Classes!

Join us each week on Tuesday and Thursday for our open knitting classes starting at 5:30pm to 7:30pm for just $10 a class! During this time we can teach you the very basics of knitting from casting on to casting off and all the fun stuff in between. We can also help you if you are stuck on your project and need some assistance or if you would like to learn any new techniques or learn how to fix your mistakes- we can do it all! Classes are drop in- no registration required and you can start any time and come as often or as few times as you need to get on track!

Blocking Class
Saturday November 10, 2012
11:00am to 1:00pm
$20 per person- materials extra
All skill levels welcome
If you own blocking pins or wires, please bring them with you.

In this class we will be talking about all the different ways to block and care for your knitted garments and accessories. I absolutely LOVE blocking and after this class, you will too. We are going to talk about what "hand washing" really means and why it is so important to properly take care of your knits. Different fibers need different care and we will talk about that as well. As Lily and I like to say "Blocking fixes all problems" and after this class you will see why and how! We will talk about the different methods of blocking and what they are best used for.

Homework: Please bring with you a knit square of 100% cotton, 100% wool, a superwash wool, an alpaca blend and (dare I say it) an acrylic blend or 100% acrylic. That's 5 squares- knit them about 4 inches by 4 inches making sure it is not a loose knit. If you have any garments you are unsure how to take care of or how to block/wash them please bring them with you for us to discuss during the class time.

Finishing and Grafting Class
Saturday November 17, 2012
11:00am to 1:00pm
$20 per person- materials extra
All skill levels welcome
Please Bring darning needles and scrap yarn with you.

In this class we will be practicing a few techniques to make you a master finisher- and to make you stop hating it! We will be learning how to sew seams together so they are invisible on stocking stitch, garter stitch AND joining a horizontal piece to a vertical piece. We will also learn how to do proper grafting- kitchener stitch- which can be used on shoulder seams and the toes of socks amongst other things. We will also discuss how to properly weave your ends in. This is the class that will make your knit pieces go from looking homemade to handmade.

Homework: Please complete and bring with you 2 stocking stitch squares cast off, 2 stocking stitch squares that have NOT been cast off and 2 garter stitch squares. Make them about 4 inches by 4 inches in a yarn of your choosing with appropriate needles. Don't forget to bring your darning needles with you!

Magic Loop circular knitting class- never use double pointed needles again!
Saturday November 24, 2012
11:00am to 1:00pm
$20 per person
Beginner to advanced skill level- must know how to knit and purl.

In this class we will practice and discuss the technique of Magic Loop circular knitting which uses one long circular needle to knit in the round- 32" cord or longer. This technique can be used for everything and anything that you would normally use double pointed needles on. Socks, sleeves, hats, mitts, gloves... anything! The benefit of learning magic loop and putting it in to use in your knit projects is:
1.) You only ever have to buy ONE needle for any project- pick a 32" or 40" circular needle for any project and you're golden- no need to buy the straight, the circular AND the double points for the same project.
2.) The magic loop technique helps you to knit faster while knitting in the round
3.) The magic loop technique does NOT leave "ladders" between your needles where the stitches tend to be baggy.
There is a bit of a learning curve to this technique but once you've got it, you will ask yourself why you haven't ALWAYS been using this technique! It is amazing.
No homework but please bring with you a pair of circular needles that are 32 inches in length or longer and appropriate yarn to go with them.

You MUST pre-register for these classes as there is limited seating and they fill up quickly. To reserve your spot, give me a call at the store at 705-223-8245 or send me a quick email at stixandstonesnb@gmail.com

Sally Mellville weekend at Stix and Stones!

Sally Mellville is coming to North Bay!

On Saturday April 21 and Sunday April 22, Sally will be at Stix and Stones teaching a selection of 4 workshops that will run 3 hours each. I am incredibly excited to have Sally up here and I am also incredibly excited about the classes we will be offering! Check out the class descriptions below and pricing at the bottom. Any questions feel free to call me at the store!

Class descriptions:


Saturday April 21
Morning class 10:00am to 1:00pm
CREATIVITY


We all use the word ‘creativity,’ but most of us do not know what it means. It seems some ephemeral quality which only others—much loftier folk than us—have an ability to access. But the truth is that it lies within each of us to be creative and that it is a source of joy to access our own powers and abilities.
Once we understand the nature of creativity and feel encouraged to develop our own, we need to appreciate the stages we will encounter. What are they? What happens in each stage? How do we get a running start? Where might we get stuck? How do we move forward once stuck? And finally, where might we end up?
This presentation answers all of these questions, is well illustrated with examples and anecdotes, has participants work through creative exercises of their own, and ends with a discussion of best and worst case scenarios, of what we might have learned, of where we might go from here, and of what a creative act might mean in terms of defining ourselves and our life’s purpose.
While knitting is the medium through which this presentation is illustrated, the information provided is applicable to most any human endeavor.
SKILL LEVEL anyone
ENROLLMENT unlimited
SETUP theatre or classroom; table for projector, screen, extension cord
HOMEWORK AND/OR SUPPLIES TO BRING paper and pen or pencil, one colourful magazine (knitting and gardening do not work as well as fashion or home décor)
HANDOUTS 5pp
 
Saturday Afternoon class
2:00pm to 5:00pm
EMERGENCY MEASURES


Sometimes the most insight comes from the struggle one faces when something goes REALLY wrong. But there are remedies for most any kind of ‘disaster’ in knitting. Using these can turn a problem into a wearable garment while teaching us to be more intuitive and more confident knitters!
This workshop will discuss the problems that confront most knitters plus what to do if the garment is too wide, too short, too long, too narrow, too outdated in style, if a bad colour choice was made, if the edgings are not holding well, if the knitter has run out of yarn or forgot to make pockets, or if the garment has suffered a laundering disaster.
SKILL LEVEL beginner intermediate and beyond
ENROLLMENT 24
SETUP classroom; table for projector, screen, extension cord; flip chart + markers
SUPPLIES TO BRING yarn (same weight as homework piece),
homework piece (see below).
HOMEWORK
Use non-textured, light-coloured yarns. Worsted weight is best. Block swatch well.
1. Work a 4” wide swatch in Stockinette until the piece measures 3” in length: work 1 row in a 2X2 color pattern (2 stitches in MC then 2 stitches CC, carrying the alternate color behind, for 1 row only): cut CC: with MC only, work in stockinette for 1”: finish with 1” k1p1 rib on 2-sizes smaller needles, then bind off all stitches with needles MUCH TOO LARGE.
HANDOUTS 2pp


Sunday April 22 ** It is suggested to enroll in both sunday classes as they work together and you will gain the most knowledge on this subject**

Morning class 10:00am to 1:00pm
KNIT TO FLATTER AND FIT
A knitter who spends the time and energy to make her own clothes should be rewarded with a result that makes her happy and proud. It should fit, it should flatter, and there should be no mystery as to how this happened. But sadly, and too often, this is not the result. Why? Because the knitter chooses the wrong pattern OR chooses the right pattern but follows the directions without questioning them OR makes the right garment but wears it with the wrong thing.
There are a few simple rules to follow for successful knitting: start with styles that flatter, knit with appropriate decisions for a personalized fit, and then wear it with something that makes it look wonderful! This workshop covers all these decisions and puts the power for successful results into your competent hands. Yay!
SKILL LEVEL anyone
ENROLLMENT 24+
SETUP classroom; table for projector, screen, extension cord; flip chart and markers.
HOMEWORK It is essential that this exercise be completed. You will be disappointed if you don’t do this! And please read this carefully, including the NOTE at the bottom.

1.     Dress in something close fitting. (We need to see your real silhouette. You may wear only lingerie, or you may add a bodysuit, a leotard, or tights. But do wear supportive lingerie.)

2.     Standing straight, with arms slightly away from your side and feet together, have someone take a straight-on, full body (head-to-toe) photo of you. (Have the photo fill the screen as much as possible.)

3.     Print the photo onto plain paper (enlarging it to 8-10” tall).

4.     Trace your outline only with a heavy black pen: we don’t need your photo anymore, only your outline. Bring your outline to class.

SUPPLIES TO BRING a couple of pages in at least 2 colors of light-weight (20lb or lighter but NOT tracing paper), light-colored paper (that you can trace your outline through); scissors; measuring tape; pencil; eraser
HANDOUTS 4pp
NOTE TO PARTICIPANTS Common homework and supplies errors are the following: arms too far from sides, feet not together, head not included, paper too heavy or too light (tracing paper does not work), photo brought instead of just silhouette, silhouette not outlined or not outlined heavily enough.


Sunday Afternoon class
2:00pm to 5:00pm
FIRST CHOICES, BASIC SHAPES

No matter how advanced or experienced we are, we run the risk of making a garment that looks awful. Why? We make decisions in the first 20 minutes that have everything to do with the success or failure of a project. What are those decisions? Yarn, color, stitch pattern, silhouette.
This workshop gives diagnostic skills to look at these decisions. And it then follows with basic pattern drafting. So even if you never design your own knitting, you’ll have the tools to alter what you do knit to produce the best possible result.
NOTE TO ORGANIZER This class is wonderfully combined with KNIT TO FLATTER AND FIT.
NOTE TO ORGANIZER The basic pattern drafting can be either the drop shoulder or the set-in sleeve: you choose!
SKILL LEVEL anyone
ENROLLMENT unlimited.
SUPPLIES TO BRING tape measure
SETUP theatre or classroom; flip chart and markers
HANDOUTS 4pp

Pricing:
Individual class price: $75 per student
Your choice of any two classes: $140
Your choice of any three classes: $205
All four classes: $260
Please note that class fees are non refundable or transferable.
To reserve your space for any or all of these courses please call the store at 705-223-8245 or send me an email at stixandstonesnb@gmail.com
Hope to see you there!!