Stitches South

Stitches South is coming to Atlanta in April. I've signed up for four classes. I wish you guys were here so you could go with me. Especially since one of the classes I'm taking is twined knitting. I taught myself from Twined Knitting: A Swedish Folkcraft Technique in 1980 when it first came out and Mom gave me a copy. I figured a refresher couldn't hurt since I only ever knit the one thing that way. Then we have to start the two end project we always planned to do. (Would you like me to send your copy to you, Mom?)

Fiendishly Difficult Stitches
Teacher: Saarniit, Merike
Skill Level: Intermediate
Description: Yes, these are stitches for the adventuresome knitter! Explore unusual stitch manipulations that create exotic fabrics. We'll look at what can designate a stitch as 'difficult' and find ways to understand and create those stitches efficiently.

Lapland Hand Garments
Teacher: Hansson, Susanna
Skill Level: Advanced
Description: These colorful Sami mittens feature an unusual zig-zag-like pattern that appears only on the top of the mitten while the palm-side is plain-they are not for the faint of heart. Begin by practicing the technique with worsted weight yarn, a clever way of keeping track of many small balls of yarn, and how to keep them from getting tangled. Your project will involve 11 small balls of yarn plus the main color.

Intro to Twined Knitting
Teacher: Beth Brown Reinsel
Skill Level: Intermediate
Description: Curious about the 400-year-old Swedish technique of twined knitting? Try knitting one of a pair of wristers while learning traditional cast-on, twined knitting, twined purling, and patterning (the "O" stitch, the Crook stitch). Must be comfortable working with two circular needles or double-pointed needles.

Latvian Wristers
Teacher: Beth Brown Reinsel
Skill Level: Intermediate
Description: Using wristers as a template, knit one of a pair to learn the following techniques which can be applied to mitten cuffs, sock tops or sleeves: a scalloped cuff, the herringbone braid and many subtle and beautiful variations of the half-braid. A choice of traditional motifs is incorporated in the main part of the wrister, as well as a picot edge at the end. Additional techniques to be discussed include knitting with two yarns in the right hand, two yarns in the left hand, or a yarn in each hand, as well as knitting with three colors and setting up the knitting for color changes in the braids.