis Resort on Paradise Island.  Note the blue/white yacht to the left – more on that later.

I really liked Nassau.  Yes, we got asked for hair braiding.  No, I didn’t do it.  Too much to see to sit!  The straw market was a lot of fun.  The women were very friendly – directed us to conch fritters! - and we got a few souveniers.  I didn’t get any photos of the market, though.  It’s not very large, is narrow and *tall*.  Each booth stretched up about 10 feet.  The buildings are in pastels and the voices are equally lively.  I’d definitely visit Nassau again.

Here is the back side of Atlantis.  Talking to some people on the ship the next day, evidently this is a resort that is worth the cost.  I just want to go down the water slide that goes under the shark tank!

Notice the driving on the left.

You do need a daypass to go through most parts of Atlantis.  But we got close enough to brush by all these gorgeous boats.

One of my better flower shots.  The flowers on both Key West and Nassau were beautiful.

Yes, that is indeed a Mini Cooper on the back.  No, I have no idea how they’d get it off.  I concluded that if you can afford a boat that size, and the accessorizing car to go with it… getting the car off isn’t really an issue!

Nicolas Cage’s house.  Okay, you can’t see very much, but I was still impressed.

The Fascination.

And here is that 370′ megayacht again.  Just under the satellite domes on top you can see a speedboat.  That’s a full size speedboat.  Just behind it is the unsinkable “lifeboat” – but it looked more like a miniature tugboat.  Towards the back is a 67-foot yacht.  Yes, a yacht on a yacht.  And if that’s not enough for you… you can see the mast of the 76-foot sailboat that sits alongside the yacht-on-a-yacht.  You can’t see it in this photo, but there’s also a helicopter and some jetskis back there.  This photo really doesn’t do its’ size justice… it’s one of the largest yachts in the world and was received as a gift.  According to its’ Wikipedia page, it was refitted in 2008 with a green wastewater treatment system… right here in Jacksonville!

Sunset toward the entrance to Nassau harbor – the clouds didn’t let us see the famed green spark.  But it’s still a pretty sight.  It was so windy – and cold up on deck!

And another one…just because.

The ship at night.

And back home.  So much more on this trip than I could show in this post with these few pictures.  I hope you’ll ask me about it next time you’re in KnitWitz!

Wow, I can hardly believe that tomorrow starts the first ever KnitWitz knitting cruise!  I hope we have enough fun to repeat the experience next year – because a LOT of you have said you’d like to be stowaways.  The shawl is finally done, the pattern is written, the Della Q bags are stuffed with cones of Zephyr, Addi Lace needles, markers and charts, and all we have to do is board our FUN SHIP!  Here is Per Terras, a Celtic Knot inspired lace shawl, with Scotch Thistle and Heather borders.  The name Per Terras is from the Scots MacDonald Clan (to which I trace a couple of family tree roots) motto: “Per Mare, Per Terras!”  “Over sea and land” is apropos for a shawl started on a cruise ship at sea to be worn on land.

It’s a big shawl, rectangular - is probably a good seven ounces of silk/wool Zephyr.  It is my original pattern (no consultation of stitchionaries, thank you!), taken from knots I’ve drawn on graph paper since I was in grade school.

I’m really happy with how my first lace desigining went – lots of support from lots of folks – and hope our sailors like it, too.  It was fun to imagine, draw, translate my pencil sketches into the movement of a lace fabric (thank you, Randi!), and see it come to life.  Testing your own pattern has to be a little like attempting Everest.  But it is exactly how I imagined it – how often does THAT happen?  (Not too, in case you’re wondering.)  If you’re interested in learning more about this pattern, or knitting lace, be sure to contact us at KnitWitz.  I’ll be scheduling a class for everyone who expressed interest!

We brought in a few new yarns this month – among them Corntastic from Kollage.  This yarn feels like butter!  So soft, in summery colors.  And I have the Kollage SQUARE needles.  The cord on these circulars has to be seen and felt to be believed.  Yesterday in Sock Clinic, our two-at-a-time-Magic-Loopers were very happy with them.  Also new is Blue Ridge Yarns silk and boucle mohair laceweight (shown in the photos below).  C’mon by as soon as you can!  KnitWitz will have regular hours next week, except Wednesday and Friday the shop will be closing at 5 pm.  That means no Knit-Ins next week.  But drop in to say HI! and see these…