Ok, this is a blatant commercial for the workshops held by the KW Knitters Guild in February this year. There is still some space available for the beading classes on the Sunday. I’m sure there is even a waiting list for the Saturday Bohus class.
Susanna Hansson workshops
Susanna is a well-respected teacher, and she’ll be coming to us Feb 2-3 if we fill these workshops. Please DO NOT MISS this extraordinary opportunity to learn amazing techniques from a world-renowned teacher.
To read about Susanna, or to read expanded descriptions of these classes and see photos of the projects, please go to www.oneofsusannas.com.
She has also offered that if you have questions about the workshops or supplies, you may email her at susanna@oneofsusannas.com.
You can sign up for these workshops at the meetings OR by mailing your deposit (with your request) to Sally Melville, #306—35 Alexandra Ave., Waterloo, ON N2L 1L4.
BOHUS STICKNING (6 hrs)
The history and legacy of a Swedish couture business.
This workshop includes a slide presentation and discussion of the Bohus Stickning industry, its origins, development, and eventual demise thirty years after it began. For the hands-on portion of the workshop, we will be working with fine yarns and small needles, so patience is required. While the actual knitting is not difficult, the use of color and purl stitches on the right side of the fabric can make BOHUS patterns challenging for some knitters. As you work through the swatch, you will come to see and understand how the patterns are created, and you can enjoy seeing the colors come alive.
DATE Feb 2
TIME 9:30-4:30 (with 1-hr lunch)
PLACE RIM PARK (tentatively room 201)
LEVEL for intermediate – advanced knitters (and adventurous beginners)
MAXIMUM ENROLLMENT 20
HOMEWORK none
COST OF WORKSHOP $80 (+ supplies)
DEPOSIT REQUESTED $40
COST OF SUPPLIES $23 CAD
SUPPLIES PROVIDED A kit will be supplied for a pair of wrist warmers in the Blue Shimmer BOHUS pattern. The kit contains specially-imported, hand-dyed yarn from Sweden as well as written instructions and a color chart. The yarns are the same as those used in the Swedish BOHUS museum kits.
SUPPLIES TO BRING a range of small needles (1.5mm – 3.25mm)—dpn’s OR 2 circulars OR one long circular (for magic loop technique)
OPTIONAL SUPPLIES Any Bohus style garments you have collected or made.
A magnetic pattern holder with a magnifying line marker. A battery powered light source.
Don’t forget your glasses if you rely on them.
And bring plenty of patience!
BEADED CUFF
Are these accessories of jewelry? That’s hard to say. Either way, these sweet cuffs knit up quickly, make great gifts, and are a fun addition to your winter wardrobe. If you tend to get chilly, nothing is more effective than keeping the pulse points warm.
There is nothing complicated about this type of bead knitting, so cuffs are an ideal project, even for newer knitters. Learn a clever cast on and how to count beads without actually counting them!
The knitting is quick-and-easy garter stitch. And the cuff s assembled with a 3-needle bind-off, so finishing is a breeze.
DATE Feb 3
TIME 9:30-11:30
PLACE RIM PARK (tentatively room 201)
LEVEL for all knitters
MAXIMUM ENROLLMENT 20-24
COST OF WORKSHOP $40 (+ pattern)
DEPOSIT REQUESTED $20
COST OF PATTERN $5
SUPPLIES One skein fingering weight wool yarn (If skein, wind into ball.)
A range of small needles—1.75mm – 2.75mm.
2-3 tubes of Japanese seed beads in size 8 or 6. (Purchase in tubes rather than on threads.) Make sure a doubled strand of yarn will fit through bead’s hole. (Size 8 are more dramatic: size 6 are more sophisticated.) Depending upon which pattern you knit, you will need 350 – 800 beads for a pair of cuffs.
A ‘big eye’ beading needle. (Susanna will bring extras.) The one you want consists of two thin pieces of rigid wire, welded together at both ends, creating a “big eye” opening in the middle.
Scissors, stitch markers, tapestry needle, etc.
HOMEWORK Cast on 20 stitches and work in garter stitch for 1-2 inches. Adjust your needles until you achieve a gauge of approximately 7 1⁄2 – 8 stitches per inch.
TWO-THIRDS SACHET
A beaded, scented treasure to protect your woolens
Why two-thirds? The answer is ‘proportion.’ (Besides, ‘scented sachet’ seemed too predictable. This original design makes an ideal gift—for bridesmaids, as a mother’s day treat, or as an elegant hostess gift (if you can bear to give it away!).
Learn to knit with beads and without becoming overwhelmed and to complete this small, portable project in just a few hours. You will learn a clever cast on and a sweet picot edging. A special stitch creates a fold-line, so your knitted piece folds over into a small bag shape. The sachet is assembled with a 3-needle bind-off, so the only finishing is to darn in two yarn ends. It doesn’t get much easier than that!
DATE Feb 3
TIME 1:30-4:30
PLACE RIM PARK (tentatively room 201)
LEVEL for all knitters
MAXIMUM ENROLLMENT 20-24
COST OF WORKSHOP $40
DEPOSIT REQUESTED $20
COST OF PATTERN $5
SUPPLIES One skein DK/Sport weight yarn (preferably cotton)
Appropriate needles (approx 2.75mm)
One tube Japanese seed beads, size 6. (Purchase in tubes rather than on thread.) Make sure that a double strand of your yarn fits through the holes of your beads. A tea towel, cloth diaper or handkerchief. (This will help the beads stay in place as you string them.)
A “big eye” beading needle (see cuff supplies above)
Two ring markers
Scissors, stitch markers, tape measure, etc.
HOMEWORK Cast on 20 stitches and work in garter stitch for 1-2 inches. Adjust your needles until you achieve a gauge of approximately 6 1⁄2 stitches per inch.
