Fair Isle Sweater

Schedule

NEW Dates:  Session 1 on April 25, all other dates to be determined at that time (Fridays)

Times:  6:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m. (evenings)

Location:  The Yarn Garden, 111 W. Lawrence, Charlotte, Michigan

Phone:  (517)541-9323

Class Registration

To sign up for this class:  Call the location where the sessions you are interested in are being offered.  Please contact me if you would like to be placed on a waiting list to take this class at a later time or at an alternate location.

Description

6 sessions

Cost:  $90

Skill level:  Advanced or brave intermediate.

(click on picture to see variations)

The Fair Isle technique has been around for centuries.  Traditionally, it involves knitting in the round and using charted patterns, while carrying a different color of yarn in each hand.  The colors may or may not change, but you will never work more than two colors across a single row (we only have two hands, after all!). 

Fair Isle sweater bodies are knit in the round, as tubes.  Armholes, necklines, and cardigan fronts are “steeked”, which means that they are prepared in some way and then cut open (with scissors!).  There are a variety of different methods used to steek Fair Isle sweaters, most of which will be discussed and demonstrated.

We will start with a preliminary planning session, during which we will look at a variety of Fair Isle patterns and yarns.  Possibilities include, but are not limited to:

·         Philosopher’s Wool – uses a heavy worsted weight wool yarn available in kits and by the skein.  Kits come with patterns, but you will find their book, Fair Isle Simplified, to be very helpful for patterns as well as for understanding their interpretation of  the technique.

·         Dale of Norway – some of their patterns are technically Norwegian rather than Fair Isle, meaning there will sometimes be more than two colors in a row, but we can deal with that if it comes up.  Dale of Norway patterns use a medium weight wool yarn, available by the ball in a beautiful array of colors.

·         Jamieson Shetland – uses a finer weight wool yarn which is available by mail order in a mind-boggling choice of colors.  Pick a pattern from one of their books or from one of the Alice Starmore books that are still available.

Project

In this class, you will knit a Fair Isle sweater.  Philosopher’s Wool 2-ply was used for the model.

Materials

• Pattern – to be chosen during preliminary planning session
• Yarn – as needed for selected pattern
• Needles – as needed for selected pattern
• Needle gauge
• Flexible measuring tape
• Blunt darning needle
• Sharp tapestry needle
• Stitch markers
• Stitch holders
• Coilless safety pins
• Scissors (sharp, for cutting steeks!)
• Sewing machine (one will be available at class)
• Buttons, if making a cardigan
• Sewing needle and thread (for buttons)
• Crochet hooks (bring what you have)

Session 1 Topics

• Pattern and yarn selection
• Needles
• Charts
• Swatching

Session 2 Topics

• Cast ons
• Joining circular knitting
• Holding yarn
• Weaving/catching yarn
• Body
• Borders
• Starting and ending new and old yarns
• Splicing yarn
• Shaping

Session 3 Topics

• Sleeve length
• Pockets
• Armhole steeks
• Neckline steeks

Session 4 Topics

• Shoulder seams
• Securing and opening steeks

Session 5 Topics

• Picking up for neckbands and buttonhole bands
• Buttonholes
• Sewing on buttons

Session 6 Topics

• Assembly
• Blocking
• Laundering knitted items

Payment

• The student will be responsible for the cost of any materials required.

• Check with the desired class location for payment details.

• Payment for classes at my home in Haslett can be by cash or check made payable to Sarah Peasley, due at the first class session.

• No refunds will be given after the first class session.

Questions?

If you have any questions about this class, please don’t hesitate to contact me.  I’m always happy to help you with any questions or problems that arise from my classes or from patterns by Sarah Peasley, Handknitter.  I am committed to seeing you through to the end of your project!

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