Hi Everyone

Although we offer classes throughout the year, the start of a NEW year always feels like the perfect time to sign-up for a class, try a new project or technique.  I think it has something to do with the fact so many of us are just wrapping up the holidays where everyone else’s needs have come first and ours have been ignored.  Much like starting a project for yourself, signing up for a class at the start of a new year is a gift to yourself.

Our Education Manager Tina has put together a terrific schedule, I’d like to highlight a few classes:

• We have scheduled several sections of Knitting I and II.  These classes teach the basic skills that every knitter needs to know.  If you or someone you know is just getting back into knitting or wanting to learn, these are the perfect pair of classes!

• This semester we are offering the VERY popular Advanced Fearless Finishing & Sweater Construction.  These are two of the more critical classes in our Expert Knitter Program.  Our very own Dori will be teaching these classes and it is with IMMENSE sadness that I have to announce these will be the last classes that Dori is planning to teach.   This is significant and anyone who has spent anytime with Dori, much less taken a class with her knows what I am talking about.  Dori knows EVERYTHING when it comes to knitting.  EV-ER-Y-THING.  These two classes will fill fast.  They will continue in future semesters and our teaching team is basically going to suck every last iota of knowledge out of Dori but to say she will be missed is an understatement of epic proportions.

• We’ve got some great guest teachers this semester as well.  We’ll be welcoming Mary Jane Mucklestone on March 17th for two classes – Colorful Knitting & Instant Mittens and March 18th for a Tam construction class.  The fabulous Amy Herzog will be with us 1/15 and 3/5 for two sections of her  Fit to Flatter class.  My friend Melissa Morgan-Oakes will be teaching her Two At A Time Technique – first from the cuff down on 4/16 and then from the toe-up on 4/17.  Bring your copies of her insanely successful books (cuff down & toe up) and ask her to sign them.  She’ll be tickled!  Last but not least, we are thrilled to welcome Rosemary Drysdale to WEBS on March 5th.  She’ll be teaching an entrelac class and afterwards we’ll be hosting a little reception to celebrate her newest book Entrelac: The Essential Guide to Interlace Knitting

• On the crochet front, we have the usual basics with our own Sara Delaney but I’m also excited to welcome Mary Beth Temple back to WEBS.  She’ll be here teaching Broomstick Lace Basics & Tunisian Lace Basics.

• In addition to Beginning Weaving, we’ll be offering classes focused on 4-shaft Twill, 8-harness Huck Design, Overshot, a Linen Dyeing workshop and of course, Intro to Rigid Heddle Weaving.

• Finally, Gail Callahan, a.k.a. the Kangaroo Dyer will be offering Dyeing Silk Scarves, Kangaroo Dyeing and Next Steps with the Kangaroo Dyer.  We’re also very happy to welcome Barb Parry back!  She’ll be teaching Intro to Handspinning and trust me when I say there is nobody better to learn the art of spinning fiber into yarn from!

Needless to say, this is only a smattering of the classes we are offering but hopefully it’s enough to get you excited.  One of my resolutions is to further my own education so I’ll be taking a handful of classes this semester as time permits.  I’m thinking about learning to drop spindle, fearless finishing  and either Magic Loop or Knitting with Beads.  What are you interested in learning?

Enjoy!

Kathy