Knitopia New Orleans 2023

Artfully Agitated Stripes: An Introduction to Mosaic Knitting with Franklin

At first glance, Mosaic Knitting looks like garden variety stranded color work, but it isn't. 

Mosaic patterns are really two-row stripes, joggled here and there with slipped stitches. The result? Beautiful designs and intriguing fabrics in stockinette, garter stitch, and hybrids thereof. And amapzingly–-it only uses one color per row! 

Want to find out how it works and how to design your own mosaic color patterns? Join us, and bring your imagination.

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!

The Joy (No, Seriously) of Intarsia with Franklin

Intarsia is a bold, powerful technique with a severe image problem. Some say it’s ugly. Others say it’s complicated. 

We disagree. 

When practiced properly and used with skill, intarsia is

capable of creating fresh and beautiful multi-color fabrics unlike anything else in knitting. And it’s

fun! [Hostess adds "says one of the most entertaining and enjoyable humans on Earth."]

In this eye- and mind-opening introductory session, we’ll learn and practice the

fundamentals; and then begin to explore the possibilities that lie in playing with color, texture,

fiber, and in designing your own charts.

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! 

The Knitted Plaid: An All-Day Color and Pattern Workshop with Franklin

If the prospect of mixing colors gives you the fidgets, but you've dreamt of putting

together your own complex color schemes for projects, this full-day class is for you! 

We’ll begin with an invigorating dive into practical color theory or knitters (neither as dry nor as daunting as you fear), and also bring the idea of color

inspiration firmly down to earth. Then we’ll put those ideas to work, using a little-known but very beautiful method for creating a knitted plaid/tartan fabric. 

There will also be a discussion of the history of tartan fabrics–where they came from, how they are woven, and how to imitate woven tartan setts with the knitted

technique. 

By popular demand, this workshop has been newly expanded to a six-hour format to allow more time for explanation, experimentation, and reviews of

student projects. 

You can learn to design your own color schemes–all it takes is a

little knowledge, a little practice, and a little playfulness!

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! 

The Knitted Plaid: An All-Day Color and Pattern Workshop with Franklin

This is the continuation of Franklin's morning session. What a treat to let the fun extend through the afternoon!

 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.  

Cut Up Your Knitting 

with Franklin

Taking the scissors (in a controlled fashion) to your knitting is both useful–as a way of creating

necessary openings for cardigan fronts, armscyes, pockets, and more–and fun. [Your hostess interjects: "Then again, even emptying the dishwasher would be fun with Mr. Habit!"]

In this empowering class, you’ll learn two classic techniques: the steek and the afterthought. 

With just a few snips, you’ll open up a world of exciting possibilities in the construction of knitted

garments, accessories, and home decor.

Slip It, Float It, Tuck It 

with Bristol

 Knitting is basically two fundamental stitches, right? We knit and we purl. But what happens if we. . . Slip? 

In this fun hands-on class, we’ll explore how slipping (and its compatriots, floating and tucking) can lead to new patterns and add texture, dimension, visual interest, and structure to our knitted fabric. 

We will start with a small swatch to understand the concepts, but by the end of class you’ll have all the skills you need to create your very own slipped stitch masterpiece!

The Big Easy Mystery Shawl with Melissa

 Come to this session to see Melissa release her latest shawl pattern, designed exclusively for our Knitopia weekend.

In this hands-on class, you'll learn the interesting construction of this mystery design and begin the actual project.  Knitted in simple mosaic stitch with just one color per row, it is perfect for the fun, gentle, slow, and easy-going lifestyle rhythm of New Orleans!

Optional kits will be available.

Laissez les bons temps rouler!

We'll kick off our weekend with some fun (and games, of course. , not to mention prizes)!

Come pick up your goody bag and meet our incredibly friendly and welcoming community of knitters.

Ripping Yarns: Ancient Customs, Myths, and Legends of the Fiber Arts with Franklin Habit

What would the village wise woman advise you to do when you can’t find your good scissors? What fate does it portend if you tangle silk and wool yarns in the same knitting bag? Is there a core of sinister truth to the schoolyard rhyme about Little Mary’s Scary Cardigan? 

If you’ve ever asked yourself these questions—or if they ring a dim bell in the dusty corners of your memory—you’ll want to see this one-of-a-kind presentation.

We’ll delve into age-old superstitions about hooks and needles. We’ll listen to cautionary legends of weavers, spinners, and other needle workers who tapped into forces beyond their control. And we’ll dare to enter the darker side of knitting and crochet and hunt for the hidden end of the mysterious center-pull ball. 

Thrilling and hilarious, “Ripping Yarns” will make you change the way you think about your favorite pastime forever. 

Don’t miss it—just be sure to wear your lucky stitch marker.