KNITopia(SM) New Orleans

Color Theory and Log Cabin Knitting: The Albers Cowl

with Ann Weaver

Knitters are constantly faced with color choices. 

The goals of this session are to expand the knitter’s color  vocabulary and confidence in color combination choices and to teach Log Cabin knitting techniques like picking up and knitting stitches.

This workshop will present the basics of color theory—including lightness, hue, and complimentary colors—from a fine art perspective. 

Each student will receive a color wheel for future use. The  interactions of color will be  explored through both a presentation of examples in fine art, popular culture, and graphic design and many examples of projects that use and demonstrate principles of color theory.

After a discussion of color theory, the workshop will focus on Ann's beautiful Albers Cowl. Knitters will learn how to measure gauge in garter stitch, neatly pick up stitches from both horizontal and vertical edges, while keeping it all really square.

 If time allows, the workshop will also cover the sewn bind off and mattress stitch (used to join the three squares of the Albers Cowl). Although the only stitch used is the knit stitch, this class is a great chance for knitters to learn and improve finishing techniques while beginning an Albers project.

Knit 2 Socks in 1 

with Safiyyah 

 Join sock expert Safiyyah Talley, as she demonstrates her unique method from  her popular book, Knit 2 Socks in 1. 

Discover the easy magic of turning one king sock into a pair! 

Her genius sock method completely eliminates second sock syndrome (who, me?!?)  and simplifies the sock knitting process without compromising fit and versatility. 

Drape and Fold with Bristol

Knitting is the creation of a piece of fabric that 95% of the time exists on a flat plane. However, most human bodies? Not so much. We have bumps and curves, changes in angle, places where fabric clings and places where fabric falls gracefully away. 

So what might happen if we embrace our three-dimensionality, using the angles and changes of direction on our bodies to help create the shape of the knitwear itself? (Think figure-flattery!)

Based on the genius content in Bristol's book of the same name,  this class will explore fabric manipulation in several exercises, and then deal with how to translate that to a human form.

Please bring: pencil,  paper, and a sense of adventure!

Making it up: The Fair Isle Hat : 

A Design Class 

with Mary Jane Mucklestone

Begin designing with Fair Isle motifs by starting with a hat! In this fun design class, a basic hat pattern is offered with multiple options for you to pick and choose to make it your very own. 

Experiment with color! Go wild and even invent your own pattern motifs - MJ will show you how! 

Lots of individual attention with group participation encouraged.

Design Your Own Top-Down Circular Yoke Sweater with Safiyyah 

Circular yoke construction offers a wonderful way to design your own sweater because it is beginner friendly, fits well, and looks beautiful with colorwork and gansey motifs! 

In this class, Safiyyah will provide a circular yoke pattern and will also give you the tools to customize it to create the sweater of your dreams. 

Empower yourself to knit the sweater you've always wanted! Psssst. No seams.

Fit That Knit with Bristol

 How do you pick a sweater size? How do you calculate positive ease? How about negative ease? And really, have you ever tried to measure your own bicep?

Each of these tasks can be a stumbling block on the path to knitting your own garments. 

In this class, we’ll develop a comprehensive set of measurements for our own bodies that we can reference for future sweater knitting. In addition, we’ll talk about how we can use the sizing info included with patterns, and pick the perfect size to start knitting your new favorite sweater!

 Please note: this class will be based on body positivity. All sizes and shapes are welcome, and no self-criticism or shaming is allowed. All bodies are worthy of a well-fitting sweater!

Please wear: a comfortable t-shirt that fits snugly. This is also a perfect class to take with a buddy since we’ll be helping each other with our measurements! 

Fresh Fair Isle 

with Mary Jane Mucklestone

Liven up your Fair Isle knitting! 

Spend some special quality time with Mary Jane, author of 200 Fair Isle Motifs: A Knitters Directory, exploring fresh new colorways. 

This lively course will introduce the basics of color theory and how to use its principles to guide your color choices. We will learn about the use of color over the years in traditional Fair Isle knitting and move beyond, developing our own personal color schemes. We’ll analyze how different color combinations can completely change how a motif looks. Knitting a simple stranded wristlet or  fingerless glove will quickly illustrate new concepts.

Sweater Hacks

with Safiyyah

 Similar to her popular Sweater Cheat Sheet Workshop, this session offers a quick and easy walkthrough of knitting drop shoulder, raglan, and circular yoke sweaters and cardigans from any direction. 

In this class, design pro Safiyyah will share the methods and the easy math so that in just three hours, you will feel confident enough to pick a sweater style to knit without a pattern!

We love empowering knitters at KNITopia!

 To the Side: An Exploration of SIdeways Shawls with Bristol

Sometimes it’s fun to turn things on their tail. That’s where sideways shawls come in! 

Creating asymmetrical shapes with beautiful drape, sideways shawl shaping is an unexpected twist on traditional constructions. 

In this three-hour class with the guidance of the ever-patient and brilliant Bristol Ivy, you’ll explore different sideways constructions, then figure out what makes them tick. 

By the end, you’ll have the skills to create a sideways shawl of your own design! 

Mend and Embellish

with Ann Weaver

Curious about methods to fix knit fabric? Intrigued by visible mending? Interested in adding

duplicate stitch to knit fabric?

In this hands-on workshop, you’ll learn all these skills. We’ll start with an overview of mending techniques, including darning and patching. Then, we’ll cover a few simple ways to add both strength and beauty to fabric, including duplicate stitch. You can apply whatyou learn many types of fabrics, not just handknits!

 The Bourbon Street Mystery Cowlette with Safiyyah

  If you've never heard of a cowlette, then you are in for a treat. A cowlette is the perfect marriage between a shawlette and a cowl. It's a quick, easy, and customizable neck accessory that combines the fun motifs and shapes of a shawl with the wear-ability of a cowl! 

In this session, Safiyyah presents her Bourbon Street Mystery Cowlette designed especially for our event.

From the Top:

 Exploring Top-Down Shawls with Bristol 

 There are a few different main classifications of shawl shaping, each with its own personality and possibilities.

 In this class, we’ll explore 

top-down shawl construction, where the shawl starts with a small number of stitches at the back neck and works outwards to a grand finale of a hem. 

We’ll try a few traditional constructions (hello, triangular shawl!), and then uncover the math behind them that lets us make these shapes our very own.