NAUTICAL KNITTING CRUISE 2023: Bermuda & Spain

Design Your Own One Skein Shawl 

with Bronwyn (@casapinka)

Kick off the trip with a special shawl designed and knitted by you. 

In just 3 hours, Bronwyn will show you the ins and outs of shawl design so you can create a special souvenir you'll enjoy for years (and vacations!) to come.

Killer Color Cables with Melissa (@Melissa.Leapman)

 In this hands-on workshop, explore amazing fabrics that combine cables with colorwork. 

Although it appears intricate, the technique is actually quite simple. Learn how! 

Manta Calentita 

with Melissa (@Melissa.Leapman)

This morning, learn to use log cabin construction to knit a sampler afghan with slip stitches, yarn overs, stripes, and other fun knitting techniques.

With this method, there are no seams, as  each section is built onto the previous ones! (Caution: This technique is highly addictive. You're been warned!)

An optional kit containing 400 yards of washable cashmere-blend yarn (!!!) in each of 4 colors in your choice of 2 special colorways is available for $272.

Latvian Braids

with Lotta (@knittinglotta)

Discover the cleverness of Latvian knitters who invented ways of placing colorful, textured bands on knitted fabric.

In class, you'll learn the techniques and will get  to know the history behind the different patterns and motifs. 

Intro to Double Knitting

with Lotta (@knittinglotta)

Have you glanced at double knitted items and thought  "What is this sorcery?? It looks too complicated for me to knit."

 If so, it’s time to change that thinking and to think like Pippi Longstocking: "I have never tried that before but I think I should definitely be able to do that!" 

In this workshop, we will go through the basics of double knitting and practice the technique by knitting a few mind-blowing

swatches. 

WARNING! This technique is highly addictive and you might not want to knit anything else after this three 

hour session. (Don't tell Melissa or Bronwyn or, for Heaven's sake, Sharon.)

Paseo Cowl

with Melissa (@Melissa.Leapman)

Named for the Spanish word for "stroll" or "excursion", this mystery cowl will include several interesting colorwork techniques worked with 3 colors merino custom-dyed by Keith Leonard of Yarn Snob just for us.

Where will this knitting adventure journey take you?  Learn while you knit something amazing!

Optional kit: $98 for three magnificent hanks of custom hand-dyed worsted weight superwash merino in your choice of two colorways.

More Double Knitting

with Lotta (@knittinglotta)

 Are you hooked? Wasn’t that what Lotta warned you about? 

In this workshop, we'll dive  bit deeper down in the world of double knitting while knitting a cozy cowl--and will even learn how to knit different patterns on both sides.

 Students will receive a double knit cowl pattern designed exclusively for this cruise.

Note: Double knitting in the round is easier and more fun than doing it back and forth in rows. Take this class and see it for yourself!

Optional kit: $26 includes 2 hanks of Fibra Natura's beautiful Kingston Tweed yarn in your choice of colorways. 

Hip to be Square

with Melissa (@Melissa.Leapman)

In this fun, hands-on workshop, explore the possibilities of this simple designer's building block. 

Learn several versions using color, texture, and more! Best of all, since each successive square is built directly onto a previous one, no sewing is required. (Read that: You might actually finish a blanket rather than store individual blocks in a drawer for eternity.) 

Bonus: Mitered squares are ideal for stashbusting!

Learn Intarsia: New Glamping Blanket

with Bronwyn (@casapinka)

Join Bronwyn to learn intarsia and learn how to make a blanket designed by Sharon

From Security.

 It may involve cats but if we tell you now, it’ll spoil all of the fun. Besides, Sharon says mum's the word.

Trust The Cat.

Optional kit: $125 for four hanks of Emma's Yarn's Bodacious Bulky in your choice of colorways. (Note: All colorways are Sharon-approved.

Tips, Tricks, and Steeks

with Bronwyn (@casapinka)

Join Bronwyn for a fun 3 hour class to learn her favorite tips and tricks that can make your knitting easier and more fun:

1) How to pick up and knit stitches

2) How to make the last BO stitch tight

3) How to loosen the edges of your shawls if they are tight

4) How to make the garter tab cast on easier

We will finish up the class by knitting a small sample that you will steek yourself so you can try out one of the scariest things in all of knitting (which isn’t really that scary at all.)

Swedish Bohus Knitting

with Lotta (@knittinglotta)

As a Nordic citizen, cultural knitting traditions are close to Lotta's heart.

 Bohus Knitting was a project started in 1939 to create job opportunities for the women in the stone quarrying districts of  Bohuslän, Sweden. 

The patterns use isolated purl stitches to blend colors and add textured. These designs well known and  are still, 80 years later, very popular and high fashion.  

In class, you'll knit a fun hat with the typical Bohus patterns and colors.

Optional kit: $29 for 5 balls of Garnstudio/Drops amazing Air yarn.

Luna Shawl with Melissa (@Melissa.Leapman)

Hone your knitting skills while knitting this exciting mystery crescent shawl designed just for our cruise.

Techniques include various slip stitch patterns and other textured stitches.

Each phase (see what I did there?) introduces new patterns. I bet I'll hear you saying "just one more row!" in your cabin at night!

Optional kit: $128 for 4 hanks of Miss Bab's luscious Avon yarn in your choice of colorways.

Stranded Knitting: This is How to Do It

with Lotta (@knittinglotta)

As in most areas of knitting, there is no right or wrong way to knit stranded knitting.

That said, Lotta has lots of great ideas to make this type of knitting easier and more fun.

In this session, learn all the essentials, including how to deal with long floats, how to choose a dominant color, how to manage double-pointed needles (and how to live without them and do magic loop instead!)

In addition, Lotta will guide you through the ins and outs of color choice.

In class, you'll practice these skills as you knit a lovely cellphone cozy designed especially for our cruise.

Choosing Colors  

with Bronwyn (@casapinka)

Is choosing colors the hardest part of your

knitting journey?  Do variegated yarns fluster you? Do you love speckles but don't know how to use them? Do you worry about having enough contrast in your projects, or are you trying to get out of your box? If so, this is the class for you! 

With no pesky color wheel and no strict Bronwyn will share her knowledge and experience to give you

confidence when choosing colors for multi-skein projects. 

The class itself will last two hours and in the final hour you can put your new skills to work choosing colors for

any free Casapinka pattern that you like (you will get a coupon code) or just hang out with us and knit. After this class, you'll always be able to choose the perfect color combo to make you want to cast on your new project immediately.

Design Your Own

with Lotta (@knittinglotta)

 Have you always wondered how intricate colorwork patterns are designed? Woul you like to try it yourself?

Join Lotta--a professional graphic designer--to take a deep dive into the  designing jungle! 

Using paper, pencil, and a handy eraser, you'll learn how to design your own mittens (or hat or blanket or . . . .).

Let Lotta give you an overview of the entire process and give you the tools you need for success.

Participants will leave the class armed with several small pixel motifs and a complete knittable alphabet.

NEW! 

Honky Tonk Shawl

with Melissa (@Melissa.Leapman)

Honky Tonk is a fun-to-knit mosaic asymmetrical triangular shawl. It begins with just a few stitches and increases with easy "knit front and back" stitches on one side edge to create a beautiful and useful silhouette.

Most of the shawl is simple garter stitch stripes with a unique zig zag pattern worked with classic mosaic (slip stitch) knitting using just one color per row. It's color knitting the easy way!  

 Optional kit: $84 for 2 hanks (1120 yds total!) of Miss Babs' Keira yarn in your choice of colorways.

Mosaic Knitting Made Wicked Easy

with Bronwyn (@casapinka)

Mosaic knitting can be very intimidating but it does not have to be. It is an excellent

way to use multiple color without doing stranded knitting or fair isle. 

In this class, you will

go from newbie to mosaic master.

The session is based on Bronwyn's Llama Drama pattern,  which requires

3 skeins of fingering weight yarn and you can begin it at the end of class if you wish.

Pattern included with class.

Swedish Twined Knittingwith Lotta (@knittinglotta)

For hundreds of years,  women in the Nordic countries have practiced twined knitting. This traditional type of knitting creates beautiful, ultra-warm, and super long lasting garments. 

In class, we will go back in time and learn all the essentials of the technique while getting a history lesson as you knit.

The Sharon Show with Bronwyn (@casapinka)

Join us for a fun, adventurous evening prepared by Sharon and delivered by The Boss.

Expect laughter and fun. No hairballs or EB.

Piscium Shawl with Melissa (@Melissa.Leapman)

Piscium is an asymmetrical triangular shawl designed especially for our Nautical Knitting Cruise 2023.

Knitted in easy (I promise!) mosaic stitch with simple two-row stripes, this shawl will be the perfect handmade souvenir from our trip together.

Optional kit: $144 for 8 glorious hanks of Malabrigo's Caprino (80% superfine merino/20% cashmere)! 

Faux Bri-Aux with Melissa (@Melissa.Leapman)

Do you love the look of brioche knitting but can’t keep your "brk" and "brp" stitches straight?

 In this two-hour hands-on workshop, learn how to work several super-squishy—and fun! —stitch patterns that look like brioche without the fuss! 

Optional kit to make the sampler infinity cowl in the photo: $87 includes  3 hand-dyed hanks of Yarn Snob's "A Mighty Fine DK "(100% superwash merino wool; 274 yards/250 meters; 3½ ounces/100 grams) in your choice of colorways. 

Life Saving Knitting with Lotta (@knittinglotta)

Like many of us, Stockholm native Lotta Lundin believes that knitting literally saved her life.

When she suddenly transformed from a superwoman who gracefully handled everything to a person who couldn't do anything, knitting offered her a way to survive the days until the anxiety "unraveled". (See what she did there?)

In this presentation, learn about Lotta's personal journey and be inspired by her amazing designs depicting famous musicians, iconic Hollywood releases, current events, and more!

Learn how to banish boredom, anxiety, and burnout for good. 

Martini Tasting

 Join us for a private martini tasting in the martini lounge at 1:30 PM on Sunday April 30 or Tuesday May 2 on Deck 4 midship. 

Non-knitting companions are welcome! 

Reversible Cables with Melissa (@Melissa.Leapman)

  In this hands-on mini workshop, we'll explore cable pattern that look great on both sides.

 By the end of class, you'll amaze yourself (and everyone else) with fabrics that have completely different cables on each side!

No sorcery required.

 (Note: Participants should be very comfortable knitting typical cables prior to the session.)  

Martini Tasting

 Join us for a private martini tasting in the martini lounge at 1:30 PM on Sunday April 30 or Tuesday May 2 on Deck 4 midship. 

Non-knitting companions are welcome! 

Charity Knit Night

In the middle of all of our fun and festivities, let's spend an evening giving back.

Tonight we'll knit (or crochet) hats  for the homeless.

Yarn will be donated by our generous partner,  Cascade Yarn Company.

Knit Night

Let's sit and knit together at the Sunset Bar on Deck 15 aft tonight.

Bring your charity project from Tuesday or a class project you are working on or your own personal knitting.

Come knit and share your experiences off-ship with the rest of us. I bet there will be some awesome stories to tell!