Our Instructors
Lorilee Beltman & Olga Buraya-Kefelian
Lorilee Beltman
Lorilee is known for her patience in the classroom and her ability to communicate new skills clearly and kindly. Her students are curious knitters who want to improve their confidence and broaden their techniques repertoire. For ten years Lorilee has conducted classes at national events. She also teaches online classes at Interweave and Craftsy, where her class "Knit Faster with Continental Knitting"
is a best seller. (She promises, however, that she loves all knitting styles!)
Her designs and articles have been published in numerous books and magazines.
You can read her techniques column "Hey, Try This" at Knitty.com
Lorilee grew up in Pittsburgh and lived in Michigan for thirty years, but now she calls Seattle home. Tent-camping has brought her to over twenty National Parks where she finds beautiful places to sit
and knit a while. You can find Lorilee at lorileebeltman.com and on her public
Facebook page where she posts video clips of her favorite knitting tips.
Lorilee Beltman's Workshops
Pick Your Knits and Purls: Continental Knitting
When you learn Continental knitting, you’ll minimize your hand motions for a more comfortable and perhaps speedier way to knit. Each finger has a job to do. Understand exactly what motions have a bearing on stitch gauge- it’s not what you may think! Learn to create even knitting by sizing your knits and purls equally, and how your choice of tools affects the outcome. Practice the knit stitch, then move on to purl, increases, decreases, and ribbing, where efficiency really pays off.
Skills Needed:
Beginning knitters and advanced knitters who have knitted by another method for decades are equally welcome in this class. Everyone will feel equally uncomfortable at the start, but don't worry.
Beginning knitters and advanced knitters who have knitted by another method for decades are equally welcome in this class. Everyone will feel equally uncomfortable at the start, but don't worry.
Materials Provided:
Handout and a half-off coupon for students who want to spend more time working on this through the instructor's online class at Craftsy.
Handout and a half-off coupon for students who want to spend more time working on this through the instructor's online class at Craftsy.
Materials to Bring:
One needle.
A slippery steel circular needle about 24 to 32 inches long in a size US 6 or US7 (4.0 mm or 4.5 mm). Gauge is not critical for learning, but students get best results going down a needle size from what they typically use for worsted weight yarn.
Yarn.
About 50 grams of smooth worsted weight wool. Something similar to Cascade 220.
One needle.
A slippery steel circular needle about 24 to 32 inches long in a size US 6 or US7 (4.0 mm or 4.5 mm). Gauge is not critical for learning, but students get best results going down a needle size from what they typically use for worsted weight yarn.
Yarn.
About 50 grams of smooth worsted weight wool. Something similar to Cascade 220.
Homework:
There are two parts- one optional, one required.
Optional (especially helpful to identify current tension issues):
With your class yarn and needle, cast on 24 sts. Work one inch of garter stitch by knitting all rows, two inches of stockinette stitch by alternating between rows of knit and rows of purl, and three inches of k2 x p2 ribbing. Bind off.
Required:
With your class yarn and needle, cast on 24 sts. Work one inch of garter stitch by knitting all rows.
There are two parts- one optional, one required.
Optional (especially helpful to identify current tension issues):
With your class yarn and needle, cast on 24 sts. Work one inch of garter stitch by knitting all rows, two inches of stockinette stitch by alternating between rows of knit and rows of purl, and three inches of k2 x p2 ribbing. Bind off.
Required:
With your class yarn and needle, cast on 24 sts. Work one inch of garter stitch by knitting all rows.
Colors That Climb
Explore various ways that color can be added to your knitting when contrasting colored stitches climb from round to round. These techniques do not inhibit the elasticity of the fabric. Learn how to manage the technique on a simple stockinette stitch swatch. Next work a lace motif with contrasting
purls like the one pictured here! Then students will choose to work one of the many
remaining motifs included in the handout.
Add a new tool to your color tool box. This class is great for curious knitters who either like to design their own garments or who like to take an existing pattern and personalize it. Sock knitters will learn why this color technique is perfect for socks.
Skills Needed:
Students must already be comfortable working in the round at a small circumference, as for a mitten. Using any of these methods is acceptable- DPNs, two circulars, or one long circular for magic loop. Choose whichever method you prefer. Skills learned in class are not difficult- you can do it. Charts will be used in class but will be thoroughly explained, and text is sometimes provided as well.
Students must already be comfortable working in the round at a small circumference, as for a mitten. Using any of these methods is acceptable- DPNs, two circulars, or one long circular for magic loop. Choose whichever method you prefer. Skills learned in class are not difficult- you can do it. Charts will be used in class but will be thoroughly explained, and text is sometimes provided as well.
Skills Learned:
A coloring technique that is likely new to you. Yarn management. Tips and inspiration for
A coloring technique that is likely new to you. Yarn management. Tips and inspiration for
applying climbing colors to various knitted fabrics.
Materials Provided:
Handout
Handout includes instruction and many motifs, more than we have time to work in class so you can play more at home. Work these motifs into your own unique designs.
Handout includes instruction and many motifs, more than we have time to work in class so you can play more at home. Work these motifs into your own unique designs.
Yarn
Teacher will provide worsted weight wool yarn in many colors. Students who can not work with wool, please bring 25 grams of a main color and about five yards each of three other colors.
Teacher will provide worsted weight wool yarn in many colors. Students who can not work with wool, please bring 25 grams of a main color and about five yards each of three other colors.
One free pattern
Students will receive a code for one free pattern download from teacher's Ravelry store.
Students will receive a code for one free pattern download from teacher's Ravelry store.
Materials to Bring:
Needles for working in the round at a small circumference. (See "Required Skills".) Size US 6 (4.0 mm). Gauge is not critical for skills learned in class, so a size smaller or larger would also work just fine. Remember we are working in the round on a small circumference the size of your wrist, so please be prepared. Tapestry needle.
Needles for working in the round at a small circumference. (See "Required Skills".) Size US 6 (4.0 mm). Gauge is not critical for skills learned in class, so a size smaller or larger would also work just fine. Remember we are working in the round on a small circumference the size of your wrist, so please be prepared. Tapestry needle.
Homework
None.
Selbu Mittens
Selbu mittens have become a symbol of Norway. The traditional technique uses two highly contrasting colors, most often black and white. We will learn some history, tips for two-handed color work at a fine gauge, and a gusseted after-thought thumb with the teacher's own method for inserting it in such a way that the palm pattern flows uninterrupted onto the thumb. Learn the tricky parts in class so you can successfully accomplish this fun and rewarding project at home.
Skills Needed:
Students must already be comfortable working in the round using fine yarn. Any of these methods is acceptable- DPNs, two circulars, or one long circular for magic loop. Choose whichever
method you prefer. Students must also have some experience working with two colors
at a time, but they need not be perfect at it.
Skills Learned:
Tensioning tips for stranded color work. Trapping. Tips for transitions from needle to needle. Strategies for a clean afterthought thumb without holes and where the patterning flows cleanly from palm to thumb. (The afterthought thumb skills can be applied to other projects like socks with afterthought heels.) Blocking stranded color work.
Tensioning tips for stranded color work. Trapping. Tips for transitions from needle to needle. Strategies for a clean afterthought thumb without holes and where the patterning flows cleanly from palm to thumb. (The afterthought thumb skills can be applied to other projects like socks with afterthought heels.) Blocking stranded color work.
Materials Provided:
Handout/Pattern
While students will work the same motif in class for practice, the handout includes a full pattern with options to choose from: two cuff patterns, two motifs for the hand, and two palm patterns.
Yarn
Teacher will provide yarn. With our three-hour class time, we will focus on the skills needed around the trickier bits of the thumb gusset, learning how to best match the palm patterning to the thumb, and using the teacher's favorite method for thumbs added without holes. (Hint: no waste yarn.) Since we will not be working an entire mitten, teacher will provide appropriate fingering weight yarn in quantities needed for learning in class in both traditional and nontraditional colors as pictured here.
Handout/Pattern
While students will work the same motif in class for practice, the handout includes a full pattern with options to choose from: two cuff patterns, two motifs for the hand, and two palm patterns.
Yarn
Teacher will provide yarn. With our three-hour class time, we will focus on the skills needed around the trickier bits of the thumb gusset, learning how to best match the palm patterning to the thumb, and using the teacher's favorite method for thumbs added without holes. (Hint: no waste yarn.) Since we will not be working an entire mitten, teacher will provide appropriate fingering weight yarn in quantities needed for learning in class in both traditional and nontraditional colors as pictured here.
Materials to Bring:
Needles (See "Required Skills".) Size US 1 or European size 2.25 mm, 2.5 mm, or 2.75 mm. Gauge is not critical for skills learned in class.
Tapestry needle appropriate for use with fine yarns.
Needles (See "Required Skills".) Size US 1 or European size 2.25 mm, 2.5 mm, or 2.75 mm. Gauge is not critical for skills learned in class.
Tapestry needle appropriate for use with fine yarns.
Homework:
None
None
Olga Buraya-Kefelian
Olga Buraya-Kefelian learned knitting from her mother at a very young age while growing up in Belarus. It wasn't until she was in her mid-twenties that her knitting developed beyond a hobby, and a distraction from the hardships of military life, into a career in knitwear design. Now a published author of several books on knitwear, she resides in Alexandria, Virginia, while she continues to work on her brand, olgajazzy, and collaborates with numerous prominent yarn companies and magazines.
She teaches classes and workshops nationwide as well as internationally.
She teaches classes and workshops nationwide as well as internationally.
3D Knitwear
This class is part demonstration, part swatch-fest, and all inspiration. Olga will present her
3D design philosophy, and help you see knitwear in a new light! In this class you will also have a choice of knitting, under close supervision either the Moko-Moko Cowl using modular techniques or the Boko-Boko Cowl using lace techniques. Both of these projects are perfect examples
of textured 3D knitwear accessories.
Skills Needed:
Knit/purl, cast on/bind off, increase/decrease, working in the round, beginner lace
Homework:
None
Materials To Bring:
Crisp yarn in solid colors and needle sizes appropriate for the yarn as well as couple of needles in smaller sizes for swatching.
Moko-Moko Cowl
Finished measurements 11” height (flat), 30” circumference
340 yds of any worsted weight wool
Waste yarn in smooth texture and similar weight
US 7 (4.5 mm) needle and a spare needle
Crochet hook F (3.75mm)
Waste yarn
Finished measurements 11” height (flat), 30” circumference
340 yds of any worsted weight wool
Waste yarn in smooth texture and similar weight
US 7 (4.5 mm) needle and a spare needle
Crochet hook F (3.75mm)
Waste yarn
Boko-Boko Cowl
Finished measurements 17.5 (24.5, 35)” circumference, 7.5 (7.5, 12.5)” tall
About 375 (575, 1000) yards of fingering weight yarn (and approximately the
same length of silk wrapped stainless steel yarn)
US 4 (3.5 mm) circular, 24” long
Crochet hook size D (3.25mm)
For both
Tapestry Needle
Stitch markers
Finished measurements 17.5 (24.5, 35)” circumference, 7.5 (7.5, 12.5)” tall
About 375 (575, 1000) yards of fingering weight yarn (and approximately the
same length of silk wrapped stainless steel yarn)
US 4 (3.5 mm) circular, 24” long
Crochet hook size D (3.25mm)
For both
Tapestry Needle
Stitch markers
Magical Brioche
The sento shawl is a pattern using 2x2 brioche rib technique (rare) with custom increase methods and 2 colors of yarn to create an elongated triangular-shape shawl. In this class you will learn the difference between fisherman's rib, Tuck and brioche stitches and learn to practice them together.
Skills Needed:
Knit/Purl, cast on/bind off, increase/decrease
Homework:
None
Materials To Bring:
YARN
602 yds each of MC and CC in any other fingering weight yarn,
preferably solid colors and even texture
NEEDLES
US 3 (3.25 mm) circular, 24-36” long
US 5 (3.75 mm) circular (for CO and BO only)
US 5 (3.75 mm) circular (for CO and BO only)
NOTIONS
Crochet hook size D (3 mm) or E (3.5 mm)
Cable needle (CN)
Removable stitch marker or safety pin
Cable needle (CN)
Removable stitch marker or safety pin
Modular Knitting
This adventurous beginner class is based on my Asanagi Wrap design and is worked in a modular technique. In this class you will learn the theory of modular knitting and create this stunning ombré wrap of scalloped patterning with yarn of your choice. But what is more, you will learn numerous vital techniques as a knitter that will be crucial to your growing skill set. Many of the tricks and tips and customization suggestions taught during this class will prove to be a lot of fun!
Skills Needed:
knit/purl, cast on/bind off
Homework:
Work the garter-stitch swatch as asked in the pattern to determine the needle size to obtain gauge
Supplies to Bring:
223 yds of fingering weight yarn in 5 (or more) complimenting colors
US #3 (3.25 mm) short straight or two double-pointed needles, or as preferred (or size to
obtain gauge)
Crochet hook size C or D
Tapestry needle
US #3 (3.25 mm) short straight or two double-pointed needles, or as preferred (or size to
obtain gauge)
Crochet hook size C or D
Tapestry needle
Kettle Dyed Yarn
Join Imperial Yarn for an Introduction to variegated approach to dyeing class.
A very simple, but fun process!
Each student will dye two skeins (1) 100% wool, (1) 100% Alpaca. We will use a four step process to create a unique variegated result. The first three steps will be the same for everyone:
Dyeing skeins 3 primary colors.
The last step there will be 3 different washes, which will allow everyone to "personalize" their skeins.
Dyeing skeins 3 primary colors.
The last step there will be 3 different washes, which will allow everyone to "personalize" their skeins.
Each student will take home (2) dyed 2 oz skeins of yarn.