The Annual Blanket

We love being able to offer classes in our little shop. Classes offer us a way to help you all expand your skills, but it also reinforces the inclusive community that we have fostered over the years. One class that keeps bringing people back for more is Adrienne's Annual Blanket class.

For the last several years, the class has helped knitters of all skill levels complete a handknit blanket over the course of a year. We have adapted the class to make it easier to afford in installments, we have added multiple evenings a week, and we have offered advanced classes for folks who want to level up.

This year's 2020 Blanket class offers all of the good stuff! Adrienne is offering the class Sunday, Monday, or Tuesday evening from 6:30-8:30 PM, and you can sign up for 3 months at a time for added flexibility.

In addition to all of that, you will be able to choose from a variety of squares each month, depending on the technical level you'd like to try. Having a crazy month and need a mindless square? Choose an easier one! Want to challenge yourself one month? Choose the more difficult square like the cool designs below!

These blankets are really heirloom quality items. Adrienne will help you seam your finished squares to create a cozy blanket to keep for yourself or to give as a gift. I think we are on our fifth year for this wonderful class. It's the perfect time to join the blanket class community at Close Knit! Give us a call or stop in to sign up for the first session beginning in January.

Two-at-a-Time, You Say?

Have you heard of SSS? Second sock syndrome? You choose a skein of lovely yarn, cast on, knit away on that beautiful sock until it's finished, cast off, and immediately lose motivation to make another one.

It happens. And Emily wants to cure you. Join her on Monday evenings starting March 11 to learn how to knit two socks at once. Her Two-at-a-Time Sock class will be 4:30-6:30 on Monday evenings in March, and by the time you are finished you should have enough socks to warm two feet.

Granny Party

 

Let's marvel at this elegant crocheter and her sophisticated granny scarf. Would you love to learn to make one of these for yourself?

Melissa has a new crochet class on the calendar that goes beyond the basics of crochet and will introduce you to the magical world of granny squares. You can join the Granny Party on Sunday afternoons in February by calling the shop or popping in to sign up.

Week one will involve learning how to make the cute hat above and discussing options for your shawl. Weeks two and three will be all about the shawl.

There are many options for customization to make your shawl just the perfect thing for you. Crocheters should have some basic crochet knowledge of chain stitch, double, and single crochet. Can't wait to see your cool grannies!

Advanced Blanket Class

Did you all see that Adrienne is teaching a new blanket class next year? The Advanced Blanket Class uses patterns from the Great North American Afghan book. 

This class meets once a month for all of 2019, and you'll learn a new square each month. Then you put it all together to make an amazing afghan by the end of the year!

As a class, you will all decide on the twelve squares you want to make. There are some really beautiful ones to chose from!

  

Adrienne can help you choose colors if you're feeling overwhelmed by all of your choices. This will be a really fun class, so give us a call or stop in to sign up. We will need to get colors ordered in December, so don't delay!

New Class Alert!

You all know about our awesome teachers, right? They are so talented and clever and they want to make YOU an even better knitter or crocheter. Take a look at the sidebar for the whole list of great classes and flexible options.

Our newest offering from Emily is a drop in class called The Devlin is in the Details! This class will be Friday afternoons from 1-4PM. It works a little bit differently since it's a drop in class: one hour is $12, two hours is $20, and all three hours will be $30. You can come by anytime during the time window and you only pay for the time you are here. 

The focus will be getting unstuck on a project or learning how to finish your projects, but really anyone with any project is welcome. The first class is tomorrow, Friday, July 6. We are excited to try out this new format and see if it works for you all!

Eye Candy

Check out Emily in her Carbeth-in-progress! She will be teaching a class on this sweater over the summer. Give us a call or stop in if you're interested in signing up!

Eye Candy

Have you all seen the classes we have available for this spring and summer? Take a look over on the right sidebar for the whole big ol' list!

We have beginning crochet and knitting options, a pick-your-project class (including a sweater-based option), a Carbeth sweater class, the ongoing blanket class...so much to offer! We even have a really nice flexible summer series for two of our classes.

Our classes are really fun and our instructors are wonderful. Give us a ring or pop in the shop with any question or to sign up for classes.

Eye Candy

Hey it's a blanket! This gorgeous cozy afghan was knit in Adrienne's Blanket Class last year. We are cranking away on the 2018 blanket, and I am sure we will give this class another go in 2019, because everyone loves it!

Adrienne is an amazing teacher with lots of great classes to offer. Beginning and Beyond will get you started or help you expand your skills. New classes begin this week on Thursday, April 5. Pick Your Project is all about you and whatever you want to knit, with a new class beginning tomorrow, April 3. 

If you're into crochet classes, we have the fabulous Melissa offering a beginning Crochet Workshop starting on Sunday, April 8. 

Spring is the time to learn new things! Hone those skills and be all ready with cozy knit and crochet goodies when fall returns. Stop in the shop or give us a call to sign up or ask questions.

Spring 2018 Interweave Knits

The Spring issue of IK has some lovely sweaters! That pretty cabled number on the cover is the Clear Creek Cardigan, knit up in Berroco Ultra Alpaca. It's extra long! As you can see below.

I also love this colorwork stunner, The Compass Rose Pullover. It's worked up in a sport weight, so I'd go with Cascade 220 Sport or Harrisville Flywheel.

The Elk Meadow Pullover has a real 80s vibe, doesn't it? If that's not your jam, you could use some less pastel shades to change up the look.

I love the subtle cables on the Evergreen Mountain Pullover, worked up in Blue Sky Fibers Woolstok. There are many other great pieces in this issue, including several men's sweaters. Take a look and get inspired!

If you see something that looks fun but are feeling nervous about taking the plunge, consider Adrienne's Pick Your Project class. The next round begins April 3, and she will help you with any project you'd like to try!

Knit Your Heart's Desire!

In place of our regular Eye Candy, I'm here to remind you that Adrienne's Pick Your Project class starts tomorrow at 10AM! There are SO MANY lovely ideas for you to try out under Adrienne's capable tutelage.

Winter Games Hat

Want to make a sweater? Try out short rows? Make a sock? Try colorwork? Learn magic loop, grafting, tubular cast on? Play with brioche? All of these things are possible in this class! Decide what you'd love to try, and give a call to the shop to hold your spot. We can help you choose yarn and needles to get started and you will be well on your way to knitting your heart's desire!

Carbeth!

Hermione's Everyday Sock

Briochemistry

I've included a few inspirational patterns from Ravelry that have caught my eye just to get you thinking! All of the pics are borrowed from the Ravelry pattern pages, just follow the link under the picture for more information. Have fun!

Knit Your Heart's Desire

Adrienne, our amazing knitting teacher, wants to help you level up your knitting. When you search through Ravelry or flip through magazines and pattern books, do you find yourself discouraged because you can't decipher the instructions or because you run across a technique you don't understand? Colorwork, short rows, cables, textures, picking up stitches, mattress stitch...what has you flummoxed? Whatever it is, we want to help. Adrienne is offering a Tuesday morning class in February that will help you conquer those knitting hurdles.

The Pick Your Project class, beginning February 13, is designed to meet your needs and help you move forward in your knitting, no matter where you are starting out. If you aren't sure where to begin, Adrienne will help you choose an appropriate project of your dreams. Call the shop or pop in to sign up and talk with someone about choosing a project. Knit your heart's true desire!

It's Time for Blankets!

Hey knitters! It's time to sign up for the 2018 Blanket Class!

In this class, you'll meet up once a month on Monday or Tuesday nights, depending on which sessions you choose. Each month, you'll work on a new square using an interesting stitch pattern that Adrienne will teach you. At the end of it all, she will show you how to put it all together into your new favorite blanket. And just like that, you have a blanket!

We are gearing up to order yarn for the class, which starts in January. This class is really fun, and your blanket will be awesome! If this sounds like fun to you, please give us a call or stop in to sign up and pre-order your yarn. You can use a solid color or mix it up with whatever you like. Sally needs to get the orders in soon, so please call or stop in this week.

Crochet Workshop Starts This Weekend!

Melissa has created some lovely new samples to lure you into her Crochet Workshop, starting this Sunday afternoon! If you've ever wanted to learn to crochet, this is your chance. You'll learn the basics during the first week, creating a cute chunky cowl. Then onto fingerless mitts and a beanie! Three accessories by the middle of December. Perfect! Give us a call or pop in to sign up.

Eye Candy

Do you all know about our 2018 Blanket Class? It's a year-long extravaganza of blanket making that culminates in your own amazing finished treasure! Take a look at the class schedule and logistics and all the details of how to sign up. We will have Monday AND Tuesday night sessions to fit your busy lives. Come knit a blanket with Adrienne!

Brioche Scarf Class

Emily wants to teach you knitting magic! Brioche stitch creates this gorgeous, double-sided fabric that is thick and squishy and so satisfying to knit and wear. I made a brioche cowl years ago, and the finished product reminded me of a sea creature.

Emily used the Brioche Basix pattern, a freebie on Ravelry. You can use that pattern for the class, or any other brioche pattern that you like. My cowl is a mashup of the Purl Soho Brioche Cowl and the Newsprint Cowl, if that one looks appealing.

Class starts August 1 at 6:30! Give us a call at the shop or pop in to sign up.

Summer Home Dec!

It looks like the weather might be taking a turn for the sunny this week. We have declared it home dec weather! Also, summer is a great time to learn some new techniques. Let's start off with a fun short row pillow class.

Emily will walk you through the magic of short rows to create this beautiful pillow using three balls of Noro Kureopatora. Short rows have so many uses. If you've ever shied away from a pattern because of short rows, now is the time to learn! Once you have it mastered with this fun pillow, you will be able to use short rows for garment shaping, design features, color manipulations...all the applications! Her class starts in a few weeks, so give us a call or stop in to sign up.

More Socks!

Our next sock session is on the calendar. Join Emily in February for some toe-up socks!

Emily's sock classes are very flexible. All styles of socks and all methods are welcome. The February class focuses on toe-up socks in a worsted weight yarn, but you are welcome to try top-down as well. Emily will teach you how to knit socks with double pointed needles, two circulars, or using the magic loop method. So many choices! Give us a call or stop by the shop to sign up for the February session.

It's chilly out there today, and there are grumblings about more snow. You will want warm socks!

Classy Gifts

Did you know we can apply your gift certificates to any and all Close Knit classes?

Are you a fledgling knitter, looking to up your skills? Adrienne's Beginning and Beyond Thursday night class might be just right for you. If you are struggling with the basics or looking to try the next thing, she can get you going. Bring a project or just grab some needles and yarn. She will get you on the right track.

If you prefer hooks to needles, Melissa's Crochet Workshop on Sunday afternoons is your class. She can help you refresh your skills or start from scratch. Granny squares, cowls, hats...all the crochet.

Do you know about the 2017 Blanket? The 2016 class was such a resounding success, we are doing it again in 2017. The structure of the class is a little different from the others, so take a look at the dates and terms and decide what works for you.

Emily has a sock class planned for January, and you know that will be fun. She is ready and willing to teach you what you need to know to get those cozy socks onto your needles and then onto your chilly toes! You get to choose the method: double points, two criculars, one long circular, toe-up, top-down. So many options.

Adrienne is also working up a set of advancing skills classes to keep you learning new things. Stay tuned in the next few weeks for information about that series of classes.

If you are lucky enough to have received a Close Knit gift certificate for the holidays (we know many of you have), consider using your gift to hone your knitting or crochet skills in 2017!

Let's Knit Fancy Stockings!

Ready for the holidays? Ha! Neither am I. But I really want Adrienne to get us ready! Over just three classes in November, Adrienne will guide you through the construction of these fabulous stockings. This class is designed for any skill level. You can choose to do stranded colorwork and add deer and snowflakes and trees, or you can keep it simple with stripes and solids.

She has designed several motifs for you to choose from, so each stocking you make can be designed with a specific recipient in mind. Adrienne will walk you through all of the basics of the colorwork, too. These stockings are certain to become family heirlooms for you and your loved ones.

Stop by the shop or give us a call to sign up. This is going to be a fun class!

Holiday Ornaments

Adrienne's Holiday Ornaments class is on the calendar for Tuesday, November 1. She has designed a number of little patterns for you to try out on these fun ornaments. I love the stripes and spots, personally, but the reindeer and snowmen are pretty cute, too!

This one-night class will be tons of fun. Adrienne will walk you through the colorwork process, show you how to stuff the balls, and help you create the little loop for hanging.

These would be sweet on a tree, obviously, but I think they would also be great decorating a mantle, a banister, or even a gift. Give us a call or stop by to sign up. This is going to be a fun class!