We’re in the final countdown to UK Knitcamp in Scotland next week and all the finishing touches are being added to the classes.  I wanted to go through material lists for the classes so that everyone would know what they will need.  Please leave a comment if you have any queries.

Tuesday (All Day)- Knitting From The Side

Materials:
7mm/US11 circular needles
7mm/US11 dpns
7mm crochet hook (this size is less critical so close to that size will also work)
Waste yarn
stitch markers

I have some Fyberspates Scrumptious chunky yarn for the class (very gererously donated by Jeni..THANKS!) which will have to be doubled to get gauge (11 sts/18 rows per 4″/10cm).  If you are a fast knitter you may wish to bring your own yarn to ensure you have enough for the full class.

Wednesday (Morning) – Slip Stitch Patterns

We will be working through a series of slip stitch pattern swatches so you will need

2 yarns (dk/aran recommended); suitable needle
size for yarn (straight or circular).

Thursday (All Day) – Shaping Up Traditional Knits

Materials:

Aran weight yarn, 100% wool recommended.
US #8/5mm circular needle, 32-inch/80cm (or longer) for
in the round or straight needles if worked flat.
US #7/4.5mm circular needle, 32-inch/80cm (or longer)
for in the round or straight needles if worked flat.
1 set US #7/4.5mm double pointed needles (dpns)
1 set US #8/5mm double pointed needles (dpns)
Markers (m); Stitch holders; Tapestry needle; Cable needle
Plus: calculator, graph paper, measuring tape.
It is also useful if you measure or bring a well fitting
sweater for yourself.

You may not need the dpns during the class but to finish your sweater they will be needed.

Friday (Morning) – Short Rows

Materials:

Yarn (dk-aran weight would be best); straight or circular
needles suitable for yarn, measuring tape, stitch markers;
safety pins.

Saturday (2 hours, morning) – Magic Loop

This class will work on a toddler sock pattern using DK weight yarn.

Materials:

1 set of 3.5mm circular needles 80-100cm long (Addi
Turbos or Knit Pro are recommended)

DK wool; Stitch marker; Darning needle; Scissors; Measuring Tape.

All the boys are at home this week on their summer holidays which is both lots of fun and frustrating.  Its nice to be off the treadmill of constant schedules and planning ..getting them out of pjs by mid day is a chore!  However finding time for some mental space is pretty hard.  I actually like quiet alone time so summers can get a little overwhelming!

I’ve been busy planning my classes for Knit Camp in Scotland and have some good news for anyone taking my Knitting From the Side class.  Fyberspates have kindly agreed to donate the yarn for this class.  You’ll all get a chance to try out their wonderful Scrumptious yarn.  The Raspberry Layer pattern we will be using in the class uses a chunky yarn that she is no longer producing but the DK weight held double produces the correct gauge so that’s what we’ll be using in the class.  This is a great class for a knitter who is past the basics and wants to learn some new techniques.  The cardigan begins with a provisional cast on at the center of the back, works out each way one at at time and uses short rows to give shape to the cardigan and also uses short rows to produce a little sleeve cap.  I have a pattern coming out shortly that also uses a similar construction technique but looks quite different.

I’ve got several new patterns (2 published elsewhere and 2 self-published) coming out over the summer.  I can’t talk yet about the other patterns but the next self-published pattern uses delicious Sundara Aran Silky Merino.  This was knit and modeled by Sue and I’ll leave you with a tiny little sneak peak….you should be able to see the completed piece in a few weeks!

I was in Coventry this weekend for Ravelry day.  I had a really great time, I went with Sue from Cork and met up with more knitters than I think I ever have before!  I hope none of the stallholders suffered too much from the cold and wet, it was not a good day to be standing outdoors.

My new pattern Raspberry Layers was in the fashion show for Fyberspates, who also now have several paper copies of the pattern, so if you see Jen at any shows in the next few weeks you can get a hardcopy of the pattern.  Meg Swason gave a talk after that and made us all feel as if her mother, Elizabeth Zimmermann’ was with us.

In the afternoon we took a workshop with Jared Flood.  He’s such a nice man – and I may actually get beyond my fear of steeks!!

Afterwards we all headed out for Brown’s until the early morning (it wasn’t that late – but 1 in the morning feels really late when you’ve been on little kid time!).  We met Jared again there and Woolly Wormhead, and as we all froze on balcony (the weater this weekend was really wet and cold).

Hopefully with the UK knit camp and ravelry day 2010 next summer I’ll get to see all these lovely knitters again.  It is so nice to know that all of these people really exist in the real world when it was only virtual until this weekend.  I’ve never visited Scotland before so even though it’s a year away I’m already looking forward to it!