Saturday AM | 10th Annual Pittsburgh Knit and Crochet Festival

Saturday Morning

Woven Prayer Flags: “Woven Voices ~ Messages from the Heart”

Designed and created by Sarah D. Haskell

This make it and take it class is open Friday afternoon, all day Saturday and Sunday, is for all ages, and is FREE with your admission. It requires no knitting, crochet or weaving experience. This is an interactive global art project inspired by Tibetan prayer flags, Shinto paper prayers and messages, and the Buddhist concept of impermanence. This is a great way to use yarn stash and create a flag with a global message or a personal message. Make one, 2 or 3, give them as gifts or hang them in a garden, park or in your home. This is an open classroom format in the prefunction area. There is no reservation or registration necessary. The intention is to help spread positive energy and thoughts. We have been given kind permission to share this art project by Sarah D. Haskell.

Project blog: http://www.wovenvoices.blogspot.com.

Gallery: http://flickr.com/photos/wovenvoices

Friday afternoon, all day Saturday and Sunday. This class will be led by Kate Silberberg, Bonnie Reese, Deb Jacknin, Julie Stunden and other local fiber artists.

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Warm Up America and Knit the Bridge Lounge

Spend a little time or a lot of time just hanging out with your friends knitting or crocheting a square for the Warm Up America Foundation or pieces for the Knit the Bridge project: www.knitthebridge.wordpress.com. Instructors from Pat Catan’s and the Fiber Arts Guild will be on hand to assist you. Pat Catan’s and many of our other sponsors will provide yarn and needles for your use. The squares, knitted or crocheted, are assembled and distributed to families in need, or after being used for the Knit the Bridge project, the panels will be disassembled, and given to local shelters. Make a 7 x 9 inch square, or a size for the panels to be used for the bridge, learn a new stitch, and spend some time socializing while you do some charity work. You can specify which project your panel or piece will go to. No registration necessary. Friday afternoon, all day Saturday and Sunday.

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Teach Me 2 Knit and Crochet Classes

Stitch Pattern Samplers

All Levels, but may be best suited for beginners and above if you need a refresher. 2 sessions in the morning, 2 in the afternoon (Friday, Saturday & Sunday) each sampler class is ONE HOUR , there are 10 total offered all 3 days: $10.00 per sampler, 5 for $45.00 or all 10 for $90.00

Back by Popular Demand!!

The class format: Each sampler class session is one hour long. There are ten offered. You may take only one class sampler, 2, 3, or all 10. Do you want to move beyond stockinette and garter stitch? Do you find those huge stitch pattern books a little intimidating? Then this class is for you! We will introduce you to different patterns and techniques that will add texture to your knitting. We will slip stitches, twist stitches and even drop them on purpose. Turn each pattern into a block for an afghan, or add what you have learned to your other knitting projects. Registration necessary, class sizes are limited to 20.

Saturday morning sampler classes:

9:00 – 10:00: Cast on Methods w/ Ellen Oehlbeck: When learning to knit, we usually learn one or two ways to cast on. There are so many other methods you can use and why you should use each method. The right beginning will add a more professional look to your garments. $10.00

10:30 – 11:30: Correct Ways to Cast Off: w/ Ellen Oehlbeck: There are many ways to bind off (cast off) You will learn how to use different methods so your projects can look great. $10.00

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INTRODUCTION TO STRICKMUSTER, THE BEAUTIFUL TWISTED STITCH PATTERNS OF AUSTRIA with Candace Eisner Strick

9:00 am – 12:00 noon
$50.00

These gorgeous patterns wind and twist around each other in complicated and intricate designs, but actually are done using only two basic techniques without the use of a cable needle. We will sample some of the 174 charming patterns from Maria Erlbacher’s book, “Strickmuster”, and learn how to read the unique and logical charts. Proficiency level—advanced.

Please note: You must be a “conventional” knitter (ie: knit by taking the stitches off the left hand needle and transferring them to the right hand needle) in order for this technique to work correctly. Registration necessary, class size limited to 30.

Supplies Needed: About 2 ounces of smooth textured, light colored wool yarn in worsted weight. Please note: yarns with nubs, slubs, fuzz, or thick and thin is not appropriate, nor will variegated yarns show the pattern well–some good brands are Brown Sheep Lamb’s Pride, Cascade 220) and appropriately sized double pointed needles, about one dozen stitch markers. Having the correct yarn to learn with is very important!

Homework: None

Materials Fee: None

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Design Your Own Basic Sweater with Kate Lemmers

9:00 – 12:00 noon
$30.00

Got a stitch pattern you are in love with or a yarn calling out to you but you just cannot find the perfect pattern? Well design your own. In this class students learn to measure gauge, measure themselves, sketch out a basic drop shoulder, or modified drop shoulder sweater design and calculate the numbers needed to knit their own, one of a kind garment. This is a hands on class! Students must know how to: Co, knit, purl, make an 8″ x 8″ swatch of desired stitch pattern, add, subtract, multiply, divide, read a tape measure, know how to read a pattern, read a chart. Registration required, class limited to 16.

Supplies Needed: Needles you knit the swath with, a notebook, pencil and calculator, tape measure, wood or metal ruler at least 6” long, 8″ x 8″ swatch of desired stitch pattern.

Homework: Make an 8″ x 8″ swatch of their desired stitch pattern, with the needles they plan to knit the entire sweater with. Chart of swatch on a piece of graph paper.

Materials Fee: None

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Tunisian Crochet Entrelac Scarf/Neck Warmer with Misty Ledbetter

9:00 – 12:00 noon
$30.00

Students will make a neck warmer or scarf while learning to use basic Tunisian crochet to create an Entrelac pattern. Prior knowledge of Tunisian crochet is not necessary for this class. Crocheting with a fingering weight yarn that has long color changes will create different colored rows of Entrelac. Regular crochet hooks will be used for this project. Students can purchase the pattern ($7.00) during the class. This is an intermediate level class for crocheters, Students should feel comfortable counting stitches and reading their work. Registration necessary, class size limited to 12.

Supplies Needed: Tunisian Crochet Entrelac Scarf/Neck Warmer pattern (purchased in class), fingering weight yarn with long color changes recommended (any Noro sock yarn or Crystal Palace Yarns Mini Mochi, are good examples) 462 yds for neck warmer or 924 yds for scarf (please do not choose a very dark color), size G (4mm) crochet hook, size I (5.5mm) crochet hook, locking stitch markers.

Homework: None

Materials Fee: $7.00, for the pattern, payable to the teacher in class.

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Color- Its Emotional Characteristics, History, and Trends with Donna Bogosto Kearns

9:30 – 11:30 AM
$15.00

This is a MUST take class for anyone working with COLOR! Wouldn’t you like to better understand how to use color in your work to attract your viewers? We are accustomed to using color from a theoretical base but we can also use color based on its emotional effectiveness. Color is a powerful influence in our lives as well as in our work. We will look at the power and significance of color, it’s language, characteristics, dynamics, trends, and symbolism and how color preferences affect each of us. You will be able to then utilize that information to be more expressive in your work and everyday life. You will more confidently select color to strengthen your message. This class is suited for people of all ages, no specific skill set or levels required, this is a class that you will have fun in, learn a lot about yourself and understand why you are attracted to certain colors and make the color selections that you do. There is an afternoon workshop that utilizes what you have learned in this session. It is not required to take the 2^nd part, nor is it required to take the morning session before taking the afternoon workshop. Registration required, this class will most likely be a one and a half hour class, but will allow additional time for question and answers.

Supplies Needed: None

Homework: None

Materials Fee: None

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Shapely Short Rows with Lisa Carnahan

9:00 – 12:00 noon
$30.00

Short rows can take an ordinary sweater to new heights by flattering your figure and making your knitting friends green with envy. Do your sweaters ride up in the back? We have a short row for that. The bust not flattering your curves? We have a short row for that. Tired or ugly shoulder seams? We have a short row solutions. Set in sleeves that look like the pros…short rows. Short rows placed strategically can make your sweaters fit like a dream. This class will cover short row techniques as well as the most flattering way to incorporate short rows into your knitting. It is easy and within one class you will be imagining all of the new places you can use short rows in your fitted garments. Registration required, this class is limited to 15.

Supplies Needed: 150 yards of worsted weight, light colored yarn (no fur or fuzzy yarns) corresponding needles to get a 5 st/inch gauge (anywhere from a size 5 to a size 8) Stitch markers, pen and paper.

Homework: Please knit the following pieces and bring to class with you.

Piece # 1

With light colored, smooth, worsted weight yarn, cast on 15 sts. Knit in ST.ST. (Stockinette stitch) for 2”.

Next Row, Row 1 (RS): BO (Bind off) 5sts, knit to end of row.

Row2: (WS): Purl.

Row 3: K, SSK, knit to end of row.

Row 4: Purl

Row 5: K, SSK, knit to end of row.

Row 6: Purl.

Row 7: Knit to end of row.

Work even (no decreases) in StSt. For 15 rows, place 8 sts on waste yarn.

Piece # 2

With light colored, smooth, worsted weight yarn cast on 15 sts, Work in St.St. for 2 inches.

Row 1 (RS): Knit to end of row.

Row 2 (WS): BO 5 sts, purl to end of row.

Row 3: Knit to last three sts on the row, k2tog, k1.

Row 4: Purl

Row 5: Knit to last three sts, k2tog, k1.

Row 6: Purl

Row 7: Knit to end of row.

Work even in St.St. (no decreases) for 15 rows, place 8 sts on waste yarn

Materials Fee: None

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Knitting Cables 101 with Marie Segares

9:00 – 12:00 noon
$25.00

Learn the basics of knitting cables, including how to interpret written and charted patterns, how to use a cable needle, and how to form the stitches. This class is suited for the beginner knitter, but students must know how to cast on, knit and purl. Ability to read U.S. knitting pattern terminology is helpful, but not required. Registration required, class size limited to 18.

Supplies Needed: Bring approximately 200 yards of any smooth, light colored yarn in a solid or semi solid color and a pair of knitting needles that are appropriate for the yarn you select, and cable needles.

Homework: None

Materials Fee: $3.00 for cable patterns and handouts.

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Knitting in the Round with Amy Maceyko

10:00 – 12:00 noon
$25.00

This class is designed for knitters who have only knit projects working back and forth and who would like to learn to knit in the round. This is also a good class for knitters who know one method for knitting in the round and would like to learn the other ways to knit a tube. Class will discuss knitting with DPNs, knitting with two circulars and knitting using the magic loop method. This class is for the beginner and above– students should know the knit stitch and how to cast on. Registration required, this class is limited to 15.

Supplies Needed: A set of double pointed needles, a 24” circular needle and a 40” circular needle. All needles should be within two sizes of each other. Yarn at a thickness to work with the needles you have. Scissors, pencil and locking stitch markers or safety pins.

Materials Fee: None

Homework: None

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Intro to Entrelac with Bev Bortner

9:00 – 12:00 noon
$30.00

Entrelac is a knitting technique used to create a textured pattern. While the end result resembles basket-woven strips of knitted fabric, the actual material comprises interconnected squares on two different orientations. This class is for the intermediate level knitter, even though it is an introduction class. Students must know how to cast on, knit, purl, increase and decrease. Registration required, this class is limited to 12.

Supplies Needed: Please bring Worsted weight yarn, either two separate colors or yarn that has long color change such as Wisdom Poems yarn, size 8 needles (10” straight needles or 24” circular knitting needles), Knitting notions such as ring markers, scissors and darning needle and a pen and paper for notes.

Materials Fee: None

Homework: None

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Crocheting with Beads with Vicki Fergus

9:30 – 11:30 AM
$20.00

Learn to crochet with beads. Participants will crochet either a bracelet or chains for a necklace while learning about adding beading to their work. Material kits will be supplied for class participants. This class is for the beginner/intermediate level crocheter. Registration required, this class is limited to 12.

Supplies Needed: Crochet hooks sized F, G, or H and scissors.

Materials Fee: $5.00. This covers beads, yarn, beading needle, and finishes for either a bracelet or necklace, payable to the teacher in class.

Homework: None

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Cables on the Front, Cables on the Back with Jill Bigelow-Suttell

9:00 – 12:00 noon
$30.00

Cables make a beautifully textured fabric…on the front; but what about the back? You can make the back of the fabric look just as pretty as the front with reversible cables. In this class, we will try several different reversible cables, adapt non-reversible cables to reversible patterns and maybe even design our own. This class is for the advanced knitter: Intermediate level skills plus yarn over patterns, cables, ribbing, comfortable with pattern interpretation. Registration required, this class is limited to 25.

Supplies Needed: Worsted weight, light colored yarn, needles in size 7, 8, or 9 (any type) and a cable needle.

Materials Fee: None

Homework: None

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Introduction to Braids with Eleanor Swogger

9:00 – 12:00 noon
$30.00

Students will learn several braid stitches and then begin a pair of fingerless mitts using one of the braids learned in class. This class is best suited for the intermediate knitter, students must know how to knit, purl, increase and be comfortable using double pointed needles. Yarn for this class will be graciously supplied by Kraemer Yarns. Registration required, this class is limited to 20.

Supplies Needed: Size 4 double pointed needles, markers. Yarn will be supplied by Kraemer Yarns.

Materials Fee: None

Homework: None

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Better than a Fashion Show———– a Revolving Trunk Show!

Friday:1:00 – 9:00 PM

Saturday: 9:00 – 5:00 PM

Sunday: 9:00 – 4:00 PM

$10.00, can be used multiple times throughout the show.

This year we are pleased to offer something fresh and different for everyone! Instead of one fashion show to highlight all of the fabulous new patterns, designs and garments, this year we are offering a revolving trunk show to allow you to touch each garment, try it on, see and feel the drape of each item without rushing through a fashion show. The revolving trunk show will be hosted by the yarn companies that show their support each year and their yarn representatives. Every hour, we’ll showcase a different yarn company and their garments. Garments will be shown from Candace Eisner Strick, Tahki Stacey Charles, Inc. ArtYarns, HBKY, Louet, Alpaca Yarn Company, Blue Heron, Stitch Sprouts, StevenBe, Be Sweet, Feza, Lantern Moon, Berroco, Skacel Collection and many more. The garments will stay on display through the entire show, but will be highlighted hourly as posted on a schedule (to follow). Come in once, or come in as many times as you’d like to see, feel and try the various garments form our sponsors and festival friends. Admission for entry ticket is: $10.00, which can be used throughout the show multiple times.

Yarn Representatives include Jon Veauthier, Fred Veauthier, Josie Baxter and others.

Book signings and autograph sessions will be scheduled with designer’s garments.

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