Classes with Lucy

All classes will be taking place in the Stirling Management Centre

 

Toe up socks for travellers: bosnian toes & turkish heels

A spontaneous method for producing toe-up socks. These little gems require very little advance planning and make ideal travel knitting. The class project is a mini sock. Using a provisional cast-on, we will work a Bosnian toe square (or rectangle) using waste yarn wraps to mark the knit up positions. Establishing knitting in the round and positioning left and right raised increases. Planning, setting-in and knitting the modified Turkish heel and use of waste yarn to create the heel opening. The sock toe-chimney will be used for easy grafting (Kitchener stitch) of the heel. The sock top will be finished with a variety of bind-off options to prevent tight sock cuffs. The various techniques are applicable to many other areas of your knitting life.

 

When: Tuesday, 9.30 - 5.00

Level: Intermediate plus

Class Skills: Knitters should be comfortable with basic sock concepts

Cost: £80

Class Length: 6 hours

Homework: None

Bring with you:

- 20g each of smooth wool-blend yarns (these need • not be ‘sock’ yarns) in Worsted or DK/Sport (5 sts per inch or fewer) in 2 or more solid, light colours. Fine sock yarns and needles may be used, but is far easier to see the details of your stitches and techniques in larger yarns and plain, light colours.

-One set of 5 dpns in size 3 - 4mm, US 3 - 5. • If you prefer working on circular needles (one or two) bring a suitable selection.

-Four smaller size dpns (for picking up stitches)

-Scraps of waste yarn

-Darning needle

- Usual knitting paraphernalia

Minimum number of students for class to run: 10  Maximum number of students: 22

 

 

Double knitting

Make an exploratory journey into other realms of Double Knitting (which produces two-layer fabrics). We will begin with tubes within tubes, worked in the round, initially with a single yarn, two yarns and then with colour patterning. We will look at different ways to handle the yarns for maximum efficiency and how to incorporate shapings into double fabrics, topped off with tubular bind-off. These techniques are suited to ultra warm mittens and cozy lined socks.

When: Wednesday, 9.30 - 12.30

Level: Intermediate

Class Skills: Comfortable with knitting in the round (previous double knitting experience not necessary)

Cost: £40

Class Length: 3 hours

Bring with you:

- A set of double pointed needles of sizes US 3 - 5,  (3.5 - 4 mm) or one or two circulars according to your preferred method of working in the round.

- 20g each of two solid colours of smooth DK - Worsted weight yarn.

- Scissors

-Crochet hook

-Blunt darning needle

- Usual knitting paraphernalia

Homework: Cast on 48 sts in the round and work 2 rounds of 1x1 rib (k1, p1). Use whatever type of needles you prefer. Leave the stitches on the needle.

Minimum number of students for class to run: 10  Maximum number of students: 22

 

Cool Socks

An advanced sock workshop for happy sock knitters who wish to refine or spice up their socks. Casting on and the essential properties of sock tops, including variations of Long Tail and Channel Island cast-on (a beautiful edge for a 1x1 rib). Heels; Garter Stitch Short Row and Turkish and how to determine their placement and adjust them for better fit. The revolutionary use of a Toe Chimney for easy grafting (Kitchener stitch) with no anxiety or loose stitches! Use of running yarn markers to help you stay in control. Provisional Crochet Cast-On the easy way and knitting upwards for long-leg socks and three methods to avoid tight bound-off edges for toe-up socks.

 

When: Thursday, 9.30 - 5.00

Level: Intermediate plus

Class Skills: Knitters should be comfortable with most sock concepts

Cost: £80

Class Length: 6 hours

Bring with you:

- 20g each of smooth wool-blend yarns (these need • not be ‘sock’ yarns) in Worsted or DK/Sport (5 sts per inch or fewer) in 2 or more plain, light colours.

We will be working samples not a sock. Fine sock • yarns and needles may be used, but is far easier to see the details of your stitches and techniques in larger yarns and solid, light colours.

- 3 sets of dpns; two in sizes appropriate to your • yarn (they need not be the same size) and a significantly finer set. If you prefer working on circular needles (one or two) bring a suitable selection.

- Scissors

- Crochet hook

- Blunt darning needles

- Usual knitting paraphernalia

Homework: None

Minimum number of students for class to run: 10  Maximum number of students: 22

 

Ambidextrous knitting

You have two hands? Get both of them working for you, with a yarn in each. We’ll look at the relative merits of operating your yarn with either hand. How to weave in either of the yarns at the back of the work without ever tangling or letting go of the yarns. Discussion about the differing gauges given by the different styles of stranding and colour dominance issues. How to convert flat designs to circular to utilize this technique.

Although we will deal mainly with the knit stitch the left-hand purl will be discussed and practiced if desired. Additionally we will look at needle attributes, flat ‘circular’ swatching and planning for cutting your knitting with or without a steek.

When: Friday, 9.30 - 12.30

Level: Advanced Beginner plus

Class Skills: Comfortable with basic knit stitches

Cost: £40

Class Length: 3 hours

Bring with you:

-One 40 cm/16 inch circular needle - please do not • substitute a longer needle, of size 4 - 4.5 mm / US # 5 - 7.

-Darning needle

-A slender crochet hook

-Scissors

-Magnetic board or ruler

 -20g each approx of DK/Sport weight yarn (giving • approx 5 - 6 sts per inch in st.st.) in at least two colours.

 

Homework

Onto the circular needle, cast on 90 sts, work 4 rounds in Garter Stitch, (knit 1 round, purl 1 round) repeat, in a single colour. Leave yarn attached.

 

Minimum number of students for class to run: 10  Maximum number of students: 22

UK Knit Camp 2010

Lucy Neatby

 

 

Lucy Neatby is an internationally recognized teacher, designer, and writer who thrills knitters around the world with her inimitable charm, knowledge and uniquely colourful designs. Her passion for nurturing and empowering knitters, and putting them in control of their art, is legendary! She is the author of Cool Socks, Warm Feet and the Learn With Lucy DVD series (16 titles available).