Lion Brand Notebook ®
One of the biggest crafting meet-ups in the Yarniverse in STITCHES. With events in Texas, Pasadena, Vermont, and more, you can run away for a weekend and immerse yourself in yarn crafts. This summer, Lion Brand Yarn Studio instructor Gretchen Fancher will be teaching at STITCHES Midwest! Plan a stitch-cation to the Chicagoland area the first weekend in August, and you’ll see her there. For more info about this awesome weekend, and what Gretchen will be teaching there, read on!
STITCHES Midwest will be at the Renaissance Schaumburg Convention Center, just outside Chicago. But you’ll be at the center of the yarniverse for the weekend! When you register for the event, you’re getting a one-way ticket to stitcher’s paradise.
Image via The Knitting Universe
Classes begin Thursday August 2nd, and will be held every day from about 9am – 5pm. From beginner-level classes to more advanced techniques, from specific skills to design and so much more, over 100 classes to choose from! But it’s not just educational! When you head to the STITCHES Market, you’ll find over 200 booths of the latest yarns, tools, and goodies. Ongoing and hourly free demos will compete for your attention, and of course, door prizes! Every day you’ll have the chance to win some fabulous swag, culminating in a Grand Prize Drawing Sunday at 1pm.
At the center of the Market is the Playground – a red carpet area, where the theme is ‘Inspiration, Exploration, Demonstration’. Attend the Fashion Show Friday night, featuring special host Rick Mondragon of Knitter’s Magazine. Stick around after for a Pajama Party, hosted by Marly Bird! With games, prizes, and laughs, come with your old friends and meet some new ones. A Student Banquet & Style Show will round out the weekend. Most importantly, Gretchen will be there! She’s teaching four classes, read on for all the details.
*One of Gretchen’s classes, Brioche Basics, is already sold out! Sign up soon to secure your spot.
In Fair Isle Basics, you’ll make a worsted-weight hat as you learn the basics of stranded knitting. You’ll learn techniques for managing two active strands, reading charts in the round, managing float tension, and working decreasing charts. In addition, see the advantages & disadvantages of several types of crown-decrease charts. You’ll also learn strategies for keeping track of pattern repeats, catching mistakes, and noting your progress on your chart. Visit the link below to register, and find information about supplies you’ll need for this class, what homework to prep, and more.
In Brioche Basics, you’ll learn the basics of 2-color Brioche as you make a beautiful cowl. Brioche is lofty and warm, with each side presenting a different dominant color. You’ll learn the Brioche knit & purl stitches, and how to work it in the round with 2 colors. This is the easiest way to understand how Brioche fabric is made!
Most projects can be started with a good basic cast on, but some require special techniques. In this class you’ll learn a selection of the most frequently used cast ons & bind offs for special applications so you can be ready for (almost) anything! You’ll learn how to work the crochet provisional cast on, and pick up your provisional stitches and work in the other direction. You’ll also learn how to cast on and bind off tubular ribbing that appears seamless around the edge of your fabric. In addition, you’ll learn the German Twisted cast on for flexible ribbing at the beginning, and Jeny’s Surprisingly Stretchy bind off for stretchy ribbing at the end of your project.
Learn to read color charts, manage bobbins, and work with multiple colors in one row! You will learn tips and tricks to make this wonderful color-work technique easier, and conquer the basics of intarsia at the same time.
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Carla Kipen
Those classes sound good! I just want to say that the prices are a bit higher than shown, though, because the early-bird discount period has passed.
Ally Carey
Oh, good catch, Carla – we’ll update this post now. And yes, the classes will be great! Hope to see you there. 🙂
JULIE HARVEY
Have “Gretchen’s Classes” come to Seattle.
Ally Carey
Hi, Julie – we’ll be sure to create a post if she does attend a crafting fair near that area! You can always sign up for the Lion Brand Yarn Studio’s newsletter, and get any updates that way, too.
MaryAnn Sines
I will be attending and have learnrd lots at past STITCHES MIDWEST. I am a crocheter, so have signed up for crochet and embroidery classes. I look forward to seeing your representation at STITCHES MIDWEST and thank you for supporting STITCHES.
Ally Carey
MaryAnn, can’t wait to see you there! Thanks for sharing about your positive STITCHES experience! 🙂