Mindful Knitting Workshop February 4

Judy will be participating in a contemplative knitting workshop at White Barn Sheep and Wool on Saturday, February 4, along with two other people who will help us with body and soul.To register to go White Barn Sheep and wool

Sat Feb 4 12:30 - 3:30 Mindful Knitting, a mini retreat designed to explore the possibilities of knitting, meditation, and self care through making a beautiful silk and merino wrap. $40 includes skein of yarn to begin project and light refreshment.

Description of the knitting section of the workshop:

This afternoon, we will abandon chaos and explore the deep and natural mindfulness of giving ourselves over to our knitting. Meditation and sensory appreciation exercises will be offered as you begin a beautiful and comforting wrap for yourself or a loved one.

Prior experience

Instruction will be given in executing a simple rhythmic pattern, but participants should be comfortable with knitting and purling and be able to cast on.

Materials

Yarn: one skein of Venezia Worsted by Cascade Yarns (70% merino/30% silk) will be provided to all workshop participants. Additional yarn, if needed, is available for purchase.

Needles: #8 "circular" needles with a cord of 36-40 inches.

January-February 2012 course offerings

My goal is to give you all the skills you need to become independent and creative with your knitting and to derive pleasure from the process.

CLASSES

Knitting Fundamentals - For the novice to advanced beginner - $75*

6 Sundays from 5:30 to 7:00 pm
January 15, 22 and 29, February 5, 12 and 19

Classes at this level will contain a mix of new knitters, early learners, and more accomplished students who will benefit from review. It’s a good idea to begin with this course, even if you have knit or crocheted before, to be sure you have a thorough understanding of the fundamentals before continuing to another level.

If you are a beginner, you will learn to knit, purl, cast on, and bind off, plus a myriad of other things as they come up, such as yarn characteristics, importance of gauge swatches, etc. Those who are more experienced will be given additional homework and/or a project.

Many students take this course several times,* advancing as they go, with beginners learning from the more advanced knitters and the more advanced knitters benefitting from reviewing the instruction given to the beginners. No two classes are exactly the same because they are driven by the needs and progress of the group and the particular questions that are raised.

*$60 for students who repeat this class.


Advanced Knitting Fundamentals – $110

8 Thursdays, from 6:00 to 7:30 pm
January 5, 12, 19 and 26, February 2, 9, 16 and 23

You will learn about cables, lace, repairs, yarn substitution, color work, reading and modifying patterns, and finishing.

Persons taking this class will already have a complete grasp of casting on, knit stitch, purl stitch, binding off, two methods of increasing and decreasing, will be able to easily move from garter stitch to stockinette stitch to ribbing, will know what to do if you stop in the middle of a row, and will have a basic understanding of the characteristics of various yarns and the importance of swatching, as well as a basic ability to read patterns. If you feel you know some of these well, but are not sure about others, consider re-taking the basic knitting fundamentals course before proceeding with this one.


Crochet Fundamentals – for the novice to advanced beginner - $65

6 Sundays from 5:30 to 7:00 pm
January 15, 22 and 29, February 5, 12 and 19

You will learn how to hold the yarn and make standard crochet stitches and shape. You will begin to read patterns and understand when crochet might be preferred over knitting, and see some of the unique things that can be made with crochet. Depending on the progress of the group, you may tackle a simple project.

The more advanced student will work with colors and texture and learn how to make squares, work in the round, and make more exotic shapes.


YOUR PROJECT – For intermediate to advanced students - $65

6 Sundays from 3:30 to 5:00 pm
January 15, 22 and 29, February 5, 12 and 19

Prerequisite: For knitters, mastery of the concepts taught in Knitting Fundamentals. For crocheters, mastery of the concepts taught in Crochet Fundamentals.

This very popular course is limited to 4 students. Each student will begin (or continue) a personal project, such as a scarf, hat, sweater, bag or socks. We will address yarn and needle choices, gauge swatching, pattern modification, trouble shooting, finishing, blocking, you name it. This is a support class, with no specific teaching curriculum. Students receive individual help and benefit from the issues raised by others. The course may be repeated as often as desired, to get continuing ideas and help with projects.  


SOCKS WORKSHOP – For intermediate to advanced students - $60

4 Sundays from 1:00 to 3:00 pm
January 15 and 29, February 12 and 26

Prerequisite: Mastery of the concepts taught in Knitting Fundamentals.

We will spread this class out over six weeks to give you an opportunity to make progress on each stage of your first sock, as we pick out the pattern and yarn, work with double-pointed or circular needles, make the leg, turn the heel, pick up gusset stitches, and finish the toe.


Private Sessions – All levels

$30/hour

For the absolute beginner who wants individual knitting or crochet instruction. For the student at any level who needs some additional help with a technique. For anyone who is stumped by a pattern or wants to get some new ideas.

A great way to get started or get additional help during classes or with a specific project.

Other Knitting Classes in the Area

We have a full set of classes at Knit With Judy (see "courses offered" in the side bar to your right).

But, sometimes we don't offer a class that you need, or you got closed out of a class you wanted to take.  Maybe our classes aren't offered at the times that are convenient for you.  Or, perhaps we don't offer the kind of class you are wanting -- or you want to explore some other teacher.

To make it easier for you, we've listed a few places that give knitting (or other fiber-related) classes in the area.  Contact them directly for current offerings.

White Barn Sheep and Wool
815 Albany Post Road in New Paltz
914-456-6040
Knitting and other fiber arts classes

Elting Library
93 Main Street in New Paltz
845-255-5030
Knitting classes for children

Gardiner Library
133 Farmers Turnpike in Gardiner
845-255-1255
Knitting classes for beginners

The Rainbow Sheep Shoppe
12 Four Sisters Lane in Pt. Ewen
845-532-1052
Knitting and other fiber classes

Cornwall Yarn Shop
227 Main Street in Cornwall
845-534-0383
Knitting and other fiber classes

Country Wool
59 Spring Road in Hudson
518-828-4554
Knitting and other fiber classes, plus retreats

Where To Buy Knitting Supplies

We're updating our list of local shops where you can buy yarn, needles and other supplies, since the old one was created over two years ago.  We'll start with stores where you can get affordable, but adequate, supplies and move from there to local yarn shops where you can purchase almost anything, including high-quality, hand-spun and hand-dyed fibers.

Servicible and Medium quality yarns

Manny’s (Main Street, New Paltz). Small selection.

Michaels (Kingston or Poughkeepsie).  Inexpensive-to-medium quality yarns for general use.
       Poughkeepsie: Route 9, near Barnes & Noble
       Kingston: Route 9W, near Hudson Valley Mall

Jo-Anns (Kingston or Poughkeepsie). Inexpensive-to-medium quality yarns for general use.
       Poughkeepsie: Plaza Mall, Route 9
       Kingston: Route 9W, near Staples

Matlyn's Dream (Water Street Market, New Paltz).  Not really a yarn shop, but has a small selection of interesting yarns, plus many of the standards. Worth a look.

Ben Franklin (Uptown Kingston Mall, near Hannafords). A general crafts store with a surprisingly good selection of all qualities of yarn.


Better quality yarn. Look for stores in your community

White Barn Sheep and Wool (815 Albany Post Road in New Paltz).  A specatular new addition to the New Paltz Community, Paula Kudera provides a warm and welcoming shop in a converted barn with an ample selection of all types of yarn and a full range of supplies for every stage of your knitting. You will also find classes, knitting groups and handmade items there.  For hours, directions and more information, see White Barn Sheep and Wool.  (Gives 10% discount to current Knit With Judy students)

Out of the Loop (2593 Route 52, just off Taconic in Hopewell Junction). Very large selection, helpful, all price ranges.  For hours and directions, see Out of the Loop.

Rainbow Sheep Shoppe (Off Route 9W, near Boces, in Pt. Ewen).  For hours and directions, see Rainbow Sheep Shoppe.

The Knitting Garage.  (A.L. Stickles Variety Store, 13 East Market Street in Rhinebeck).  Walk through the store to the back, where you'll find a small, friendly sitting place with a decent variety of nicer yarns.  Call for hours and directions:  845-876-3206.

Cornwall Knit Shop (227 Main Street in Cornwall).  For hours and directions, see Cornwall Yarn Shop.

Country Wool (59 Spring Road in Hudson).  Also has classes and retreats.  For hours and directions, see Countrywool.

The Yarn Source (Monroe).  Call for hours and directions: brachayarn@gmail.com or 845-238-6528.

Local Knitting Groups

We're very busy in class and don't leave much time for socializing. Sometimes, though, you may just want to sit with others and work on your projects. Here are a few places in the area where you can find compatible people. Each group has its own special atmosphere. Try several out to see which works best for you.

NEW PALTZ
Elting Memorial Library
Corner of Main Street and Plattekill Avenue
10:00 to noon on first and third Saturdays

White Barn Sheep and Wool 

815 Albany Post Road

7:00 to 9:00 pm every Wednesday

9:00 to 11:00 am every Friday 

GARDINER

Gardiner Library

7:00 to 8:30 pm on first and third Thursday 

POUGHKEEPSIE
Barnes and Noble (Route 9)
6:30 to 8:30 pm on first Monday of each month

KINGSTON
Barnes and Noble (Ulster Avenue)
Wednesday evenings (maybe not every week)

NEWBURGH
Gateway Diner

Corner of Routes 301 and 17

7:00 to 9:00 pm on first Friday

The Haven

Route 9W in Middlehope

7:00 to 9:00 pm on third Friday

PT. EWEN
Esopus Library
Route 9W in Pt. Ewen (east side of street)
1:00 to 3:00 pm every Monday

SAUGERTIES
Knit Wits 
Saugerties Public Library (Washington Ave)

4:00 to 6:00 pm every Friday 

STONE RIDGE

Stone Ridge Library

3700 Main Street (Route 209)

10:00 to noon every Saturday

Knit With Judy Participates in Deal Chicken offer

I don't know if you've ever heard of Deal Chicken? If not, it's a fairly new service that offers discounts on things. Well, Knit With Judy has been selected for an offer that will be good this Thursday, November 17th.

If you participate, for the price of $20, you will get a credit of $45 toward a Knit With Judy class, workshop or private lesson(s). It's a great way to take advantage of this discount yourself. Or, if you know anyone else who might want to do this, please pass my message on to them.

You can get the offer directly at dealchicken.  Remember, though, that Thursday, November 17, is the only day this particular discount is available. So don't be surprised that the page shows something else, if you access it any day other than November 17.

If you do take advantage of this offer, I'd appreciate hearing about your experience to see if I want to do this again.

Making short rows

Sometimes we want a fabric to flare on one end (like a ruffle or peplum on a sweater).  Other times we need just a little more room in a particular area (such as the bust).  One way to accomplish this is to make short rows:  completing less than a full row and turning back to put an extra row or two in only one area.

The problem is that you can't "just" turn around and go back, without leaving a hole.  That's where the technique of "wrap and turn" comes in.  Since this is difficult to explain in words, I've located a few videos that illustrate it very well.

Making short rows and picking up the wrap on the way back.

Making the short row.

Picking up the wrap on the way back.