30 April, 2008 | No comments

Amy’s moving to Alaska, but you have one more chance for a class

Amy O’Neill Houck, the Takoma Park–based author, crochet designer and teacher, will soon be moving to (generally) cooler climes. Maryland’s loss will be Alaska’s gain, but we’re offering one more chance to take a class from this gifted instructor before she heads to the far Northwest.

On Saturday, May 17, 1–4 p.m., Amy will conduct a workshop in hairpin lace, a classic technique that’s undergoing a major revival. (Check out www.stitchdiva.com for some cool hairpin lace patterns; we have many in stock.) The technique makes use of a loom or fork to produce strips of crochet that can be joined together to make a variety of fabrics. In this workshop, you’ll learn the basics, including how to use the loom, how to create hairpin strips and how to crochet them together to make a simple scarf.

Materials, which can be purchased at a 10 percent discount the day of the workshop, include a simple loom and one skein of a light-colored worsted weight yarn like Ella Rae or Brown Sheep. The class costs $45 plus materials, and advance reservations are required.

29 April, 2008 | No comments

Mother’s Day ideas for the knitter or crocheter in your life

Mother’s Day is the perfect day to show the knitter or crocheter in your life that you care. We have great gift ideas that will please all the mothers on your list. How about a skein or two of beautiful hand-dyed yarn from Neighborhood Fiber Co. or a lovely basket from Lantern Moon, handmade in Vietnam, for mom to store her stash? If she’s a sock knitter, she’ll love a set of handcrafted Darn Pretty Needles from Vermont. And if she’s a frequent traveler, a set of interchangeable Denise needles will ensure that she’s never without the right tools for the job. If you just can’t decide, our gift certificates never expire, and you can tuck one inside a handpainted note card.

25 April, 2008 | No comments

Learn to knit this summer top

Say goodbye to spring while knitting a lacy summer Flirty Tank. Choose one of our many lightweight summer yarns and be guided through some mildly challenging techniques, including circular lace knitting, on your way to summer fun. Catherine Sutherland is the instructor for this class, which begins Saturday, May 10. (The model Flirty Tank shown here is knit in Cottonwood, an organic yarn from Universal’s Fibra Natura. Many other yarns are also suitable. Also, the model garment is a size medium and the young woman modeling the tank top is a size extra small, so the fit can be a good deal closer.) Check out our latest class list, below, for details of this and other late spring classes.

22 April, 2008 | No comments

Late spring classes and workshops, including summer tops, hairpin lace, finishing

First, the Fine Print: Prepayment is required for all classes. With paid registration, students get a 10 percent discount on class materials. (We ask that all yarn and patterns be purchased at A Tangled Skein.) Classes require a minimum of 3 students; maximum class size is 6, unless otherwise indicated. Classes may be canceled because of insufficient registration. In case of cancellation, students will receive a full refund. Students who drop classes prior to 7 days before class begins receive a 75 percent refund. No refunds are given for cancellations within one week of the class start date. Unless otherwise noted, classes are open to students 14 and older.

You can register by telephone with your credit card: 301-779-3399.

A word about makeup sessions: If you find you cannot attend a session of a class that is offered on more than one day of the week (as our beginning knitting and crochet classes are), you may attend the alternate class. If you must miss a session of a class that is scheduled for only one time slot, you may make arrangements with the instructor for a makeup session. It is our goal to see that you get full value for your class fee.

Two Chances to Sit & Stitch
Wednesdays, 7–9 PM
Thursdays, 1–3 PM
Our sit & stitch (or crochet) sessions are open to everyone at no charge, no registration required. Just bring your current project (crocheters welcome!) or come find new inspiration—or both. Light refreshments are offered, along with encouragement and friendly conversation.

And Now a Chance to Sit & Spin
Fourth Friday of every month, 7–9 PM
Beginning and experienced spinners, whether drop spindle or wheel users, get together for fellowship, conversation, and exchange of advice and inspiration. There’s no charge, of course, and no registration is required. Anne O’Connor, spinner extraordinaire, is the moderator. Begins April 25. Future dates, to aid in planning: May 23, June 27, July 25.

Beginning Knitting
4 Friday evenings, 7–9 PM
May 9, 16, 23 & 30
Skill Level: Beginner/Advanced Beginner
Instructor: Cheryl Hoffman

or
4 Sunday afternoons, 3–5 PM
May 4, 11, 25 & June 1
Skill Level: Beginner/Advanced Beginner
Instructor: Cheryl Hoffman

Join us as a new knitter or come to brush up on the basics. At the end of this course you will be able to cast on and cast off, knit, purl, and read simple patterns. We will start with a practice piece, and progress to a project such as a scarf, baby blanket, or purse.

Materials can be purchased at the first class. (If you have size 7 or 8 knitting needles, bring them to class.)

Price: $80 for 4 sessions, plus materials

Knitting Beyond the Rectangle
4 Sunday afternoons, 1–3 PM
May 4, 11, 25 & June 1
Skill Level: Advanced Beginner/Intermediate
Instructor: Cheryl Hoffman

Ready to move beyond simple scarves and baby blankets? If you know the basics of knitting, this class will help you move beyond the rectangle, as you improve your pattern-reading skills and learn how to shape a garment—a nice vest, perhaps (no endless sleeves!), or a child’s sweater—or a bag, felted or not. You can also explore pattern stitches beyond garter and stockinette. The instructor can help you choose an appropriate project at the first class session.

Price: $80 for 4 sessions, plus materials

Crochet for Everyone
3 Tuesday evenings, 7–9 PM
May 13, 20 & 27
Level: Beginner/Advanced Beginner
Instructor: Edna Paulson

Who needs to know how to crochet? Almost everyone! Crocheted garments and accessories are all over the fashion magazines and catalogs, and many patterns combine knitting and crocheting (think of single-crochet or picot edgings on sweaters and baby blankets). Learn, or brush up on, the basics of this versatile craft while you make an envelope bag, a packable, crushable hat, a triangular shawl or a combined knit-and-crochet item of your choice.

Materials can be purchased at the first class.

Price: $60 for 3 sessions, plus materials

Crochet to Go Green
3 Saturday afternoons, 4–6 PM
May 10, 17 & 24
Level: Beginner/Advanced Beginner
Instructor: Edna Paulson

Would you like to save a tree (or some petroleum) by providing your own shopping bag, but keep forgetting to bring one along? In this class you’ll crochet a mesh bag in the European style, big enough to hold a lot of shopping but small enough to tuck into a pocket or purse. If you’re a beginner, you’ll learn basic stitches, shaping and pattern reading. If you already know the basics, you can branch out by adding color changes or embellishments. The bag makes a fun gift, too.

Materials can be purchased at the first class.

Price: $60 for 3 sessions, plus materials

Knitting for Kids
Level: Beginner, ages 9–13
Instructor: Catherine Sutherland or Cheryl Hoffman

We are eager to introduce kids ages 9 to 13 to the joys of two sticks and a ball of string. But we despair, in this age of multiple activities, of choosing just the right times. So if you can gather together a minimum of two and a maximum of four children with matching schedules, Catherine will be happy to work with you to schedule a class at a suitable time. Students will learn to cast on, knit, purl, and cast off, while making several small projects. (Mom or Dad can sit in on the class for no additional charge.)

Price: $80 for 4 sessions, plus materials

Flirty Tank
4 Saturday afternoons, 1–3 PM
May 10 & 17, June 7 & 14
Level: Intermediate
Instructor: Catherine Sutherland

Get ready to say goodbye to spring while knitting a lacy summer Flirty Tank. Choose one of our many lightweight summer yarns and be guided through some mildly challenging techniques, including circular lace knitting, on your way to summer fun.

Cost: $80 for 4 sessions plus materials

Basic Cuff-Down Socks
3 Thursday evenings, 7–9 PM
May 29, June 5 & 12
Level: Advanced Beginner/Intermediate
Instructor: Jennifer Woods

If you can knit and purl with proficiency, you can learn to knit socks. This class will teach you to knit socks from the cuff down, on your choice of double-pointed needles or two circular needles. Over the course of the class, students will knit themselves either one or a pair of socks in worsted-, sport-, or fingering-weight yarn. The instructor will help select appropriate materials at the first class session.

Price: $60 for 3 sessions, plus materials

Summer Tops
4 Tuesday afternoons, 11:30 AM–1:30 PM
April 22 & 29, May 13 & 20

or
4 Wednesday evenings, 5–7 PM
April 23 & 30, May 14 & 21
Level: Adventurous Beginner/Intermediate
Instructor: Pat Preston

Veteran knitting instructor Pat Preston will help you perfect your technique on summer tops. The suggested project is a top-down, short-sleeved cardigan that is flattering to every body type and can be knit in a variety of worsted/aran-weight yarns (4.5 stitches per inch). The class will cover basic sweater construction, sizing to fit, and finishing techniques.

Price: $80 for 4 sessions, plus materials

Hairpin Lace
One-day workshop, Saturday, May 17, 1–4 PM
Instructor: Amy O’Neill Houck

This classic technique is undergoing a major revival. Check out our Stitch Diva patterns to see some of the possibilities for its use. In this workshop, you’ll learn the basics, including how to use the frame, how to create hairpin strips and how to crochet them together to make a simple scarf. This is one of your last opportunities to take a class with Amy, who is headed north to Alaska later this summer.

Price: $45 plus materials

Finishing
One-day workshop, Thursday, May 22, 7–9 PM
Instructor: Jennifer Woods

This one-session workshop will help ensure that your projects look handmade, not just homemade. The instructor will show you how to block the pieces and then put them together—sewing up seams, weaving in ends, and completing all the other finishing details to show off all your hours of work. This is not about picking up stitches or knitting neckbands but about applying details that will transport your UFO into a finished article that someone is willing to wear. Bring your UFOs that need finishing or two six-inch squares in stockinette stitch (or one on stockinette and one in garter). For sewing pieces together, you’ll usually want to use the same yarn you used to knit the garment; for sewing on buttons, it’s best to bring button thread.

Price: $20 plus materials

About the Instructors
Cheryl Hoffman learned to knit in graduate school and has ever since regretted the lost knitting opportunities in earlier years. Her project-completion rate is low (she’s a real process knitter), but her pleasure is undiminished. After years of academic editing from her basement office, she is thrilled to be co-owner of A Tangled Skein. The talents of her customers never cease to amaze her.

Amy O’Neill Houck is a nationally known crochet designer and teacher. She has appeared on the cable television show Knitty Gritty and is coauthor of the just-released Color Book of Felted Crochet.

Anne O’Connor has been spinning for six years. She spins with both a spindle and a spinning wheel and spins mostly for knitting.

Edna Paulson learned to crochet as a child from her mother. Over the years her projects have ranged from slippers to stuffed toys, afghans, and a bikini. She also sews, does counted cross stitch, and knits. Edna enjoys sharing skills and tips with other needlecrafters.

Pat Preston learned to knit in sixth grade and has been an avid knitter over lots of decades. Having a husband, three adult children, and now 10 grandchildren, she has never had a reason not to knit. Kids’ sweaters have long been a specialty, along with socks, and she has recently added entrelac and the Magic Loop to her repertoire. In 1998 she retired from clinical social work at the University of Maryland into studying the violin and playing in a quartet and string ensemble. She is also knitting more and is greatly enjoying teaching classes and helping new knitters launch into an activity they can enjoy the rest of their lives. All her life she has wanted to work in a yarn shop and is thrilled to be part of the team at A Tangled Skein.

Catherine Sutherland, trained as an archivist, now applies her degree to managing her stash. She began knitting for her children in 1993. Her mother-in-law assured her, after seeing Catherine’s first attempt, that it was wonderful how everyone found her own way. This remains Catherine’s philosophy today, and she has taught beginners of all ages in the College Park area since 2001.

Jennifer Woods has been knitting most of her life (since she was seven or eight) and has been knitting socks since 1994, when Nancy Bush’s Folk Socks book was first published. She and her husband wear only hand-knit socks. She also loves lace knitting and Fair Isle knitting. She has been teaching socks and other classes for five years, first at the now-closed Yarns International and currently at A Tangled Skein.

12 March, 2008 | No comments

Give our new rack a spin

We now carry Vogue knitting magazines, so pick up your copy of the spring/summer issues of Vogue Knitting and Knit Simple the next time you’re in the shop. They’re on our new spinning magazine and book rack, where you’ll also find wonderful new pattern collections from designers Elsebeth Lavold and Louisa Harding.

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