...offering
classes on traditional techniques, and wholesale patterns.
Classes range from three hours to five days in length and
are noted for their clarity and organization. Most of the
classes include the knitting of a miniature historic garment
so that the techniques are learned within the context of a
sweater rather than a swatch. Design is emphasized in most
of the classes with discussion, schematics, and worksheets
which enable the knitter to continue a project outside of
the classroom environment.
There is a minimum of 12 hours (2 days) of teaching. For
optimum attention to students, class size must be limited
to 20 people. Information about fees will be sent on request.
A workshop agreement will be sent to you once you have selected
the dates and class(es) you wish. A deposit is required. Confirmed
workshops will be listed on the schedule of this web site.
Teaching Equipment Required
- Flip chart and markers, or other writing system
- Drinking water for students and instructor
- Three long tables for displaying books, samples, patterns,
etc.
- Student name tags are very appreciated
- Some classes require a slide projector and viewing screen,
or sewing machines
If you would like to host a workshop, please call or write
for teaching fees and available dates.
Workshop Descriptions
These classes are offered by Beth Brown-Reinsel.
Please call (802) 387-3025 or write for teaching fees
and supply lists for students. Check the Schedule
Page for more information on setting up a workshop with
Beth.
Please note: 12 hour classes,
though longer, are better paced for a wide variety of skill
levels. Those classes which have 6 hour alternatives
should be undertaken by knitters who are able to work quickly
and are more experienced.
Norwegian Garments &
Techniques
Swedish Garments & Techniques
Danish Garments
Ganseys
Arans
Fair Isle Garments
Mittens & Gloves
Intarsia
Lectures/Slide Shows
(Click on image to see photo enlargement
where noted)
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The
Norwegian Purl, 3 hours
Level: All. Be able to knit in the Continental
style — The Norwegian Purl, a variation of
the conventional Continental purl, is noted for its
superior tension control, and ease of execution. The
yarn always stays behind the work, making ribbing a
breeze and two-color textured knitting a pleasure. A
swatch will be knitted in class to practice this technique
and its applications: Ribbing on the right side and
ribbing on the wrong side, the Scandinavian method of
working with two yarns in the left hand (knitting, purling,
and weaving) on the right side and the wrong side of
the work. |
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The Norwegian Fana
Cardigan, 12 hours
Level: Intermediate to advanced (Experience
with double pointed needles is helpful.) —
The classic details and traditional construction of
the Norwegian Fana Cardigan sweaters will be taught
in this two-day workshop through the knitting of a small
sweater. Techniques to be learned include circularly
knitted body and sleeves, square and drop shoulder armholes,
cut-and-sew armholes and front, knitted self -facings,
buttonbands, and 2-color star, band, and checkerboard
patterns. Designing one's own Fana cardigan will be
discussed.
(Click
here or on image to enlarge photo) |
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The Norwegian Setesdal
Lusekofte, 12 hours
Level: Intermediate (Experience with double
pointed needles and sewing skills are helpful.)
— The beautiful, classic Setesdal Lusekofte, or
lice jacket, emerged during the early 19th century.
This garment is characterized by white ribbing and lower
body, turning into black background on the upper body
with white patterning. It is named "lice"
for the little white stitches in the body which stand
alone. A small sweater will be knitted in class, circularly,
utilizing several 2-color traditional motifs. The drop
shoulder armholes and the front neck will be sewn and
cut. Felt or fabric will be applied to the neck and
cuffs. Silver clasps and woven braid will be applied
at the student's option. Other techniques to be learned
include working with a yarn in each hand, the Swiss/Norwegian
purl, weaving stranded knitting, and knitting self-facings.
(Click
here or on image to enlarge photo)
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The
Swedish North Halland Pullover, 6 hours
Level: Intermediate, must be experienced using
double pointed needles. — The lovely Swedish
red and black man's pullover sweater from the Halland
region can be dated back to the late 1800's. In this
class, a sampler will be knitted circularly compiling
a variety of Swedish construction techniques: the traditional
twisted cast-on and patterned ribbing, seam stitches,
the Diamonds and Crosshatching motif, an initial box,
and centering shoulder motifs. Working with a yarn in
each hand, and purling with 2 yarns in the back of the
work will also be covered.
(Click
here or on image to enlarge photo) |
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The Swedish North
Halland Pullover, 12 hours
Level: Intermediate, must be experienced using
double pointed needles. — The lovely red
and black Swedish sweater from the Halland region can
be dated back to the late 1800's. In this class, a small
sweater will be knitted circularly compiling a variety
of Swedish construction techniques: 5 different cast-ons
(some are 2-color), a choice of patterned or corrugated
ribbing, 2 color geometric pattern knitting, "seam"
stitches, the traditional neck construction and front
slit, purling on the wrong side with 2 colors, the Swiss/Norwegian
purl, 2 shoulder joins, 2 types of sleeve construction,
plus a discussion on designing. A slide show of some
of these historic garments will also be shown.
(Click
here or on image to enlarge photo) |
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An Introduction
to Twined Knitting, 3 hours
Level: Intermediate. Must be comfortable with
double pointed needles or working with two circulars.
Ability to knit English style (yarn held in the right
hand) is very helpful, but not required. —
Curious about the 400 year-old Swedish technique of
Twined Knitting? In this three hour class, knit one
of a pair of wristers while learning a traditional cast-on,
twined knitting, twined purling, and patterning (the
"O" stitch, the Crook stitch). Must be comfortable
with double pointed needles or working with two circulars.
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Textured Twined
Knitted Socks, 6 hours
Level: Intermediate. Must be comfortable with
double pointed needles or working with two circulars.
Ability to knit English style is strongly suggested.
— Students will learn the Swedish technique of
tvåänstickning, or twined knitting, by knitting
a small sock, using worsted weight yarn. Twined knitting
is worked with two yarns of the same color, twined around
each other, and creates a warmer, denser fabric than
conventional stranded knitting. The sock is worked circularly
on double pointed needles and includes many techniques:
three twined knitting cast-ons, reading and working
from a chart, the "O" stitch, Chain Path,
a traditional motif for the leg, shaping the toe, and
working an unusual method for an afterthought heel.
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Color Twined Knitted
Socks, 12 hours
Level: Intermediate. Must be comfortable with
double pointed needles or working with two circulars.
Ability to knit English style is strongly suggested.
— Students will learn color techniques of tvåänstickning,
or twined knitting, a technique developed in Sweden
in the 1600's, which creates a denser, warmer fabric
structure than stranded knitting. By knitting a sampler
sock, the student will gain knowledge and experience
in the basics of twined knitting, while advancing to
the three main two-color techniques, shaping a toe,
and working an unusual heel. The sock is worked circularly
on double pointed needles.
(Click
here or on image to enlarge photo) |
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Twined Knitting:
A Three Day Intensive Workshop, 18 hours
Level: Intermediate. Must be comfortable with
double pointed needles or working with two circulars.
Ability to knit English style is strongly suggested.
— This well rounded workshop begins with Textured
Twined Knitted Mittens for the first day, while the
remaining two days are spent learning color techniques
for Color Twined Knitted Socks .
(Click
here or on image to enlarge photo) |
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Swedish Cast-Ons
and Knitting Technique, 3 hours
Level: All — Five cast-ons from
Sweden will be taught in this hands-on class. They are
all one-needle cast-on methods, and can be adapted for
one or two color edges for sweaters, mittens, socks,
and hats. In addition, the Continental method of knitting,
purling, and weaving will be taught as well as the Scandinavian
technique of working with two yarns in the left hand
(knitting, purling, and weaving). Small sample swatches
will be made using all of the techniques learned in
class. Twined knitting will also be demonstrated if
time allows.
(Click
here or on image to enlarge photo) |
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The
Danish Nattrøjer, 12 hours
Level: Intermediate- must be experienced at
reading charts, and using double pointed needles.
— The lovely women’s "blouses"
from 19th century Denmark, called "Nattrøjer",
or nightshirts, were knitted of one color in knit/purl
motifs. In this class, a small sweater will be knitted
circularly compiling a variety of construction techniques:
split bottom welts, overlapping welts at the join, the
half gusset as part of the body or the sleeve, "seam"
stitches, transposing the pattern chart to change from
circular to flat knitting, as well as the classic knit/purl
pattern motif that was a part of so many of these garments.
A discussion on designing and a brief slide show is
included.
(Click
here or on image to enlarge photo) |
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The Danish Skrå-trøje
from Sejerø, 12 hours
Level: Intermediate to advanced, must be experienced
at reading charts, and using double pointed needles.
— This remarkable Danish garment was created
at the end of the 1800's. It is unusual in that most
Danish knitting at that time was of one color, while
this skrå-trøje was knitted in navy and
white. In this class, a sampler will be knitted circularly
to explore the following techniques: working from a
chart, working with 2 different sizes of yarn, seam
stitches, the main motif, the underarm half gusset,
working with a yarn in each hand or with 2 yarns in
the left hand, purling in pattern with two yarns on
the wrong side of the garment, creating a front slit,
creating facings, a twined knitting braid on the cuff,
an overlapped cuff slit, and assembly. Designing a skrå-trøje
and weaving yarns to eliminate long floats in the back
of the work will also be covered. A slide show of the
details of this sweater may be shown.
(Click
here or on image to enlarge photo) |
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Gansey
Techniques, 6 hours
Level: Intermediate (must be proficient with
dp needles) — Students will learn how to
construct a Gansey, a sweater form prevalent in the
last century and early part of this century among the
fishermen of the British Isles. A small scale sweater
will be knitted using traditional construction techniques
including the classic Channel Island Cast-on, split
welts, seam stitches, traditional knit/purl patterns,
the underarm gusset, shoulder straps with perpendicular
joining, and picked-up sleeves. Alternative methods
to these techniques will also be explored.
(Click
here or on image to enlarge photo) |
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Traditional Construction
Techniques for Ganseys, 12 hours
Level: Intermediate (must be proficient with
dp needles) — Students will learn how to
construct a Gansey, a sweater form prevalent in the
last century and early part of this century among the
fishermen of the British Isles. A small scale sweater
will be knitted using traditional construction techniques
including the classic Channel Island Cast-on, split
welts, seam stitches, traditional knit/purl patterns,
the underarm gusset, shoulder straps with perpendicular
joining, and picked-up sleeves. Alternative methods
to these techniques will also be explored, such as designing
a gansey, and discussing variations of the gusset, cast
ons, and shoulder treatments.
(Click
here or on image to enlarge photo) |
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Designing Ganseys:
A Three to Five Day Intensive Workshop, 30
hours
Level: Intermediate, must be experienced and
comfortable working with double pointed needles. —
Students will learn how to construct a Gansey, a sweater
form prevalent in the last century and early part of
this century among the fishermen of the British Isles.
A small scale sweater will be knitted using traditional
construction techniques including the classic Channel
Island Cast-on, split welts, seam stitches, traditional
knit/purl patterns, the underarm gusset, shoulder straps
with perpendicular joining, picked-up sleeves, and triangular
neck gussets. Once the sweater is completed, students
will then explore alternative construction methods and
apply all the techniques by planning and designing their
own garment. This is an intermediate level knitting
class. Students must be experienced and comfortable
working with double pointed needles.
(Click
here or on image to enlarge photo) |
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Seamless
Arans, 6 hours or 12 hours
Level: For beginning Aran knitters.
Students must be proficient with double pointed needles.
— Arans are the well-loved sweaters from Ireland
which are characterized by creamy white yarn, cables,
bobbles and other deeply textured patterns. Students
will knit a mini-sweater circularly in class to learn
to work from a chart while creating different traditional
patterns (bobbles, traveling stitches, cables) as well
as seamless construction methods used for circularly-knitted
Arans. Emphasis is placed on the saddle shoulder style
of Aran. Knitting from the neck down will be discussed
briefly, and designing Arans will conclude the 12 hour
class.
(Click
here or on image to enlarge photo) |
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Aran Pullovers
from the Neck Down, 6 hours
Level: Intermediate, experience with dp needles
strongly suggested. — In this one day course,
a small Aran pullover will knitted from the neckband
down. Techniques to be covered include: tubular ribbing,
shifting the neckline forward for a more comfortable
fit (using short rows and wrapping and turning), creating
a saddle shoulder, picking up for sleeves, and sewing
nice looking seams. Traditional Aran patterns will be
knitted in the little garment: traveling cables across
a purl background, undulating baby cables, moss stitch,
cabled ribbing, twisted stitches, and an optional bobble
study (knit 13 different kinds, if you like)!
(Click
here or on image to enlarge photo) |
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Aran Cardigans
From the Top Down, 6 hours
Level: Intermediate — This unusual type
of Aran construction is controversial as to its historic
authenticity. Nevertheless, it is a fascinating concept,
which results in a stunning garment that is fun to knit.
While knitting a small sampler sweater from the neck
down, traditional pattern motifs will be worked, including
bobbles, traveling stitches, knit/purl motifs, baby
cables, background stitches, and more! The neckline
studied will be shaped for a comfortable fit by utilizing
increases and casting on extra stitches.
(Click
here or on image to enlarge photo) |
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Designing
Seamless Arans: A Three Day Intensive Workshop,
18 hours
Level: Intermediate: Students must be proficient
with double pointed needles. — Students will
learn how to construct an Aran, those beloved garments
from Ireland. A small scale seamless sweater will be
knitted using traditional motifs (cables, bobbles, traveling
stitches, and more), and classic construction techniques
including the saddle shoulder with perpendicular joining
and knitted-in sleeves. Once the sweater is completed,
students will then explore alternative construction
methods and apply all the techniques by planning and
designing their own garment. This is an intermediate
level knitting class. Students must be experienced and
comfortable working with double pointed needles.
(Click
here or on image to enlarge photo) |
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Fair
Isle Tams, 6 hours
Level: Advanced Beginner to Intermediate —
This Fair Isle class is for knitters who would like
to venture into two-color knitting but haven't had the
chance. By knitting a small tam on double pointed needles
and/or two circular needles, a tubular ribbing edge
or corrugated ribbing will be worked. Knitting with
a color in each hand, weaving yarns to reduce snagging,
reading tam charts, knitting traditional peerie, border
and star patterns, and shaping of the tam will all be
covered. This class will end with a discussion of tam
structure and the wonderful variety of color combinations
chosen by the students. |
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Traditional Construction
Techniques for Fair Isles, 12 hours
Level: Intermediate (Experience with double pointed
needles and carrying a color in each hand is helpful.)
— The classic details and traditional construction
of the Fair Isle sweaters will be taught in this two-day
workshop through the circular knitting of a small cardigan.
Techniques to be learned include choices of different
corrugated ribbings, shaped and unshaped knitted steeks
for two different armholes (shaped and drop shoulder),
stranding and weaving, cutting steeks, picking up stitches
for sleeves two different ways, underarm gussets, buttonbands,
and finishing steeks. Discussion will include different
pattern families (seeding, peerie, border, OXO, stars,
and all-over patterns), and designing a Fair Isle.
(Click
here or on image to enlarge photo) |
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Scottish
Sanquhar Gloves, 12 hours
Level: Intermediate to advanced (must be proficient
with dp needles) — The intricately patterned
gloves from 19th century Scotland are a joy and a challenge
to knit. Full of small geometric patterns and tiny gussets
around the fingers and thumb, they are made on double-pointed
needles. Explore the many pattern options of both the
ribbing and glove body and discuss designing possibilities
while knitting a full-sized glove. Learn about yarn
dominance and how to manage two yarns at a time, in
three different knitting styles as well as reading your
knitting, rather than a pattern to create these marvelous
gloves. |
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Textured Twined
Knitted Mittens, 6 hours
Level: Intermediate. Must be comfortable with
double pointed needles or working with two circulars.
Ability to knit English style is very helpful, but not
required. — Students will learn the Swedish
technique of tvåänstickning, or twined knitting,
by knitting a small mitten using worsted weight yarn.
The mitten is worked circularly on double pointed needles
and includes many techniques: three twined knitting
cast-ons, reading and working from a chart, the "O"
stitch, Chain Path, Purl Deep Stitch, a spiraled thumb
gusset, a traditional motif for the front of the mitten,
and a choice of tip shapings at the end of the mitten.
Designing will be discussed briefly as well. |
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Latvian Wristers,
3 hours
Level: Intermediate (must be proficient with dp
needles) — Using wristers as a template,
some of the beautiful knitting methods of Latvia will
be studied in this class. Knit one of a pair of
wristers to learn the following techniques which can
be applied to mitten cuffs, sock tops or sleeves: a
scalloped cuff, the herringbone braid and many subtle
and beautiful variations of the half-braid. A choice
of traditional motifs is incorporated in the main part
of the wrister, as well as a picot edge at the end.
Additional techniques to be discussed include knitting
with two yarns in the right hand, two yarns in the left
hand, or a yarn in each hand, as well as knitting with
three colors and setting up the knitting for color changes
in the braids.
(Click
here or on image to enlarge photo) |
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Latvian Mittens,
6 hours
Level: Intermediate (must be proficient with dp
needles) — The beautiful mittens of Latvia
will be studied in this class and a child's mitten will
be knitted to learn the following techniques: A choice
of the fringed cuff or scalloped cuff, the herringbone
braid and many subtle and beautiful variations of the
half-braid, the waste-yarn thumb, and round tip shaping.
A variety of traditional motifs are incorporated in
the main body of the mitten, and reading from the chart
will be covered. Additional techniques to be discussed
include knitting with two yarns in the right hand, two
yarns in the left hand, or a yarn in each hand, as well
as setting up the knitting for color changes in the
braids and weaving yarns to reduce float size.
(Click
here or on image to enlarge photo) |
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Maine Mittens,
6 hours
Level: Intermediate (must be proficient with dp
needles) — Students will learn about Maine
mitten construction by knitting a child sized mitten
in two colors, circularly on double pointed needles.
Techniques to be covered include options for the cuff
(stockinette stitch patterning, corrugated ribbing,
k3, p1 ribbing), developing the thumb gusset by increasing
in full pattern multiples, traditional motifs, and tip
shaping at the end of the mitten which maintains the
patterning.
(Click
here or on image to enlarge photo) |
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Norwegian Mittens,
6 hours
Level: Intermediate (must be proficient with dp
needles) — Students will learn Norwegian
mitten construction, knitting a mitten in two colors
on double pointed needles. Techniques to be covered
include the striped, ribbed cuff, the Norwegian thumb
gusset, seam stitches, different patterning for the
front and palm, and the pointed tip shaping at the end
of the mitten. Designing will be discussed as well as
several options in thumb construction. A slide show
of mittens housed at the Norwegian-American Vesterheim
Museum in Iowa.
(Click
here or on image to enlarge photo) |
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Swedish Lovikka
Mittens, 6 hours
Level: Advanced Beginner (must be proficient
with dp needles) — Students will learn construction
of the very special, but quick and easy, Lovikka mitten
by knitting one circularly on double pointed needles.
Techniques to be covered include the inside out cuff,
a thumb without a gusset, fulling the mitten and brushing
the nap, and different embroidery patterns for the cuff.
(Click
here or on image to enlarge photo)
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A
Five Day Mitten Class, 30 hours
Level: Intermediate to advanced (must be proficient
with dp needles) — This is an in-depth class
which covers five different mittens from several countries.
The Latvian mitten introduces knitted fringe or scalloped
edging, knitted braids with variations, and working
with several colors. The Maine (US) mitten involves
a variety of pattern motifs and unusual shaping techniques
for maintaining the pattern repeats. The Norwegian (Selbu)
mitten is made working with two yarns at a time, a variety
of motifs, and typical thumb and tip construction, and
variations. The Swedish Lovikka mitten is a quick and
easy mitten to knit, and students will learn the traditional
embroidery for the cuffs as well as fulling (felting)
the mittens. The Swedish Twined mittens are made of
a special knitting technique which is hundreds of years
old. Using two yarns of the same color, a very warm
and dense mitten can be made, by spiraling the yarns
around each other. Traditional shaping, motifs, and
cast-ons will also be taught.
(Click
here or on image to enlarge photo)
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| Lecture
and Slide Show: Estonian Culture and Knitting
1 to 2 hours
Level: All — Estonian culture is
very rich, as is its knitting. Slides taken during
my month-long stay in 2005 will cover old styles of
homes and fences, the women and the knitting on the
island of Kihnu, and garments in the National museum.
In addition, my mittens, gloves, and socks which I bought
in Estonia will be on display for closer examination. |
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| Lecture and Slide
Show: Scandinavian Construction Techniques,
1-2 hours
Level: All — This lecture class
will survey the different methods used to construct
sweaters in Scandinavia, principally Sweden, Norway,
and Denmark. After looking at slides of various sweaters
taken during my trip to Scandinavia, students will be
able see example sweaters made with the techniques presented.
Techniques to be covered include knitted sleeve facings,
sewing by machine and cutting the knitting, construction
of buttonbands and attached facings, the Swedish half
gusset, the neck gusset, surface design, applying felt
and braids to the garment. |
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| Lecture and Slide
Show: Twined, or Two-End, Knitting
1 to 2 hours
Level: All — This lecture class and slide
show will survey some of the twined knitted pieces housed
at the Dalarna museum in Sweden. Twenty years
of work by Anne-Maj Ling, the Mother of Modern Twined
Knitting will also be shown. Discussion will include
the structure and use of, and a bit of history about,
this 400 year old knitting technique. Samples
will be shown and if time allows, the basics of this
lovely craft will be demonstrated. |
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