Drachenfels Shawl Knit Along - May 12th 2016

Last month we went to YarnCon. I can't say enough good things about this show! I will save that for another time, but several auspicious things happened there. First, I met the guys behind Leading Men Fiber Arts and got to see the yarn that everyone has been telling me about. It lives up to its hype and I ordered it for the shop. We should be getting it -- sport weight and fingering --in the next day or so. Their colors are beautiful and the yarn is gorgeous and they're local, from the Bloomington, IL area.

Second, I met Emonie Hopkins of [Hopkins Sewing Studio](http://hopkinssewingstudio.com/).   She does wonderful project bags.  She's a knitter and crocheter in addition to being a sewer, so she gets what we need in a bag!  She has great taste in fabrics, too.  I met with her last week and she's making some bags for Knit 1!  We should be seeing them in the next month or so.  We all loved them when she brought them in for us to see, so I predict they'll be popular.  Wait till you see the Chicago-centric fabrics we chose!

Third, I met someone wearing the Drachenfels Shawl by [Melanie Berg](http://www.ravelry.com/designers/melanie-berg) and I was smitten.  I couldn't and can't stop thinking about it!  So since smitten people love company I decided we should do it as a KAL!  Who's in?? ! 
**Here are the deets:**
Start date: May 12th (Thursday) 6:30 - 8:30
Where:  Knit 1 (the new shop!) 3856 N. Lincoln
No need to register, just show up!
What you will need:
•The pattern which I can get for you or you can pay for and download [here](http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/drachenfels)
•Three colors of fingering or sport weight yarn.  We just got 22 new colors of Madeline Tosh Merino Light and the Leading Men will be here in a jiff.  Some people have used Malabrigo Finito or Malabrigo Mechita.
•A long circular size 6 needle and a size 8 DPN or circular for the I cord bind off.

Since I'm obsessed, I've been pouring over the photos on Ravelry. Some of the most beautiful ones are knit in monochromatic colors, greys, browns, blues. The one I saw at YarnCon had a bright pop of acid green. Take a look through the project pages on Ravelry, it's eye candy for sure!

Here's a little insight into my obsession (screen shots from my iPhone of all the combos I was experimenting with.)  These are all the Mad Tosh.  Prolly will do the same thing with the Leading Men.  Why would I think that?

Spring Classes!

We moved!  Is moving awful or what?!  The good thing is I had a TON of help and we now have an amazing new space that I love.  Walking into it each and every time makes me so happy.  I can't believe it's ours!  

We have a beautiful classroom with big windows (you can kind of see it over on the left) that overlook our backyard; in the past few days it's been warm enough to have the back door open.  

We are very excited to have you all visit the shop and take classes.  We've added teachers and have several special workshops coming up! 

 

 

 

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Sweater Club

with Allyson Dykuizen

These were sweaters knit in the last session of Sweater Club

This week starts our second session of Sweater Club.  Last session was a huge success!  People really challenged themselves and were successful beyond their expectations!  We have some beautiful sweaters!  You can see them when you come to class because we have a number of past session Clubbers coming to this session.  We help you EVERY step of the way.  We help you choose a pattern, choose yarn, make a gauge swatch and cast on.  The knitting is up to you!  But we'll show you how to avoid pitfalls and finish your garment so it looks professional and fits well.  You will knit a sweater that you will love AND wear!

Sweater Club starts this Thursday, but it goes for 10 weeks and you have the option of signing up for 4 or 8 weeks.  

number of sessions

8 sessions $140.00 USD 4 sessions $80.00 USD

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Tunisian Crochet Workshop  with Mary beth Temple

April 10th, 10A - 1P -- Beginner Tunisian Crochet: 

Join guest teacher Mary Beth Temple and explore the basics of the Tunisian technique, including Tunisian Simple Stitch, Tunisian knit and purl stitches, increasing and decreasing. We'll also be incorporating other crochet stitches.

Tunisian crochet is a unique skill that both crocheters and knitters can master because of the interesting way crocheted stitches are formed on the Tunisian hook. 

Tunisian Crochet!  Who knew??

Skill level: Beginner and up
Time: Three hours
Materials needed: Three colors of smooth, light colored worsted weight yarn, appropriate Tunisian crochet hooks. Materials will be available for purchase at Knit 1 or bring your own.
Techniques taught/reviewed: Basics of the basics of the Tunisian technique, including Tunisian Simple Stitch, Tunisian Knit and Purl, increasing, decreasing, and incorporating other crochet stitches.
Handout: Tip sheet

Beginner Tunisian Crochet: Sunday April 10th from 10AM - 1PM

April 10th 2P - 4P -- Intermediate Tunisian Crochet: 

You know the basics of Tunisian Crochet – now what? Take your Tunisian to the next level by learning about more intricate stitches, and how to read both Tunisian symbol charts and patterns.

Skill level: Intermediate – must know Tunisian Simple, Knit and Purl stitches.
Time: Two Hours
Materials Needed: Three colors of smooth DK or worsted weight yarn, appropriate Tunisian hook. Materials will be available for purchase at Knit 1 or bring your own.
Techniques Taught/Reviewed: Tunisian basics review, lace stitches, chart and pattern reading taught.
Handout: Tip sheet

Intermediate Tunisian Crochet: Saturday April 10th 2PM-4PM

Class Options

Only Beginner Tunisian Crochet $65.00 USD Only Intermediate Tunisian Crochet $45.00 USD Both Beginner & Intermediate Tunisian Crochet $100.00 USD

Please check out the Classes tab for other classes and stop in and see us and our new digs!

Lynn

Bootcamp Mini Mitts

March's Knitting Bootcamp item is Stranded Colorwork Mitts! Choose from a beginner pattern with no colorwork if this will be your first mitt or the advanced mitt pattern, Allyson's Kenzie Mitts, which are knit in the round with an easy to follow colorwork chart.

Since we'll be moving during the middle of March, this will a 2 session Bootcamp instead of the usual 4.

March 1st and 8th, 6:30 - 8:30 PM

Get yarn and needles and a pattern for $60!

Weaving Workshop!

February Knitting Boot Camp - Hats!

What is Knitting Boot Camp? It's like Canyon Ranch without low fat food and cardio. Think a month-long knitting intensive designed to boost your skills! Each month we'll pick a different knitted item and 2 patterns to choose from. Never knit it before? Choose the beginner pattern. Want to push yourself? Choose the advanced pattern! No matter where you are as a knitter, Knitting Boot Camp will help you get better. This class will be taught by knitwear designer and teacher Allyson Dykhuizen.

February's Knitting Boot Camp item is Hats! Choose from a beginner pattern (not pictured) if this will be your first hat or the advance hat pattern, Allyson's 

Blazonry Hat

, which is knit in the round with charted cables. Blazonry has 2 options, a bobbles and cables chart or just cables chart!

The Blazonry Hat by Allyson Dykhuizen

Tuesday evenings, Feb 9th, 16th and 23rd.

Class fee of $90 includes pattern, yarn, and needles, and you'll have your choice of yarn colors. 

Sign up today!