Late Summer / Early Fall

Can you believe it's August already??? Okay, I'm a handful of days early, but WHOOOSH!

I'm eager for autumn, I'm not going to lie. It's been a hot summer already and I'm really happiest in the fall. AND, I have lots of fun events coming up, including classes. Please check the classes page for the newest offerings. 

Back by popular demand is the Forensic Knitting Class. If you aren't familiar already, this is a real confidence booster. I teach knitters how to read their stitches and rescue their work from mistakes without ripping back. If you find yourself unsure of where you are in a pattern, or frustrated by minor mistakes rows back, this is the class for you. Class begins September 14th.

But before the reprisal of Forensic Knitting, I'll be teaching Sweet or Spicy Socks.  This class features a top down heel flap sock with number of skill builders including chart reading, Slip 1, K2tog, P2tog, SSK, YO, picking up stitches, and toe grafting. Knitters looking for sock basics can choose the Sweet path for a stockinette sock, while adventurous knitters can opt for the Spicy version and work a lace pattern. Either way, you'll have one foot in a sock by the time we are through.  Class begins August 10th.

Interested? Click on the Classes link and the top and sign up at Nana's Yarn Stash.

Upcoming Events & Classes!

Did you know that Saturday, June 14th is World Wide Knit & Crochet in Public Day?  Come join us for some public crafting complete with refreshments at Nana's Yarn Stash - 10200 Corrales Rd Ste C1

Also, I have another exciting upcoming workshop!

On Saturday, June 29th, I'll be teaching my Gauge & Blocking workshop at Nana's Yarn Stash in Albuquerque. You can find the details on my Classes page. Please contact Patsi at 505-900-1939 to register. Space is limited.

Another year, more changes!

I've been very remiss in my posts. No good reason, just busy.

And, there is a lot to be busy with.

I'm happy to announce that in addition to online sales with Practical Stitchcraft, Dye Monkey Yarns is now available for in shop sales at Nana's Yarn Stash at 10200 Corrales Rd, Ste C1 in Albuquerque, New Mexico. 

And, I'm also teaching again. You'll see I now have a Classes tab above. Classes are being hosted at Nana's Yarn Stash. I'll be beginning with my Forensic Knitting class.

My Forensic Knitting class is designed to help knitters learn to read their knitting, become familiar with the architecture of knit stitches, and encourages live stitch fixes over frogging. I have found this class encourages confidence in newer knitters, eliminates frustration, and builds a fearlessness in the craft. 

Be sure to check out the class description and reach out to Pasty at Nana's Yarn Stash for more information or to inquire about future dates and other class offerings.

Class Listings Updated

Please be sure to check the Classes page.  Classes for January - June 2014 have been listed. All classes are held at Village Wools - 5916 Anaheim Ave. NE, Albuquerque, NM 87113
To register, either stop in or call 505-883-2919

There are a few spots left...

Sample of Hand Painted Yarn Using
Techniques Presented in this Class

Tuesday, November 5; 2-5 pm ~ Yarn Dyeing with Acid Dyes

Love those hand-painted yarns? Learn how easy and fun it is to create your own custom colorways using Jacquard Acid Dyes.  Class will cover choosing colors, basic dye preparation, various application methods, over-dyeing, “breaking” dyes and heat setting.  Please wear old clothes that you don’t mind making a colorful artistic impression on, and non-slip shoes.  Bring 2-3 skeins of white, cream, light grey or light pastel worsted or DK weight WOOL or WOOL BLEND yarn (no cotton) and note taking materials. NOTE: Yarn should be in skein format.  Students with balls of yarn should arrive at the store 30-45 minutes before class to meet with instructor to re-skein yarn.

This class is always great fun.  Please either call or drop by the shop today to sign up.

New Pattern / New Class

This new design is the pattern featured in the upcoming "My Second Shawl" class at Village Wools in October.  Be sure to check my "Classes" page for details.

Class will cover working two charts simultaneously - which sounds much more complex than it is.  By working two charts at once, you achieve the center panel of lace seen in the photo at right.

This shawl was worked in 470 yards of  Manos del Uruguay's Fino (colorway: Pocketwatch) on a 60" US Size 8 circular needle (working back and forth).

The pattern is very flexible, allowing the knitter to up-or-downsize the shawl by simply working more or fewer repeats of the body chart.

This shawl is currently on display at Village Wools.  Drop by to see it in person and to register for this class.

Upcoming Classes!

New for Summer 2013!  Yarn Dyeing with Acid Dyes

Love those hand-painted yarns?  Learn how easy and fun it is to create your own custom colorways using Jacquard Acid Dyes.  Class will cover choosing colors, basic dye preparation, various application methods, over-dyeing and heat setting.  Please wear old clothes that you don't mind making a colorful artistic impression on, and non-slip shoes.  Bring 1-2 skeins of white, cream, light grey or light pastel worsted or DK weight WOOL or WOOL BLEND yarn (no cotton) and note taking materials.  Students may find a color wheel helpful.  NOTE: Yarn should be in skein format.  Students with balls of yarn should arrive at the store 30-45 minutes before class to meet with instructor to re-skein yarn.  Instructor will provide handouts, gloves, tools and dyes.

• Tuesday, June 4; 2-5 pm
• Friday, June 28; 1-4 pm

Diabolical! Scintillating! The Reviews Are In!

My "Learn Cables & Bobbles" class has begun and I'm getting some really interested reviews thus far.

The first lesson covers gauge rather intensely (is there any other way?) to really give students an understanding of when to respect gauge and how to understand its impact.  Yes, there is MATH.  Yes, I make you KNIT.  I won't tell you any more than that (take my class) but I will tell you one student called me "diabolical".  I'm proud of that.

I LOVE teaching.  Nothing thrills me more than seeing the Ah ha! moment happen for my students.  Because I love it, and I want this to be exciting and fun (you are paying to learn a skill that you will utilize as personal entertainment - it should be fun!) I have a tendency to be flamboyant and exuberant and silly.  It is a performance, teaching is a performance.  That's probably why another student told me I am a "very scintillating teacher". Take one of my classes and see.

Upcoming Class: Learn Cables & Bobbles - Women's Knit Hat

Beginning Friday, October 7th @ Village Wools I'll be teaching this 3-session class.  I spent today developing my handouts and am very excited about the material I'll be covering in this class.

I'll be doing an in-depth discussion on "getting gauge" including how to properly measure and calculate gauge.  Additional worksheets for future project gauge calculations will be provided.  We will also discuss knowing when to respect gauge.  From there, it's all about pre-reading a pattern, reviewing stitches, techniques and construction.  Then we cast on and begin exploring cables, bobbles, and even a little lace.  I wish it were Friday already!!

If you are in the area and toying with the idea of signing up, there is still time.  Contact Village Wools at 5916 Anaheim Ave. NE, Albuquerque, NM 87113 - (505) 883-2919.

Upcoming Classes for Fall 2011!

I'm very excited to announce my Fall 2011 Class Schedule.  These classes will be available at Village Wools - 5916 Anaheim Ave. NE, Albuquerque, NM 87113 - (505) 883-2919.

Knit Research & Rescue 

Session 1: Fridays, September 16, 23, and 30; 1-3pm

Session 2: Fridays, November 4, 11, and 18; 1-3pm


Learn Cables & Bobbles - Women's Knit Hat
Fridays, October 7, 14, and 21; 1-3pm

Day 3 - Knit Research & Rescue - Success & Concluded

Our final class went wonderfully. We had an exciting lesson in lifelines, which was a real relief to everyone I scared last week with the correction of cables. The general consensus is that running lifelines is MUCH easier than dropping back cables, and I expect it is a technique they will each use. I demonstrated drilled lifelines, as well as "MacGyver" lifelines - do you have scotch tape and dental floss in your knitting toolbox? We were also able to work in an additional segment on weaving in. I really enjoyed teaching this class and am looking forward to teaching it again this fall. I had so much fun and will miss the girls!

Day 2 - Knit Research & Rescue - Success (mostly)!

Today's class went well... mostly. Today I used a teaching technique where you demonstrate an extreme to set the basic concept up in the minds of the students as being both easy and attainable.

Unfortunately, in doing so, I overwhelmed my students with an advanced correction technique - changing cable twists. This caused us to run a full hour over the scheduled class time, which I did ask their permission to do. When I teach this class again in the future, I'll skip this technique, and instead perhaps include it in a more advanced second level class. There are just so many other things I could include in this class, and I want to give students as many options as possible.

We did however successfully cover all scheduled topics, and used some of the overage to cover incomplete stitches as well.

Next Friday will be a much lighter class. We will cover all aspects of lifelines (insertion, dropping down to and picking up from and drilled lifelines) as well as weaving in ends, general course review, Q&A and troubled project review.

I can't express enough how much I've enjoyed teaching this class and getting to know these talented ladies!

Day 1 - Knit Research & Rescue - Success!

I'm very proud to report that Day 1 of my class was a success.  I really enjoyed teaching this class - mostly because of my students.  They each had their own reasons to be there, and were eager to learn.  We laughed and acknowledged our successes throughout the exercises.  There were five students of varying skill sets, and each one of them successfully completed the exercises of the day.  I believe everyone learned and had fun doing so.  I'm so proud of their accomplishments.

I'm excited for next week!  Day 2 of this class covers the correction of Misaligned Rib Stitches, Misplaced YOs, Split Yarn Stitched, K1TBL/Twisted Stitches and Cable Stitches.

I've also been asked to demonstrate proper weaving in as well as correcting incomplete stitches.  These items may have to wait for Day 3, when time better allows, but most definitely will be covered!

Class Starts Tomorrow

I'm very excited (and nervous) - tomorrow is Day 1 of my Knit Research & Rescue class.  I've got my materials ready and tonight I'll be creating my sample swatches on giant needles for improved visibility during referencing in class.

This class is all about being able to recognize mistakes and fix them on the fly without having to rip back miles of work.  Day 1 I'll be covering how to correct accidental YOs, KF&B/Bar Increases, K2TOG, and Dropped Stitches.  The class format is unique because I have students intentionally create the errors in a swatch, and then we look at the anatomy of the stitches and errors and use a drop-down method of correction.

This class was born from my very "Type A" perfectionist need to have absolutely perfectly knit projects and my frustration with frogging out row after row of perfect knitting to get to some minor flaw that drove me insane.  I don't expect my class participants to be quite as extreme about it as I am, only to be interested in making corrections in their work that disturb the appearance of the finished object or cause them issues when following patterns.

I expect I will learn as much as the students, if not more.

Upcoming Class!

Knit Research & Rescue
Village Wools - 5916 Anaheim Ave. NE, Albuquerque, NM 87113 - (505) 883-2919
June 10, 17 and 24; 1-3 PM
$50 class fee, $3 materials fee

Hate ripping back your work to correct errors?  This class teaches you how to "read" your knitting and how to correct errors without starting over.  You will learn basic stitch anatomy, how to recognize and correct dropped stitches, yarn overs, accidental increases / decreases, twisted stitches, splits, incorrect stitches (I knit when I should have purled, I cabled left when I meant to go right) and how to start and utilize life lines through hands on intentional error creation and recovery.  For the final class, you are invited to bring in troubled projects for review and guided correction.  Handouts will be provided.  Basic knitting skills are required.