Workshops: Destinations Arne and Carlos

The Norwegian knitting style focuses on shifting the tensioning of the yarn from the finger and on to the needle. This is done by minimizing the distance between the yarn, the needle and left index finger. By holding the yarn as close as possible to the needle and picking from the finger you will never have to think about tensioning the yarn correctly, as all you need to do is knit or purl and the tension will come automatically! When you knit the Norwegian way, you will also be able to better relax the muscles in your neck, shoulder, arms and hands. In that sense, Norwegian style knitting is actually much more ergonomic than may other ways of knitting. And finally, there is one more added bonus of knitting the Norwegian way: you will increase the speed of your knitting dramatically! In this class, ARNE & CARLOS will teach you the basics of knitting and purling the Norwegian way, as we knit a hat using chunky yarn.
The Norwegian purl is particularly fun to learn: Arne always says it is like a dance!

Supplies to Bring:
Rowan Yarns will provide: 100 grams (2 balls) of ROWAN Brushed Fleece in two different colours of your choice.

Needles:

Prym needles will provide needles for this class. You are welcome to bring your own and the class calls for: 1 standard circular needle (length: 40 cm / 16 in) size 6 mm (U.S. size 10, U.K. size 4)

VERY IMPORTANT note about needles:
Because you are shifting the tension from the way you hold the yarn and on to the needle, there is nothing you can do to control the tension, as it comes automatically. The only way to get the right tension if you are a loose knitter is to go down a size in needles and if you are a tight knitter you will need to go up a size in needles. Therefore, the specified needle size for this project is for the people who knit to the specified gauge and must be taken with a pinch of salt. If you already know that you knit loosely or tightly, we ask you to consider that when you select the needles to bring this class. Or if you are unsure, just bring needles in a couple of sizes, so we may help you determine the correct size in class.

Homework:
None

Level of knitting proficiency required:
Some experience in knitting and purling required, participants should know how to knit and purl either as continental style knitters or throwers. This class is suitable for inexperienced and intermediate knitters as well as advanced knitters who want to learn the Norwegian way to knit.

Important Note:

We will be focusing on teaching the Norwegian Knit and Purl so please do not expect to finish the entire hat in the class, as the hat itself may take longer than 3 hours to complete. However, ARNE & CARLOS will give you lots of tips to take home with you, so you can finish later.

Norwegian stranded colour work is all about tension. In this class, you will learn the basics of Norwegian style stranded knitting with 2 colours from expert Nordic knitters ARNE & CARLOS, who will show you the easiest and most relaxing way to hold the needles and the yarns, and teach you important techniques and tricks that will help you achieve perfect tension while keeping all of your stitches even and beautiful, in true Norwegian style! We will work with bulky yarn and thick needles and practice our colour work techniques while knitting a hat with the traditional X and O pattern, which is the easiest Norwegian pattern that you could possibly work with. Whether you are an inexperienced or experienced knitter, if you have ever wanted to learn how to knit stranded colour work as it is done in the Norway and the other Nordic countries, by master knitters who come from that part of the world, this is the class for you!

Supplies to Bring:

Rowan Yarns will provide: 2 balls of ROWAN Cocoon: 1 ball (100gr) in colour #801 Polar and 1 ball (100gr) in colour #845 Serrius.

Needles:

Prym needles will provide needles for this class. You are welcome to bring your own and the class calls for:

1 standard circular needle (length: 40 cm / 16 in) size 6 mm (U.S. size 10, U.K. size 4)
1 standard circular needle (length: 40 cm / 16 in) size 6.5 mm (U.S. size 10.5, U.K. size. 3) 1 set of 5 DPNs size 6.5 mm (U.S. size 10.5, U.K. size 3)

Homework:

With smaller size circular needle and colour #801 Polar, CO 64 sts. Join, and work around in k2, p2 ribbing for 10 rows.

Level of knitting proficiency required:

Knitting skills needed. Participants should be able to knit, purl and decrease. This project is suitable for intermediate knitters as well as advanced knitters who want to learn Norwegian stranded colour work or who want to improve on their colour work skills.

Important Note:

We will be focusing on stranded colour work techniques, so please do not expect to finish the entire hat in the class, as the hat itself may take longer than 3 hours to complete. However, ARNE & CARLOS will give you lots of tips to take home with you, so you can finish later.

Tie-Dye is the process of using raffia to tie fabric and then dying the fabric. There are a few different tie-dye techniques; the first is called stitch resist where the design is made using a needle to stitch the raffia into the fabric. The other method is done by hand using raffia to create designs. For this short class we will only be doing the hand tie technique with raffia. I will then teach how to dye the fabric and remove the raffia.

The primary dye I use in my workshops is Indigo. Indigo has been used as a dye in Africa for a very long time. The Yoruba name for indigo is “elu”. Since the olden days indigo has been used for medicine as well as a dye; it cures an upset stomach. Indigo is also used to ward off viruses; houses are painted with indigo to prevent the sickness from entering.

Indigo is an organic substance, it comes from the indigo plant which grows wild in Nigeria. During the beginning of the rainy season the leaves are harvested and then dried. After they have dried they are formed into little balls which are then used to prepare the dye.

Supplies to Bring:

Please bring material you would like to tie-dye. It could be fabric (100% cotton white fabric, 1 yard), a tote bag that is 100% cotton or scarf that is 100% silk. Also bring an apron to protect your clothes from the dye.

Homework:

None

How to Get Organized on Ravelry with Monica Rodriguez

Are you overwhelmed by Ravelry? Have you signed up, but never really use your account? Acquainted with Ravelry, but not sure you’re using it to its full potential? This lecture will cover all things Ravelry, with advice for everyone -- from the newbie beginner to the more experienced user. We’ll discuss useful tips and tricks that you can incorporate into keeping track of your projects, your yarn stash, your favorite patterns and even your favorite yarn shops!