VIEW THE COLOURS: Fair-Isle Knitting in the round, create a stunning multi-coloured cowl

Date: Saturday 14th APRIL 2018

Alison Crowther-Smith

Alison Crowther-Smith is an experienced teacher, author and designer. She specialises in accessory design, felted hand-knitting with a really modern twist, and also in working with some of Rowan’s highly specialist yarns, for example, Kidsilk Haze.

Learn to knit Fairisle in the round, and make this elegant Cowl. Knitted in 2 colour Fairisle on one side, the Cowl is also reversible, having a stocking stitch lining knitted in a vibrant contrasting yarn. The whole accessory is knitted in the round in one piece. On this course, you will have the option of casting on a practice Fairisle swatch to learn or practice your Fairisle skills, or you can just cast on the project! Either way, you will be taught how to knit Fairisle in the round, how to read the charts and how to knit with the yarns in both the left and right hands; how to carry floats and how to catch yarns over longer stitch repeats, whilst maintaining good tension and flat, even stranding at the back of the work. Other skills demonstrated include picking up and knitting and a three needle cast off, both of which are featured in this Cowl. To participate in this course, you need to be a reasonably experienced and confident knitter, and be able to follow a pattern but you do not need to have knitted Fairisle, or knit in the round.

You will need: a to do/info sheet will be sent out when you book

www.alisoncrowthersmith.com

ONE STICK: Tunisian Crochet

Date: Saturday 21st APRIL 2018

Di Stewart

Di Stewart is an experienced workshop leader having taught extensively for the last 7 years in the South Devon area, where she has imparted her vast crochet knowledge to many people. She has an International Diploma in Crochet and is skilled in many different aspects and techniques of crochet, including Tunisian, Hairpin and Broomstick and more! She loves the flexibility and variety of stitches and effects made with crochet and enjoys teaching people, seeing them grow in confidence and producing beautiful items for themselves, friends and family.

Tunisian crochet is a cross between knitting and crochet using a long hook to gather up and then work off stitches, making a fabric that is more compact than ordinary crochet, suitable for cushions, bags, hand warmers and many other projects. In this workshop beginners will learn the basic stitches and techniques of Tunisian Crochet, working towards making a pair of unique Tunisian hand warmers. The workshop includes how to make Tunisian Simple, Tunisian Knit, Tunisian Purl and Tunisian Bobble stitches, with written instructions and a free pattern for the hand warmers included. Improvers will learn longer stitches based on Tunisian trebles to make a Tunisian Wave stitch. Patterns for a “wavy” bag or cushion are included.

You will need: Materials are provided or can be borrowed on the day.

PERFECT JOINS: Professional Finishing Techniques

Date: Saturday 12th May 2018

Claire Crompton

Claire Crompton is an acclaimed author of numerous publications including The Knitter’s Bible, she is also a crochet, knit-wear and cross-stitch designer, tutor and technical editor for knitting and crochet patterns. Claire has worked for 22 years working in the knitwear and needlecraft industries. She was employed at Hayfield (UK yarn company, part of Sirdar) for five years, writing and maths checking their whole catalogue of knitting and crochet patterns.

It is often the finishing details that make the difference to a garment and this workshop will show you techniques to make sure your garment has a professional finish. You will learn how easy it is to sew up all your unfinished projects using mattress stitch. Topics include: How to sew up various styles of garment, mattress stitch, blocking and pressing pieces, shaping to make sewing up easier, picking up stitches, buttonholes and more.

You will need: make four identical samples of stocking stitch to measure 10cm x 10cm (4" x 4"), using a light-coloured, smooth Aran or chunky yarn. Please work the edge stitches in stocking stitch, not slipping them or working in garter stitch. Do not press or sew in the yarn ends.

www.clairecrompton.co.uk

SPIN THE CLOUD: Beaded Lace Knitting

Date: Saturday 14th JULY 2018

Anniken Allis

Anniken Allis is an author, highly acclaimed lace designer and workshop leader. She also has her exquisite designs regularly published in all the major UK and US knitting and crochet magazines (Vogue Knitting, Debbie Bliss Magazine, Interweave Knits, Interweave Crochet, Let's Knit, The Knitter, Simply Knitting, Knitting, Inside Crochet, Simply Crochet and several more). She designs for yarn companies including Fyberspates, Juniper Moon Farm, Quince & Co, Sweet Georgia Yarns and West Yorkshire Spinners.

Beaded Lace Knitting: Beads add glamour and elegance to any knitting but works particularly well with lace knitting. In this class you will learn different ways of adding beads to your knitting and how to choose which method to use for your project. You'll also learn how to read lace charts and work common lace stitches. In the afternoon you will get to choose from a selection of beaded shawl/accessory patterns to work on. Suitable for confident novice and intermediate knitters.

You will need: For the morning session materials will be supplied. You will also need beads depending on project chosen and a 0.75mm crochet hook. For the afternoon project please bring 400m/100gr or 600m/150gr sock yarn and 4mm circular needles (80cm long) to start your crescent shawl. Pattern will be provided.

Photo credit: Love Knitting

www.yarnaddict.co.uk

CELEBRATE FIBRE: Lecture and Spinning Workshop

Date: Saturday 11th AUGUST 2018

SUE BLACKER: The what and why of yarn, particularly British wool yarns

+ JEAN FIELD: Spinning workshop

Sue Blacker, who runs The Natural Fibre Company and Blacker Yarns, will share ideas and knowledge on the provenance of British yarns, the huge variety of types and styles of yarns possible from British breeds and how and why they work the way they do. With a small excursion into mohair and alpaca, the session will focus mainly on wool. Sue will discuss the differences between hand and machine made yarns, the various fabrics possible from different types of fibre and yarns and help you to inform your choices for crafting from British fibre and yarns. She will bring samples of both fleeces and resulting yarns. She is happy to review fibres and yarns you bring.

Jean Field will discuss alpaca fibre as a specific for spinning by hand, with a short discussion on its properties. Jean will also be hosting a 'learn to spin' workshop in the afternoon. Please bring your wheels and anything you want to spin. Jean will bring some wheels to use and have materials (mostly alpaca and silk) for you to play with.

www.thenaturalfibre.co.uk
www.fleecewitch.co.uk

SWIM THE SKY: Project workshop; Octavia Shawl

Date: Saturday 8th SEPTEMBER 2018

Anniken Allis

Anniken Allis is a .... please see above.

Octavia is a beautiful lace shawl and fingerless mittens set. The shawl has a beautiful lace panel running down the centre which adds shoulder shaping and helps the shawl sit nicely on the shoulders. Beads add a touch of glamour. The beaded lace pattern is repeated on the fingerless mittens. In this class you will learn how to knit the lace pattern used in this design, how to add beads using the crochet hook method, how to read lace charts and how to work both the shawl and fingerless mittens. In the afternoon, you will get the chance to start your own shawl or fingerless mittens. Materials will be provided for the morning but please bring yarn and needles for the shawl or fingerless mittens for the afternoon.

You will need: 2 x 100g/400m sock weight/4ply yarn in two different colours. 4mm circular needle for shawl 3mm double pointed needle or circular needle for fingerless mittens size 6 seed beads x 246 beads 0.75mm crochet hook

www.yarnaddict.co.uk

VIEW THE COLOURS: Fair-Isle Knitting in the round, create a stunning multi-coloured cowl

Date: Saturday 6th OCTOBER 2018

Alison Crowther-Smith

Alison Crowther-Smith is ...please see above.

Learn to knit Fairisle in the round, and make this elegant Cowl. Knitted in 2 colour Fairisle on one side, the Cowl is also reversible, having a stocking stitch lining knitted in a vibrant contrasting yarn. The whole accessory is knitted in the round in one piece. On this course, you will have the option of casting on a practice Fairisle swatch to learn or practice your Fairisle skills, or you can just cast on the project! Either way, you will be taught how to knit Fairisle in the round, how to read the charts and how to knit with the yarns in both the left and right hands; how to carry floats and how to catch yarns over longer stitch repeats, whilst maintaining good tension and flat, even stranding at the back of the work. Other skills demonstrated include picking up and knitting and a three needle cast off, both of which are featured in this Cowl. To participate in this course, you need to be a reasonably experienced and confident knitter, and be able to follow a pattern but you do not need to have knitted Fairisle, or knit in the round.

You will need: a to do/info sheet will be sent out when you book

www.alisoncrowthersmith.com

PERFECT JOINS: Professional Finishing Techniques

Date: Saturday 20th OCTOBER 2018

Claire Crompton

Claire Crompton is ...please see above.

It is often the finishing details that make the difference to a garment and this workshop will show you techniques to make sure your garment has a professional finish. You will learn how easy it is to sew up all your unfinished projects using mattress stitch. Topics include: How to sew up various styles of garment, mattress stitch, blocking and pressing pieces, shaping to make sewing up easier, picking up stitches, buttonholes and more.

You will need: make four identical samples of stocking stitch to measure 10cm x 10cm (4" x 4"), using a light-coloured, smooth Aran or chunky yarn. Please work the edge stitches in stocking stitch, not slipping them or working in garter stitch. Do not press or sew in the yarn ends.

www.clairecrompton.co.uk