Traditional Ganseys
| Instructor: Beth Brown-Reinsel | Class Capacity: 25 | |||
| Class Level: Intermediate |
Description ~ Traditional Ganseys
Students will learn some of the history of the Gansey and how to construct one, a sweater style prevalent in the 19th century and early part of the 20th century among the fishermen of the British Isles. A small- scale sweater will be knitted using traditional construction techniques. Even if you never knit a full-sized gansey, this class will expand your understanding of construction, and will enhance your knitting bag of tricks! Alternate methods to these techniques will also be explored.
Twined Textured Fingerless Mitts
| Instructor: Beth Brown-Reinsel | Class Capacity: 25 | |||
| Class Level: Intermediate |
Description ~ Twined Textured Fingerless Mitts
Learn the fascinating 400-year-old Swedish technique of Tvåändsstickning, (Two-End Knitting), or Twined Knitting by creating one of a pair of fingerless mitts. Working in the round, two yarns are used to create this beautiful, elastic fabric, but they are not stranded! The yarns are continuously wrapping around each other taking turns in the front or back of the work, to make the motifs. Once you understand the movements, the knitting becomes almost meditative and soothing.
The typical gauge for traditional twined knitting is high, usually 8 stitches to the inch or more. I teach a lot of twined knitting classes and have found that students meet with better success and less frustration initially if they begin with a lower gauge, such as working with worsted weight yarn.
Puntas from Peru
| Instructor: Beth Brown-Reinsel | Class Capacity: 25 | |||
| Class Level: Intermediate |
Description ~ Puntas from Peru
In Peru, the chullos (hats worn only by men and boys), are made with a great deal of care and skill. The men knit these hats for their sons, while the women knit for their families, or to sell. Often the hats start with the puntas, or scallops, in two or more colors. We will practice these design details and learn alternatives to them. We'll also explore making q'urpu, a string of tiny bobbles or popcorns that are then "popped through" the fabric of the chullo, applied after the hat is knitted or by incorporating the q'urpu as the fabric is knitted. Learning these techniques deepens our understanding of the clever ways knitting can be manipulated as well as instilling an appreciation for the culture that created them. In this way we can continue in, and be a part of, these traditions.
Finnish Mitts
| Instructor: Beth Brown-Reinsel | Class Capacity: 25 | |||
| Class Level: Advanced beginner |
Description ~ Finnish Mitts
Create one of a pair of fingerless mitts in class to learn about tapestry crochet, in one and two colors, worked in the round, and the classic knitting motifs of the handsome 19th-century Finnish Korsnäs sweater. It is said this garment was knitted by young women for their betrothed. It is an unusual pullover as it includes both tapestry crochet and knitting and had geometric motifs as well as (sometimes) depicts dancing men and women.