Knitopia Philadelphia 2024

Broken Trails Shawl 

with Romi Hill

 Join  designer and teacher Romi Hill in a class all about this incredibly versatile shawl. 

Built in wedges, it's infinitely expandable, and looks amazing in both plain and variegated yarns. 

It uses German short rows to build wedges, and in the process creates a broken zigzag pattern. 

We'll be working on a mini version in class to ensure you learn all of its essential techniques! 

Clever with Color

with Lisa K. Ross

 Adding color to your knitting is a great way to make a graphic statement, and there are lots of ways to do this by working only one color at a time (no stranding required!).

Together we’ll explore the basics of creating multi-colored designs and organizing your colors to work magic with your needles. 

We’ll play with mini-skeins to create palettes that please, and Lisa will share expert tips and tricks that will transform the way you shop for yarn and arrange your stash. (You do have one, right?)

Best of all, color genius Lisa has put together her FAVORITE ways to play with colors one at a time so you can give them a try! 

These simple techniques will take your knitting to the next level with minimal effort, showing everyone you know how to be Clever

with Color.

The Ruka Pullover

with Sari Nordlund

In this hands-on session, we will learn the techniques you need to knit your own seamless multicolor Ruka pullover. 

During the class, we will prepare a swatch, where you learn to read charts, knit the stranded color pattern, make the increases needed for shaping the top-down yoke, and master the German Short-Row technique used to make the back longer than the front for a flattering fit.

 In addition, we will also learn Tubular Cast On and Bind Off techniques. 

The pattern is included in the class. 

Brotherly Love

with Romi Hill

 Our Philadelphia KNITopia location is known as the City of Brotherly Love, and it has inspired a little mystery design just for you!

It's got cables, lace, i-cord edging, and more, and Romi can't wait to share it with you. 

We'll be starting the design in class and learn all the techniques needed to create this mystery bandana cowl.

Don't miss this chance to be the first to knit Romi's latest design! 

Sock Anatomy 101

with Lisa K. Ross

Have you been wanting to ‘step’ into sock knitting? It’s not as hard

as it seems! 

This class will walk <grin> you through the basics of a top-down heel flap and gusset sock to get a comfortable fit for your feet. 

• Explore needle options that best suit your knitting style
• Cast-on mini versions to learn the general construction of a top-down sock.
• Learn Lisa's all-time favorite cast-on that looks great and fits even better.
• Learn how to achieve a perfect fit every time, with tips and tricks to help along the way. 

By the end of this class, you’ll be able to tackle any top-down sock

pattern in your queue with exceptional results.

Perfect Increases and Decreases in Cables

with Sari Nordlund

In this class, learn how to incorporate increases and decreases in cable patterns.

You'll never have to worry about those dreaded and awkward-looking areas of stockinette or reverse stockinette ever again!

Bonus: As we knit the practice swatches during class, you'll conquer cabling without a cable needle! 

Lace Hacker Part 1

with Romi Hill

 Join  well-known lace designer Romi Hill in having some fun with groundbreaking lace tips and tricks in this hands-on class. 

Learn about materials for lace knitting, the best cast-ons and bind-offs, amazing tricks for keeping edges loose when switching colors, managing charts, avoiding errors, using markers, managing beads, and many other tips to make your lace life easier. 

Part 2 of this class will be held in the afternoon.

The Ice Cream Social Shawl

with Lisa K. Ross 

 The Ice Cream Social shawl combines colorful minis, easy garter stitch, and breezy lace to create the perfect summer knit! 

In this class, we’ll learn how to arrange our colors for aesthetically-pleasing results, explore the distinctive construction, and master the combination of lace and shaping needed to knit this eye-catching accessory. 

You will learn how to knit the lace from both charted and written instructions, as well as how to catch (and fix!) mistakes as you go. 

 You’ll leave this class with a new shawl on your needles and the confidence needed to complete it! 

The Poetry Pullover

with Sari Nordlund

In this class, we'll explore the essential techniques needed to knit your own Poetry pullover. 

Using a swatch, we'll go over how to read lace charts and will practice the beautiful lace pattern. 

In addition, we will practice the Tubular Bind Off technique which leaves an amazing, smooth edge. 

The sweater pattern is included in the class.  

Lace Hacker Part 2

with Romi Hill

This is a continuation of the morning session.

 Design Your Own Multicolor Shawl

with Lisa K. Ross

This class will teach the basics of creating an asymmetric triangular

shawl, with everything you need for knitting success. 

Students will learn how to play with the numbers with the help of a simple spreadsheet and see how to track yardage as you create. 

You’ll explore how to easily incorporate color and clever stitch

patterns into a design that’s as unique as you are. 

We’ll start with a tiny swatch

version, though fast knitters can quickly grow their shawls into gorgeous new designs!

 Diona Pullover 

with Sari Nordlund

In this hands-on session, we will learn all the techniques you need to knit your own cable-iscious Diona pullover or tee. 

You will knit a swatch, during which you will learn how to read charts, knit the intertwined cable pattern, make the increases needed for the raglan shaping, and master the German Short-Row technique used for the neck shaping. 

We will also cover Tubular Cast On and Bind Off techniques and learn to I knit cables without a cable needle.

The sweater pattern is included in the class. You can choose either the pullover or the tee pattern.

Holey Cables

with Romi Hill

 Are you obsessed with cables and lace? Why not?! 

Join creative knitwear designer Romi Hill, as we dive into different ways to combine cables and holes in your knitting. 

There are cables in the midst of lace, cables with lace in the center, and cables with straight-up holes in the middle. Small cables can be used to hide increases in lace, and many cables can be edited to add lace and holes. 

I can’t wait to share my obsession with you! 

Vacation Vibes Shawl

with Lisa K. Ross

 Whether headed out to the opera or off to the farmer’s market, the Vacation Vibes wrap is a chic accessory that was designed to highlight your style. 

In this class, we will take basic stitches to the next level with color play and clever construction. We will begin this class by examining and organizing our colors, using a few simple tricks for eye-catching results. We'll explore multiple ways to create a pinhole cast-on in the round, including an option so easy that you’ve probably done it already! 

Lisa will share her genius tips for working with multiple colors, including carrying unused yarns and weaving in ends as you go. You'll experience the magic of ‘painting’ with yarns as we use easy stitches in unique ways. 

Best of all, you’ll leave with a stunning accessory already on the needles, knowing the secrets to creating wearable art out of the simplest stitches.  

Tähkä  Cardi

with Sari Nordlund

In the Tähkä cardigan class. we will learn all the techniques you need to knit your own Tähkä cardigan.

During the class we will create a mini version of the cardigan, demystifying the interesting construction of the cardigan. 

You will learn the increases and decreases needed for shaping the shoulders and the sleeves, and will learn the Tubular Bind Off technique for a super smooth edge.

The complete pattern for this wardrobe staple is included in the class. 

I-cord, Do You?

with Romi Hill

 I admit, I'm a geek and I hope you are too! 

In this class, Romi will show you her fabulous i-cord cast-on trick for a lovely stretchy cord with no elongated stitches! 

We'll bring that i-cord around the corners of the swatch and up the sides, too. 

Add in the i-cord bind-off and how to cast on i-cord in the round, as well as grafting it together so it looks seamless. Amazing!

In this class, it's ALL the i-cord. 

The Rittenhouse Shawlette

with Melissa Leapman

Join Melissa as she releases her latest design!

The Rittenhouse Shawlette is a tour-de-force of slip stitch knitting, culminating in a pretty and versatile summer accessory.

Add new skills to your knitting backpack--and laugh while doing it!

Moon River Hat

with Sari Nordlund

In the Moon River Hat class, we will learn the techniques you need to knit your own top-down cable hat. 

During the class we will start the actual hat project, and as we do, you'll learn a special circular cast on method, how to read charts, how to knit the cable pattern, the Magic Loop knitting method (a fantastic skill if you dislike double-pointed needles), how to work the increases needed for the top shaping, and the Tubular Bind Off technique. 

As a bonus, Sari will show you how to knit cables without a cable needle.

The pattern is included in the class. 

  Welcome Party!

Join us for our opening night  welcome party as we kick off our KNITopia Philadelphia weekend with goody bags, door prizes, and more.

Come meet our friendly, welcoming knitting community!

You Only Purl Twice

with Carol Sulcoski

We've always known that knitters are brave, smart and resourceful.

But did you know that many knitters put their creativity to work as secret agents in wartime? 

Join us as we delve into the fascinating world of knitting spies. 

From Madame Defarge to World War II, you'll marvel at the courage and resourcefulness of knitters serving their country. 

 After the lecture, we'll enjoy some knitting games, including  trivia and questions about the City of Brotherly Love. (We might even have some knitting questions about the City of Brotherly Love...)  

With Carol as your host, laughter, friendship, fun, and of course, PRIZES are ensured! 

  Philly Food Tour

SOLD OUT!

Eat like a local on this private group walking tour!

This flavorful and entertaining tour takes place in the heart of Philly. With five stops, you'll sample classic Philly eats like cheesesteaks and whiz fries, tomato pie, traditional soft pretzels, and two sweet treats from the world-famous Reading Terminal Market.

This one-of-a-kind tasting experience brings you  where the locals really eat: low-key, no frills, independently-owned gems that share the uniquely unpretentious vibe of the city. 

Vegetarian options will be available.