Now that it is November...

...it is time to think about Christmas!  I finished the stocking from my stash of Lamb's Pride worsted yarn.  The colors I used were what I had in the worsted weight.  The red was bulky.  I like the unusual color combination.  The fuchsia eyes on the snowmen are a little odd and I will likely duplicate stitch over them.  The stocking is in the window of the shop.  I have the class information with the stocking at The Shepherdess.

Whoops, I put the name on the not-so-pretty side...I will take another photo.
 I was knitting this in a hurry and did not use a technique for hiding the jog.
A stranded project this is a good one for learning the technique of hiding
the transitions between motifs.  This is a good skill-building project.

Class Name: CHRISTMAS SOCK

Class Dates: Tuesdays, November 6, 13, and 20

Class Times: 6 pm to 8 pm

Instructor: Deborah Coder

Difficulty: Intermediate to advanced

Pattern Name or Location: Christmas Socks by Nancy Lindberg, pattern available for purchase

Supplies: Worsted weight sock—175 yards main color, 2 different colors (90 yards each), 16” circular needle size US 8/5mm

Heavy weight sock—150 yards main color, 2 different colors (70 yards each), 16” circular needle size US 9/5.5mm

Class Price: $36.00 Class Location: Red Table

Class Size: 6

Other Information: With this pattern, you can design your own Christmas sock with worsted or heavy weight yarn. There are charts you can mix and a chart for for letters.

In December another good skill-building project is for knitted ornaments. 

Ornaments are fun to knit and make great last=minute gifts.  Leave them plain or embellish them.
The samples are knit with worsted weight yarn.  To change the size of the ornaments adjust the
needle size and yarn weight.  Variegated yarns also work well with this pattern.

  

Class Name: ORNAMENTS (KNIT)

Class Dates: Tuesday, December 4 and 11

Class Times: 6 pm to 8 pm

Instructor: Deborah McQueen Coder

Difficulty: Advanced beginner and up

Pattern Name or Location: Pattern provided

Supplies: Yarn, needles, tapestry needle, and stuffing. Metallic thread, embroidery floss, pompom maker, tassel maker for embellishing.

Class Price: $24.00  Class Location: Red Table

Class Size: 6

Other Information: In this class you will make knitted ornaments. You can use the charts in the pattern to do a Fair Isle motif, or make them plain and embellish with embroidery. We will make twisted cord for the hangers. The size of the ornament depends upon the yarn and needles used.  

Feeling tense?  Relax and learn a new skill--make your own yarn in the Drop Spindle Class!

Making your own yarn is fun and once you get going it is a relaxing activity.
Animal cracker jars are wonderful for storing fiber and a spindle!  

Class Name: DROP SPINDLE SPINNING

Class Date: Thursday, December 13, 2012

Class Times: 6 pm to 8 pm

Instructor: Deborah McQueen Coder

Difficulty: Beginner

Pattern Name or Location: Handout provided

Supplies: Drop spindle (top or bottom whorl), 4 to 8 ounces of wool roving (the shop has a good supply), and PATIENCE!

Class Price: $15.00 + supplies Class Location: Red Table

Class Size: 6

Other Information: This is a great way to try out spinning to make your own yarn. If you spin and 2-ply 4 ounces of wool into worsted to aran weight yarn, you will have enough for a handspun hat or other small project!