Knitopia Nashville 2023
Treat yourself to a fun-filled knitting weekend in Nashville February 17-20, 2023, with me, Marin Melchior of Butterfly/Papillon Shawl fame, the amazing Bristol Ivy, and up-and-coming star Jenny Noto!
I've invited a few of my favorite designers to join us for classes, make-it-take-it sessions, a private visit to Modern Daily Knitting World Headquarters (!!!), amazing live music, and even a pop-up shop of Tennessee's very own Miss Babs hand-dyed yarns.
Given your hostess <ahem>, you can expect lots of learning, freebies, laughter, door prizes, and a world-famous goody bag.
Meet your fearless ringleader (00ps, hostess)
Melissa Leapman
Meet the experts
Marin Melchior
Marin Melchior
Marin Melchior
Bristol Ivy
Marin Melchior
Marin Melchior
Jenny Noto
Marin Melchior
Jenny Noto
Class Schedule
Saturday February 18 8:30-11:30 AM
Saturday February 18 8:30-11:30 AM
Flutter Through Short Rows in the Butterfly Cowl with Marin
Short row shapes nestle together in this triangle-shaped cowl.
Based on her popular Butterfly/Papillon shawl, the cowl is an introduction into Marin’s short row pattern style.
The class will help you conquer any fear of short rows. Learn &
improve your short row skills while making a fun and colorful cowl bursting with personality.
Several short row
techniques will be covered, and Marin will show you which hand-dye technique is best for this sort of project.
Materials fee: $48 for 5 mini skeins from Vermont’s own FiberStash for placed colors and variety.
Saturday February 18 8:30-11:30 AM
Saturday February 18 8:30-11:30 AM
Loop de Loop with Jenny
Let your creativity soar and go beyond simple knit and purl!
In this workshop, we’ll explore and practice elongated stitches to easily create several unusual and exciting textures without the hassle of cable needles.
These versatile stitches will elevate your knitting to another level of fun!
Saturday February 18 8:30-11:30 AM
Introduction to Brioche Knitting with Bristol
Brioche is an easy stitch technique that creates a lush, drapey, warm fabric.
In this hands-on class we’ll learn the basic principles of working brioche flat, how to identify and fix mistakes, and how to increase and decrease.
No previous experience with brioche knitting is required.
Sunday February 19 8:30-11:30 AM
SLIP DROP & ROLL into Yayoi’s Dream with Marin
Let's play with slipped stitches and two color knitting!
Slip stitches make colorwork super easy, since only one color is used per row. Add one more step to this great technique by learning to drop and gather stitches with
confidence. Finally, try an unconventional increase technique (RLI /LLI) that looks smashing and is very easy--all while creating a beautiful fingering weight shawl dedicated to the renowned Japanese artist Yayoi Kasuma, “Yayoi’s Dream”.
Materials fee: $64 for 2 luscious hanks of Miss Babs Yummy 2-ply yarn lovingly hand-dyed in Tennessee.
Sunday February 19 8:30-11:30 AM
Fun Dips with Jenny
No, we’re not talking about the candy! In this workshop, we’ll explore a sampling of cool dip stitches that may have you scratching your head in wonderment.
These interesting stitch patterns create exciting textures in solid colored yarn and create totally different effects when multiple colors are added.
Let's spend the morning discovering a variety of fun dip stitches!
Sunday February 19 8:30-11:30 AM
Darn It! with Bristol
In this class, we’ll discuss how to fix it when bad things happen to good, well-loved knits.
We’ll talk about basic repair techniques, as well as yarn structure and picking yarn for projects to make our knits last as
long as possible.
Bring a well-worn knitted item that needs mending, and we'll fix it to perfection in class.
Add years to your favorite knits!
Sunday February 19 2:00-5:00 PM
Sunday February 19 2:00-5:00 PM
Beyond the Cable Braid: Unconventional Cabling with Marin
Feel the beat of Music City while knitting a Raised Treble Clef in cables.
During this session, we'll explore the concept of "cables unbound" and will learn how to use ordinary cable techniques to make an illustrative and non-traditional embossed musical motif.
The practice swatch made in class will be suitable as a square for a pillow or blanket.
Sunday February 19 2:00-5:00 PM
Sunday February 19 2:00-5:00 PM
Taking It From the Top: The Best Hat Design Evah! with Jenny
Here's the ultimate way to knit a great-fitting hat. Working from the top down allows you to check the fit as you go!
In class, you will learn:
- how to start with a disappearing loop cast on (no hole!)
- how to shape the crown with spiraling increases
- how to finish with a super stretchy bind off
Optional Kit: $28 for a magnificent hank of Oink Pigments' worsted weight superwash merino yarn, Dapper.
Sunday February 19 2:00-5:00 PM
The Recursive Shawl with Bristol
A play on a traditional triangular shawl, Recursive takes the shape we all know and love on an exciting joyride.
If knitting is math you can hold in your hands, this shawl design takes that idea to the big leagues while still keeping it easy to knit and wear.
Based on a formula in which each triangle is twice the area of the previous one, Recursive is nerdy, knitterly, and beautiful.
Optional Kit: $160 for a 5-hank gradient set in Cormo wool from Jill Draper.
Monday February 20 8:30-11:30 AM
Monday February 20 8:30-11:30 AM AND 2:00-5:00 PM (6 hours)
Nashville Mystery Design with Marin
Marin designed a new short row project just for us!
Inspired by the beautiful John Seigenthaler Pedestrian Bridge in downtown Nashville, this top-secret design features a delicate arch.
Various sizes of short row shapes sit in an architecturally-interesting fabric.
Come learn how this master knitter gets inspiration and transforms her creative energy into jaw-dropping designs.
Optional Kit: $60 for 4 balls of cotton-blend yarn from Queensland Yarns
Monday February 20 8:30-11:30 AM
Monday February 20 8:30-11:30 AM AND 2:00-5:00 PM (6 hours)
Monday February 20 8:30-11:30 AM AND 2:00-5:00 PM (6 hours)
The AzkaBandana Cowl with Jenny
Have you ever wanted a bit more coverage and warmth in the winter without tons of bulk underneath your coat? Bandana cowls are the way to go!
This mystery cowl is knit in the round from the bottom up and features a completely seamless construction using ribs and slipped stitches and is shaped with (easy!) German short rows.
The back of the cowl is shorter than the front, removing the bulk at the back of the neck for a comfortable and flattering fit.
Materials fee: $29 for 2 balls of luxurious cotton/wool yarn from Katia.
Monday February 20 8:30-11:30 AM AND 2:00-5:00 PM (6 hours)
Monday February 20 8:30-11:30 AM AND 2:00-5:00 PM (6 hours)
Monday February 20 8:30-11:30 AM AND 2:00-5:00 PM (6 hours)
A Lace for Everything and Everything in Its Lace with Bristol
Lace is one of the most beautiful ways to manipulate your knitting into something truly spectacular.
In this day-long class, we’ll work on designing our own lace patterns based on two different development techniques: encoded and improvisational.
From there we’ll swatch, play, and perfect that lace so it's ready to star in one of your future projects.
Monday February 20 2:00-5:00 PM
Monday February 20 2:00-5:00 PM
Monday February 20 2:00-5:00 PM
Nestled Short Rows : The Topographical Scarf with Marin
Worked sideways, this rectangular shawl offers the perfect opportunity to (re)learn short row technique without the muss and fuss of increasing and decreasing.
In class, we'll work on small swatches to review short rows techniques, tips, and tricks.
Optional Kit: $90 for 3 hanks of gorgeous worsted weight yarn from Urth Yarns
Monday February 20 2:00-5:00 PM
Monday February 20 2:00-5:00 PM
Monday February 20 2:00-5:00 PM
Honky Tonk Mystery Shawl with Melissa
Come to this session to see Melissa release her latest shawl, designed exclusively for Knitopia Nashville!
In class, you'll learn the interesting construction of this design. Worked in simple mosaic stitch, you'll love watching the pattern develop as you knit, slip, sing, (and sip?)!
Optional Kit: $84 for 2 hanks (that's 1120 yards!!) of Miss Babs' amazing 100% superwash merino yarn, Keira
Special events
Friday February 17 7:00-9:00 PM
Music & Melissa
(No, your hostess isn't going to serenade you tonight.)
Join us for our opening night welcome party as we kick off our Knitopia weekend with goody bags, door prizes, cash bar, music, and more.
You might be very surprised to learn who our special performing guest is!
Saturday February 18 1:00 PM
Hop on our private bus and head over to Modern Daily Knitting's World Headquarters for a rare open-studio shopping event that will include mimosas, soft drinks, and light bites.
There, you'll find all the MDK Field Guides, their yummy yarns, and special MDK-exclusive items.
Ann and Kay are graciously extending a 10% discount to us, as well as free U.S. shipping for any purchases you don't want to cast on immediately. (You're going to need any free space in your luggage for Melissa's swag!)
Sit, knit, and chat in the amazing space where MDK makes your Saturday Snippets every week.
Saturday February 18 7:00-9:00 PM
Saturday February 18 7:00-9:00 PM
Saturday February 18 7:00-9:00 PM
Crochet for Cowards!
Have you always wanted to learn to crochet but couldn't get your hook to do what you'd like it to do?
Let Melissa walk you through all the basics, from the foundation chain to simple half double crochet stitches. She'll even teach you how to ensure that your side edges are straight and not sloppy. (IYKYK.)
Believe it or not, in less than 2 hours you'll have a fun, cozy hat to take home!
Optional Kit: $19 for 2 balls of chunky Italian wool-blend yarn, crochet hook, and faux fur pompom
Sunday February 19 7:00-9:00 PM
Saturday February 18 7:00-9:00 PM
Saturday February 18 7:00-9:00 PM
Polymer Clay Workshop
Polymer clay artists create some of the most beautiful and intricate masterpieces.
Think of this like play dough that you can keep forever and turn into a keepsake.
In addition to learning the basics about working with this medium, Jenny will teach us some of her favorite hacks using everyday items --and the best tool for creating with polymer clay is probably already in your home! You’ll be surprised at what it is!
During this relaxed evening session, we will make a charm that looks like a knit swatch, or tap into your creative juices to create something else.
For those who are more adventurous, we’ll make a bead or a tiny teapot charm!
Kit: $15 for clay and other materials