Summer time and the sewing is easy.........

knit-one-one has been on Adeline Street for a year---kind of amazing. Last summer we were asked to do some workshops for teens. However, we felt we didn't have enough time to get really organized. But this year we are. Boy are we organized!

Here is how it happened:

A few weeks ago we got a phone call from Mindy basically begging us to do
sewing and knitting workshops.
This request was on the heels of similar ones from other knit-one-oners so this time we swung (should that be swang?) into action. Now bear in mind that it is not---not---in my nature to be thinking too far ahead----I mean the summer is ages away, isn't it? No, it is not----especially for busy parents!

Kira

and I had been talking about what projects we might include but with Mindy's call we started to refine our choices. Then we leaned on Janice O---who teaches knitting to middle schoolers, and to Cocoknits---- whose Hannah is a high school freshman---to give us their input. And we incorporated everything they suggested. Lots of options. Lots of levels of difficulty. Lots of cool options. Not too many hours. Not too early in the morning. Well you get the idea. Mindy weighed in too so what you see is really a group effort---but then prettty much anything at knit-one-one is that way.

And finally...Nate, my studio mate, had to agree to have groups of pre-teens and teens in the studio. He did. Nate is great.

It is fun being a student!

As many of you know, I have been a teacher for many years. My current assignment is at Laney College 2 nights a week teaching Speaking 1. My students are hilarious and we have lots of fun as we try ---mostly successfully---to understand one another!

So it was a great novelty on Saturday to be a student--in a knit-one-one class no less----and to be specific- Kira's skirt class--and to be even more specific Kira's sewn skirt class---not to be confused with the knitted skirts she actually designs. Carrie is also in the class and we had great chats as we cut out our pieces. Now mind you, Kira had given us lots of tips on measuring not only ourselves but also the pattern pieces. You see these skirts will actually fit us.They will be unique. They will look good. They will be cheap! All of us in the class are planning to make lots of these skirts for our summer wardrobes. To borrow Nancy F's
term---we are officially recessionistas! In fact I was suggesting that we also have a top buying outing to our local outlets. You can tell we are having fun. And aren't you sorry you aren't "skirting" with us? But
Kira might maybe perhaps let one or two of you into the class----e-mail us if you want to grovel!

"I tried this before and I cried". These were the words of Rachel M as she proudly mastered the art of intarsia.
Carrie
did a great job of shepherding her group through the process and a great time was had by all. Next month--March--- Carrie will be teaching a Fair Isle class---watch this space!

I had such fun being a student in the skirt class that I am seriously considering being Kate's student in her
Mitered Mitts
class this Saturday. You see Kate made me pair of mitts for Christmas and I love them. I love the roominess of a mitten---you can move your fingers around. I love how they look---lots of color to gaze at. I love how easy they are to get on. I love how easy they are to get off. With the Mitered MIttens I love that they were designed by Elizabeth Zimmerman herself. I love that EZ suggests making them in May----her theory is that then they will be ready for winter! I love the fact that they are steeked----I mean how cool is that cutting a hole in your precious knitting and then making a thumb---ohhhh very exciting.

February 8th and 9th in the studio

PS
The February classes
now up on the site----yeay! And Ms Sonya has agreed to teach the 2 versions of the fabulous EZ February Lady Sweater
----the adult and the child's----pic above. Thank you Sonya! Oh and the EZ refers to Elizabeth Zimmerman not to "easy". Definitely not.

PPS The bags are the ones people did in the Beginning Sewing Class. Aren't they amazing?


Due to circumstances beyond our control---ha!----the February classes are not up on the site yet. (Fingers crossed--they might be up later today)

So I thought I would try to give you a little preview. If you would like to reserve your space in any of these classes, e-mail me at: queenbee@knitoneone.com

On Saturday we have the skirt class----mentioned last week. I hung up the second sample in the studio window and it has been getting loads of compliments. Kira reminded me to mention that you will learn how to put in a zip and to finish off your seams---flat and fell and French---this of course in addition to all the other nuggets you will glean. I was so impressed with Kira in the beginning classs that I am seriously considering taking the skirt class----as a student--not as queenbee!
Date: Saturdays, February 7, 14, 22. Time: 2:00 to 4:30 pm

Ms Cocoknits herself will be on hand to teach the Fleeced Ear Flap hat. Now I know that in this balmy weather it is very hard to imagine wearing this creation. But......trust me. My stay in NYC and in Ireland would have been much much more comfortable with this fleecy wonder. And even if you can't imagine needing it yourself, we all have friends and relatives in colder climes, don't we! The technique used is called "Thrumming"----sounds like a musical term doesn't it. But in fact it has to do with working the fleece into your knitting so that it doesn't show on the right side. A very useful thing to know. Date: Sundays February 8 and 15. Time: 11:30 am to 1:30pm

Intarsia anyone? If you have always wanted to learn the technique, come on down to this 2 hours workshop with Ms Carrie. After this workshop you will be intarsiaing everything in sight.

Sunday February 8. Time: 11:30am to 1:30 pm

Lady February Sweater: Click here on
Yarnboy's blog

to see a pic of this fabulous sweater. This is the one he made for Zoe----the twins are now 2 month old if you can believe. Sonya of KnitSonya
has agreed to come over the bridge to teach this class---lucky me and lucky you. This is definitely not a project for a newbie but for those of you out there who want a challenge, a terrific teacher and fabuous sweater, well this is for you!

Dates: Sundays Feb 8, 15, 22 and March 8 (we skip a week). Time: 1:30 pm to 3:30 pm