Upcoming Furman Knitting and Crochet Classes!

Looking for knitting and crochet classes in the Greenville, South Carolina area?  Is teaching yourself from You Tube Videos just not working out?  They don't work for most, because about half of those videos do not tell you enough about what they are doing, and/or they are teaching it to you the wrong way.  Plus, they do not provide assistance and feedback that an in-person instructor can provide.  You get what you pay for. :)

Instead, why don't you try taking classes with a Certified Knit and Crochet Instructor?  I have years of experience, and have gone through certification with the Craft Yarn Council of America, which means I have had to prove to master teachers that I am capable of teaching others.  I also have outstanding reviews from past Furman students.

I have both basic knit and crochet classes coming up at Furman this Fall.  Check them out!

Furman Learning For You Fall Schedule

Beginning Crochet   NEW!

Have you always wanted to learn to crochet? Join us to learn the very basics: picking yarn and hook sizes, chaining, single and double crochet, changing colors, finishing and weaving in ends. No experience necessary! The skills taught are enough for the students to be able to complete a basic scarf or washcloth. Materials list online.



Knitting: Beginning   NEW!

How better to spend a cold winter evening than around the fireplace learning to knit? Whether you have little experience or none, join instructor Heather Weber for a fireside knitting class to explore the very basics of knitting: casting on, the knit stitch, the purl stitch, changing colors, and binding off. You will be able to complete a basic scarf. Materials list online.




Knitting: Keep Knitting   NEW!

Continue knitting with Instructor Heather Weber, who will conduct a fireside class to help you increase, decrease, gauge your stitches, choose yarns, and join in the round. You will be able to complete a small project. Materials list online.

Join us! I promise you will have fun.

On Vacation

It is funny how I need to go away in order to get more of my own personal knitting done.  Restarted on my Golden Vintage Sweater, which I believe I last knit on well over one year ago.  I am doing it in Brown Sheep's Cotton in black.  So it is not much to look at picture-wise right now, since black yarn does not photograph well!  Having to go through figuring out whether I added an extra inch or so, or what is going on with it.  Usually I take copious notes on every pattern I knit, but I am not sure about this one!  Need to find some time while the dudes are asleep and I still have the energy to figure it out.  Those moments are getting harder and harder to find!

I also had to frog back 3 rows of my linen sweater.  I know, hard to believe that a knitter with 10 years of experience still makes basic mistakes.  But trust me, we all forget what we are doing and go on knitting cruise control once in awhile.  Next thing you know, you have to frong away!

Did get to visit Yarnworks LYS in Gainesville, FL.  Picked up some Juniper Farms Dappled Findley yarn in the Wisteria colorway.  I hope someday to actually knit one of these with it.

Was sad to see that the Hanks Yarn and Fiber store in Gainesville closed down. Those ladies were so nice to us when we visited years ago.  Haldecraft is on Facebook and Etsy, so you can find her indie dyed yarns there!

Gearing up for Summer!

Just because the weather is getting warmer, it does not mean you have to stop knitting!  I like to switch to knitting with cotton and linen and their blends.  Even some silks.  I have some of my students working on their first sweaters, cotton tank tops.  It is a great way to start tackling shaping without having to worry about sleeves or a complicated collar. Why don't you try it?  Feel free to contact me for pattern suggestions, or if you want to take knitting or crochet classes.

That reminds me.  I am getting a crochet teaching certification, so I am going to start teaching crochet!  I have also published my first crochet pattern, Fluff Flops!  They are really easy, and are another great idea for a quick summer project.  It would be a fun activity for girl scouts or a gift for anyone who is still a girl at heart.

Feel free to join me for the $5 Yarn Night at Michael's on Laurens Rd.  It is on May 30th at 6:30 pm.  How is $5 Yarn Night different than a sit and stitch?  You get more support from a certified teacher! I am there to help you through any problems you are having in understanding a pattern, or doing a technique.  Come join us!

Will be posting again soon on my personal summer projects!

New Beginning Knitting Classes in Greenville

As some of you know, I am teaching beginning knitting classes at Furman and Michael's.  New classes at Furman for the Spring/Summer schedule will be announced on their Learning For You website on March 11th, and published in the Greenville Journal on March 15th.  Classes at Michael's happen every month!  So just take a look at either of these sources and sign up.  They fit all budgets and time needs.

Need Knitting Classes in Greenville SC?

If you are looking for knitting instruction, I am pleased to provide it! I specialize in teaching beginners, and I really enjoy doing so. Just contact me via this blog and we can get started.

I am also pleased to announce I will be teaching a basic Double Knitting Class at Wool Over Your Eyes in January.  I think the Clemson fans will like this headband sample that is the class project, but I have also charted out a big C for the Gamecock Fans, a snowflake, "Ho Ho" for Christmas, and a smiley face.  Be on the lookout for that class announcement.

You can also find me on Facebook at Yarngineer LLC.

Oh my....

Looks like blogger has a new interface, and it is very, very different. I am going to try to muddle my way through this until it becomes better looking.  It is also taking a lot longer to post things!

Going to post a pattern for the Beginning Knitting Part II class. The original inspiration pattern can be found on Raverly, and is linked below. Many thanks to Martina for allowing me to share her pattern. That is an important thing when it comes to intellectual property; be sure to give credit to those that you sourced from or were inspired by.

The Deuce Clutch

Adapted for Teaching Beginners by: Heather Weber

Original Inspiration Design: “Cosmetic Clutch ‘Christina’” by Martina Hees, © 2011, www.tichiro.net

Skill Level: Advanced Beginner

Techniques Used:

Cast on – Knitted Cast On or Long Tail Cast On

Knit, purl

Garter Stitch (knit or purl every row)

Stockinette Stitch (knit on right side; purl on wrong side)

Seed Stitch (alternating knit and purl stitches)

Two Row Buttonhole

K2TOG (knit two together)

SSK (slip, slip, knit)

PTBL (purl through the back loop)

Bind off

Seaming with Mattress Stitch

Weave in loose ends

Finished Size:

Yarn: 1 Skein of Worsted Weight 100% Wool, 100g/219 yds

Needles: US Size 7 circular, 24” or longer

Notions: Tapestry needle, Stitch markers, Button

Gauge: Horizontal gauge is 5 st/in on US Size 7 needles

Creating the Clutch Body:

CO 50 Stitches using Knitted or Long Tail Cast On.

Rows 1-5 (Garter Stitch rows): Knit.

Rows 6: Purl.

Seed stitch pattern:

Row 7: K1, *K1, P1 repeat from * until the last stitch, K1.

Row 8: P1, *P1, K1 repeat from * until the last stitch, P1.

Repeat seed stitch pattern until piece measures 5 inches from cast on edge (approximately 40 rows), ending in a wrong side row.  Purl one row, then knit one row to create a bottom fold for the purse.  Restart seed stitch pattern for another 5 inches from bottom fold, ending in a wrong side row.  Now purl 5 rows, knit one row.

Creating the Clutch Flap:

Restart your row numbering.  The clutch flap will be in stockinette stitch, with a garter stitch border.

Rows 1, 3, 5: Knit.

Rows 2, 4, 6: K4, Purl until last 4 stitches, K4.

Next row (RS): K4, SSK knitwise, work until 6 stitches remain, K2TOG, K4. (48 stitches)

Next row (WS): K4, Purl until last 4 stitches, K4.

Repeat these two rows for a total of 13 times, ending with 24 stitches total on a WS row.

Button hole:

RS Row: K4, SSK, K5, bind off 3 stitches, work until 6 stitches remain, K2TOG, K4. (19 stitches)

WS Row: K4, P6, PTBL; turn work and using the knitted cast on, CO 3 stitches, twisting the stitch before placing it on the left needle; PTBL, P5, K4.  (22 stitches) You must twist these stitches in order to tighten up the stitches around the cast on.

Next row (RS): K4, SSK knitwise, work until 6 stitches remain, K2TOG, K4. (20 stitches)

Next row (WS): K4, Purl until last 4 stitches, K4.

Knit the next 5 rows.

BO all stitches loosely knitwise. With yarn threaded on a tapestry needle, weave in

loose ends, or use them to seam up the sides of the clutch using the mattress stitch.  If desired, tidy the button hole using the button hole stitch.  Block clutch. Sew on Button.

I hope you all enjoy the free pattern!

Stitches, anyone?

If you are going, I hope to see you there! I am busily trying to get ready while also teaching and doing design work. Life is never boring! Please let me know if you are going, and I will try to find you!

Gaining Momentum

Wow, it has been one month since I last posted? Honestly, I meant to get on here sooner. I want to post on what I have learned about teaching lefties to knit. A sort of consolidation of resources on the subject, to help other teachers out there, and for helping lefties. I still have it on my to do list, so it will be coming soon. And I will keep updating it as I learn more on the subject.

We are in the midst of switching schools for Ryan, so I need to find other therapy options for him. He will be attending a typical school full time, as he is doing so much more there than his special needs school. And he is much happier there. That is keeping me pretty busy, with all of the appointments involved in making the switch. And I taught my first Beginning Knitting Class at Wool Over Your Eyes. I had so much fun teaching two new knitters, and I look forward to teaching the second installment of the class this weekend. A long with that, I am having to write some lesson plans and designs for future classes, so I am really tied up! Fitting in half an hour here, 15 minutes there. It is not easy being a working mom!

Watch for future classes on Knitting and Purling Back Backwards, and a Reversible Cable Receiving Blanket. I also plan on teaching Continental Knitting (making the switch from English), and a Top Down Sock in the Fall. If you have any class requests, please let me know!

Resurrection?

Just the word reminds me of home, Resurrection Bay. Anyway, such a beautiful sounding word and concept.

(noun) 3. The act of bringing back to practice, notice, or use; revival.

I hope to experience a revival of my soul, my joy and spirit in 2012. I am an optimist by nature; but even optimists get weighed down and can lose sight of the light when continually pummeled by life. It has been a crazy few years, and I am hoping to get back into some of my interests. To bring about a sense of balance and productivity. To find what else makes me happy again, and to move past some negative experiences of the last few years. To leave all that junk behind, I believe one needs to focus on being true to themselves, their values and principles, and extend the hand of love and friendship to those who deserve it. And to transcend those people and circumstances that try to pull you down.

My son Ryan went through genetic testing, and we were given a "suggested" diagnosis of Soto's Syndrome. Right now, he is the only one in the world with his specific genetic change, so the experts don't really know what the prognosis is. We have "fired" the doctors who are negative, because there is no room for "can't" or "won't" in our lives. I believe he is already proving them wrong. He has gone from barely talking this summer to speaking in 8 word long sentences this month. He is only 3 1/2, and has already been on the receiving end of discrimination from parents, kids, teachers, doctors, and strangers. So sad the way some people are. He is also severely allergic to peanuts, so we have to make several trips to the ER every year when he is exposed to it at school (despite the no nuts policies). Fortunately, he remains a sweet, smart, and kind child who posses the silliest, funniest little personality that I know. We expect that he will live a very full and productive life, graduating from school and picking a career that he loves. We will overcome any challenges, together.

On the knitting side of things, I have been too busy to knit much for myself, as having a special needs child consumes a lot of time, driving to therapies, schools, and endless appointments. At the end of the day it is a challenge just to keep a household running, and get my own physical therapy and exercise done. Many nights I just don't have the energy to knit. However, I have been teaching mommies to knit on and off for about three years. It has been a lot of fun teaching others, and to see some of them stay with and have it bring a sense of balance to their lives. Having a goal of teaching them has kept me involved, and I learn a lot through teaching others.

I have also been fortunate enough to be offered the chance to teach at Greenville's newest yarn store, Wool Over Your Eyes. I am so excited at this opportunity, and hope that I can rise to the challenge and do a great job. I will be teaching beginning knitting and first baby sweater classes this Spring. If you are interested, refer to their website or message me for more information.

I will be heading to Stitches South this Spring? What about you? Will I see you there? What have you been up to? Please leave a comment and let Ryan and I know!

Ryan's First

Here is a pic from Ryan's first birthday. You can see he is doing well and is growing up nicely! Still has some torticolis that gets worse and better, but not yet completely away yet.

Thanks to Jen for the nice comment on my last post. It is great to hear good stories. Our neurologist is such a piece of work. You would think Ryan has two years to live due to the hypotonia. Jen, is your friend's hypotonia a symptom of any larger disorder, or is that the only problem her son has? I keep praying this is a stand alone condition for him. Ryan is very kinesthetic, so I don't imagine he won't be able to keep up with the other boys, either.

Yesterday, I died some sock yarn at Northwoods. It turned out beautifully, and I received many compliments on it. When I can bring it in from drying, I will take pics and post. Who knows, maybe someday I will let out my color sense and become an indie dyer, too.