Choosing Yarns for Charity Knitting – Softness

Well, the chemo cap contest with Your Daily Fiber and Lambspun is nearly up. We want to thank each of you who have donated handmade hats for Hope Lives! and Poudre Valley Hospital. The cold weather is only just starting and it is the height of charity knitting season, whether for those suffering from cancer or those who are in need for warmth through this tough economy. There are many properties of yarn to consider when choosing a yarn for your charity knitting. Below is the article I wrote for the October Stitches newsletter on the softness of yarns, an especially important yarn property when knitting for cancer patients.

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Artist Profile: Vicki Square

One of the first knitting reference books many new knitters purchase is Knitter’s Companion, written by Fort Collins’ own Vicki Square. Coveting the Barbie clothes her maternal grandmother was making, Vicki was taught to knit at the age of 6 so she might make her own. While she is most known for her knitting, she has a Master of Fine Arts in Printmaking and also takes pleasure in mixed media drawings utilising as diverse materials as paper, paint, oil or charcoal pastels, and fiber.

“As an artist, I’ve been creating art to adorn the human figure for much of my life,” says Vicki. Historical fashion and theater is a favorite source of inspiration for her designs. She is most known for designing outerwear with timeless style. Her 2007 book, Knit Kimonos was a huge hit with its simple shapes and attention to detail. A follow-up volume, Knit Kimono Too is coming in early December. This collection of patterns is more contemporary; the projects a realistic commitment of time and yarn with many being only hip length. Her Knitter’s Companion title is also being re-released in early December with 2 companion DVDs comprising more than 4 hours of learning – a great gift for newer knitters on your gift list. Besides authoring several knitting titles, Vicki has also contributed to many collections and magazine publications.

Sharing her vast knowledge and experience in knitting is a joy for Vicki. Teaching is an opportunity for her to connect with others who are passionate about both knitting and exploring something new. On October 12th Vicki will be teaching an Adventures in Color workshop here at My Sister Knits. As part of the class students will learn some of the foundations of color theory and the accompanying vocabulary. Then Vicki will demonstrate how to develop a color palette which will then be used to knit a mitered square pillow. Past students have raved about the class and left with increased confidence in working with color. It is definitely a not to be missed class!

You can call the shop to reserve your spot in class with a credit card or stop in to sign up in person.

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Upcoming Classes

A new class schedule came out a couple weeks ago and we have some fun ones coming up later this month and on. Here is a run down on a few of them…

If you feel a little uncertain with color but would like to make your own color choices rather than following patterns verbatim, you do not want to miss Vicki Square’s Adventures in Color class. You’ll get some of the basics of color theory and see how Vicki puts colors together. Then you’ll put what you’ve learn to knit a colorful and artistic mitered square pillow. Join Vicki next Tuesday, October 12th from 5-8pm. It is one session and a bargin at $30!

If you’ve admired the lovely colors of the sock yarn wall upstairs but don’t know how to knit socks, Julie Conway is back with the ever popular Top-Down Sock class. You learn the basic formula for top-down socks with a heel flap and gusset and a few new techniques while knitting an adult size sock in worsted weight. You will learn all the skills to knit socks of other sizes and gauges. Knitting experience on double pointed needles is required. The class is three Saturday morning sessions on October 16, 23 and 30. On the 16th class is 9-10am only, thereafter 9-11am. Class is $55 plus supplies.

Crochet is on the rise and new crochet patterns being released are not the garishly colored acrylics numbers from the 70’s. It is a great time to learn how to crochet and Barb Gustafson will be teaching a 2 session, Tuesday evening class on basic crochet skills October 19 and 26 from 5:30-7pm.

This summer Liz Luckason taught Beginning Knitting for Kids which was a huge hit. She’s back on Saturday October 23 from 1-3pm. It is a hands-on class that includes casting on, knitting and purling. Supplies are included and the class costs only $25. For ages 6 and up please.

In November Julie Conway is teaching the wonderful Phoebe’s Sweater by local author and designer Joanna Johnson. The book’s plot revolves around a young mouse and the beautiful cabled cardigan her mother knit for her all in one piece. Now you can knit it too! That classes are Tuesday evenings throughout November – the 2nd, 9th, 16th & 30th from 5-7pm for the first class and 5-6pm thereafter. The 4 session class is $55 plus supplies.

Just in time for your holiday knitting rush, Ann McCauley will be offer two quick to knit holiday gifts – Knitting Lacy Scarves on the morning of November 6th 10am-12:30 pm and My Favorite Hat in the afternoon of the 6th from 1:30-4pm. The scarf class includes three pattern to choose from so you can work on appropriate to your skill. Ann will introduce or continue your education of lace knitting and you’ll be off and running. You must already know how to knit and purl. The hat she will be teaching features a flat crown and you’ll learn to work with double pointed needles, knitting in the round, increasing, i-cord and attached i-cord. Each class is $30 + supplies.

Be sure to download the full class schedule for more details and to see the others classes in later November and December.

As always, feel free to call the shop and reserve your spot in class with a credit card number or stop in and sign up in person!

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