Cafe. Yarn. Friends

1162 Queen St. E. Toronto, ON. M4M 1L4
416 463 1162

 

 

 

 

 

 

Beginner Knitting


Learn To Knit -- 101: The Basics

Tuesdays, May 1 & 8; 7:00-9:00pm
Thursdays,May 24 & 31; 7:00-9:00pm
Tuesdays, May 29 & June 5; 7:00-9:00pm
Thursdays, June 21 & 28; 7:00-9:00pm

This class is for the Complete and Utter Beginners! In this two session class (4 hours total) learn the knitting basics of how to cast on, knit, purl, cast off and, of course, how to decode those patterns. Never be afraid of your needles again...you will learn to make them do what you want them to!

Skills required: None at all!

Cost - $49.00*** ALL MATERIALS ARE INCLUDED
Instructor: Rosa


Learn To Knit -- 102 : Taking Shape

Tuesdays, May 15 & 22; 7:00-9:00pm
Tuesdays, June 12 & 19; 7:00-9:00pm


Attention Beginners Plus! Now that you are knitting and purling are you looking for something more adventurous...but not toooo adventurous? Join us for a confidence building, what to do next class! In this two session class (4 hours total): step your knitting up to the next level with increasing and decreasing, and putting stitches together. Get a more in depth understanding of your stitches, decoding the patterns and how to move forward with the projects you aspire to.

Skills required: Basic Knit & Purl, Cast On/Off

Cost - $39.00***
--Please bring or buy a worsted weight, smooth yarn and 4.5mm needles
Instructor: Rosa


Knitting in the Round -- Don't be afraid of your DPNs!

Sunday, April 15; 10:00am-12:00pm -- Full

Hats? Mitts? Socks? Anyone? This class is for those of you who can already cast on, knit and purl and are now ready to delve into knitting in the round. In this 2 hours class we'll take the mystery out of knitting on double pointed needles and introduce you to the various ways of knitting in the round!

Get ready for tips and tricks for gaining control over what looks like unwieldy pointy sticks and look forward to a whole new adventure in knitting!

Skills required: Knit, purl, casting on, binding off

Cost - $29.00***
--Please bring or buy a worsted weight, smooth yarn and corresponding Double Pointed Needle Set
Instructor: Rosa

 


Knitting Project Class -- Tackle something new with guidance!

Fridays, May 4, 11, 18, & 25; 10:00am-12:00pm
Fridays, June 1, 8, 15, & 29; 10:00am-12:00pm
Wednesdays, June 6, 13, 20, & 27: 7:00-9:00pm

This 4 week session (8 hours total) will guide you through your own knitting project, whether you're a new knitter tackling your first sweater, or an experienced knitter tackling a challenge.

Come prepared with at least one choice of what you would like to tackle and we'll help you with yarn choices, and teach you all the skills you need to create it, from understanding the instructions and checking your gauge to casting on and off and putting it together. Students will receive a 15% discount for project class yarn purchases.

Skills required: Suitable for all levels but please note that this is not a Learn to Knit class.  It is assumed you know at least the very basics. This would be perfect for knitter's who have completed Learn To Knit 102 or the equivalent. 

Cost - $104.00 four week session
         
--Please bring: Your chosen pattern to the 1st session!
Instructor: Kate Atherley

NOTE: please check your calendars, this course will not be pro-rated for late starts and make-up classes are not available.


 

 

 

Expand your skills


The Perfect Fit: Size, Fit & Altering Patterns

Saturday, May 5; 10:00am-12:00pm

This class will teach you the skills you need to ensure your knitted garments are flattering and well-fitting. We will show you how to decide on size options - and set you well along the way to a successful and flattering sweater project. We will explain how to read sizing tables and schematics. We'll show you how to measure yourself. And most importantly, we'll explain garment fit, including demystifying terms like "negative ease". Come on in to explore how to adapt and alter existing patterns, to obtain the best fit for your shape. We'll discuss what to do to find a pattern for that perfect yarn and how to go about adapting that commercial pattern you love that does not have quite the right size for you.

Cost - $29.00***
--Please bring paper, pencil, calculator and a tape measure. If you've got a specific pattern you want to work with, bring that too.
Instructor: Kate Atherley

 


Math For Knitters

Saturday, June 2; 10:00am-12:00pm

In this 2 hour workshop class you will learn everything you need to know to figure out all those tricky math problems you encounter in your knitting. We'll cover such problem areas as calculating and adjusting for gauge, challenging instructions like "Increase 12 sts evenly distributed across the row", and how to make adjustments in patterns like adding waist shaping, or lengthening sleeves. Suitable for newer and experienced knitters - it's all about conquering your fear of the numbers and making you a more powerful knitter!

Cost - $29.00***
Instructor: Kate Atherley



WTF!?! What's The Fault-- Your Fixing Mistakes Guide

Wednesday, May 9; 7:00-9:00pm

Oh no! Something's wrong with your knitting? What's the fault?! This 2 hour session will teach you how to spot and fix mistakes in your knitting, whether you're a beginner or a seasoned knitter. We will share tips for safely ripping out stitches and rows, for fixing mistakes without ripping out, and for deciding when you don't need to bother fixing at all.

Participants are encouraged to bring their "mistakes" with!

Cost - $29.00***
--Please bring your needles, a crochet hook (3mm is a good size to have on hand) and any questions and mishaps you might like advice on
Instructor – Kate Atherley


Painless Finishing

Wednesday, May 23; 7:00-9:00pm

You've completed the knitting for your project, but too intimidated to finish it up?  This 2 hour session will teach you everything you need to know to quickly and easily finish up and assemble your knitting projects.  We'll cover seaming of all kinds, picking up stitches, weaving in ends and buttonholes -- and provide clever tips and techniques for reducing the finishing work, or at least to make it more fun.

Bring in your projects in need of finishing and learn the techniques to make your seams look seamless! Or if you just want to learn the techniques ...Bring in a few swatches to learn basics instead!

Skills required: Knit & Purl, Cast On/Off

Cost - $29.00***
---Please bring swatches and / or projects along with corresponding needles and wool needle
Instructor: Kate Atherley


Expert Tips

Saturday, May 19; 10:00am-12:00pm

Using the right technique in a situation can make your knitting  so much easier, and make your finished products look better! Join us as we talk about and demonstrate all those cast-ons, bind-offs, increases and decreases you are seeing in your patterns.  We'll answer all those tricky questions like what M1 is, and what it means to bind off in pattern. This class is suitable for knitters of all levels. Techniques will include: long tail cast-on, provisional cast-on, Judy's Magic cast-on; Russian Lace bind-offs, the sewn bind-off, Jeny's Surprisingly Stretchy Bind-Off; invisible, visible and directional increases and decreases. 

Cost - $29.00***
--Please bring: a smooth worsted or aran weight yarn, and 4.5mm needles, a sewing up needle and paper and pen for note taking.
Instructor: Kate Atherley


Crochet For Knitters

Saturday, May 12;  10:00am-12:00pm

Crochet is an incredibly useful skill for the knitter.  This 2 hour session teaches you how to bring the power of the crochet hook to your knitting -- to pick up dropped stitches and fix mistakes, for painless seaming, for creating decorative edgings and joins, and for the mysterious and wonderful provisional cast-on.

Skills required: Knit & Purl, Cast On/Off

Cost - $29.00***
--HOMEWORK: Please bring: two 6" squares of stocking stitch worked with 4 or 5mm needles and worsted weight yarn, some scrap yarn of the same weight in a contrasting colour and a 4.5mm crochet hook.
Instructor: Kate Atherley


Rock The Block - What is blocking anyway?

Thursday, May 17; 7:00-9:00pm

We'll talk about:

  • why and when to block, different blocking methods and products
  • how to pick which method for a given project (full soak vs. mist vs. wet towel)
  • how to use blocking wires and pins
  • shaping garments (get shape/length with blocking rather than re-knitting) 
  • getting to know how different fibres behave when blocked

You are welcome to bring freshly knit items and or swatches you may need feedback and suggestions about blocking.  Maybe you have some finished objects, works in progress or yarn you want to knit a particular project in but have reservations about how it will block?  Let's sort it out.

Cost - $29.00***

Instructor – Rosa


 

 

 

Socks


socks101The more traditional method of knitting socks is from to start from the cuff and work your way down to the toe. But you could choose to work socks from the Toe first and work to the cuff.  So we are offering a beginner class for each of these methods. 

In both of these classes, you will learn the finer points of sock anatomy and create a small trainer sock to ensure you have the techniques down pat, and then you will cast on for a pair of cozy socks for yourself to keep your toes warm on those chilly winter days.  Try both classes to find out which method you prefer!

Instructor –Kate Atherley


Knit Socks 101
-Top Down

Saturday, May 5; 1:00-4:00pm

Skills required: Some experience knitting in the round is recommended

Cost - $49.00***
Class materials included: all materials are included as well as pattern
please bring 4.0mm DPNs



Knit Socks 101
- Toe Up

Saturday, May 12; 1:00-4:00pm

Skills required: Some experience knitting in the round is recommended

Cost - $49.00***
Class materials included: all materials are included as well as pattern
please bring 4.0mm DPNs



ADVANCED SOCKS--one inside the other? whaaaat?!?

Sunday, May 20; 1:00-4:00pm

Suffering from second sock syndrome? Bored with your usual way of knitting socks? Looking for a trick to amaze your friends? Kate will show you how to knit two socks AT THE SAME TIME on the same needles - ONE INSIDE THE OTHER!! For sock knitters seeking a fun challenge! The sock knitter's Mount Everest?

Skills required: must be a proficient sock knitter

Cost - $39.00***
--Please bring: 2 colours of scrap yarn (dk or worsted) and DPNs to match
Instructor –Kate Atherley


Fabulous Knee Socks

Saturday, June 23; 10:00am-12:00pm

Hand-knitted socks are fabulous, but knee socks made to fit and hug your whole leg are just to die for! In this class we'll learn about what makes for an awesome knee sock, including a bit of measuring and math. You'll want to knit your own right away!

Please NOTE :
This is not a beginner socks class...we will assume you are already comfy knitting socks... so have made a couple of pairs of regular sized socks.

Please bring: a tape measure, pen and paper, and a swatch (in the round) of the yarn you want to use for your first pair of knee-highs....to have a look at your stitch and row gauge.

Cost - $29.00
Instructor: GlennaC


 

 

 

Techniques


Colour-Work 101

Saturday, May 26; 10:00am-12:00pm

Learn all about the ups and downs of stranded colour-work (aka Fair-Isle)! We'll practice working with one yarn in each hand and expand your knowledge of how this technique can work for you.

Homework: If you are a continental style knitter (managing yarn in your left hand, picking) already, try the English method of knitting, and if you are an English style knitter (managing yarn in your right hand, throwing), try the continental method of knitting prior to class.  We highly recommend spending a few minutes a day working on a swatch in your less dominate method to get the hang of it... it will make double stranded knitting much easier. 

Cost - $29.00***
--Please bring: at least 2 contrasting colours of worsted weight yarn, and 4.5mm needles.

Instructor: GlennaC


Lace 101

Saturday, May 19; 1:00-4:00pm

Are you a newer knitter ready for a challenge? Are you looking to learn a new skill? Yarn overs, symmetrical decreases, and lifelines...oh my... This introduction to lace will get you started on a straightforward lace pattern to build up confidence. We'll teach you the basics of lace knitting - including working from charts and written instructions, and build your skills with a mini lace sampler. We'll also provide tips for making lace easier and more fun.

Skills required: knit, purl, increasing and decreasing. Knitters should bring scrap worsted weight yarn and 4.5mm needles.

Cost - $39.00***
--Please bring: worsted or aran weight scrap yarn in a light colour, and 4.5mm or 5mm needles.
Instructor: Kate Atherley


Entrelac

Saturday, June 2; 1:00-4:00pm

Another great new technique to add to your repertoire! In this 3 hour class we will get you up to speed with this a fun and impressive looking technique for those looking to take up another knitterly skill.

Skills required: Knit & Purl, Cast On/Off

Cost - $39.00***
Class materials included: 1 ball of Noro Silk Garden or Kureyon
--Please bring
5mm needles!
Instructor: Kate Atherley

entrelac

Lizard Ridge Bootcamp

Saturday, June 30; 10:00am-12:00pm

Looking for a great easy to travel with, block by block project? Enchanted by Noro? Intrigued or intimidated by the pattern for this stunningly beautiful, innovative afghan project?

Learn all the techniques you need to tackle it in one 2-hour session. Master the ever popular Lizard Ridge blanket adding a great new technique to your repertoire! This is a fun and impressive looking project for those looking to take a step up in their skills or just looking for a new pattern to play with!

Skills required: Knit & Purl, Cast On/Off

Cost - $29.00***
Class materials included: 1 ball of Noro Kureyon.
--Please bring 5mm needles!
Instructor: Kate Atherley

lizard ridge

Gift idea:

A great Scarf! Or bag.  Or Pot holder! ... oooh felt it!


Let's Twist Again ! - Twisted Stitches & Traveling Cables

 Saturday, June 23; 1:00-3:00pm

There is so much you can do with those perfect, tight, defined twisted stitches.  join us to learn: What twisted stitches (ktbl) are and how they can be used differently from regular knit stitches; How to use twisted stitches in cables and twists to make sts travel in beautiful patterns; How to work these twisted cables with AND without a cable needle!

Please bring:
*worsted weight wool (ex. Cascade 220,Plymouth Galway, Tanis Aran) and needles for working small circumferences in the round (DPNs, Magic Loop Length, 2 circs)- a range of sizes 3.75mm - 5.0mm you are looking for needles sized so you would normally use to get 5 sts/inch over stockinette, plus two sizes smaller.
*stitch markers
*cable needle

Cost - $29.00
Instructor: GlennaC


 

 

 

Projects


Baby Sweaters

Little, tiny sweaters...the perfect baby gift.  Plus it is a great way to practice some knitting skills on pint sized projects.  You can learn pretty much all the skills you need to make your own garments! We have 3 baby sweater classes coming up this fall...each one different from  the next.  Join us the last Sunday of the month for a new baby sweater.  The patterns and yarn to make the 3-6 month size will be provided as part of each sweater's class fee.

Baby Surprise Jacket

Sunday, May 27;
1:00-4:00pm


February Baby Sweater

Saturday, June 16;
1:00-4:00pm

 

Cute and Simple
Top Down
Baby Sweater

Sunday, May 6;
1:00-4:00pm

 

Skills required: this class is suitable for students with Learn to Knit 102 level skills..you must be comfortable with: Knit & Purl, Cast On & Off, Increase & decrease 

Cost - $60.00*** all materials and pattern included. 
Please bring 4.50mm needles (straight or 24" circular)
Instructor – Kate Atherley


Colour Your Own Baby Blanket
- Mitred Square

Sunday, June 3; 1:00-3:00pm

A fun project for new knitters who are looking to expand beyond scarves.  This class shows you how to make a one-of-a-kind baby blanket for a special baby in your life.  And along the way you'll learn how to increase, how to make stripes and work with multiple colours, and how to work flat knitting on circular needles.  We'll also demonstrate key finishing skills like weaving in ends. 

Skills required: Knit & Purl, Cast On/Off

Cost - $29.00***
--Please bring or buy: a 24 inch/60cm 4.5mm circular needle and 2 colours of worsted weight yarn... we recommend Cascade Luna, or 220 Superwash
Instructor – Kate Atherley


Knitting With Beads and Wire:
Design your Own Earrings and Bracelet

Saturday, June 16; 10:00am-12:00pm

Expand your knitting skills and tackle a fun new project!  By the end of this 2 hour class, you'll be well on your way to completing a pair of unique earrings or a bracelet.  Class includes all equipment and materials.  Suitable for all levels of knitters

Skills required: just the basics...Knit & Purl, Cast On/Off

Cost - $40.00*** all Class materials included
Instructor – Kate Atherley


Knitting With Beads and Yarn:
Beaded Cuff

Wednesday, May 16; 7:00-9:00pm
Sunday, June 17; 1:00-3:00pm

Tackle another fun new project!  By the end of this 2 hour class, you'll master the two main methods of knitting with beads: stranding and adding as you go.  Embellsihing with beads is used extensively in lace knitting and as edges on garmments and accessories.  Beads are perfect to add weight, bling, or subtle elegance to your handknitting. Such fun.

Class includes materials and is suitable for all levels of knitters

Skills required: just the basics...Knit & Purl, Cast On/Off

Cost - $40.00*** Yarn and beads are included please bring 2.50mm needles -- a short circular or 2 Double Pointed Needles
Instructor – Kate Atherley

 

 


 

Personalized Colour-Knitting and EPS

Sunday, June 24; 11:00-4:00pm

Are you ready to dive in to make your own colour-work yoked sweater, but would like a bit of help and cameraderie to get started? This class is for you! We'll cover all the basics of navigating Elizabeth Zimmerman's "Seamless Yoked Sweater" (instructions in Knitting Workshop). This includes measurements and calculation for your personal size, and a walk-through of the "EPS" percentage system as a guideline.

Would you prefer your sweater to be a cardigan instead of a pullover? Have no fear, we'll talk about how to place a steek panel to make that cardigan transformation!

In the second part of the class, we'll delve into the basics of colour theory, and how to get a pleasant colour combination that works for you. With a quick refresher on stranded colour-work, you'll be ready to cast on and get started on your very own sweater, just in time for fall.

Please bring:
-your chosen yarn & knitting needles to work the project
-graph paper and a few coloured pencils
-pen and notepaper
-calculator

Homework:
Prepare a gauge swatch worked in the round, in the desired yarn and needles (A "speed swatch" is a slightly quicker alternative: )
http://crazyknittinglady.wordpress.com/2011/06/08/well-its-speedier-at-least/
- Please choose and purchase the yarn which you will use for the "main colour" in advance so you can come to class prepared with a swatch. You will be able to select the additional pattern colours while at The Purple Purl during class.
(Recommended yarns: Galway Heathers, Tanis Fiber Arts DK, Cascade 220)

Cost - $80.00*** includes the book Knitting Workshop, by Elizabeth Zimmerman and an EPS worksheet... plus a light lunch will be provided.
Instructor: GlennaC


 

 

 

If you have a class request please continue to send us an email at thepurplepurl@gmail.com with "Class Request" in the subject line and we will try to accommodate your ideas and schedules. Let us know if evenings or weekends are best for you.

Thank you so much for your interest and support! We look forward to stitching with you!

 

Happy Stitching!
Jennifer & Miko

 

*** Class fees are to be paid in full at time of registration, either in person or with a credit card over the phone. Please check your schedule carefully, classes are non-refundable and non-transferable. Make-up classes are not available. All fees include applicable tax.

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