A Full-Day Workshop
Autumn is upon us! It is the time to learn new things, take on new challenges and expand your knitter’s tool kit. Ever wonder how beautiful color work cardigans and pullovers are made? On Saturday, September 14 from 10 am until 6 pm, I’ll be teaching a Strand & Steek Workshop here in New Orleans. This project-driven workshop is for experienced knitters who want to create a sweet finished object while learning some time-honored techniques.
What You’ll Learn
- Stranded knitting with TWO hands!
- The terrifying art of STEEKING!
In the morning, we’ll take a brisk walk through Continental knitting, practicing carrying the yarn in the left hand, then move on to discussing color theory and dominance. We’ll learn to set up our stranded knitting for steeking, then we’ll create a few inches of stranded color work.
After lunch, we will learn to steek! Steeking, often terrifying to knitters, involves cutting a knitted tube to create flat pieces of fabric. We will stitch and cut steeks to separate our four coaster designs, then we’ll discuss finishing options.
The Project
Use these cute Snowflake Coasters on your Holiday table under steaming mugs of hot cocoa or toddy! They’re the perfect two-color stranded knitting project that is sure to instill a love of stranded color work. They’re easy once you’ve grasped the two-handed technique and can be finished in a couple of different ways. They require only two 50 gram skeins of 100% wool yarn, so they’re very economical as well. Once you’ve mastered the Strand & Steek technique, you’ll want to make a few extra sets to give as gifts 😉
When & Where?
We’ll meet on Saturday, September 14 a little before 10 am (best to be a little early so we can start on time) at the Artisan Bar & Cafe located at 2514 St. Claude Ave, New Orleans. That’s in the Marigny/StRoch area of the city. There is ample street parking at that time of day, just be sure NOT to park in the lot next to the Subway Sandwich shop next door. You will be booted and towed.
Cocktails are available but the kitchen doesn’t open until 1pm. I highly recommend bringing your own coffee, snacks and lunch. We’ll break for lunch around 12:30 and be back to knitting about 1 pm. Perhaps you’ll want a cocktail during the class! There will be a short cocktail-hour break in the afternoon.
Materials
Yarn: Two 50 gram skeins of 100% wool yarn, worsted weight, in contrasting colors. Superwash yarns, blended yarns and any content not 100% wool WILL NOT WORK. Steeking requires wool. Full stop.
I recommend Knit Picks Wool of the Andes Worsted. It offers great quality, low price and is available in 50 gram skeins, reducing waste. Comes in a million colors, too!
Don’t have time to order? Though we’re short of yarn shops here in New Orleans, you’ll find 100% wool yarns at Needle Arts on Canal Blvd or Quarter Stitch in the French Quarter. As a last resort, try Lion Brand Local Grown. It is the only yarn they offer that is 100% pure wool in all colors. You’ll find Lion Brand yarns at your local Michael’s and Joann stores.
Needles: US Size 6 (4.00 mm) circular needle with 16″ cable for working in the round. If you enjoy the Magic Loop technique, feel free to use 40″ cables or longer. Double-pointed needles will work, but are not recommended.
Tools: Removable stitch markers, tapestry needle, hand sewing needle and thread in a matching color, small sharp pointed scissors, sticky notes and a small notebook and pen.
Ready to sign up?
This full-day workshop requires pre-registration. Cost is $60 per person payable in advance. You can register through the Contact form on this website, or you can email me directly at littlechurchknits@gmail.com. Let me know you’re interested and we’ll go from there! I look forward to meeting you!
