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This fun introduction to Stranded Colorwork ends up look like a headband! (Or a cowl, or a pillow- or whatever!) We’ll be using Pacific Knit Company’s Doodle Decks to create our own design before we tackle Stranded Colorwork.
Optional- come back for Part 2 and we’ll Steek it!
It is time to level up your knitting.
Bring your knitted headband to class. You do not need to block it before class. You’ll also need the rest of your headband kit (we need that yarn) and a needle that’s a little smaller than the one you used in your headband (ie if you made the headband on size 7’s, bring size 5 or 6. Straight or circular- doesn’t matter). If you’ve picked out your buttons, bring them! You’ll need 3.
We will reinforce our work, make the cut, and make our button bands to finish our headband.
Curious about steeking? Feel free to join this class if you didn’t make the headband! You can bring something else to steek or just watch and learn. The lessons covered will apply to all steeking projects.
Register through Flax and Fiber!
Curious about cables? We’ll demystify this technique with a pillow! You’ll learn several types of cables (with and without a cable needle) in this quick-to-knit project.
You’ll need 200 grams of a chunky yarn (shown in Malabrigo Chunky) and a size 10 or 10.5 24” circular needle. You’ll need a 12” pillow form to stuff your pillow (available at large craft stores or online) but you won’t need to bring this to class.
Students should be confident in knitting and purling. Experience reading patterns and knitting in the round is a plus!
Register through The Knitting Otter
Curious about cables? We’ll demystify this technique with a pillow! You’ll learn several types of cables (with and without a cable needle) in this quick-to-knit project.
You’ll need 200 grams of a chunky yarn (shown in Malabrigo Chunky) and a size 10 or 10.5 24” circular needle. You’ll need a 12” pillow form to stuff your pillow (available at large craft stores or online) but you won’t need to bring this to class.
Students should be confident in knitting and purling. Experience reading patterns and knitting in the round is a plus!
Register through Bloomington Wool & Fiber
Have you ever wanted to try stranded colorwork? This class is a gentle introduction to the technique with a twist- you’ll be the knitter AND the designer!
You’ll need a 24” circular needle (size 5 or 6) and least 2 colors of a sport or DK weight yarn in complementary colors (at least 50g of the main color). Wool (or similar animal fiber) is strongly suggested.
Description: Originating in Newfoundland and Labrador Island, thrummed mittens are a fun way to create wonderfully warm, fleece- lined mittens. Thrums were originally scraps of yarn leftover from weaving projects, but now roving (tufts of unspun wool) is used. Roving thrums are added every few rounds to create a layer of wool insulation that felts with use and these mittens get better every time you wear them!
HOMEWORK: Homework is 3 inches of ribbing (or length of their choice) so we can jump right into making and adding thrums. If you don’t have time to do your ribbing, the thrummed alternative is a little pincushion/cat toy to get thrum practice.
Items Included: Natural roving, pattern, a handmade stitch marker.
Student Provides: 100g of worsted weight wool or wool blend- cannot be superwash.
Prerequisites: Student should be confident in knitting and purling in the round.
Description: We'll be adding beads as we go with a crochet hook in this fun, festive project! Your little trees will fly off your needles so quickly, you may end up with a tiny Christmas tree farm.
Material Provided: Yarn, beads, stuffing, crochet hook, pattern.
Items student provides: Needles. We'll be working back and forth with a fingering weight yarn, so you're welcome to use circular needles or straight needles, anywhere from a size 0-3. Note- you'll want a firm knit so your stuffing doesn't show through- bring smaller needles if you're a loose knitter.
Prerequisites: knitting, purling
Ready to knit beyond a hat? Baby sweaters are a fantastic way to learn big techniques in a small project. Join us at A Yarn Market for a 2-part baby sweater series.
This 2-part workshop covers pattern reading, increasing, knitting in the round, buttonholes, and top-down raglan sweater construction which can be applied to sweaters of any size. Students will need 100-150 grams of a DK or worsted weight yarn, a size 6 (DK) or 7, or 8 (Worsted) 24” circular needle and DPNs of the same size.
Students should come feeling confident in knitting and purling.
Register at Flax & Fiber
Ready to knit beyond a hat? Baby sweaters are a fantastic way to learn big techniques in a small project. Join us at A Yarn Market for a 2-part baby sweater series.
This 2-part workshop covers pattern reading, increasing, knitting in the round, buttonholes, and top-down raglan sweater construction which can be applied to sweaters of any size. Students will need 100-150 grams of a DK or worsted weight yarn, a size 6 (DK) or 7, or 8 (Worsted) 24” circular needle and DPNs of the same size.
Students should come feeling confident in knitting and purling.
Register at Flax & Fiber
Description: Originating in Newfoundland and Labrador Island, thrummed mittens are a fun way to create wonderfully warm, fleece- lined mittens. Thrums were originally scraps of yarn leftover from weaving projects, but now roving (tufts of unspun wool) is used. Roving thrums are added every few rounds to create a layer of wool insulation that felts with use and these mittens get better every time you wear them!
HOMEWORK: Homework is 3 inches of ribbing (or length of their choice) so we can jump right into making and adding thrums. If you don’t have time to do your ribbing, the thrummed alternative is a little pincushion/cat toy to get thrum practice.
Items Included: Natural roving, pattern, a handmade stitch marker.
Student Provides: 100g of worsted weight wool or wool blend- cannot be superwash.
Prerequisites: Student should be confident in knitting and purling in the round.
Register through Flax & Fiber
This is a placeholder while Lynn and I come up with something SUPER FUN!
Ever wonder about the origin of the term “spinning a yarn”?
Paige, lover of yarn and books, will be giving a lecture for the Bloomington Spinners & Weavers Guild members!
She’ll be discussing fiber arts and the symbolism of yarn throughout the history of storytelling- from traditional folk stories about the beginning of the world and ancient mythology, to hidden meanings in fairy tales, to more modern (and sometimes magical) uses of yarn and needlework in literature. Spoiler alert- it’s never just a project.
Copies of Paige’s Heartland Fae book series will be available for purchase after the lecture.
Description: We'll be adding beads as we go with a crochet hook in this fun, festive project! Your little trees will fly off your needles so quickly, you may end up with a tiny Christmas tree farm.
Material Provided: Yarn, beads, stuffing, crochet hook, pattern.
Items student provides: Needles. We'll be working back and forth with a fingering weight yarn, so you're welcome to use circular needles or straight needles, anywhere from a size 0-3. Note- you'll want a firm knit so your stuffing doesn't show through- bring smaller needles if you're a loose knitter.
Prerequisites: knitting, purling
Register through Flax & Fiber
It’s back!
Sign ups for Winter Wooly Weekend will go live on October 1st for new attendees. We have an amazing weekend full of classes, vendors, games and fun, stay tuned for details!
This is a placeholder for Paige’s lecture at Fibruary! So excited! Time and topic to be finalized soon!
Description: This class is a very gentle introduction to Brioche knitting, also called Tuck stitch. We'll be making a scrumptious cowl.
Materials Provided: pattern, encouragement and hand-holding, and a handmade stitch marker
Items student provides: Yarn and needles (24” circs are best!). You'll want two contrasting colors of the same yarn and an appropriately sized needle (ie size 6 for DK, 8 for worsted- err on the big side if you're a tight knitter). The pattern is written for a sport weight yarn, but we can adjust it to use whatever yarn you'd like to use. Solids and semi-solids are best.
Prerequisites: Knitting in the round, K2tog, P2tog, slipping stitches
Make your next sweater your best sweater!
In this interactive workshop, will discuss how to measure your body, how to make changes to patterns to fit your body better and go over some math to resize or correct gauge issues. We will also cover yarn substitutions and why some work and some don't.
This class is very body-positive, looking at clothing construction with a critical eye and adjusting existing patterns to make your knits more flattering.
There is not a project associated with class but you will receive a handy reference packet with your registration.
Is it knitted? Or woven?
Entrelac is a very fun technique that results in a fabric that looks like it’s woven with knitted bands! It’s a little awkward at first, but is addictive once you get going.
Make the most of our time together in class by coming with your ribbing done and ready to jump into entrelac. You’ll be provided with the pattern at registration. You’ll need about 75g of a worsted weight yarn and a size 7 circular needle- 24” is best. You may want DPNS for the crown decreases, but you won’t need them for class.
Register through A Knitting Otter!
This is NOT your grandma’s crochet class!
A top-down raglan is one of the easiest and most versatile sweater styles. We'll be learning the math behind this construction so that you can confidently create your own clothing. Pullover or cardigan? Short sleeves or long sleeves? Top or Dress? Ruffles or plain edging? Once you understand the basics of raglan construction and shaping, you can do whatever you want in any yarn you choose- you won't even need a pattern!
Can you knit and purl in the round? You can make a stocking!
Bring whatever skills you have to class and we'll design and start a Christmas stocking. Solid colors? Stripes? Cables? Colorwork? It's your project!
This class will focus on stocking construction rather than a particular stitch or technique. You'll leave with the ability to create your own stocking pattern from any yarn you choose.
Stockings are also a fantastic way to start knitting socks. You will learn how to make the leg, turn a heel, pick up a gusset, knit a foot and finish the toes so that you can apply those lessons to traditional sock knitting.
Please finish the leg of your stocking and be ready to put in your heel by the second part of this workshop.
Description: Duplicate stitch is a decorative stitch worked over stockinette. It is a fantastic way to add pictures or motifs to knits that are already finished, and an excellent alternative to knitting intarsia. Easily add names or designs to sweaters, Christmas stockings, or anything your heart desires!
Items Included: Darning needle and a selection of yarns to use in your sampler
Student Provides: Item to be duplicate stitched. This can be a big swatch, a sweater from a thrift shop, a headband or cowl, as long as we have a big stockinette section, we can work with it! Please contact Paige if you have questions about what will work in class: paigeshipleydesigns@gmail.com
Prerequisites: Basic knitting knowledge (knits and purls).
Minimum Age of Participants: 10 (under 12 must have adult with them).
Description: New to knitting? Let's cover the basics- we'll talk about yarn and how to choose yarn and needles for projects and then jump right into casting on, knitting, and (time permitting) purling! All items included in our "Get Started Knitting" kit.
Items Included: 25 grams of worsted weight yarn, size 7 needles, info booklet of tips for new knitters, and a darning needle, all in a cute bag!
Student Provides: Eagerness to learn a new craft!
Prerequisites: None.
Minimum Age of Participants: 6 (under 12 must have adult with them).
This class is a gentle introduction to Fair Isle knitting, also known as stranded colorwork.
You’ll have two options with this class.
Fair Isle headband. No funny business, just a checkered flag that you can wear around your head! You’ll race through this project in no time!
Steeked Fair Isle headband. Come back for part 2 on June 15th and we’ll cut your headband open and add a button band. After we finish knitting the headband, we will reinforce our work and then cut a straight line up a column of stitches before finishing with a tidy hem. This technique is most commonly used on sweaters (turning a pullover into a cardigan, or cutting holes in Fair Isle sweaters to insert sleeves) but we’ll be playing it safe with a much smaller project.
Prerequisites! This is an intermediate to advanced knitting class. You will need to be able to knit and purl confidently in the round with consistent tension, and be able to read a pattern. If you have questions about experience and whether or not this class is a good fit for you, feel free to reach out to Paige.
Supplies! You’ll need a checkered flag kit (available from A Yarn Market) and size 7 24” circular needles. If you’re a loose knitter, you may want to bring a smaller size needle, if you’re a tight knitter, you may want to bring a larger size. We’ll be working with the fabulous Malabrigo Rios in a black and undyed colorway.
Homework! Homework is optional, but it will help you get the most out of class. Casting on and doing the ribbing before class will give you more time to practice your Fair Isle in class. See the pattern provided with the kit for more information.
Need help on your knitting or crochet project?
Do you have general knitting or crochet questions?
Would you like to learn about upcoming classes at A Yarn Market?
Stop by the Pit Stop booth for assistance and information! See you there!
Indy Fiber Hundred’s Website
Have you wanted to learn colorwork but weren't sure how to start? This colorwork bag is worked in a mosaic pattern, creating a fun design with slipped stitches and only one yarn at a time! You’ll end up with a fun dumpling bag for projects on the go.
You will need 50 grams of at least 2 colors in the yarn of your choice and appropriately sized needles (ie size 6 for DK, size 7 or 8 for worsted), 24” circular needle and DPNs for the handle and base. Yarns that work best with Tia’s Tote are smooth and solid or tonal- sample was made in a magenta and orange sport weight.
Prerequisite skills: Students should be confident in knitting, purling, and slipping stitches and working in the round on circular needles. DPNS experience is a plus!
Register at A Yarn Market
This class is a gentle introduction to Fair Isle knitting (also known as Stranded Colorwork). You’ll learn the basics of this technique with a festive pattern that you can finish on your own. This class is perfect for the confident beginner (you can knit, purl, and read a pattern) or intermediate knitter.
You’ll need a size 6 circular needle (24” is best) and 100 grams/220 yards of a worsted weight wool in a dark or bright color and around 75grams of the same yarn in a light color. Solids/tonals are best for Fair Isle knitting but gradients are also fine. Handpainted yarns are gorgeous- but not for this class. You’ll also need a 14” pillow form, but you don’t need to bring it to class.
Ready to play with some color? We’ll be slipping stitches in two (or more!) colors to create this fun look that’s deceptively easy and uses only one color at a time.
You’ll need 100g of DK weight yarn, preferably in a wool or warm animal fiber. Two colors? Three colors? 15 colors- totally up to you! You’ll also need size 5 16-24” circular needle and stitch marker. You may also want size 5 DPNs for the crown, but we won’t need them for class.
To make the most of this class, come with the ribbing done and ready to jump in to stripes and slips!
Intimidated by mittens? In this class we’ll cover the basics of mitten construction in a gentle pattern that can be easily customized to fit your hands and your style!
You’ll need 100g of DK weight yarn, preferably in a wool or warm animal fiber. One color? Two colors? 15 colors- totally up to you! You’ll also need size 5 double pointed needles and a couple safety pins/stitch holders.
To make the most of this class, come with the ribbing of the first mitten done + 3 rounds of even knitting. Ask Paige or Kristi if you have questions!
Join us for Part 1 of the Taking the Eeek out of Steek Class! In this class we’ll get you comfortable with the basics of Fair Isle knitting on a headband before we reinforce and cut them open in September!
You’ll need a size 5 or 6 circular needle (16-24”) in a sport or DK weight yarn- preferably wool in at least 2 colors.
Join us for year 10 of Winter Wooly Retreat!
This year we have 2 registration options - you can join us in person at the Brown County Inn in Nashville, IN or virtually, from the comfort of your home! See the Winter Wooly Retreat tab for more information! Registration ends Jan 1st, 2022 (or when we’re full).
Description: We'll be adding beads as we go with a crochet hook in this fun, festive project! Your little trees will fly off your needles so quickly, you may end up with a tiny Christmas tree farm.
Material Provided: Yarn, beads, stuffing, crochet hook, pattern.
Items student provides: Needles. We'll be working back and forth with a fingering weight yarn, so you're welcome to use circular needles or straight needles, anywhere from a size 0-3. Note- you'll want a firm knit so your stuffing doesn't show through- bring smaller needles if you're a loose knitter.
Prerequisites: knitting, purling
Register here: https://rebelpurl.com/pages/events
Come crochet with us!
We’ll be covering the basics - chaining, single crochet, double crochet- and we’ll get you all set up for your first project! You’ll need to bring your own yarn and hook, and register through The Knitting Otter.
Description: This class is a very gentle introduction to Brioche knitting, also called Tuck stitch. We'll be making a scrumptious cowl.
Material Provided: pattern, encouragement and hand-holding, and a handmade stitch marker
Items student provides: Yarn and needles. You'll want two contrasting colors of the same yarn and an appropriately sized needle (ie size 6 for DK, 8 for worsted- err on the big side if you're a tight knitter). The pattern is written for a sport weight yarn, but we can adjust it to use whatever yarn you'd like to use. Solids and semi-solids are best.
Prerequisites: Knitting in the round, K2tog, P2tog, slipping stitches
Register here: https://www.soinfiberfestival.com/workshops
Paige loves to cut open her knitting! Join us for a free steeking presentation at the Southern IN Fiber & Arts Festival!
Steeking is the very precise art of cutting open your knitting, commonly found in Fair Isle cardigan patterns. Paige will cover how to reinforce before cutting, some cutting tips, and how to finish after a cut is made. Kick your knitting up a few notches with this skill!
This is a demo, not a workshop. There is no fee to attend.
Description: A gentle introduction to Fair Isle knitting, also known as stranded colorwork. We'll talk about traditional Fair Isle patterns, appropriate yarns, tension tricks and you'll design and start knitting your own Fair Isle hat!
Material Provided: pattern, graphing paper for pattern designing, and a handmade stitch marker
Items student provides: At least 2 colors of the same Sport or DK weight yarn, totally at least 100 grams. Pick bright or light colors that contrast well, dark colors are not recommended for first Fair Isle projects. Solids and semi-solids are best. You'll also need a 16"-24" circular needle in the appropriate size for the yarn you're using (5 for a Sport, 6 for DK. Size up if you're a tight knitter, size down for loose knitting. You may want to have multiple options for class)
Prerequisites: Knitting in the round, experience reading charts.
Sign up here: https://www.soinfiberfestival.com/workshops
Don’t miss the Good For Ewe booth at the 25th Wool Gathering! Stop by the booth for some big news about Good For Ewe!
Note: This is the rescheduled event for 2021. We’ll miss ewe this year!
Join us for a fun new festival! Paige will have an outdoor booth (there may be a tent for some sun coverage, but we'll make that decision based on COVID rates closer to then, and the weather reports.
We’ll have lots of great deals on lace, sock and sport weight yarns- it’s been over a year since our last festival and we’re so excited! We’ll also have great deals on patterns and some retired (but still in great shape) garments.
Paige is vaccinated for her and your safety.
Come and join us for our first show in 1.5 years, and our very first time at Hoosier Hills!
Paige is bursting at the seams with yarn and will be having a big Spring Cleaning sale on some overstock, as well as some fun new colors!
We will also have some retired garments for sale as well as our usual yarns, kits, patterns. Might even be some goodies from Paige’s garden too!
More festival information:Dates & Times
Friday, June 4, 2021 from 10:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
Saturday, June 5, 2021 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Our festival is organized by the non-profit Hoosier Hills Fiber Festival, Inc., which is
a dedicated group of volunteers working to bring the fiber arts world to the general public.
The Hoosier Hills Fiber Festival organizes a two-day market place with demonstrations,
entertainment for all ages, and fiber art related workshops taught by skilled instructors.
While visiting the festival, consider taking one of these workshops to expand your
knowledge and skill set.
(From the Winter’s Eve Gathering Facebook Page)
WintersEve Fiberarts Popup Market at The Red Barn at Sycamore Farm. A wool lovers paradise includes rug hooking designers, indie dyers, local wool producers, a mobile yarn truck, and juried handmade artisans. A shopping weekend for the cozy season!
We’re doing a Virtu-Wool yarn show!
Paige has 45 minutes to talk so she’s going to do a mini-version of our Perfect Fit class (while standing in front of the booth). Come and hang out with Paige on the Virtu-Wool show page on Sunday, Sept 13 and learn about how to make your next sweater your best sweater. We’ll talk about yarn substitutions, when gauge matters and what to do if you aren’t getting it, how to measure for a sweater (and why you should do it often), and some shaping tricks to make your sweater fit you perfectly.
Come check out my living room….errr….the booth! We’ve got a half hour time slot at 8am Eastern on Sunday, August 30th so make yourself a tea or coffee and come spend your morning with me, talking about yarn.
If you want to shop but aren’t really a morning person, I get it (I’m not either). You can shop our Etsy shop before, during or after the show. (But we’ll totally have more to choose from before the show starts!) The booth tour will play for a few days after the sale so don’t worry if you missed it live!
Note: You’ll need to join the WAFA Facebook Group to partake in the fun! You don’t need to be in the WAFA group to shop from our Etsy page though!
Paige will be offering a new sort of Fair Isle class at a new sort of Festival! We are absolutely stoked to be on board for Fiberworld 2020!! This class doesn't teach a specific pattern, it's more of a workshop in Fair Isle technique and design. The project we'll use for the class is a hat, but what it looks like is entirely up to you!
Come and spend the last couple hours of Fiberworld with us, learning a new technique is a wonderful way to end a festival weekend!
For more information, see the Fiberworld Class List!
We are so excited to be part of Fiberworld! We’ll have booth hours between 9-5(ish) each day (toddler permitting) to answer questions, help you pick out colors or just chat about projects!
If you can’t make it, you can also shop our Etsy shop anytime.
Paige is also teaching Fair Isle (see other event) and doing a thrummed mitten demo! Paige will be away from the booth on Sunday, August 23rd from 7-9pm teaching class but is otherwise flexible. Feel free to contact Paige to book an appointment to have your fibery questions answered.
Stop by our booth at our first Jay County show! Paige is working on new colors and kits all winter, so this is the first public show to see them!
Have you ever seen a gorgeous fleece and just wanted to bury your hands in that wooly goodness?
Boy, do I have a project for you. Thrummed mittens are a really fun way to incorporate unspun wool (roving) into your knitting for amazing fleece-lined mittens. You’ll need 100 grams of a worsted weight yarn that is NOT superwash, and a set of size 6 dpns. The pattern and undyed white roving will be provided, but there is homework!
You’ll need to register for the class through Starstruck Cat Studio and bring your completed homework to class so that we can jump right in to working those thrums. It won’t take you long- it’s just the ribbing on the first mitten, but your homework helps keep the class moving for our one session workshop. Class is $35, your yarn must be purchased through Starstruck Cat Yarn Studio.
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