Autumn Workshops at The Woolly Brew

Janice Anderson will be back in Pittenweem for 3 workshops in the coming months.  

And Kari Westermann is also back at The Woolly Brew in November with 2 half day workshops!

And we've also got something a little bit different planned with an embroidery workshop from Lorna Reid.

Please phone or email the shop to book a place on these workshops, spaces are limited to 6.  Full terms and conditions are on the workshop page here.

Introduction to 2 Colour Brioche
with Janice Anderson
Sunday 7th October, 10am - 4pm, £55 

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Make reversible simple fingerless mitts using Rowan's brand new Alpaca Classic yarn.

Techniques covered:

• 2 Colour brioche knit and purl
• making reversible increase and decreases
• correcting simple mistakes

Skill level: Suitable for brioche beginners but some experience of one colour brioche would be helpful.

Class requirements: All materials are provided!

Finishing Techniques 1
with Janice Anderson

Sunday 4th November, 10am - 4pm, £40 

This workshop is aimed at knitters who would like to give their knitting a professional finish. If you hate sewing up, or are always disappointed with the look or fit of your finished projects, this workshop is for you.  It's all about starting your project right and sewing it up well.

Techniques covered:

• swatching - why you need to do it, how to measure it and what to do if it's not what you want 
• the magic of blocking.
• sewing up different stitches - not just stocking stitch and ribs sewing on a button band how and when to use different cast-on and cast-off methods!
• many more tips & techniques!

Skill level: Although this workshop is suitable for all levels you must be confident with knit and purl, simple shaping and following a basic pattern.

Class requirements: You will need approx 100gms of DK weight yarn in any colour (best to avoid dark colours such as black or navy and novelty yarns), 2 sets of 4mm knitting needles, scissors, sewing up needle (for knitting) and a tape measure. This workshop requires the participants to complete a very small amount of homework in advance. You can collect your homework sheet when you book!

Hand Stitched Decoration
with Lorna Reid

Sunday 11th November,  10am-3pm, £50

Something a little bit different!  Lorna Reid, aka Chookiebirdie, will show you how to sew, embroider and embellish a hanging paisley decoration.  All materials are provided and there will be an opportunity to buy more too!

Techniques: variety of hand stitches, using and attaching embellishments and lots of tips and tricks

Skill level: beginner to advanced... this is a flexible workshop with an experienced teacher.

Requirements: all materials are provided.

Two-Handed Colourwork
with Karie Westermann

Sunday 25th November,  10am-1pm, £35

**Half day workshop**

Why not pick up a technique that will transform how you think about stranded knitting? In this class you will learn an efficient and practical way of knitting with two colours at the same time. 

Karie Westermann will teach you how to knit colourwork holding the yarns in both hands. You will learn how to keep your yarn floats correctly tensioned, how to control colour dominance, and how to speed up your colourwork knitting. The class includes instructions on how to combine the continental knitting technique with the standard 'throwing' method – and it is suitable for people who knit either way. Karie will also talk about how to choose colours for a project and you will get a chance to look at her gorgeous samples.

Skill Level: Intermediate - you need to be comfortable knitting in the round and be able to follow an easy colourwork chart.

Materials:  PLEASE BRING 2 colours of DK yarn (wool or wool-blend), 50g of one, 25g of the other. • 4mm needles (we'll be working both back & forth as well as in the round with small circumference - bring your preferred needles for this) • Tapestry needle • 2 stitch markers (optional) 

Mock Cable & Twisted Stitches
with Karie Westermann

Sunday 25th November  1:30- 4:30pm, £35

**Half day workshop**
Sometimes a little effort is rewarded by great effect. Mock cables, twisted stitches, and Japanese mini-cables all look complex, but are surprisingly easy to work once you learn the secrets. 

We'll play with textures and techniques as we knit wrist warmers together.  You will learn how to mimic cables using lace techniques, twisted stitches, and elegant Japanese slipped stitches. 

Together you will work on a wrist warmer that will enable you to work on projects that look like cables – but without the bulk and the risk of dropped stitches! 

Techniques covered:
How to work twisted stitches 
How to work mini-cables and twists without a cable needle 
How to use lace techniques to create the illusion of cables 

Skill level: you should be able to knit, purl, work a yarnover and do at least one decrease, read an easy chart and be able to work in the round.

Materials to bring: 

• 1 ball of DK 
• 1 pair of 4mm needles (whichever you use to work a small circumference in the round) 
• 1 pair of 4mm needles (whichever you use to work straight) 
• Selection of stitch markers 
• Pen and paper 
• Tapestry needle 

Mini Christmas Stocking - Toe Up!
with Janice Anderson

Sunday 9th December, 10am - 4pm, £55 

Bring some traditional festive cheer to your home with a tiny stocking.  A great way to learn a toe up construction and the perfect time of year to do it!

Techniques covered:

• turkish cast-on
• jogless stripes
• short-row heel
• latvian braid 
• i-cord bind off.

Skill level: you must be comfortable working in the round, reading patterns and ideally sock construction.

Class requirements: all materials are provided.