Here at Knit Culture Studio we’re a big fan of robots and monsters — and we’re not alone! The past few years we’ve seen a lot of creative patterns and designs for these metal and fur beasts. So let’s pick up our hooks and needles and create some new friends.

Top Left: Crobots by Nelly Pailloux has not one, but twenty different robots you can crochet. With this book you can create your own little robot army.

Bottom Left: This adorable little book by Christen Haden has a robot, and several different kinds of monsters to chose from, from cthulhu to zombies.

Top Right: Knitwhit’s latest limited edition kits feature monsters with fuzzy faces. This is Cebu!

Bottom Right: Penelope the Empathetic Monster from Dangercrafts is so cute we feel bad calling her a monster.

For more robot and monster-inspired project ideas, check out our facebook album!

We’re so excited about everything we have lined up for our August 14th Customer Appreciation Day! The celebration goes on all day long, starting with ribbon cutting and awning unveiling when the store opens at 11am. Join us for 3 free classes starting at 12pm with “Tips and Tricks” with Lori Lober later an “Introduction to Knitting” with Janet Lawton, and last but not least “Reading a Knitting Pattern” with Annika Barranti.  We are also excited to welcome once again Wendy Bernard of Knit and Tonic to sign her books and patterns, and will be available for Q&A at 3pm.

There are also many great opportunities to walk out the door with a free gift. The first 20 customers get one of our new Knit Culture Studio Baggu foldable eco bags and the next 95 after that receive a Fall Debbie Bliss Magazine. Not only that, everyone who comes to the store has a chance to enter for over 25 fantastic door prizes, including:

*The Mixed Fiber Throw Kit from Mountain Colors in Portland Rose. Some lucky customer will get the pattern and all the yarn they need to knit this textured sofa throw, which uses 5 different yarn styles from Mountain Colors. The Portland Rose colorway is a beautiful blend of blue, red, purple and orange.

*Blue Sky Alpaca’s Kitty Hat kit including an adorable project bag. This adorable hat is one of our favorites and features some clever construction. Blue Sky Alpacas delicious Suri Alpaca Merino feels great on the hands as you work with it.

*Lantern Moon’s prizes will outfit one lucky knitter with a pair size 11 ebony needles that make knitting even more enjoyable. Their Silk Fan Case will hold an assortment of double points and crochet hooks, and the Handuk clutch is great for holding all those notions that you need for your projects. You can put all of this into a Yellow Fish Messenger Bag.

Right now we have 29 prizes, but a few more will be trickling in over the next week. Click on the picture to get details on every door prize.

PRE-RAFFLE:
1. Mirasol Collection Book Two, 3 skeins Mirasol Sulka (60% merino, 20% alpaca, 20% silk) in Paprika, 3 skeins in Saffron

RAFFLE PRIZES:
2. Spud & Chloe Pattern Box containing 2 skeins of Spud & Chloe Sweater weight yarn (55% wool, 45% organic cotton) in Splash, 2 skeins in Firecracker, Aztec Scarf Pattern

3. Super Cute Crochet by Nicki Trench, Crocheted Afghans by Ryland Peters & Small

4. Amigurumi by Lan Ahn Bui and Josephine Wan, Crocheted Flowers by Nicky Epstein

5. 1000 Fabulous Knit Hats by Annie Modesitt, Fabulous and Flirty Felt by Darlene Bruce

6. Sweater Surgery by Stefanie Girard, Intertwined by Lexi Boeger

7. Afghans by Norah Gaughan, Margery Winter, Berroco Inc., and Thayer Allyson Gowdy; Last Minute Knitted Gifts by Joelle Hoverson

8. Knits Men Want by Bruce Weinstein and Jared Flood, Knitted Socks East and West by Judy Sumner and Yoko Inoue

9. Lorna’s Laces Scarf Kit: 1 skein Lorna’s Laces Honor (70% baby alpaca, 30% silk) in Robot Overlord, Lorna’s Laces Lyerka Scarf pattern, and red Circular Solution Port-a-pocket

10. Elizabeth Zimmerman’s classic Baby Surprise Jacket Pattern booklet plus a Baby Surprise DVD

11. Clover Single point Needle Gift Set, 2 balls Sublime Cashmere Merino Silk Aran, yellow and purple Circular Solution Port-a-pocket

12. Blue Sky Kitty Hat kit in adorable decorative Bird bag: including Kitty Hat pattern, 2 skeins Suri Merino (60% baby suri, 40% merino) in Seamist and 2 skeins in Earth

13. Woolpets Sea Otter Needle Felting Kit

14. Woolpets Sock Monkey Needle Felting Kit

15. Woolpets Orca Needle Felting Kit

16. Classic Elite Picnic and 2 skeins CEY Firefly in color 7719 to make Fringed Scarf on page 18

17. Easy Baby Knits by Claire Montgomerie and 3 balls Sublime baby cotton Kapok dk

18. Baby and Toddler Knits by Debbie Bliss and 3 balls Sublime Organic Cotton dk

19. Mirasol Collection Book Two, 3 skeins Wach’I (85% pima cotton, 15% silk), 3 skeins Nuna (40% merino, 20% silk, 20% bamboo), 3 skeins Tupa (50% wool, 50% silk)

20. Fibre Company Stratum Hat Pattern and two skeins Terra in Nettle

21. Misti Alpaca Chunky Ribs & Ruffles Scarf Pattern and one skein Misti Hand Painted Chunky in Delphinium

22. Mountain Colors Mixed Fiber Throw Kit in Portland Rose

23. Mountain Colors Fantastic Lace Scarf Kit in Daybreak

24. Mountain Colors Knit Night Sock Kit in Harmony Moss

25. Mountain Colors Bead Lace Scarf Kit in Sierra

26. Tanglewood Fiber Creations 100% Cashmere in Calypso Cove

27. Hattitude by Cathy Carron and 15 gift cards for Vogue Knitting patterns & back issues

28. Lantern Moon Yellow Fish Messenger Bag, Champagne Round Fan Case, TQ Handuk needle punch clutch, 2 pair Size 11 Ebony Wood needles

29. Mission Falls Silhouette and three balls Merino Superwash in Crocus

August is a great month to take your knitting or crocheting out into the garden. Kick off your shoes, sit in the grass, bring a glass of lemonade or ice tea, and enjoy the sunshine and beautiful flowers while you craft.

Top Left: The amazing bright colors of this skein of Art Yarns Beaded Mohair makes us think of the bright array of flowers that are blooming right now. Knit it up into a flirty summer scarf or light summer shrug.

Bottom Left: For longer lasting flowers, we love the patterns from 100 flowers to knit & crochet by Lesley Stanfield. You can use these beautiful blossoms to embellish clothing or brighten up your home.

Top Right: We don’t want to see caterpillars in our garden, but we’d love to see this blanket pattern from Tree Knitter Designs on our needles.

Bottom Right: Not only does the Fiber Company’s Terra make us think of digging our fingers into the earth, but the colors reference different plants, flowers, and trees. This dreamy blend of silk, wool and alpaca might make your stash grow.

For more of our Garden-inspired project ideas, check out our facebook album!

PRE-RAFFLE:
1. Mirasol Collection Book Two, 3 skeins Mirasol Sulka (60% merino, 20% alpaca, 20% silk) in Paprika, 3 skeins in Saffron

RAFFLE PRIZES:
2. Spud & Chloe Pattern Box containing 2 skeins of Spud & Chloe Sweater weight yarn (55% wool, 45% organic cotton) in Splash, 2 skeins in Firecracker, Aztec Scarf Pattern

3. Super Cute Crochet by Nicki Trench, Crocheted Afghans by Ryland Peters & Small

4. Amigurumi by Lan Ahn Bui and Josephine Wan, Crocheted Flowers by Nicky Epstein

5. 1000 Fabulous Knit Hats by Annie Modesitt, Fabulous and Flirty Felt by Darlene Bruce

6. Sweater Surgery by Stefanie Girard, Intertwined by Lexi Boeger

7. Afghans by Norah Gaughan, Margery Winter, Berroco Inc., and Thayer Allyson Gowdy; Last Minute Knitted Gifts by Joelle Hoverson

8. Knits Men Want by Bruce Weinstein and Jared Flood, Knitted Socks East and West by Judy Sumner and Yoko Inoue

9. Lorna’s Laces Scarf Kit: 1 skein Lorna’s Laces Honor (70% baby alpaca, 30% silk) in Robot Overlord, Lorna’s Laces Lyerka Scarf pattern, and red Circular Solution Port-a-pocket

10. Elizabeth Zimmerman’s classic Baby Surprise Jacket Pattern booklet plus a Baby Surprise DVD

11. Clover Single point Needle Gift Set, 2 balls Sublime Cashmere Merino Silk Aran, yellow and purple Circular Solution Port-a-pocket

12. Blue Sky Kitty Hat kit in adorable decorative Bird bag: including Kitty Hat pattern, 2 skeins Suri Merino (60% baby suri, 40% merino) in Seamist and 2 skeins in Earth

13. Woolpets Sea Otter Needle Felting Kit

14. Woolpets Sock Monkey Needle Felting Kit

15. Woolpets Orca Needle Felting Kit

16. Classic Elite Picnic and 2 skeins CEY Firefly in color 7719 to make Fringed Scarf on page 18

17. Easy Baby Knits by Claire Montgomerie and 3 balls Sublime baby cotton Kapok dk

18. Baby and Toddler Knits by Debbie Bliss and 3 balls Sublime Organic Cotton dk

19. Mirasol Collection Book Two, 3 skeins Wach’I (85% pima cotton, 15% silk), 3 skeins Nuna (40% merino, 20% silk, 20% bamboo), 3 skeins Tupa (50% wool, 50% silk)

MORE PRIZES TO COME!

These linen washcloths are a great, simple and satisfying knit. Practice your lace knitting and make a set as a gift for a baby or bridal shower!

Download the pattern PDF here.

Finished measurements: approximately 10 ½” x 10 ½”

Materials:
Louet Euroflax Sport Weight, 270 yards, 100% Linen
1 skein will make 2-3 washcloths
Size 5 needle, or size needed to get gauge
Darning needle

Gauge: approximately 5 sts = 1 inch in st st, however gauge is not as important for this project, and a different gauge will make a smaller or larger washcloth.

Flying Eyelets Washcloth (on the right in photo below):

CO 52 sts

Knit 3 rows then start eyelet pattern:

Row 1 and all WS Rows: K3, P46, K3

Row 2 (RS): K9, *yo, ssk, K9, rep from * to last 10 sts, yo, ssk, K8.

Row 4: K10, *yo, ssk, K9, rep from * to last 9 sts, yo, ssk, K7.

Row 6: K6, *K2tog, yo, K3, yo, ssk, K4 rep from * to last 13 sts, K2tog, yo, K3, yo, ssk, K6.

Row 8: K3, *K2, K2tog, yo, K5, yo, ssk, rep from * to last 5 sts, K5.

Row 10: K4, *K2tog, yo, K9, rep from * to last 4 sts, K4.

Row 12: K3, *K2tog, yo, K9, rep from * to last 5 sts, K5.

Repeat these 12 rows 7 times, project should measure approximately 10”.

Knit 3 rows, BO and weave in ends.

Cat’s Paw Washcloth (on the left in photo below):

CO 55 sts

Knit 3 rows then start Cat’s Paw pattern:

Row 1 and all WS rows: K3, P49, K3.

Row 2 (RS): K3, *K1, yo, SSK, K7, K2tog, yo, rep from * to last 4 sts, K4.

Row 4: K3, *K2, yo, ssk, K5, K2tog, yo, K1, rep from * to last 4 sts, K4.

Row 6: K3, *K1, yo, SSK, K7, K2tog, yo, rep from * to last 4 sts, K4.

Row 8: K3, *K4, K2tog, yo, K1, yo, ssk, K3, rep from * to last 4 sts, K4.

Row 10: K3, *K3, K2tog, yo, K3, yo, ssk, K2, rep from * to last 4 sts, K4.

Row 12: K3, *K4, K2tog, yo, K1, yo, ssk, K3, rep from * to last 4 sts, K4.

Repeat these 12 rows 7 times, project should measure approximately 10”.

Knit 3 rows, BO and weave in ends.

Download the pattern PDF here.

June is here in Los Angeles; the weather is starting to heat up and on the weekend the 10 freeway going west becomes a parking lot. Families fill the sand and surfers ride the waves. That doesn’t mean it’s time to put down the needles and wait for the cool weather to return, there are a lot of projects and yarn that we think are even better in the bright sun.

Top left: Take a deep breath… aahhhhhh

Top right: Fish Hat in Malabrigo Worsted

Bottom left: Classic Elite Beach booklet

Bottom right: Mirasol Tupa silk/wool blend

For more fun summer knitting ideas, visit our facebook album!

Knit projects that can be worn two different ways mean that you get twice the reward for your effort! Depending on how you feel like accessorizing you can draw the i-cord tight and wear it as a hat, or let it hang loose around your neck. We’re not even certain those are the only two uses you can get out of this versatile piece. And the best part? It’s an easy knit.

If you’ve never knit in the round and want some help getting started, we’re offering two classes this month that you can check out here.

Finished measurements: 19” circumference unstretched around, approx 11” tall

Materials:
Any worsted weight yarn (we used 2 balls of a store favorite: Trendsetter Tonalita, 52% and 48% acrylic, 100 yards) about 200 yards total.

US size 8 (4.5 mm) 16″ (40 cm) circular and a set of 2 size 8 double pointed needles.
Stitch Marker
Tapestry Needle

Gauge: 5 stitches = 1 inch in stockinette st

Pattern:

CO 96 sts, join in the round being careful not to twist, place marker at beginning of round.

Work K1, P1 rib for 1 ½”

Switch to stockinette stitch and work until piece measure 9” from the cast on edge.

Eyelet Round: *Yo, k2tog, k5* repeat around until 5 sts remain, yo, k2tog, k3.

Continue in stockinette for another 2”, BO loosely

Work 3 stitch I-cord for 30”, thread through eyelet row and knot at each end.

Download the pdf version of this pattern here.

Liz is a bit of a perfectionist and loves to knit scarves in reversible patterns. When the scarf is wrapped the back and front stitchery is the same. This inspired her to create the Harris Tweed Hat and Scarf FREE PATTERN set. Seen here in Rowan’s Cocoon- a beautiful, soft and luscious blend of wool and mohair. This is a stitch pattern style that guys especially love with it’s modern and graphic look.

If you’re curious about reversible stitch patterns, we’re offering a class this month.

Finished measurements: Hat: Head circumference: 22”

Scarf: 7″ x 60″

Materials:

Hat: 1 ball Rowan Cocoon

Scarf: 2 balls Rowan Cocoon (or any chunky yarn that gets gauge)

Needles: Size 10 16” circular and Size 10 double points or size to get gauge

Stitch marker

Gauge: 3.5 sts = 1 inch in St st

Abbreviations:
P: purl

K: knit

M1P: Make 1 Purlwise

Hat Pattern:

Cast on 83 sts, join in round and place marker at beginning of round.

Round 1: *K2, P2, rep from* to last 3 stitches, K2, P1

Repeat Round 1 for 1”, on the last round:

Set-up Round: M1P, *K2, p2, rep from* to last 3 stitches, K2, P1

Round 2: *K2, P2, rep from* to end.

Round 3: *K2, P2, rep from* to end.

Round 4: P

Round 5: P

Begin Harris Tweed stitch pattern:

(multiple of 4 sts)
Round 1: *K2, P2, rep from* to end.
Round 2: *K2, P2, rep from* to end.
Round 3: K
Round 4: K
Round 5: *K2, P2, rep from* to end.
Round 6: *K2, P2, rep from* to end.
Round 7: P
Round 8: P

Knit in pattern until piece measures 7 ½ inches from cast on ending with row 7 of the pattern (P row).

Decrease as follows:

Round 1: *P2, Ptog, rep from* 63 sts left

Rounds 2-4: *K2, P2, rep from* to last 3 sts, K2, P1.

Round 5: *SSK, P1, rep from* 42 sts left

Round 6: *K1, P1, rep from*

Round 7: *SSK, P2tog, rep from*, K last stitch, 25 sts left

Round 8: *K1, P1, rep from*

Round 9: *SSK around, K last stitch, 11 sts left

Round 10: *SSK around, K last stitch, 6 stitches left.

Weave in all ends and block.

Scarf Pattern:

Cast on 28 sts.

Row 1: K2, *K2, P2, rep from* to last 2 sts, K2

Row 2: K2, *K2, P2, rep from* to last 2 sts, K2

Row 3: K2, P across row

Row 4: K2, K across row to last 2 sts, K2

Begin Harris Tweed stitch pattern:

(multiple of 4 sts)
Row 1: *K2, P2, rep from* to end.
Row 2: *K2, P2, rep from* to end.
Row 3: K
Row 4: P
Row 5: *K2, P2, rep from* to end.
Row 6: *K2, P2, rep from* to end.
Row 7: P
Row 8: K

Knit in pattern until piece measures 60 inches from cast on ending with row 6 of the pattern. DON’T FORGET to knit 2 K stitches at each end of every row!

Weave in all ends and block.

Enjoy!

Liz made this lovely, versatile mobius scarf in anticipation of our massive Baby Alpaca Grande shipment… this pattern is perfect for the yarn!  The Mobius Scarf can be worn looped around the neck a couple of times or as one long circular scarf with a natural twist created by the unusual cast on. It’s great for both men and women and almost impossible to lose! Check out our FREE PATTERN!

***Please note: There was an error in the pattern which is now corrected. We were contacted by a customer who ran out of yarn before the pattern was complete, and her scarf was much wider than the pictured scarf. The corrected pattern below will give you the size pictured here, we apologize for the confusion!***

The scarf pictured takes only two skeins of Baby Alpaca Grande, but is just as beautiful in any number of our worsted or chunky weight yarns. If you’d like some guidance with the pattern we will be offering a class on the Mobius Cowl in December, as well as many more simple projects for holiday gift knitting… stay tuned!

Pattern:

We have always been fascinated by the mobius style and technique. Once you’ve watched Cat Bordhi’s very informative “Intro to Mobius Knitting” tutorial on YouTube you will be on your way to knitting a great scarf that can be wrapped double around your neck for cold weather or worn long and drapey! It’s a fun and fast project and makes a great gift.

If you want a longer scarf just cast on more stitches. You can also make your mobius wider –just add an extra skein! This scarf is equally beautiful knit in just garter stitch.

Size:
60″ long circumference x 7″ wide

Materials:
2 skeins Plymouth Baby Alpaca Grande (100% baby alpaca)
US 10 or 101/2 /40″ or 47” circular needles
1 Stitch Marker

Gauge:
3 stitches per inch

Technique:
Intro to Mobius Knitting tutorial by Cat Bordhi on you tube:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LVnTda7F2V4

Directions:
Using Cat Bordhi’s mobius cast on technique, cast on 152 sts. Place marker and join careful not to twist the stitches. See Cat Bordhi’s tutorial for directions.
Knit the 1st st tight to avoid a gap at the join. Knit the first round as directed by Cat.

Important: Round begins when you get to the stitch marker.

Knit for 3 rounds.
Purl 4 rounds
Knit 4 rounds
Purl 4 rounds
Knit 3 rounds

Cast off knitwise. Weave in ends.

Trish of Tanglewood Fiber Creations is coming to visit again!!

When: Saturday, November 14 and Sunday November 15
Time: Saturday: 12:00 pm ~ 5:00 pm
Sunday:   12:00 pm~ 3:30 pm
Where: The Knitter’s Studio: 8118 W. Third Street, L.A.

Just in time for holiday gift knitting we are very excited to have Trish Anderson of Tanglewood Fiber Creations back for a 2-day visit to The Knitter’s Studio. Trish will be coming with baskets and baskets of her luxurious and, as Vogue Knitting calls it, decadent yarn. Included will be new colors in her beaded cashmere silk — Hot Chocolate, Fire and Ice and Hot Sugar (pictured above). And for an added treat Trish will bring her spinning wheel to give us a sneak peak on how she works her magic and makes such luscious yarns.

On Saturday we are offering our Eyelet Cowl Class. Pick out your yarn anytime before, meet Trish, and then settle down to get started on this knitted work of art featured in Vogue Holiday Knitting 2009!

September means back-to-school, cooling weather, and time to get a start on that holiday knitting (and not put it off the way we did last year). With the changing of the seasons came the changing of the store window, and we wanted to inspire anyone who passed by with all the adorable knits they could make for their petite-sized loved ones.

If you are interested in knitting up any of these sweaters or accessories, we’ve provided a list of patterns and materials below.

Starting at the top left we have:

A Sirdar pattern in Koigu KPPPM.

The Little Cable and Cable from Sublime Book 611 in Sublime’s Organic Cotton.

The Petal Bib pattern from One Skein in Rowan Handknit Cotton DK.

A baby sweater from Debbie Bliss’ Baby Knits in Filatura Di Crosa Zara.

The Blue Sky Kitty Hat done in Blue Sky Alpaca’s Suri Merino.

Starting at the bottom left we have:

Another kitty hat.

One of the Appalachian Baby Kits.

Saartje Booties in Classic Elite Posh.

Heirloom Knits Jack and Jill Sweaters done in Noro Iro and trimmed in Noro Cash Iroha.

Elizabeth Zimmerman’s Baby Surprise Sweater done in Koigu KPPPM.

Mr. Monkey and Mr. Giraffe are sporting the hat and scarf that we are offering as a free pattern and class. These cute patterns will fit many stuffed animals and dolls, including American Girl Dolls– another great holiday knitting idea!

We absolutely love knitting with Blue Sky’s Organic and Dyed Cotton– it is so soft, lofty, and delicious. This yarn is a joy.

If you’ve been in the store lately, you may have seen Leah knitting this little creation. We thought a hooded baby sweater would be a great project for this yarn, so we decided to whip one up and offer it as a free pattern!

The sweater has a rolled hem, and is knit bottom up in the round. The sleeves and trunk are joined at the yoke in a nice seamless construction. Basic color work around the middle adds to the fun — or can be omitted easily.

The yoke features raglan shaping for the shoulders, and is worked flat once the neck placket is started. The hood is also worked flat and seamed across the top. Finally, a crochet edging and adorable braided ties are an adorable detail.

Leah took pictures of her work in progress. Below you can see when she had joined the sleeves and the trunk and was starting to work on the yoke. She put some stitches in the armpit on some green scrap yarn in order to graft them together later — this will make sure the garment fits.

Don’t be intimidated by the description above, every step of the sweaters creation is detailed in our free pattern, which can be downloaded below.

Baby sweaters are such satisfying projects — and even those of us with short attentions spans can stay focused long enough to finish them! Leah loved working with this yarn and we all loved the way the sweater came out.

Download our Free Pattern Here!

Description: We will be knitting my Beaumont Tam/Beanie pattern from Made in Brooklyn together. We will use the hat as an exercise in traditional colorwork technique and discuss the hat’s construction/shaping. We will also cover an explanation of dominant color in stranded knitting and blocking techniques for Tams.

Pre-Requisites: Knitters should be comfortable with the following techniques
• knit and purl stitches
• knitting in the round
• basic decreasing (k2tog, ssk, and centered decs)
• some experience with colorwork is recommended, but not required

Materials: Classic Elite Yarns ‘Fresco’ — 2 or 4 skeins, depending on your choice for color scheme as
directed by pattern. I encourage experimentation with individual color choices — students are not
required to knit the same colors as pattern suggestions.

Stitch Markers (If you like to mark each colorwork-motif repeat, bring several. I recommend have at least one in an alternative color to indicate beg-of-round)

For TAM Knitters: One pair of US 3 and US 6 16″ Needles, or whatever size required to give you pattern gauge. One pair of double pointed needles in larger size for crown shaping.

For BEANIE Knitters: One pair of US 2 and US 4 16″ Needles, or whatever size required to give you pattern gauge. One pair of double pointed needles in larger size for crown shaping.

Homework: (To Be Completed Before Class)
Obtain copy of pattern from your LYS. Make a gauge swatch and achieve pattern gauge to determine correct needle sizes - swatching in the round is recommended . Begin pattern and work ribbed brim, as instructed, stopping just before initial Increase Round.

When: Saturday, February 13th 2010

SOLD OUT!

Description: This course will cover the foundations of seamless sweater knitting: construction, percentages, techniques, and yoke variations. We will be exploring Elizabeth Zimmermann’s 7 seamless sweater models and discussing her percentage system (EPS). The goal of this course is to familiarize knitters with the seamless method of sweater construction and design, and give them the confidence to formulate original garments, without a pattern, to suit their own tastes – or alter existing patterns into seamless ones.

Pre-Requisites: Knitters should be comfortable with the following techniques
• knit and purl stitches; basic stitch patterns (ribbing, seed st, garter st, etc)
• knitting in the round (required)
• directional decreasing (k2tog, ssk, centered decrease variations will all be discussed)
• experience working small garments in the round (hats)
• sweater knitting experience encouraged but not required

Materials: One skein (50g or 100g) of worsted weight wool or wool blend (animal fibers only please).
Smooth, multiple-ply yarns are recommended for clear stitch definition. Boucle and novelty yarns
prohibited.
One set of double pointed needles in size US8. One optional 16” circular needle in same size.
One stitch marker.
Notebook and writing utensil for note taking.

We will be making a shaped swatch in-the-round, exploring ways of using different types of
decreases as design elements.

Homework: Come prepared to knit a hat-sized swatch in the round with needles and yarn listed above. No
other preparation required.

When: Saturday, February 13th 2010

Description: We will begin knitting my Girasole Shawl/Blanket pattern together. We will discuss the piece’s general construction/shaping, the basic lace techniques employed, chart reading, circular cast-on, and yarn choices. We will also discuss the general benefits of knitting lace at a heavier gauge, with the hopes of making this unique way of making lace accessible to those students who would like to experiment.

Pre-Requisites: Knitters should be comfortable with the following techniques
• knit and purl stitches
• knitting in the round
• basic understanding of simple lace techniques (yarn over, ssk, & k2tog)
• chart reading experience recommended but not required

Materials: at least 100g worsted or aran weight wool if you will be making ‘blanket version’ or 50 g of fingering weight wool for the ‘shawl version’ (wool blends and other animal fibers also encouraged, although 100% alpaca, mohair, or silk fibers are not recommended). [Completion of project will require between 1150 yards (Shawl Version) and 1800 yards (BlanketVersion)of yarn, although students will only need enough to get started during class]

One set of double pointed needles, one or two sizes larger than recommended size on your yarn label
One package of stitch markers
One 16” circular needle in same size as DPNs

(optional)
One 32” circulare needle in same size as DPNs (for completion of project. It is unlikely you will need to switch to this needle size during class, unless you prefer working the Magic Loop Method)
Crochet Hook for working circular cast-on

Homework: (To Be Completed Before Class)
Download Girasole pattern from Brooklyn Tweed (http://brooklyntweed.blogspot.com/2008/12/girasole.html); Read over pattern to familiarize yourself with content of course.
Come prepared with listed materials to begin your project during class.

When: Sunday, February 14th 2010