Our Instructors
Norah Gaughan, Nancy Bush and Karyn Johnston
Norah Gaughan
Norah has been designing for Vogue Knitting for over 30 years. Her newest book, 40 Timeless Knits, will be gifted to you at this retreat. Also well known for her book Knitting Nature, her Knitted Cable Sourcebook and a nine year stint as the design director at Berroco Yarns, Norah is now working independently. Current ventures include being a member of the Brooklyn Tweed design team and designing a fun collection of pieces in collaboration with The Fibre Co. Keep up with her new ventures and adventures at norahgaughan.com.
Norah Gaughan's Newest Book, 40 Timeless Knits
With more than 120 patterns appearing in Vogue Knitting magazine over the past 30 years, Norah Gaughan is one of the world’s most prolific knitwear designers. Collected here are 40 of Gaughan’s most celebrated Vogue Knitting designs—including pullovers, vests, cardigans, and more—each as fashionable today as it was when originally published. From her first appearance with a cabled vest to her latest with a Persian-inspired fair isle yoke pullover, Gaughan’s work is always a thrilling adventure of stunning textures, mesmerizing cables, and innovative constructions.
“ . . . embodies the best of Norah Gaughan’s brilliant career and is a ‘must-have’ for every knitter’s library, both for the creative patterns as well as inspiration . . . “
—Deborah Newton
—Deborah Newton
“Norah specs her proportions to fit and to flatter a variety of body types. Her muse seems to be the knitter herself.”
—Margery Winter
—Margery Winter
“I have followed Norah’s designing career from the very beginning . . . [she] is, indeed, one of knitting’s great treasures.”
—Meg Swansen
—Meg Swansen
“. . . [Norah’s] avid curiosity and enduring commitment to our craft has enriched the world of knitting in ways rarely achieved by a single designer.”
—Jared Flood
—Jared Flood
Nancy Bush
Nancy has a passion for traditional knitting techniques and ethnic knitting patterns. She has a degree in Art History and did post–graduate studies in color design and weaving in San Francisco and Sweden. The main focus of study during her career has been the traditional knitting of Estonia and she has traveled there extensively. Nancy has published articles and designs in many magazines including Piecework where she is currently a contributing editor. She teaches workshops about various aspects of Estonian traditional knitting in the United States and abroad, is the author of Folk Socks (1994), Folk Knitting in Estonia (1999), Knitting on the Road, Socks for the Traveling Knitter (2001), Knitting Vintage Socks (2005) and Knitted Lace of Estonia:Techniques, Patterns, and Traditions (2008), all published by Interweave Press. Learn more about her at http://www.woolywest.com/
Karyn Johnston
Formerly a Junior High English teacher, Karyn is a natural instructor who is passionate about sharing her
love of knitting with others. Obsessively knitting for over seventeen years, Karyn especially loves
knitting sweaters and shawls, but also accessories with interesting techniques and construction. She believes that knitting can be very impactful in people’s lives, seeing it nurture them as they grieve and heal, repair disconnected relationships, and bring communities together. Her students are consistently drawn to Karyn’s patience, kind demeanor, and clear method of instruction. Karyn is the owner of Knit Hero, offering private, semi-private, and group knitting instruction, pattern tech editing, and natural light photography. Learn more about her at http://www.knithero.net/
love of knitting with others. Obsessively knitting for over seventeen years, Karyn especially loves
knitting sweaters and shawls, but also accessories with interesting techniques and construction. She believes that knitting can be very impactful in people’s lives, seeing it nurture them as they grieve and heal, repair disconnected relationships, and bring communities together. Her students are consistently drawn to Karyn’s patience, kind demeanor, and clear method of instruction. Karyn is the owner of Knit Hero, offering private, semi-private, and group knitting instruction, pattern tech editing, and natural light photography. Learn more about her at http://www.knithero.net/
Norah's Workshops
Twisted Stitches
Norah will show you why she loves twisted stitches while she teaches you her favorite method for knitting right twists and left twists. Yes, there is a difference between twisted stitches and 1/1 cables! Students will explore the difference, then make super easy mini cables, followed by a deeper dive into just how much you can do with the diagonal lines made by twisted stitches. Combination knitters are more than welcome. Norah knows how to make twisted stitches easy for you too!
Norah will show you why she loves twisted stitches while she teaches you her favorite method for knitting right twists and left twists. Yes, there is a difference between twisted stitches and 1/1 cables! Students will explore the difference, then make super easy mini cables, followed by a deeper dive into just how much you can do with the diagonal lines made by twisted stitches. Combination knitters are more than welcome. Norah knows how to make twisted stitches easy for you too!
Experience with use of charts helpful.
Materials To Bring
Light colored DK or worsted weight wool and the needles that go with it.
Homework
None
Cable Game
A fun, creative approach to learning how to make up new cables. Instead of starting with a chart, students will play with making their own free form cable pattern while knitting. Don't worry if you don't have much (or any) cable experience. This class is great for all levels.
Experience with Cables helpful.
Materials To Bring
Light colored DK or worsted weight wool and the needles that go with it as well as a cable needle or double pointed needle.
Homework
None
Knitting with Linen
Learn to love linen. It’s a great fiber to wear, but there are a few tricks to knitting with it. The focus will be on great stitches variants on dropped stitches, extended stitches and modern bold lace that show linen to its best advantage. Washing, blocking and the importance of swatches are key topics as well.
Learn to love linen. It’s a great fiber to wear, but there are a few tricks to knitting with it. The focus will be on great stitches variants on dropped stitches, extended stitches and modern bold lace that show linen to its best advantage. Washing, blocking and the importance of swatches are key topics as well.
Materials To Bring
Linen yarn for this class is provided by Universal Yarn please bring US 5 needles.
Linen yarn for this class is provided by Universal Yarn please bring US 5 needles.
Homework
None
None
Nancy's Class
Nordic Color—Roositud, An Inlay Technique from Estonia
Estonians use a special inlay technique for decorating gloves and socks similar to embroidery but worked right into the knitting. By knitting a decorative pouch, perfect for most cell phones, students will learn how to read the charts and work this unique and colorful embellishment.
Some experience using double point needles is useful for this class.
Materials To Bring:
Yarn for this class will be provided. Please bring a set of US#3 (3.0 - 3.25mm) or US#4 (3.5mm) double pointed needles as well as the usual knitting supplies including a metal board with magnets or similar for reading and keeping track of charts.
For Intermediate Knitters
No homework required
No homework required
Karyn's Class
Join in the fun with brioche and learn to knit a visually dramatic hat. In this class, you will learn how to
knit basic two-color brioche rib in addition to brioche with increases and decreases to create stunning,
interesting designs. To successfully knit this hat, you must be very comfortable knitting, purling, be able
to read your knitting, and be ready for an adventure!
knit basic two-color brioche rib in addition to brioche with increases and decreases to create stunning,
interesting designs. To successfully knit this hat, you must be very comfortable knitting, purling, be able
to read your knitting, and be ready for an adventure!
Materials To Bring:
Yarn will be provided by our generous sponsors. Please bring size 4 16” circular needle with good tips.
Liguria Hat pattern will be provided in class.
