26 January, 2012 |

Classes at A Tangled Skein

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. If a class is canceled because of insufficient registration, 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 student cancellations within one week of the class start date or for classes students choose not to complete. Unless otherwise noted, classes are open to students 14 and older.

You can register by telephone with your credit card: 301-779-3399.
Unless otherwise noted, the instructor will help you choose materials at the first class session.

If you must miss a class session, please notify us. At the instructor’s discretion, we may be able to arrange a makeup session. If evening events at Prince George’s County schools are canceled for weather reasons, we will not hold evening classes at A Tangled Skein. Please check the school system’s website at www1.pgcps.org or give us a call.

Two Chances to Sit & Stitch
Wednesdays, 7 to 9 PM
Thursdays, 1 to 3 PM

Our sit & stitch 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.

Beginning Knitting: Quick Start Version
2 Tuesdays, 7–9 PM
February 12 & 19
Skill Level: Beginner
Instructor: Barbara Ross-Robey

Get started with knitting by taking this two-session class! After you have learned to cast on, knit and purl (American method), we’ll explore increase, decrease and bind-off stitches (two of each) that are frequently used in basic knitting patterns.

Price: $50 for 2 sessions (includes basic materials fee)

Knitting for Kids
Skill Level: Beginner, ages 9–13
Instructor: Catherine Sutherland

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. (The focus of this class is on teaching kids to knit, but moms or dads are welcome to sit in for no additional charge so they can help their children.)

Price: $60 for 4 90-minute sessions, plus materials

Crocus Pocus Lace Shawl
3 Saturdays, 11:30 AM to 1:30 PM
February 9, 16 & 23
Level: Adventurous Beginner/Intermediate
Instructor: Jennifer Woods

New class! This is a fun shawl knit out of fingering-weight (sock) or lace-weight yarn. The pattern, free on Ravelry (www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/crocus-pocus), is described as “A flippant little snippet of a spring scarf for your wardrobe! Dangling crocus beads on every point add to the charm.” With a triangle shape and a not-too-hard pattern, this is a nice starting point for a new lace knitter. The beads are optional. When you sign up, be sure to supply us with an email address so that the instructor can send you suggestions on where to buy beads, if you want to add them. Please obtain all your materials before the first class. Materials: 450 yards of fingering (sock) or lace yarn, plus 20 yards of a contrasting color for edging (not needed until the end); size 5 (3.75 mm) circular needle, 24- or 32-inch length; stitch markers. For optional beads: 2,750 size 8/0 beads (larger beads will make the scarf too heavy); 76 Czech pressed-glass bellflower beads; tiny (size 14/0.6 mm or 16/0.4 mm) crochet hook for placing beads.

Price: $60 for 3 sessions, plus materials

Beyond the Basics in Crochet
3 Saturdays, 4 to 6 PM
February 9, 16 & 23
Skill Level: Advanced Beginner
Instructor: Edna Paulson

New class! This class will explore some different pattern stitches, crochet in the round and changing colors. Students must know how to do chain stitch and single crochet without supervision. Please bring along any hooks you have to the first class.

Price: $60 for 3 sessions, plus materials

Finishing
One-day workshop
Subday, February 24, 1–3 PM
Instructor: Jennifer Woods

This one-session workshop will help ensure that your projects look handcrafted, not homemade. The instructor, who has years of knitting experience, 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 transform your UFO (unfinished object) into a finished article that you or someone else will be delighted to wear. Bring your UFOs that need finishing or two six-inch squares in stockinette stitch (or one in 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

Edna Paulson learned to crochet as a child from her mother. An ambidextrous crocheter, she has made projects over the years ranging from slippers to stuffed toys, afghans, and a bikini. She is also an avid knitter. Edna enjoys sharing skills and tips with other needlecrafters.

Barbara Ross-Robey, our newest staff member, learned the basics of knitting from her mother at a young age, but the bug didn’t bite until she was laid up for an extended period of time with a broken leg. After making a few afghans, she taught herself to knit socks from a beginner’s book. She’s amazed by the vast selection of sock yarns that are now available. A fan of seamless patterns of any kind, she enjoys giving her finished items to friends and family members but is finally working on projects for herself. She loves traveling anywhere they sell yarn and admires the creativity of knitting designers.

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 has been teaching finishing, socks, lace and Fair Isle knitting for over eight years, the last four at A Tangled Skein. She’s left-handed, and though she can knit right-handed and teach right-handers, for her own projects she reverses everything and knits left-handed. This means she’ll happily teach students who feel they are so left-handed that they have to knit left-handed too.

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