Crochet 101

Our extended crochet program is for those who want to get a rock solid foundation in this lovely craft. In these 4 classes the basic stitch patterns will be practiced and perfected. Students can try out their skills on either a crocheted washcloth (very functional favorites) or a scarf project. Circular or 3D crochet forms will also be covered and applied to a basic hat pattern and a crocheted toy. Learn to follow a simple crochet pattern while you’re at it.

Materials: yarn and hook to match for scarf/ washcloth, aran yarn and 4/4.5mm for hat and toy

4 sessions, $96, materials not included

Wed April 18, 25, 2, 9
Wed June 6, 13, 20, 27
Wed July 4, 11, 18, 25
Wed Sept 12, 19, 26, 3, Oct 3

all 7-9pm

Knitting 101
A class for the knitting novice!  This is a 4-week course designed to instill basic knitting skills.  Graduates will then be able to take on a variety of knitting projects with confidence.  Learn the fundamentals: how to begin and end your projects, how to make knit and purl stitches and use then together to create different textures and patterns, how to read and interpret written knitting patterns and knit in the round to create circular or tubular knitting projects.  Expect to finish at least one scarf and your choice of hat and/or arm warmer project. 

Materials: yarn and needles to match for a scarf project and a set of 6mm double pointed needles, and one skein of either Misti Alpaca, or Manos del Uruguay for a hat.

4 session course, $96, materials not included

Thursdays April 26, May 3, 10, 17
Fridays May18, 25, June 1, 8
Fridays June 15, 22, 29, July 6 /
Thursdays July 12, 19, 26 Aug 2
Wednesdays Aug 8, 15, 22, 29
Thursdays Sept 6, 13, 20, 27

all 7-9pm

Knitter’s Crash Course (Scarf Workshop)
Another beginners’ knit class but this one built for speed.  You’ll be surprised what you can learn in just one night.  The essentials are the focus of this class, that is: how you begin and end a project and how to do the basic knit stitch.  Students will work on a scarf project in class.  Advice will be offered on how to design a simple scarf project without a pattern.

Materials: Your choice of yarn and needles to match for a scarf project.

Mon April 23

FREE Knitter’s Crash Course (Scarf Workshop)
Instruction is free with purchase of materials

Mon June 25
Mon Aug 27

all 6:30 - 9pm

Crocheter’s Crash Course
Crochet is making a comeback! Crochet is a simple, easy to learn and versatile craft. From retro granny squares to delicate lacy finishes, crochet has a look all its own. The crafter who can both knit and crochet can double their creative potential.  This workshop is for those who have never handled a crochet hook. In class students will learn the basic stitches (chain, single, and double crochet), how to read a basic crochet pattern, and will make a sweet crochet rosette and a granny square.

Materials: crochet hook and yarn to match 

1 session, $35, materials not included

Thurs May 31
Thurs June 28
Thurs Aug 3

all 6:30-9pm

Introduction to Rug Hooking
You can make more then rugs when you learn to rug hook.  You can also make rugs and that is pretty neat!  Wall art, cushion covers, trivets and coasters are only some of the things that you can create with the rug hooking technique.  Rug hooking is excellent for using up scraps and has terrific potential for self-expression.  In this class you can choose any picture or pattern you should desire and make it into your very own rug-hooked design.

Materials: Students will need several colours of worsted weight yarn and a simple picture (something that can be traced) that they will transform into their rug hook design.

1 session $30
Materials fee: $11.50, includes hook, hoop, and backing.  Yarn not included.

Friday May 4, 6:30-9pm

Needlepoint Workshop
The craft of old fashion needlepoint for wall art and cushion covers is having a resurgence. Examples are showing up everywhere- contemporary and beautiful!  You can learn how to create your own needlepoint masterpiece in this workshop.  In this introductory class students will learn how to transfer a simple design onto a needlepoint canvas, how to select materials and read needlepoint charts, and how to make needlepoint stitches with good tension and a clean finish.

1 session, $30, materials not included

Materials: please ask us for details on materials upon registration

Mon Aug 20, 6:30-9pm

Needle Felting Workshop
Create 3 dimensional felt forms in this workshop. Like sculpting with wool fleece forms are created organically and with immediacy. This workshop will demonstrate needle felting tools and
techniques. Students will work on their own felted miniatures, ready to be ornaments, sculptures, toys, or jewelry. They make fantastic Christmas decorations too!

1 session, $30, materials not included

Materials: several colours of wool fleece, felting needles in several sizes

Wed May 30, 6:30-9pm

Knitter’s Crash Course (Cowl Workshop)
Same fast and furious pace as our other Knitters Crash Course Scarf Workshop, but this time you knit in circles.  Make a cowl project, learn how to get your stitches on your needle (casting on) how to do the knit stitch, and how to finish your project (cast off).  This class is for total beginners, those who would like to learn how to use circular needles, or anyone who wants to make this fashionable knit accessory.

1 session, $30, materials not included

Materials: 3 skeins blue sky alpaca,

Mon May 28, 6:30-9pm

FREE Knitter’s Crash Course (Cowl Workshop)
Instruction is free with purchase of materials

Mon July 30, 6:30-9pm

Friendship Bracelet
You have friends! and you may make new ones if you have a stash of friendship bracelets at your disposal.  Relive your summer camp days or learn this fun craft for the first time. Shiny, colourful embroidery floss will egg you on to beautiful colour combinations.  Different pattern designs, such as diagonals, chevrons and diamonds will be demonstrated and practiced. What a great way to spend the afternoon! No experience necessary.  Children are welcome too.

1 session, $30, materials not included

Materials: several colours of embroidery floss

Sun May 27, 1-3:30pm

Baby Blanket Workshop
This is a good follow class up to the Crash Course or a perfect class for those who can’t seem to get beyond the infamous “First Scarf Project”.  This baby blanket class will get you started reading knitting patterns, it will teach you how to purl (if you have not had the pleasure), and it will acquaint you with the different textural stitches needed to make our very adorable baby blanket project!

1 session

Crochet Blanket Class
This blanket may be made of colourful little crocheted pieces but it is not your Granny’s blanket.  Each piece is actually a hexagon with a pretty flower motif in the middle.  Each hexagon is joined to the next with crochet only (no seaming).  This is a great way to work through all the bits and pieces of yarn that you may have lying about.  This class is a perfect way for newbies to learn crochet or those with some experience an avenue for building skill.

2 or 3 sessions (6 hours), $70, materials not included

Materials: 4mm crochet hook and several colours of worsted weight yarn

Sun July 22, 29, 12:30-3:30pm

Triangle Wrap/Scarf/Shawl
Whatever you call it this project is chic and it is a good project for beginners who want to challenge themselves with some new skills. Pattern reading, shaping with increases, knitting stripes, refining knit edges, cast ons and cast offs are all covered.

2 sessions, $50, materials not included

Materials: 2 colours fingering or dk yarn, circular 24”or larger in size to match yarn.

Thurs April 19, Friday April 20, 7-9pm

Amigurumi Crochet Workshop

Crochet cute and cuddly creatures!  Amigurumi is a Japanese style of crocheting stuffed animals and anthropomorphic toys. Learn crochet shaping and modeling techniques and seaming to create 3D forms. Students will work on an owl project, but gain the chops to allow their imaginations to run amok and invent their own cuddly creatures.

Materials: 3mm crochet hook, and cotton yarn to match such as brown sheep cotton fleece. 

1 session, $30, materials not included

Wed April 11, 6:30-9pm

First Sweater Class
This class features our most popular sweater pattern.  “The Manos Jacket” is named for the beautiful hand dyed yarn it is stitched from - Manos del Uruguay.  This is a great first sweater project.  It has a very simple construction with no complicated stitching or shaping.  Even knitting novices will not be daunted especially with the helping hands of a knit-pro by your side.  This sweater suits pretty much everybody and is exceptionally stylish and cozy.  With this as your first sweater project you will be empowered to tackle more and more jumpers and cardigans, tanks and tees!

2 sessions, INSTRUCTION IS FREE

Materials Fee: $100, Includes all the yarn you will need and the Manos Jacket Pattern, needles are not included.

Mon April 30, May 14, 7-9pm

Cable Cowl
Those snakey patterns that decorate traditional Irish-knit sweaters are called cables.  They are a great favorite with knitters for their twisty decorative ways that make extra warm knits.  You can learn how to decipher cabled patterns both written and charted and how to create these corkscrewed stitches in this workshop.  Make a pretty gorgeous cowl while you are at it!

1 session, $30, materials not included

Mon May 7, 6:30-9pm

Crochet Flowers
Embellishment is everywhere. Take crochet to the next level and make three-dimensional flower adornments - to add colour and bounce to your jacket lapel, your hairstyle, your scarf or your handbag. Working through three separate flower patterns, students will learn how to read a pattern, how to read charts, how to crochet in the round, how to combine stitches for shaping and how to add layers for three-dimensions. Learn how to make a six-petal flower, a multi-layered flower corsage and more. Basic crochet skills (chain stitch, single crochet) recommended.

1 session, $35, materials not included

Materials: bring a crochet hook (5mm or larger suggested) and yarn to match.

Thurs April 12
Thurs May 24

both 6:30-9

Baby Sweater
Make a tiny sweater.  This is a great jumping off point for those who might be intimidated to embark on a full size adult sweater. Also- everything tiny is cute!  You can’t go wrong!  This sweater is constructed in a way that is common to many sweater patterns you might encounter in the future.  You will use the tools you learn in this class again and again.  Make a sweet raglan sleeve cardigan, follow a basic sweater pattern, learn shaping techniques, and how to pick up stitches too.

4 sessions, $96, materials not included
Mon July 2, 9, 16, 23, 7-9pm

Sweater Design Class
All you budding knit wear designers – this is your first step.  Take this class at the Knit Café.  Learn to make a sweater of your own design.  You pick the yarn and the tension and the stitch, add your own personal touches with different necklines and hem lengths and create the sweater of your dreams.  More then that you will gain the skills to create another sweater of your dreams the next time you chance to dream one up.  Sweaters will be knit from the top-down with raglan sleeve decreases – cardigan or pullover – your choice! 

This is a 4-session class with a break between the 3rd and 4th class to allow for more knit homework time.
4 sessions, $96, materials not included

Materials: your choice of yarn and needles to match, circular needles 24”and/or 32”, and dpn.

Thurs June 7, 14, 21, July 5, 7-9pm

Sock Class
Socks!  You can’t have too many of them, and they make appreciated gifts too.  Also as a knitter, there is so much to learn from socks.  The sock pattern tends to be advanced decoding, and the sock heel a tricky bit of business to navigate on ones own, but once learned a sock is a satisfying and very portable project. Sock makers will also learn the skill of picking up stitches and shaping the instep and toe. Once one sock is made a sockaholic is in the making-good thing we have two feet!

Materials: 3mm or 4mm dpn, fingering or worsted

3 sessions, $72, materials not included

Mon June 4, 11, 18, 7-9pm

Sock Master Class
Sockaholics this is your class! We are lucky to have a knitted-sock pro agree to teach this advanced class.  In this class socks will be knit from the toe up, with demonstrations of seamless cast-ons for perfect toes.  Sock will be knit on circular needles and both socks will be knit simultaneously! No more will socks differ even slightly in shape and size, watch them grow up together row by row.  Another fine advantage of toe-up socks is that knitters will no longer have to judge the finished length of their socks.  Just knit till the yarn runs out - nothing goes to waste!

3 sessions, $72, materials not included

Materials: 2.5mm, 100cm circular needle, 350 yards fingering yarn

Thurs Aug 9, 16, 23

Double Knitting Workshop
It’s double the fun! This is a colour knitting technique where a two-sided fabric is created.  A motif of two colours shows picture perfect on one side and equally as perfect but in colour-reverse on the other. Both sides are stockinette smooth! Learn this technique while making a beautiful scarf.  In one class you will have all the basics down and will be ready to finish this scarf and start new double knit projects.

1 session, $30, materials not included

Materials: 2 colours DK weight yarn and 3.75 mm needles

Wed May 23, 6:30-9pm