Prof. Purrrl’s Class List

These special techniue/topic classes are not regularly scheduled but we are happy to put together a session if and when there is interest. Contact us regarding a skill you want to learn and we can set up a Stitch Doctor/special session. Depending on the technique or content you want to cover, sessions will be $15 (30 min Stitch Doctor) to $30 (hour or longer class) per participant. To request a topic, schedule, register or to ask questions, call or email the store.

YARN 101: Overwhelmed by all the yarn choices? Learn about different fibers and yarn styles, reading labels, how yarn choice impacts your project, etc.
No prerequisites.

SURVIVAL SKILLS: Fix your own mistakes! Learn to read your stitches; pick up a dropped stitch; flip a stitch; frog; tink; put in a lifeline.

RAVELRY 101: Learn the basics of Ravelry, including setting up your queue and stash, but especially focusing on use of Pattern and Yarn search functions. If possible, bring a laptop or digital notebook that can access internet.
No prerequisites.

PATTERN READING 101: Gain skills in following a pattern, including how to translate the alphabet soup; tricks of the trade in using available tools to support your pattern reading, etc. This is geared towards knitters but can be adapted for crocheters as well (let us know when you register!) 

GRAFTING & SEAMING: learn how to put your seams together nicely. Bring a project you need to seam or a couple swatches that you can practice seaming on; darning needle, yarn that matches swatch/project.

GOT GAUGE? Understand the importance of and skills needed in gaining recommended gauge for knitting, and get practice measuring. Pre-requisite: knitting and purling.

MAGIC LOOP: overwhelmed by pokey double pointed needles? Put them away and learn the basics of the awesome magic loop technique. This technique is sometimes covered in our Beginning Knitting in the Round class.
Prerequisite: ability to knit in the round.
Materials Needed: Bring 32″ or longer circular needle and matching yarn.

TOE UP SOCK 1: CASTING ON
Learn to cast on toe up for a sock using magic loop. Presently part of our monthly Sunday morning line-up (2nd Sundays).
Pre-requisites: knitting in the round on magic loop. Materials needed for session: 100 grams of yarn and matching sized 40″ or longer circular needle. Combine with Turn a Heel (following week’s class) and you’ll be done with a sock in no time!

TOE UP SOCK 2: GUSSET HEEL
Learn to make a gusset heel for Toe Up Sock. Presently part of our monthly Sunday morning line-up (2nd Sundays).
Pre-requisites: knitting in the round on magic loop. Materials/prep needed for session: 100 grams of yarn and matching sized 40″ or longer circular needle; sock that is already cast on toe up and ready for heel turning. Combine with Learn to Cast On Toe Up (previous week’s class) and you’ll be done with a sock in no time!

INTRO TO SHORT ROWS
Learn to do shaping with short rows, wrap and turn. Many popular shawls use this technique. Also useful for turning a heel or adding shapping, knitting a shawl collar, etc. Pre-requisites: knitting Materials needed: yarn and corresponding needles (straight or 24″ or longer)

INTRO TO ENTRELAC
Learn to do this form of modular knitting that looks like woven strips. Pre-requisites: knitting and purling; knowing how to pick up stitches helpful; Materials needed: yarn (preferably self-striping/long color run) and corresponding needles (straight or 24″ circ or longer)

INTRO TO LACE KNITTING
Learn the basics of lacework (yarn overs and following pattern/chart) and helpful skills like putting in a lifeline and using stitch markers.
Pre-requisite: knitting, purling;
Materials Needed: yarn and corresponding needles (straight or preferably 24″ circ or longer)

SPECIAL CAST ONS & BIND OFFS: learn some specialized cast ons and bindoffs and the benefits, purposes for using each. Bring yarn and needles.

INTRO TO KNITTING BRIOCHE FLAT: Attracted by those super stretchy brioche stitches but overwhelmed? Come and learn the basics of knitting brioche flat. For brioche in the round see Intro to Knitting Brioche in the Round. Pre-requisites: knitting and purling. Materials needed: two colors of yarn and matching needles.

INTRO TO KNITTING BRIOCHE IN THE ROUND: Attracted by those super stretchy brioche stitches but overwhelmed? Come and learn the basics of brioche knitting in the round. Pre-requisites: knitting, purling, & knitting in the round. Materials needed: two colors of yarn and matching 24″ circular needles. Can cast on for a brioche 2 color cowl if you want.

INTRO TO CABLING: Wondering how that magic twisting of beautiful Irish sweaters happens? It’s not so magical as you think! Pre-requisite: ability to knit and purl. Materials for session: yarn, cable needle/tool, and complimentary needles (straight or at least 24″ in length). If you want to cast on for the Irish Hiking Scarf then bring 350 yards of worsted weight wool and US 8 needles.

INTRO TO SHORT ROWS: Always wondered what that whole “Wrap and Turn” thing was all about? Desire to make all the sweet swooping curved shawls but stymied by the Short Row? Or wanting to learn to do a short row heel or do shaping for a shawl collar or back of a sweater? Then Short Rows are on Your Skill To Do List.
Pre-Requisite: ability to knit and purl;
Materials needed: yarn and matching needles (straight or circular).

INTRO TO BLOCKING
Learn the basics of blocking different kinds of finished pieces using various tools. We will demonstrate washing and blocking techniques including hand blocking, using pins (on wall or board or blocking mats), and blocking wires.
No Pre-requisites or Materials needed.

INTRO TO STRANDED/COLORWORK
Learn to knit repeated patterns in 2 or more colors. Pre-requisite: knitting and purling Materials: yarn of same weight/fiber content in 2 or more colors and matching size 16″ circular needles.

INTRO TO DOUBLE-KNITTING
Learn to do colorwork on both sides at once! Pre-requisite: knitting and purling Materials needed: worsted weight yarn in 2 colors and corresponding needles (straight or 24″ or longer circs)

INTRO TO INTARSIA
Learn to do multicolor pictures in your knitting. Pre-Requisite: knitting nad purling;
Materials Needed: yarn and corresponding needles (straight or 24″ circ or longer)