Knitopia Santa fe 2024

Cocoknits Sweater Workshop Part 1 

with Julie Weisenberger

In this 6-hour two-session workshop, Julie Weisenberger introduces her amazing Cocoknits Method of top-down, seamless sweater knitting outlined in her book Cocoknits Sweater Workshop. 

We will cover the first four sections of the Cocoknits Method, including how to create English Tailored Shoulders, and how to use the special Cocoknits Sweater Worksheet. 

We will all work on the Mabel pattern, a chunky gauge sweater which will allow us to make good progress in the 6-hour class!

Note: Part 2 will be held in the afternoon on the same day.

Kits must be ordered by December 22, 2023, in order to be distributed at the event.

Make-or-Break Garment Skills

with Kate Atherley 

 A sweater project is a big commitment of time, knitting, and yarn, and it can feel like a risk.

This class is about setting yourself up for success! We’ll talk about how to make sure you’re using a good pattern, have chosen to make the right size, and have selected a suitable yarn. 

We’ll tackle the thorny issue of gauge head on, showing you how you can harness this information in simple ways to make sure that you’re happy with your garment. 

We’ll also review some of the pattern-reading challenges that can come up in garment projects, and I’ll share tips and tricks for making the knitting less daunting, and reducing the fear of going wrong. 

Feel free to bring any garment patterns or projects you need help with. 

Note: Part 2 will be held in the afternoon on the same day.

Cowl Design Workshop

with Thea Colman

Do you look at a skein of yarn and see a cable or a lace motif wanting to come out? Have you always wanted to try your hand at design, but weren’t sure where to start? Or do you just wonder about the process behind some of your

favorite patterns?

In this in–depth workshop, Thea will take you into her world and walk you through her way of thinking through an idea. 

We will cover a series of steps and skills needed to bring yarn from a skein to a finished cowl. And as we do so, you’ll play along with me, designing and thinking about your very own pattern as we go.

After the class,  you will have a new skill set for thinking about your knits, including how to evaluate yarn and pair it with different patterns or designs, how to choose and work with your ideas and motifs, and how to bring in all the details and organize your ideas to create a knittable plan.

And you’ll be applying these steps to the yarn in your hands while we do it in class! 

You'll walk away a bona fide knit designer!

NEW!

Atiru Shawl

with Francoise Danoy

The Atiru Shawl is a design that plays with the trendy new arrow shawl silhouette and its use of simple garter stitch makes it a great choice to show off variegated or eccentric yarns hiding in your stash. (I know you have some!)

Make it as big or as small as you wish, pair up any two colors that you love, and enjoy the relatively-mindless knitting of this spectacular wrap!

Optional kits available soon!

Introduction to Garment Alterations

with Kate Atherley

Found a great pattern but  can't find a yarn that matches gauge? Want to change the size of a pattern? Need shorter sleeves, a longer body, or a different  neckline? 

In addition to sharing methods for changing aspects of garments, we’ll delve deep into strategies for approaching the problem and reduce both the mathematical challenge and the risk. 

We’ll also discuss how to choose patterns that are easiest to alter and identify good designs that can be leaping-off points for your own inspirations. 

Never be limited by a commercial pattern again!

The Mint Affogato Shawl

with Thea Colman

This tip-to -tip textured shawl combines lace, garter stitch, a picot-style edging, and a super fun lace stitch pattern in a beautiful, wearable wrap.

The construction and design of the piece lends itself easily to modification, and the techniques used are some of Thea's favorites.

 Learn from the designer herself as she takes you through all the details and steps needed to complete the shawl, starting with yarn choice,

gauge, and how to modify the pattern for different sizes.

She will cover the method for making the unique edging and how to make the purled “twist” that completes each lace circle.

Best of all, Thea will also discuss

how to find the “rhythm” in your patterns, as well how to add  her slipped-stitch shaping to the sides. 

In class, students can either

begin their actual shawls, or make a mini shawl with a beginning, center, and end.

NEW!

Punch and Paint: Painting with Yarn

with Francoise Danoy

Discover the captivating world of punch needle artistry in this fun hands-on workshop! 

• Introduction: Understand the history and resurgence of this age-old craft and its potential for contemporary artistic expression.
• Tools of the Trade: Get familiar with various punch needle tools, their unique features, and how to select the best for your projects.
• Yarn as Your Palette: Explore the vast array of yarns suitable for punch needle art. Delve into color theory and how to choose and blend yarn hues for maximum impact.
• Master the Technique: Hands-on practice to learn how to properly thread the needle, create consistent loops, and fill in designs to achieve a painterly effect.
• Design and Draft: Get guidance on how to draft or trace your designs onto your fabric canvas.
• Project Time: Embark on a guided mini-project, "painting" a pre-selected design using punch needles.
• Finishing Touches: Learn methods to finish and display your artwork, from stretching to framing and hanging.

Special kits will be avalable soon!

Cocoknits Sweater Workshop Part 2

with Julie Weisenberger

(This is a continuation of the morning session.)

In the second session of the workshop, we'll be learning about and knitting the yoke of the  Cocoknits Method sweater.

Julie will introduce her unique Cocoknits Method Worksheet which tracks all the increases for each section of the sweater, making it easy to keep track of where and when to increase. Everyone will learn how to fill out their worksheets and learn how to adjust for  individualized fit.  

Finally, Julie will teach various modifications, such as how to turn the pullover into a cardigan and/or lower or change the neckline to customize the sweater.  

After completing the yoke in class, you'll be ready and confident to continue the body and sleeves on your own at home.

You will have a beautifully-fitting, quick-knit garment lickety split!

A Deep Dive into Shawl Design

Part 1

with Kate Atherley 

 This all-day, in-depth session is all about exploring all kinds of shawl shapes--from a classic rectangular stole to circles and semi-circles, triangles both symmetrical and asymmetrical, and some more innovative structures. 

In class, expert shawl engineer Kate Atherley will share over 20 recipes and formulas, explaining how they work, and how you can modify and adjust them to suit your yarn, your pattern stitch and your design inspirations. 

If you’ve got a design in mind, bring your swatches/sketches and ideas! 

Cocoknits Sweater Workshop Part 1

with Julie Weisenberger

In this 6-hour two-session workshop, Julie Weisenberger introduces her amazing Cocoknits Method of top-down, seamless sweater knitting outlined in her book Cocoknits Sweater Workshop. 

We will cover the first four sections of the Cocoknits Method, including how to create English Tailored Shoulders, and how to use the special Cocoknits Sweater Worksheet. 

We will all work on the Mabel pattern, a chunky gauge sweater which will allow us to make good progress in the 6-hour class!

Note: Part 2 will be held in the afternoon on the same day.

Kits must be ordered by December 22, 2023, in order to be distributed at the event.

SOLD OUT!

All About Cables

with Thea Colman

 Who doesn’t love a good cable? With a simple twist in the order of  stitches, a cable can add texture, depth, complexity, symmetry (or 100 other adjectives…) to a fabric!

Even though cables are one of the most distinctive elements in knitwear design, we don’t often take the time to understand how they work and really get into what we can do with them. In this workshop, we do exactly that!

Thea will cover the ways we can play with our cables by deconstructing the yarns, the stitches, and the motifs we use to create them and by looking

at each one of those elements as a building block to work with. 

Students will leave class feeling empowered to not just knit perfect cables, but also to modify and even design their own panels for their knits.

NEW!

Sensational Socks from the Toe Up

with Francoise Danoy

 Dive into the world of sock knitting with a fresh perspective.  

• Toe-Tastic Start: Understand the intricacies of initiating your sock from the toe. Grasp techniques for a snug yet comfortable beginning, setting the foundation for the entire sock.
• Knit as You Go: Embrace the freedom and precision of knitting your sock as you proceed. Master the art of trying it on periodically, making adjustments for an impeccable fit.
• Heel and Turn Magic: The heel often intimidates knitters, but with hands-on guidance, learn how to craft the perfect heel shape using the bottom-up method.
• Leg Length and Cuff Creation: Get insights on deciding the ideal leg length for your sock and transitioning seamlessly to crafting a snug and stretchy cuff.
• Hands-on Knitting: Using the techniques and guidance provided, embark on knitting a mini sock prototype. 
• Problem Solving and Customizations: Delve into common challenges faced during sock knitting and their solutions. Also, discuss customizations and design variations to enhance your sock repertoire.

Cocoknits Sweater Workshop Part 2

with Julie Weisenberger 

(This is a continuation of the morning session.)

In the second session of the workshop, we'll be learning about and knitting the yoke of the  Cocoknits Method sweater.

Julie will introduce her unique Cocoknits Method Worksheet which tracks all the increases for each section of the sweater, making it easy to keep track of where and when to increase. 

Everyone will learn how to fill out their worksheets and learn how to adjust for  individualized fit. 

Finally, Julie will teach various modifications, such as how to turn the pullover into a cardigan and/or lower or change the neckline to customize the sweater.  

After completing the yoke in class, you'll be ready and confident to continue the body and sleeves on your own at home.

You will have a beautifully-fitting, quick-knit garment lickety split!

 A Deep Dive into Shawl Design

Part 2

with Kate Atherley 

(This is a continuation of the morning session.)

In the afternoon session, we'll continue our exploration of shawl shapes.

By the end of the workshop, you'll be prepared to choose a shape, pattern, and the absolute best yarn to bring your dream shawl to life.

 SOLD OUT!

The Smoked Orange Hat

with Thea Colman

Thea loved this cable motif so much that after designing and knitting an entire sweater, she cast on for a matching hat, and when she finished that first hat, she immediately cast on for a second one!

Let her take you through the details and steps needed to make her soon-to-be-released Smoked Orange Hat pattern, starting with yarn and gauge thoughts. She will cover a variety of options for modifying size, show how modifications cascade into little changes, and teach how to make both a brim and beanie version of the same design.

In this jam-packed session, she will also share her favorite cast-on method, how to cable without a cable needle, and how to make the little “leaves” in the pattern as you work your way towards the crown, where she will cover how to use DPNs and offer crown shaping tips!

NEW!

Maypole Cowl

with Francoise Danoy

 May Day is celebrated in many Western cultures in honor of Spring. 

In this unique cowl, cables and stranded technique combine to create the image of celebrating dancers moving around a may pole with pretty colored ribbons.

In this session, the designer herself teaches you all the essentials you need to knit this whimsical beauty.

Optional kits will be available soon!

La Tierra

with Melissa Leapman

In this 3-hour hands-on session, join Melissa as she unveils her newest design, La Tierra.

Inspired by the natural beauty of the High Desert 

of New Mexico, this intermediate skill level mystery scarf will combine color, texture, and a unique contruction for an exciting-to-knit project that is 

fun-to-wear.

Kits will be available soon!

Fearless Finishing 

with Kate Atherley

Many knitters avoid garment patterns because of the finishing work required, and even the most experienced knitters often have holes in their finishing knowledge – or simply lack confidence about them. The reason is simple: information in books and patterns is often very weak in this area, leaving knitters to try to figure it out themselves. 

This hands-on workshop teaches practical, useful and sensible finishing skills. Along the way we’ll dispel a lot of common myths, break down some common sources of confusion, and learn short-cuts that make the

finishing task easier and improve the finished project. 

We’ll cover the three key seaming methods,

reviewing how to do them and where to use them, including how to set in a sleeve. 

We’ll practice two essential skills that cause problems for knitters of all experience levels: grafting (Kitchener stitch) and picking up stitches, including how and where to pick them up, how to handle large numbers of picked up stitches, and what to do if you can’t match the number the pattern calls for. 

Finally, we’ll discuss blocking, weaving in ends, and how the proper cast ons and bind offs can make your finishing work easier-- and improve the finished result.

NEW SESSION ADDED!

All About Cables

with Thea Colman

 Who doesn’t love a good cable? With a simple twist in the order of  stitches, a cable can add texture, depth, complexity, symmetry (or 100 other adjectives…) to a fabric!

Even though cables are one of the most distinctive elements in knitwear design, we don’t often take the time to understand how they work and really get into what we can do with them. In this workshop, we do exactly that! 

Thea will cover the ways we can play with our cables by deconstructing the yarns, the stitches, and the motifs we use to create them and by looking

at each one of those elements as a building block to work with. 

Students will leave class feeling empowered to not just knit perfect cables, but also to modify and even design their own panels for their knits.

NEW!

The Wifty Top

with Francoise Danoy

This unique design, created to be fluid and loose, is meant to be paired up with fun eccentric yarns: speckled, stripped, stippled, variegated, etc. 

The pattern purposefully avoids making precise calculations in the garment to encourage you, the knitter, to make the design your own.

The top is constructed by knitting two identical squares on the bias and seaming them together, with some finishing touches worked in garter stitch. 

The nature of bias fabric will cause the top to curve inwards, for a fun and cute fit!