Interweave Knitting Lab

Week 7 = Knitting Conferences and Fairs
Day 3 =  February 14, 2014

 

     Happy Valentine's Day! I hope you were able to spend time with a loved one.

 

 

     I know that you are probably waiting with baited breath to hear about what is going on with the 2014 Interweave Knitting Lab Scholarship that I received... Well, today I will answer some of your questions and will fill you in on the classes I picked, plus the events I'll be attending. I am so excited! All graphics, photos and information for today's blog are being pulled from the Interweave Knitting Lab website www.interweaveknittinglab.com.

 

     To start, let me give you the basics:

• Who - Interweave
• What - Knitting Lab
• When - 2-day intensive workshops from May 13-14 and conference from May 15-18
• Where - Radisson Hotel Downtown Manchester, New Hampshire, discounted room rate available here
• Why - Explore, Experiment & Engage
• How Much -
• 2-day Intensive's are $300/class
• 3-hour classes are $99
• 6-hour classes are $194
• Evening activities $50
• Knitter's Package
• access to all classes during the weekend, both evening activities and a free tote bag stocked with goodies
•  until Friday, February 21st, the price is $695 for early bird registration
• after February 21st, the regular price is $795

     My scholarship includes the Knitter's Package which, frankly, is awesome because after I saw the price of the classes, I would not have been able to go otherwise. So thank you again, Interweave and Maggie (my contact). I still think that I am in a dream...please poke me gently with a knitting needle or throw a ball of yarn at me.

 

     Now on to the classes I picked. The choices are numerous and varied. My first quandary was do I take 7 different 3-hour classes or throw in some 6-hour classes? Well, I chose to get as much mileage out of the scholarship as I can by taking 7 different classes.  Here they are:

• Thursday, 5/15, 9am - 12noon
• Four Short Rows for Four Shapes taught by Candace Eisner Strick
• Description: There are many ways of working short rows and some knitters like to use different techniques depending on what shape they are knitting. In this class, we will explore which short row techniques work best with curves, diagonals, circles and miters.
• Thursday, 5/15, 1:30pm - 4:30pm
• Double-Knitting Cables taught by Alasdair Post-Quinn
• Description: This workshop will get you comfortable with some of the new "extreme" double-knitting techniques that Alasdair has developed. In a single swatch, you'll learn multiple techniques for double-knitted standard twisted and traveling cables. If there is time, Alasdair will show you how to make reverse-stockinette double-knitting to give you a proper purl background for your cables to travel over.
• Friday, 5/16, 9am - 12noon
• Introduction to Brioche Knitting taught by Mercedes Tarasovich-Clark
• Description: Learn the brioche stitch, which creates rich, reversible textures and lofty, insulating fabrics. You'll discover how to use flexible cast-ons, choose yarns, work basic shaping and make neat bind-offs to use on your brioche projects, as well as knitting brioche in the round. Caution: this stitch is addictive!
• Friday, 5/16, 1:30pm - 4:30pm
• Two Socks in One: The War & Peace Method taught by Kate Atherley
• Description: The sock knitter's Mount Everest? This class teaches the legendary technique for knitting two socks at the same time on the same needles, one inside the other, as mentioned by Tolstoy in War and Peace. In the class, we'll work a pair of mini socks using this amazing technique. The design we work is top-down, but the techniques I demonstrate are easily applied to toe-up knitting.
• Saturday, 5/17, 9am - 12noon
• Math For Knitters taught by Kate Atherley
• Description: Conquer the tricky math problems you encounter in your knitting. To help you read patterns, we'll cover yarn substitution arithmetic, metric/imperial conversions, and instructions like "Increase 12 sts evenly distributed across the row." We'll give you a solid understanding of gauge: the concepts, how to measure it and what to do if you can't match it. We’ll discuss how to alter a pattern for gauge both with and without math. We'll round out your knitting toolkit with easy yet amazingly powerful pattern alterations: changing garment length, waist shaping, changing sleeve length, and fit.
• Saturday, 5/17,1:30pm - 4:30pm
• Pattern Writing taught by Kate Atherley
• Description: You've designed a great piece, and now it's time to write up the pattern to share. Whether you want to self-publish or submit to a publication, this class will show you how to write up a clear and easy-to-follow pattern that works for any knitter. We'll discuss sizing and fit, addressing grading and size ranges. I'll share secrets for handling pattern stitches, both written and charted. I'll talk about charting software & solutions, and provide tips for creating easy-to-use charts. And I'll share with you the three key tricks to make sure both knitters and technical editors love you!
• Sunday, 5/18, 9am - 12noon
• Get Gauge (or Not!) taught by Nancy Shroyer
• Description: “Gauge”: a small word, 5 letters, 1 syllable, but it is the KEY to a successful knitting project. It determines the fit, drape and handle. Whose gauge is correct? The listed gauge or the one you got? How does the content, # of plies, structure of yarn affect the gauge? What if you use the same yarn called for in the pattern, but can't get their gauge? What if you want to use a different yarn—how can you get the gauge? We will cover all of these questions and more.

     There's plenty more to talk about, but this is enough for one night. Check back to see what more I have to add.

Question of the day

Which of these 7 classes would you want to take most?

Knitting Scholar,


Victoria