Knitting with Company » crochet

Class and Workshop Schedule Summer 2011

Neil — Wed, 11 May 2011 18:25:22 +0000

Our classes provide a great setting in which you can start your knitting adventure.

You will learn all the fundamental skills and techniques here.

Learn to Knit

It all starts here, Learning to Knit also known as Knitting 101 – no previous experience is needed.

At Wool and Company, we have been teaching people how to knit for more than 10 years in the intimacy of a small group setting. Not only do you learn knitting but you’ll make new friends with whom you can share your creativity. Our Learn to Knit has been designed to get the absolute beginner up to speed and to refresh the skills of those who are returning to knitting after a layoff.

We go beyond the basics. You will learn everything from starting your knitting (casting on) to finishing it (binding off). In between we’ll teach you the knit stitch, the purl stitch. We’ll teach you how to read a pattern, and how to fix common mistakes. You’ll learn about all the fabulous modern fibers that you can use to make knitted pieces, whether from sheep, goat, alpaca, possum (yes!) or man-made acrylics and nylons. You’ll learn what fiber is best for what type of knitted article – for example, baby clothes usually need to be easily washed and dried!

Oh! and along the way we’ll have a little fun in our classroom while you complete several projects including a sampler scarf. Register here.

Learn to Crochet

Our Learn to Crochet class runs for three weeks.

We will get you started on a crochet adventure, learn the basics and beyond (slip stitch, chain stitch, foundation chain, single crochet, double crochet, shell stitch and much more). You’ll learn enough to start your first project and pick up the skills needed to complement your knitting. You’ll make squares, washcloths and learn how to do edging. Register here.

Learn to Knit Lace

Do the letters ssk s1 k1 psso k2togtbl send shivers up your spine?

If you would like to get to grips with the basics of lace making, join us for this two week session. We will take the terror out of some of the symbols, charts and letters that can confuse you before you even begin and learn some of the hints and tips that will make your lace life so much more enjoyable.

We will use the techniques you learn to knit the Bessie Cowl.

Learn to Knit Socks – The Joy of Sox

Learn to knit beautiful socks the traditional way using double point needles. The techniques that you learn in this class will be invaluable for almost any other knitting project that you will undertake. Register here.

Crochet Shawl

This exclusive Wool and Company design uses a selection of fine variegated yarn. Crocheted into a shawl that is stunning with its kaleidoscopic color changes. Register here.

Power Hour

Want to learn a few new knitting skills so you can spend more time on the creative side?

We”ll cover a variety of topics: Common Mistakes and Fixes, Cast Ons, Bind Offs, Increase Decrease, Blocking, I-CORD, Seaming, Charts, Duplicate Stitch, Edges and Hems. Call for details.

Kids Camp 2011

July 11th – July 14th 2011. 9am – 10:30 am.

Suitable for children of 8 years or older (no exceptions). Weather permitting we will use the 1st Street Plaza area for fun fiber activities. Wet felting, loom knitting, kool-aid dying. Register here.

Projects! Projects! Projects!

The Sally Melville Series

We were so inspired by Sally Melville when she recently visited Saint Charles and taught some workshops for us that we have put together a series of classes and workshops that focus on her superb designs.

Sally has written several books including The Knit Stitch, The Purl Stitch and Warm Knits, Cool Gifts. Not only do these books provide you with all knowledge you need to harness your skills and indulge in the coolest hobby in town, but Sally also shares meditations and insights from the knitting she has done and the students she has taught — learn how “Knitting Can Change Your Life”, or how to “Develop an Aesthetic”.

Read on to view the classes and workshops that we will be offering in the coming months, some of which are based on Sally’s designs.

Shape It! Scarf

This scarf combines a little shallow triangle and a regular scarf, to give you a perfect garment that will cover your neck and flatter you whenever you wear it.

This is a quick and fun knit (no purling) that can serve as a beginner’s first project.

Your Basic Bag

There is some pretty spectacular knitting that you can do just by taking advantage of the relationship of stitches to rows.

This Basic Bag introduces you to the techniques of knitting in all directions, it is easy to make (no purling) and requires some simple finishing techniques.

Use the skills that you learn here to tackle larger projects – The Einstein Coat for example.

Favorite Summer Sweater

A great standby sweater that is light and cool to wear.

This hip-clearing sweater is meant to be fun and oversized and it’s made for warm weather. Garments that hang free from the body are much cooler to wear.

This sweater is very easy to make (no purling), but teaches some simple shaping and finishing.

Best Friend Jacket

Just like a best friend this jacket will always make you feel and look good, and it will come through for you whenever you’re not quite sure what to wear.

The jacket is knit from side-to-side with front and back of differing lengths to give a slight asymmetry. The pattern can also be adapted if you prefer a shorter style.

The jacket is easy to make (no purling) with minimal shaping and finishing using a bulky weight yarn.

Lots of Choices Top

How about a vest that is reversible? Here’s what Sally says about the Lots of Choices top.

“I clearly had decisions that I had to make about this garment. Is it a top or a vest? Is it a V-neck or a round neck?”

She refused to make those decision and designed it so that it could be worn either way with both a neck styles and buttons both front and back.

An easy-intermediate project (no purling), the top requires mid level shaping with minimal finishing using a repetitive stitch pattern.

With-a-Twist Turtleneck

Sleeveless with a turtle-neck, as popularized by Sharon Stone, this top uses bulky weight yarn for a quick and versatile top.

Choose a from regular turtle neck (pictured) to finish or use a möbius strip (a piece that is twisted and attached to itself) which gives a nice alternative to a standard turtleneck.

An intermediate knit using a bulky weight yarn and a repetitive stitch pattern with mid-level shaping and simple finishing.

Simple and Sleeveless

A versatile sleeveless top that can worn casual or dressy. Dress up and wear it with a taffeta skirt, or maybe more casual and with blue jeans.

A very easy knit with simple shaping and minimal finishing.

Two-Tone Top

The back and front of this garment are the same – meaning that there is no neck shaping involved.

It is easy to knit a a medium weight yarn and requires some simple shaping and finishing.

Collared Wrap

It’s a wrap and a shawl. When it wraps around the neck it produces a shawl collar.

This is an easy knit with a repetitive pattern and some finishing.

Baby Overalls

The baby overall has been re-invented! These stylish overalls provide a stylish alternative to the onsie. nit these cute baby overalls in one of three sizes: 3-6 months; 6-9 months; 9-12 months.

Blended Baby Blanket

The baby deserves the best – an heirloom, but that would typically mean months of knitting using an intricate pattern!

Sally Melville simplifies this without compromising any of the heirloom qualities and has created this design to make a baby blanket that is soft, easy, and lovely – and something to be treasured across generations.

Classic Ribbed Pullover

This is one of those classics that you go to whenever you want something that is easy and comfortable to wear.

Make it with either a crossover V-neck or a basic turtleneck. It’s a great boyfriend sweater.

Yarn Bombs

Neil — Mon, 25 Apr 2011 21:13:37 +0000

Not sure what all the fuss is about “yarn bombs”, check out the adventures of Captain Hook and you’ll soon get the idea.

Some of the world’s biggest street artists gathered in Los Angeles in April for the opening of the Art In The Streets show at the Museum of Contemporary Arts. Mingling in the crowd might have been street art legends such as Shepard Fairey or even the ever-mysterious Banksy.

But not “Captain Hook.” She’s part of an international movement of so-called “yarn bombers” … read more.

Crochet On A Bear Statue from Jennifer Sharpe on Vimeo.

Happy New Knitting 2011

Neil — Wed, 05 Jan 2011 14:18:05 +0000

Our latest newsletter that includes a new class schedule is now available.

Another year has come to a close, this one went faster than any I can remember. How many projects did you start, how many did you finish, how many will you finish this year? The new year brings all kinds of promise and excitement with it, a clean slate, shiny new needles and sparkling fresh yarn … Oh! the joy!

A few things to get excited about in the next couple of weeks …

The return of the Chicken Wire … so many of you have missed it, and we will be stocking it with all kinds of bargains.

Yarn of the Month is returning … so you can get a deal on one of our most popular yarns, and get to know some great new fibers. Along with Yarn of the Month we will also offer a couple of books at a great price to help you build up your library.

More Madeline Tosh has arrived … and it is just gorgeous. Come on in, don’t miss it this time, you will be astounded.

Malabrigo is coming back … we are getting a new shipment any minute now, so check in and see if it is here. We have ordered several different weights and hope most of them are in stock.

Starting in February we will offer an Every Other Project Kit. Every other month (Feb, Apr, June, Aug, Oct, Dec) we will put together a great little project. Maybe a cowl, gloves, vests, socks, shawls, all kinds of goodies … and once you have finished, you can put your name in a drawing to win the next kit. And if you need a little support, come to our drop ins and we will help you over a hump. And by December you will have at least 6 things finished and ready to wear or to give.

Bring a little warmth to girls who suffer from eating disorders

Neil — Fri, 26 Nov 2010 13:16:32 +0000

Kristina Collects Scarves

This holiday season, bring a little warmth to girls who suffer from eating disorders.

We are pleased to be supporting Kristina for the third year … please, if you have a hand-knit or crochet scarf that you would like to donate, bring it (or mail it to this address) to the store between now and December 14th and we’ll make sure that Kristina gets it.

Here is the note we received from Kristina …

Hello, my name is Kristina, and this will be my 3rd year organizing the donation of hand knit/crocheted scarves for Project Heartstrings.

This philanthropy project will send scarves to girls and women that will be spending their holiday season in an Inpatient Treatment Facility for Eating Disorders.

The purpose of this project is to express to all the girls and women that just like the hand knit scarf they will receive, nothing and no one is perfect. And instead of striving for a thin version of perfection, they should learn to love their bodies just the way they were made. Last year, with the Wool & Company’s help, I received over 125 scarves and was able to send the scarves to 3 different treatment facilities!

This project is so close to my heart because only 3 years ago I too was a patient struggling with Anorexia. I know first hand that the littlest gestures can have the biggest impact in one girl’s recovery. I hope you will help me in bringing smiles to each of the girls during their recovery by knitting a warm, cozy scarf to send!

You can drop off or send the scarves to the Wool & Company store from now until December 14th. If you would like to contact me, leave a letter with your scarf, a return address or email, and I will reply as soon as I pick up the scarves.

Thank you for all your help!

Fourth Annual Knitting Cruisette

Neil — Mon, 23 Aug 2010 14:04:26 +0000

Announcing our Fourth Annual Cruisette. A two and a half hour mini cruisette up the Fox River on a Paddle Wheel River Boat! Leaving from Pottawatomi Park in St Charles at 4:00pm on Sunday, September 12th, we will serve wine, drinks and desserts, and you can enjoy the lovely scenery and company of your fellow knitters and crocheters.

All levels of knitter and crocheter (and non-knitter / crocheter) are welcome. You’ll be able to walk to the jetty from our new store! Sign Up Today!

Lake Geneva Retreat 2009

Neil — Thu, 30 Apr 2009 14:30:33 +0000

About 30 people gathered for our Lake Geneva Retreat, held over the weekend of April 24-26, 2009.

Knitting, crochet, yoga, laughter …

Knitting and Crochet Classes for Summer 2009

Neil — Sun, 26 Apr 2009 22:17:21 +0000

We’ve got loads of classes lined up over the summer for your knitting, crochet and felting pleasure. There’s a few of our classics as well as a lot of new ideas. You can see everything and book your spot with our online schedule or you can download our trifold and print it out … it’ll fit nicely in your purse.

Always wanted to knit or crochet? Then our Knitting 101 or Crochet 101 is just for you.

The Knitting 101 class is for those who want to pick up knitting after a long lay-off or for absolute beginners. After four two-hour sessions you will have mastered all the fundamentals and completed a sampler scarf and be ready to tackle one of the many projects that we teach.

In Crochet 101 we will get you started on the crochet adventure. You’ll learn the basics and beyond (slip stitch, chain stitch, foundation chain, single crochet, double crochet, shell stitch and much more). You”ll learn enough to start your first project and pick up the skills needed to complement your knitting. You”ll make squares, washcloths and learn how to do edging.

See pictures and descriptions of all the classes on our website or you can subscribe to our RSS Feed for classes and events – that way you’re certain not to miss the additional classes that we plan to add in the coming weeks.

There’s so much knitting to do …

admin — Wed, 25 Feb 2009 19:52:55 +0000

Mid February and we have been up in the 60′s and down in the 0′s … that, my friends is Chicagoland. It always makes me smile that no matter what time of year you put the news on … one of the headlines is always the snow, the heat, the ice, the rain, the drought or some other weather related crisis.

We do seem to get more ‘weather’ than almost anywhere else in the universe! Meanwhile, our snowman waits patiently for warmer weather.

Like many of you I am trying hard not to watch the news … ye Gods and little fishes, it can get miserable out there with everything that is going on. If we didn’t have Chicago politics to inject some much needed levity we would be in big trouble.

Thank goodness that we are all smart enough to be knitters and crocheters, people who always carry their own personal sphere with them, almost impervious to what else is going on, because we have our socks, our cardigan or our shawl to obsess about. And we all know we can only truly obsess about one thing at a time, so I suppose it keeps us somewhat sane.

We offer plenty of opportunities to indulge your obsession during our classes, and at open knitting on Friday mornings and evenings as well as Sunday afternoon.