Stick with us as we strive to bring new experiences that support our new normal.
Laura Nelkin
Laura's Classes-- See Photos in the Gallery below
Beading 101
Beading 101 with designer Laura Nelkin covers multiple ways of working with beads. It is the PERFECT introductory experience! You will learn how to place beads with a crochet hook or superfloss, how to work with pre-strung beads in a variety of ways, and how to work with beads on cast-ons and bind-offs. We’ll discuss choosing beads and yarn, along with how to look at an existing pattern in your library and how to add beads to it. This is a class for those with basic knitting skills who are ready to add a little bling to their knitting! Skills learned in this workshop can be practiced with any one of Laura's beaded knitting kits.
If you want to work along with Laura in class you'll need:
Approx. 20 yards fingering weight yarn
US Size 3 (3.25 mm) needles
Approx 5 grams size 6/0 and 8/0 glass seed beads
Dental Floss threader or other tool for stringing beads on yarn, .8mm-1mm crochet hook for placing beads on stitches
Laura has learn to knit with beads kits here:
https://www.etsy.com/listing/861121841/learn-to-knit-with-beads-kit
Side to Side Sweaters: The Novus Construction
In this class Laura Nelkin, knitwear designer, introduces you to the “Novus” construction, her seamless yet structured modern approach to the side-to-side sweater. She’ll cover how the construction works, how to modify the construction to fit your body, any necessary skills needed for the construction (i.e., provisional cast-on), and provide you with a mini version of the concept to play with after class. In class you will discuss choosing yarn to knit your sweater so you have success! By the end of class you’ll be ready to independently knit your own sweater from the collection.
If you want to work along with Laura in class you'll need:
Small amount of sport- or DK-weight yarn, size 6 needles, and 4mm crochet hook.
About Laura:
Laura Nelkin lives in upstate New York, where the sunny season is short, leaving plenty of time to be indoors knitting. Despite holding a degree in apparel design from Cornell University, she took to knitting years ago and hasn't looked back. Laura's designs and techniques are innovative, fun, and will challenge you to think in new ways about your knitting.
Laura runs 2 super fun clubs every year: The N Club, and Lola's Choice, both of which are great ways to learn and explore what you can do with your needles! Laura shares her skills in workshops across the country, online with Bluprint, and in her spare time leads knitting tours abroad. Laura also has an extensive collection of kits for knitting with beads! Learn more on her website, www.nelkindesigns.com .
Mieka John
Mieka's Classes--See Photos in the Gallery below
Steeking Class
Description:
The thought of cutting into your knits might be scary but no need to fear! In this class, you’ll be guided through snipping your stitches with both a crochet and hand sewn steek and be armed with all the knowledge and confidence for your first steeking project. Grab your favorite scissors and get ready to cut your class project to bits!
Homework:
When choosing the yarns, choose a yarn that is non-superwash pure wool or 90% wool blend. Non-animal fibers such as cotton and acrylic are not appropriate for this class.
Using worsted-weight yarn and 4.5mm (US 7) DPNs (or long circular needle if using magic loop method), cast on 48 sts using the long-tail cast-on. Place a beginning of round marker and join in the round.
Join CC and begin colorwork chart from class photos. Repeat these 2 rounds a total of 5 times.
Cut CC and knit 6 rounds in MC.
Join CC and knit the 2 rounds of the colorwork chart shown above once. Bind off all sts in MC with any preferred bind off method, cut yarn, block swatch and bring to class! Abbreviations: CC - contrasting color, MC - main color.
Materials to Bring:
In addition to your homework, please bring 1 fingering weight yarn in a high contrasting color to your homework, crochet hook size G-6 (4mm) or E-4 (3.5mm), a sharp sewing or tapestry needle that you can thread the fingering weight yarn through and your favorite sharp scissors! When choosing the yarn, choose a yarn that is non-superwash pure wool or 90% wool blend. Non-animal fibers such as cotton and acrylic are not appropriate for this class.
Thrumming Class
Description:
Those cold winters call for more than just any kind of mittens. Thrumming is a technique that incorporates pieces of fiber/roving into your knitting creating a soft, insulating layer between you and that winter chill. These quick, cozy mittens will keep your hands nice and toasty until you can make it to your next cup of tea or hot chocolate. In this class, you’ll learn a bit about fibre, a bit about the technique and cast the mittens on to try it out yourself! You’ll have a new skill under your belt and your new favorite winter mittens on your needles!
Homework:
Cuff Gauge: 22 sts x 24 rounds = 4 in / 10 cm in 1x1 ribbing
Body Gauge: 17 sts x 24 rounds = 4 in / 10 cm in stockinette stitch
For general reference, I'll be using Aran-weight yarn with 4.5 mm (US 7) needles for the cuff and 5.0 mm (US 8) for the body.
With aran weight yarn and suitable needles to obtain Cuff Gauge, loosely cast on 32 sts using the long-tail cast on method. Place beginning of round marker and join in the round careful not to twist the sts.
Round 1: *K1, p1; repeat from * until end. Repeat Round 1 until the mitten cuff reaches about 2 in / 5 cm or desired length.
Change to larger needles required to obtain Body Gauge and knit 1 round.
Next Round: K4, M1L, *k8, M1L; repeat from * three times, k4. (36 sts)
Knit 2 rounds. Keep these sts on the needles and bring to class.
Abbreviations: k - knit, p - purl, M1L - make 1 left, sts - stitches
Materials to Bring:
In addition to your homework, please bring 40g roving in a contrasting color that goes with your yarn, some waste yarn and a tapestry needle.
About Mieka:
Mieka John, the designer behind Salt & Stone Knits, enjoys the many facets of being a knitwear designer and teacher. On an average day she’s connecting and collaborating with other makers, swatching designs, and preparing classes. Originally from New York, she now lives in beautiful Amsterdam spending her days uncovering her creativity and biking to the next appointment with a basket full of WIPs.
When Mieka teaches knitting classes she enjoys connecting with students from around the world both virtually and at festivals. Often the techniques featured in her lessons become the central focus of her designs. She delights in finding new applications for familiar techniques and building them into wearable and versatile items.
From the moment you enter the classroom, Mieka works to make sure your time together is valuable,and fun! You'll leave feeling not only accomplished and armed with new skills but but that you've connected with your crafting community.
