COMPLETE SCHEDULE: www.stitchtherapybrooklyn.com
RUTH MARSHAL - KNIT ANIMAL PELTS KNIT IN COLOR
Some of the most beautiful and complex patterns are found in the natural world. Artist Ruth Marshall will teach students how to translate intricate patterns in nature onto a design chart, which they will create a piece of colorful, knitted art. The goal of the workshop is to teach participants the skill of visually interpreting an image, so that they can leave with the knowledge of how to knit creative patterns of their own design. This workshop, scheduled for October 30th from 1:30 - 4:30pm at Stitch Therapy in Park Slope Brooklyn, is inspired by Ruth Marshall's message of wildlife conservation and her fascination with the intricate designs on the coats of spotted and striped cats such as the ocelot, leopard, and tiger.
By studying photographs of these exotic cats, the artist will demonstrate how to draw a design onto a grid layout, which will serve as your knitting chart. This chart will help you to envision your four-inch knitted square, which you will then complete during the course of the workshop. Using two contrasting colors you will see how beautiful the coats of these animals are and also how knitting is a fantastic medium with which to translate nature. Students should know how to knit and purl.
THE GENESIS of ENTRELAC
The first time I became even remotely interested in entrelac was when I laid eyes on this beautiful pattern called The Entrelac Shawl in one of Debbie Bliss' books. It was gorgeous as it was unique. Beautifully textured rectangles with a simple cable down the middle. I knew I had to make that blanket.
Entrelac was a foreign concept to me at this time, in terms of execution. Yes, I was familiar with the term, but in so far as squares alternating ugly colors that seem to have no business together, and so I never felt the least bit inspired to learn that technique. But this was different just a good looking piece of fabric. And so I set out to begin work on this masterpiece.
Then I got stuck. Once I got through the base triangles, the pattern began to read crazy. Each word got tangled in my head, leaving me in an utter state of bewilderment, angst and confusion. I put it away, but this piece just kept nagging at me to put an end to this madness. The call to completion got louder, and louder, and so I picked it up again. I met someone who successfully completed this blanket, and she not only allowed me to pick her brain, she got the light bulb in my head to go off, and helped me decode this language of entrelac.
I finished the blanket and unexpectedly a whole world was opened up to me. My desire to master this technique was to finish this blanket, but then I discovered that I actually liked the fabric that entrelac created. I have since made other things, and have been given the opportunity to share the creative wealth of knowledge of the wonderful world of Entrelac at Stitch Therapy where I now help others decode this rather simple skill.
BOOT CAMP: NOT JUST FOR BEGINNERS
In the beginning . . .
There was the thought. The desire. Then the class. The Beginner knitting class. It is the spring board to every future knitting project and/or every future class you take from here on out. So what is it that we do?
What makes the beginning knitting class at Stitch Therapy so special?
1) You learn to cast on
2) You learn to knit
3) You learn to bind off
4) You learn to purl
5) You learn the difference between knitting "flat" and knitting in "the round".
6) You learn the basic construction of making a hat in the round.
7) You get a sense of reading patterns.
8) You learn to decrease.
9) You get a basic tutorial in finishing
10) You learn that 90% of learning to knit is the desire. If you have that, you will leave this class knitting.
The primary focus of the first class is the technique itself and understanding the way the stitches are constructed. We then work on building muscle memory, binding off and then applying what we learned. The next class is introducing purl. Casting on for the hat. Pattern reading, and a demonstration of decreases.
Our students go on to create amazing things. Many go from the beginning class to the Magic Looping Class, or the Circle, prepared to take on a more challenging project where a new skill set of perhaps sewing, or understanding a more complicated stitch pattern.
One thing is for certain - My beginners never cease to amaze me. And they don't stay beginners for long
The only thing needed for the this class is the desire to learn and a positive attitude. Leave the rest to us.
MAGIC LOOP: Fingerless Gloves, Mittens and Leg Warmers
RUTH MARSHAL - KNIT ANIMAL PELTS KNIT IN COLOR
 |
| Ruth Marshal at work |
 |
| Knit from the chart. |
 |
| Entrelac Scarf from Knitting Daily. |
The first time I became even remotely interested in entrelac was when I laid eyes on this beautiful pattern called The Entrelac Shawl in one of Debbie Bliss' books. It was gorgeous as it was unique. Beautifully textured rectangles with a simple cable down the middle. I knew I had to make that blanket.
Entrelac was a foreign concept to me at this time, in terms of execution. Yes, I was familiar with the term, but in so far as squares alternating ugly colors that seem to have no business together, and so I never felt the least bit inspired to learn that technique. But this was different just a good looking piece of fabric. And so I set out to begin work on this masterpiece.
Then I got stuck. Once I got through the base triangles, the pattern began to read crazy. Each word got tangled in my head, leaving me in an utter state of bewilderment, angst and confusion. I put it away, but this piece just kept nagging at me to put an end to this madness. The call to completion got louder, and louder, and so I picked it up again. I met someone who successfully completed this blanket, and she not only allowed me to pick her brain, she got the light bulb in my head to go off, and helped me decode this language of entrelac.
I finished the blanket and unexpectedly a whole world was opened up to me. My desire to master this technique was to finish this blanket, but then I discovered that I actually liked the fabric that entrelac created. I have since made other things, and have been given the opportunity to share the creative wealth of knowledge of the wonderful world of Entrelac at Stitch Therapy where I now help others decode this rather simple skill.
BOOT CAMP: NOT JUST FOR BEGINNERS
 |
| The knit stitch - Garter Stitch pattern |
In the beginning . . .
 |
| Flat, Circular knitting and finishing. |
 |
| Weaving in the ends. |
There was the thought. The desire. Then the class. The Beginner knitting class. It is the spring board to every future knitting project and/or every future class you take from here on out. So what is it that we do?
What makes the beginning knitting class at Stitch Therapy so special?
1) You learn to cast on
 |
| knitting a hat in the round. |
3) You learn to bind off
4) You learn to purl
5) You learn the difference between knitting "flat" and knitting in "the round".
6) You learn the basic construction of making a hat in the round.
7) You get a sense of reading patterns.
8) You learn to decrease.
9) You get a basic tutorial in finishing
10) You learn that 90% of learning to knit is the desire. If you have that, you will leave this class knitting.
 |
| The concept of stripping! |
Our students go on to create amazing things. Many go from the beginning class to the Magic Looping Class, or the Circle, prepared to take on a more challenging project where a new skill set of perhaps sewing, or understanding a more complicated stitch pattern.
One thing is for certain - My beginners never cease to amaze me. And they don't stay beginners for long
The only thing needed for the this class is the desire to learn and a positive attitude. Leave the rest to us.
MAGIC LOOP: Fingerless Gloves, Mittens and Leg Warmers
I couldn't believe I had hesitated to try, magic loop seemed awkward for the first eight rounds, then quickly turned into a much loved technique I can not imagine not utilizing. Some of the benefits: You avoid those 'lines' created by uneven tension at the join of your double pointed needles. Your project is far less likely to slip off a needle whilst in your bag. It looks cool. People will glance and squint and finally ask you what you are doing - and how. I am always happy to share. In fact I have become somewhat of an ambassador of magic loop these days, between the class I teach at Stitch Therapy and random encounters with interested parties.
And so I spent a decent part of the summer knitting up magic loop sample projects for the class that starts in late September and runs, every other Sunday, until June. Thus far I have added count is 2 new mittens, 3 fingerless gloves, and 2 legwarmers to the roster. I find it helps not only the students but also me in discussing the technique, as well as when tackling specific issues that arise with each item.
I am excited to share the magic loop experience again this fall. I hope you will be able to join me on this knitting adventure.
In this class you will choose one pattern from a selection of eleven from Ravelry (www.ravelry.com for a look at completed project go to Pumpkinbutter projects). Pattern selections include: Chevalier, Swirl Mittens, Fetching, Reading Mitts, Cafe Au Purple Mitts, Bella Mitten, Evangeline fingerless glove, Maine Morning fingerless gloves or Leg Warmers: Les Cables de faux, Tree Trunk Leg Warmers. As you knit one of these patterns, you will learn cabling, increases, decreases while advancing your knitting technique! - with local Brooklyn knitter Kris Percival - Author of Knitting Pretty, Speed knitting and the Knitting to Go Deck. This class is free of charge, however you must register in advance, Print your own copy of the pattern and purchase yarn from Stitch Therapy - no exceptions.
Japanese Chart Reading.
 |
| Build your chart reading abilities. |
 |
Choose your own project od make this cowl on a size 17us |
Make this cowl or you select the project - Mieko has designed the cowl to teach you how to knit while reading a Japanese knitting chart. Nice a lofty this piece is knit in the round with Granite by Loop-d-Loop on a size 17 US knitting needle. Or pick your ouwn project - The Japanese book shop Kinokuniya locatedat 1073 Avenue of the Americas (212) 869-1700 has a selection of knitting books.
Traveling Cables in the Round and the Magic Loop technique.
 |
| Magic Loop with comfort and ease. |
Traveling cables vary from basic cable work by crossing over a ground (typically purl or textured) that is equal to or wider than the column of stitches that are being cabled. Typically, traveling cables intersect with with two or more columns, as seen on Aran and Celtic knotwork. In this workshop we explore the Magic Loop technique and the traveling cable in the round with a pattern that repeats over the course of 360 degrees — demonstrated on an infant hat, and a tubular scarf.
