Fine yarns and knitting supplies
Gift certificates
Classes

LOCATION:
5200 Baltimore Avenue, suite 101
Hyattsville, Maryland 20781
301-779-3399
HOURS:
Tuesday, Thursday, & Friday 11-7
Wednesday 11-9
Saturday 11-6
Sunday 1-5
closed Monday.

Navigation

Home
Mail
Subscribe

Credits

Powered by WordPress

19 August, 2010 |

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.

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.

And a Chance To Sit & Spin
Fourth Friday of every month, 7 to 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. Future dates, to aid in planning: September 24, October 22, November 26.

Beginning Knitting
4 Sunday afternoons, 1–3 PM
September 12, 19 & 26, October 3
Skill Level: 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 (a baby bib or washcloth) and progress to a project such as a scarf, baby blanket, or purse.

Price: $90 for 4 sessions (includes basic materials fee)

Beginning Crochet
3 Saturday afternoons, 4–6 PM
September 11 & 25, October 2
Skill Level: Beginner
Instructor: Edna Paulson

Learn to crochet, a technique that no machine can do! Whether you’ve never crocheted at all or just want to refresh your skills, this is the class for you. You’ll learn the chain stitch, single and double crochet, and how to read a simple pattern. We’ll also work on a simple project like a coaster or facecloth.

Price: $70 for 3 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 between lessons.)

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

Author Workshop: Knitspeak 101–Demystifying the Language of Patterns
Saturday, September 11, 2–3:30 PM
Price: $30

Special event! There is a vast and amazing world of knitting patterns in books, magazines, vintage pamphlets and on the Web—if only we could make sense of them! This workshop is designed to help knitters move from confused to confident so they can access this wonderful universe. During the writing of the book Knitspeak: An A–Z Guide to the Language of Knitting Patterns, Washington author Andrea Berman Price spoke with knitters of every skill level as well as yarn shop staff to discover tips and tricks that she will share with participants in this workshop. The class covers identifying trouble spots in patterns before beginning to knit; the 20 most common abbreviations found in patterns; how words are used (syntax, punctuation, pictures and prose); and exercises to build confidence in reading complex directions. Every knitter from beginner to expert can benefit from this lively and informative workshop!

Toe-Up Socks
4 Tuesdays, 7–9 PM
September 7, 14, 21 & 28
Skill Level: Advanced Beginner
Instructor: Jessica Noyes

New class! Knitting socks from the toe to the cuff allows you to knit socks to your own size. In this class you’ll learn an invisible cast-on, reverse heel flap and super-stretchy bind-off options to create a pair of socks that are perfect for you.

Price: $80 for 4 sessions, plus materials

Drop-Spindle Spinning
2 Thursdays, 7–9 PM
September 9 & 16
Level: Beginner
Instructor: Anne O’Connor

You went to the Maryland Sheep and Wool Festival and you’d love to know what to do with all that roving. Spinning expert Anne O’Connor will provide CD drop spindles and fiber for all participants as well as a handout giving information on the history of spinning, what fibers to spin and, as a reminder between classes, how to spin with a drop spindle. The second week, Anne will help those having any trouble using the drop spindle, demonstrate faster drop-spindle spinning methods, and teach how to ply yarn that has been spun so it can be used for knitting or crocheting. She’ll also have more fiber samples and examples of other drop spindles. If there’s interest, she’ll demonstrate spinning on a spinning wheel.

Price: $50 for 2 sessions (includes materials)

Workshop: Getting Back into Knitting
One-day workshop Tuesday, September 21, 7–9 PM
Instructor: Evey Pinkham

Used to knit, haven’t for a while and think you’ve forgotten how? You’ll be surprised to find the skills to knit are somewhere in your muscle memory and can be relearned in just a few hours. In this refresher course, you’ll learn to cast on, knit and purl, bind off, and generally take your knitting to the next level. This two-hour workshop is faster paced than our regular beginning course, so it’s perfect for students who used to knit—or are ready for a challenge.

Price: $20 plus materials

Crocheting Cats and Dogs
3 Thursdays, 7 to 9 PM
September 23 & 30, October 7
Skill Level: Advanced Beginner
Instructor: Edna Paulson

New class! Now that you’ve learned the basic crochet stitches, what should you make? How about crocheting a fanciful cat or dog toy for a baby, toddler or even a teen? You’ll use mostly chain or single crochet stitches to make the pieces, and learn pattern reading, assembly and finishing touches to customize your new pet. We’ll be using a pattern in the free e-booklet “Free Baby Crochet Patterns from CrochetMe,” available from the website www.crochetme.com. You’ll need to register on the website (free), then go to Patterns, then Free Interweave Crochet Patterns to download the booklet. Please bring a copy of the pattern to the first class, since Interweave wants each of us to personally view their site. A model cat will be on view at the store after Aug. 24.

Price: $60 for 3 sessions, plus materials

Two Socks at a Time
3 Saturdays, 11:30 AM to 1:30 PM
September 25, October 9 & 16
Skill Level: Advanced Beginner or Intermediate
Instructor: Jennifer Woods

Avoid second-sock syndrome by learning a technique for knitting two socks at a time on two circular needles. This technique can be used for any sock pattern, cuff-down or toe-up, guaranteeing that your next sock project will result in a pair, not an orphan. We will use worsted-weight yarn, which can be purchased in advance or at the first class. The textbook for the class is Knitting Circles Around Socks, by Antje Gillingham, available at our shop for the discount price of $19.96. It is recommended that students taking this course have already knitted a sock.

Price: $60 for 3 sessions, plus materials

Finishing
One-day workshop
Sunday, September 26, 1–3 PM
Instructor: Jennifer Woods

This one-session workshop will help ensure that your projects look handmade, 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

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 but rising (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.

Jessica Noyes is one of the newest staff members at A Tangled Skein. She learned to crochet granny squares as a small child, but after many doll blankets and misshapen potholders, she lost interest in the craft. Years later, while pregnant with her daughter, she decided to take up knitting. Several blankets, baby sweaters and soft toys later, she discovered sock knitting. Over 80 pairs later, she realizes she might have a slight addiction. (She notes that she can now crochet properly as well.)

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 is also an avid knitter. Edna enjoys sharing skills and tips with other needlecrafters.

Evey Pinkham has been knitting since she was eight and recovering from a tonsillectomy. (“My mother called her best friend, an expert knitter, and said, ‘Please come over here and teach this child something. She’s driving me crazy.’”) She worked at another local knitting store for seven years, teaching beginners and experienced knitters. Over the years her repertoire has included scarves of all patterns, sweaters for all ages, baby booties and blankets, men’s ties, afghans, ponchos, teddy bears, mittens and, most recently, socks. She loves to do cables, fair isle and intarsia, and has recently begun to dip her needles into lace. She takes great pleasure in passing her skills on to new and returning knitters.

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 seven years, the last three 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!

---

Navigation

Pages

Archives

Categories

Search

Credits

19 August, 2010 |

Classes at A Tangled Skein