Take Gretchen’s Classes in Pittsburgh! April 6-8

We offer wonderful classes weekly at our Manhattan Studio location, as well as our New Jersey Outlet, but our most frequently-asked questions is: “How can I take class with you?” For those of you in the Pittsburgh area, we have great news! Gretchen Fancher, our Education Director, will visit your fair city for the Pittsburgh Creative Arts Festival. She’ll teach 3 classes over the weekend, & we’d love to see our Lion Brand crafters at one – or all! – of Gretchen’s classes.

“She was so kind and patient! Couldn’t have asked for a better teacher.”

And as a special treat, we have a discount code to use for your registration! You can use it when registering online or via mail in registrations, for $5/off Gretchen’s classes. The discount code is: TCH5OFF

Twists & Floats

Gretchen’s Classes

Gretchen is a masterful teacher with a fantastical outlook on learning to craft: “mistakes are the portals of discovery.” You can’t get better if you don’t try new things! Having a leader with Gretchen’s experience in knitting, crocheting and weaving is sure to take your crafting to the next level. One student even referred to her as the “knitting angel!” Registration is necessary for all of these classes, and class sizes are limited. Sign up today!

“Gretchen is a great instructor. Very informative and very welcoming to all knitters!”

Mitered Shawl

Gretchen’s Mitered Shawl class will be offered in the afternoon on Friday, April 6th – from 12:30pm – 3:30pm. Students will create a beautiful modular shawl, learning to knit the mitered technique. Double mitered corner blocks are worked individually and join as you go (no seaming). Some skills you’ll pick up: changing colors, pick up & knit stitches, double decreases, and weaving in ends as you work. You’ll leave having created the first tiers of your shawl, and with all the skills (& confidence!) to complete your project.

Mitered Shawl

• When: Friday, April 6th | 12:30pm – 3:30pm
• Level: Beginner & Beyond | Students must know how to cast on, knit, work simple decreases, & bind off.
• Materials: 2 balls of Lion Brand’s Shawl in a Ball (your choice of color!), size US 6 (4mm) knitting needles, locking stitch markers, scissors, and reading glasses (if you use them for detail work).
• Homework: None
• Class Fee: $40

Register for Mitered Shawl by clicking here!

Bobbles, Popcorn & Nupps

This fabulous class will take place on Saturday, April 7th from 9am – 12pm. Bobbles, Popcorn & Nupps are all single stitches that can accentuate with texture, to punctuate your design. They can be found in textured patterns, from dense cables to the airiest Estonian lace. Bobbles are frequently found as an accent in cabled patterns. Nupps pop up in lace. Popcorn stitches are the basis for berry / Trinity fabric, and can also be used individually.

Gretchen will help you recognize the similarities and differences between all three. You’ll learn different approaches to all three techniques (including knitting backwards). Time allowing, you’ll work the all-over pattern known as Trinity Stitch. She’ll help you navigate your options to substitute one for another, so you’ll have the freedom to get creative!

“I learned so much and did not feel I had to be perfect. I loved it!!!”

• When: Saturday, April 7th | 9am – 12pm
• Level: Advanced Beginner | Students must know how to cast on, knit, purl, recognize knit & purl stitches, work in stockinette fabric without supervision, & bind off.
• Materials: Yarn for the class exercise will be lovingly provided by Lion Brand Yarn! Please bring your size US 7 (4.5mm) knitting needles, or whatever size you prefer for working worsted weight yarn, a crochet hook of the same gauge (or one size smaller), stitch markers, scissors, and reading glasses (if you need them).
• Homework: None
• Class Fee: $40

Register for Bobbles, Popcorn & Nupps by clicking here!

Twists & Floats

Gretchen’s Twists & Floats class will wrap up the weekend, on Sunday, April 8th from 9am – 12pm. This is the perfect class for beginners who have mastered the basics, and are ready to take their knitting to the next level! Twists & floats dig into some unusual ways of working your stitches… Pull stitches over several rows, twist them around each other, and float them over your fabric. Practice following written instructions, and explore stitch multiples.

• When: Sunday, April 8th | 9am – 12pm
• Level: Intermediate | Students must know how to cast on, knit, purl, work simple increases & decreases, recognize knits & purls, work ribbing confidently without supervision, and bind off.
• Materials: Lion Brand Yarn will provide yarn for the class exercise! Bring size US 7 (4.5mm) knitting needles, or whatever size you prefer for working worsted weight yarn, a crochet hook of the same gauge (or one size smaller), stitch markers, scissors, and reading glasses (if you need them).
• Homework: None
• Class Fee: $40

Register for Twists & Floats by clicking here!

We’ll see you in class soon!

We hope to catch up with you at this wonderful event in Pittsburgh. If that’s too far from home, you can also catch her at STITCHES Midwest in August – check out this post about which classes she’ll be teaching there. We’d always love to have you, if you plan a visit to NYC. Let us know if we’ll see you in Pittsburgh!