Students wear their Blue Sky Alpaca tank

Gina and Ann came in on Sunday for Sandy's free crochet class. They both were wearing their Blue Sky Alpaca tank top that they made in Sandy's "Tank Top" class. It was nice seeing them wear something from a class that they just took. They did such a wonderful job!!!

A New Batch of Knitters

Jane Prater just finished up her September Beginner Knitting class. The class had 6 students and we are pleased to introduce these newbies to the wonderful world of knitting. Many of them plan to knit Holiday gifts for family and friends.

Which reminds me that I need to get to my Holiday knitting started as well. Can you believe it, 3 more months until Christmas!!!!! Sorry for getting off the subject.

In the class were 2 sets of friends. I think it is great that friends are learning to knit together. The class also had a nice mix of various ages. There are so many things today that separate generations and ages, it is nice to see that knitting is not one of them.

Vogue Scarf Class a Big Hit

Sandy had a class last Wednesday for the scarf on the cover of the Vogue Knitting 25th Anniversary issue. The class was so much fun. Everyone left completing a flower. Shelly is doing her scarf in various greens. Below is a picture of one of her flowers.

Since the class was very popular and many people were unable to take it, we definitely will be offering it again. So stay tuned!!!!

Sandy made a sample of the scarf for the shop. Instead of using the alchemy silk yarns like the pattern used, she opted for the Debbie Bliss Pure Silk and Sirdar Baby Bamboo. She used the Pure Silk for the black and silver flowers and the baby bamboo for the cream. This scarf is perfect for the Holiday season. You can also get creative and do the flowers in different colors like Sandy.

Cristi Teaches Socks on 2 Circulars

Loretta wanted to learn how to knit socks from the "toe up" on 2 circular needles. Since she has never knitted socks before, Cristi suggested that she first learn to make a regular pair of socks. Cristi and Loretta set-up 3 private lessons, 2 hours each.

Lesson 1: Introduction to the 2 circulars technique for knitting small circumferences. Cast on and toe
Lesson 2: The heel (short row heel techniques and a discussion on reverse heel flap/gussets - homework, knit the cuff)
Lesson 3: Binding off (there are several options for this)

It was fun seeing Loretta's sock in the various stages. See how fantastic Loretta's first sock turned out.

If you would like to learn to knit socks on 2 circular needles or want to view Charlotte Yarn's other sock classes, click here.

Sock Month Has Begun with a Bang

August is sock month at Charlotte Yarn. Today we had our beginners sock class. We had 5 lovely ladies in the class. They all did wonderful!!!! Class was taught by our sock queen, Natalie.

Donna stopped by to ask when the beginners sock class was. When I told her it was taking place now, she was disappointed that she missed it. However, Donna did not stay disappointed for long. She said that she wanted to learn, so I got her started. She never knitted on double pointed needles before, but you would have never known it. She did so good. By the time she left, she turned the heel and did the gusset on a miniature sock.

To help celebrate sock month, we just got in new colors of the Austermann Step sock yarn. Each ball has Aloe Vera and Jojoba Oil making this a fabulously soft sock yarn. This yarn is 75% Virgin Wool and 25% Nylon for both durability and softness. It is a fingering weight yarn with a gauge of 30 stitches per inch when knit on 2.5 to 3mm (U.S. size 1 or 2) needles. It is a Superwash Wool yarn so yarn care is simply machine wash, cool and dry flat.