Knitting Books

It used to be that it was hard to find a knitting pattern for something trendy and interested.  Granny sweaters and dull hats could be found at every turn, but nothing fun.  Now, you can find lots of interesting patterns online (just google what you’re looking for!), and the Stitch ‘n Bitch Handbook has changed the direction of pattern books.  What was once just a resource for frumpy jumpers has now expanded to handbags, mobile phone covers and bikinis.

The class is over…

…but keep on knitting!

I had such a lovely time with you ladies, and I hope that you (and anyone else using this blog) will keep on knitting!  Send me photos of your finished projects if you can, and I’ll add them to the blog.

You can also continue to email me at dublinknitters@gmail.com with any questions!  I’ll try to keep posting new project ideas or suggestions on here as well.

Happy Knitting!

Knitting Abbreviations

A great resource at knitting.about.com!

A pattern can look very daunting when you see a list of abbreviations that mean nothing to you!  Check out this reference page to help you through any knitting project.  The website often links back to explanations of how to do each stitch, as well.

Enjoy!

Cabling and more, tomorrow

Saturday’s class is all about decorative stitches.  We’ll be starting with cable knit, which is a bit time consuming to learn, but quite simple once you get the hang of it.  I’ll also be bringing in some patterns so we can play with row by row increases and decreases to create an interesting final fabric.  

Just a reminder, no more Thursday classes, and next Saturday (the 21st) is our last class.  It’s been great, and I look forward to seeing you tomorrow and next week!

Open Session Wednesday Evening

Did you miss out on the first few weeks of knitting classes?  Do you want to catch a lesson before this Saturday’s class? 

This Wednesday, 11 Octoboer, an open session to drop in and catch up on the first three lessons.  

The Library Bar

Week three starts tomorrow

This week we’ll be knitting in the round, so if you’re coming along, please bring a pair of circular needles or a set of double-pointed needles!

If you’re unsure, circulars look like this:

Class Tomorrow!

Thursday, at 3:30 in the Curved Street Café.  This week is purling, stockinette, colour changes and whatever you, the students, decide to put me on the spot about.  Hope to see you there!

Unfortunately, we’ve had to cancel this Saturday’s class, on the 31st.  I have to leave town, unexpectedly.  I hope you take the occasion to enjoy Halloween all the more and maybe even pick up your needles.

Changing Colo(u)rs

Holiday Barbie looks like she could use some practical winter wear.

It’s a good thing I made her two scarves!

Last week in class, Aileen mentioned that she used to turn her knitting samples from school into Barbie clothes– mini skirts, tube tops (You silly Irish call them boob tubes!  That’s a TV!), you get the idea– which reminded me that I used to do the same thing.  So this week, in honour of that nostalgic moment, I’ve decided to make my otherwise useless class examples into Barbie-wear, because let’s face it, she’s not going to make it through an Irish winter in that getup.

Now, onto the practical side of things: tips for vertical and horizontal colour-changes in knitting.

One week down

  

 

 

Could we do this for knitting?

 

The first week has come and gone, and we’re barreling into week two.  

Saturday was great fun.  Both of my students were former knitters– learned back in primary school– and as soon as we got past the awkward bit of relearning how to cast on, they were whipping through the rows.  In fact, they were much better than I expected, so we had time to throw in some colour experimentation at the end.  How are you getting on with that, ladies?

The Course

Thursdays and Saturdays

(you choose!)

at the Curved Street Café in Temple Bar:

 

A drop-in knitting extravaganza!  Five weeks of classes at 15 euro a pop; a great way to meet new people, share stories over a cup of tea, and learn to knit just in time for winter!

Schedule: