On Thursday, June 23rd, we are excited to be one of the stops on The Crochet Dude’s New England Summer Boot Camp Tour!

Drew Emborsky has been busy this week getting ready to head out for a summer of crochet, but we managed to fit in a quick conversation about the upcoming class:

Tell us a bit about your Summer Boot Camp Tour!

Drew: I started the concept of teaching crochet “boot camp style” when my book Crochet It. Love It. Wear It! came out. Every project in the book uses post stitches and my local yarn shop asked me to teach an intensive two-hour workshop just on that stitch. That first Boot Camp was so much fun and so successful that I developed an entire list of Boot Camp workshops.

What can students expect in the Post Stitch Boot Camp you will be running here at WEBS?

Drew:  They can expect to learn some skills that will make their crochet experience even more satisfying. They will learn some of the tricks that I use to make my crochet projects more professional. Most of all they can expect to have a lot of fun!

What makes crochet fun for you?

Drew:  Even after crocheting since I was 5 years old, I still find it fascinating that with just a little hook I can transform a ball of yarn into such amazing projects. It still feels like magic each time!

What is your favorite bit of advice for fiber craft newbies?

Drew:  Always, and without exception, use yarn that you love love love. There is no happy ending to an unhappy process. If you adore the yarn that you are working with then the project will be amazing no matter what.

As I mentioned in the recent post about the WEBS Expert Knitter Certification Program, the final project before graduating the program is the Capstone Project.  This project challenges knitters, who have completed all of the required coursework , to design and knit an original sweater from scratch! Over the course of five months, and with the support of an assigned mentor, program members sketch, swatch, knit, rip out and re-knit, all in the pursuit of a well-constructed, lovely garment that shows off the many skills they have acquired throughout the program.

So far, two groups have completed Capstone Projects and graduated the program.  Their finished projects are an inspiration:

Tomorrow, the 2011 sweaters will be due, and I am so excited to see the culmination of all the hard work the current program members have been putting in over these past few months.  (A few have already made it to my desk and they are gorgeous!)

Here is a sneak peek of where this year’s Capstone Projects were just a few short weeks ago!

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Guest: Laura McSweeny of Creative Fibers in Windsor, CT. Laura is the creator of the Shop Hop and she chats about how she came to open her yarn shop. She focuses on changing the negatives she found while yarn shopping and turning them into positives in her shop. The have great classes, a living room with a fireplace, and offer help to customers. They’re also a big part of the community, both locally and across the globe.

Some of the yarns Creative Fibers loves and carries includes a huge selection of Koigu, and Tahki Cotton Classic in over 80 colors! They also stock Jade Sapphire Moonlight. Creative Fibers also has a twice a year retreat.

Make sure you stop by Creative Fibers on your Shop Hop, and if you can’t make it to the Shop Hop, visit Creative Fibers when you can!

Summer Classes are up!

Tina, our Education Manager chats about classes

June 23rd, The Crochet Dude will be here!

Gale Zucker will teach you how to take pictures of your fiber and projects!

We’ve got great crochet classes, knitting classes, spinning class, and weaving classes, plus fiber camp for kids!

Steve’s Yarn Picks

• Trendsetter Dune Discontinued Colors
• Queensland Collection Joey’s Baby Silk Closeout
• Queensland Collection #12 by Jenny Watson
• Noro Kirameki Closeout
• Noro Love by Jane Ellison
• Mirasol Sulka Closeout Colors
• Mirasol Book 17
• Classic Elite Inca Alpaca Discontinued Colors
• Classic Elite 9121 Wharf
• Elsebeth Lavold Silky Flamme Discontinued Colors
• Elsebeth Lavold Book 13

History of WEBS

Art taught Business Management at UMASS and retired in 1988 and went to work at WEBS and help it grow. One busy Saturday, Art wanted to use the restroom at the back of the house. He had to physically leave the building and go in a different door! That was the turning point for a move. There was also yarn stashed off-site, which was difficult.

They started looking for new places, and Art brought Barbara to 75 Service Center Rd. and her first reaction was “no way!” It was an old telephone company building that housed trucks and it needed a lot of cleaning. Where our front window and door is now was a garage door. They moved into the building in 1991.

One of the fun things about working at a shop that so many people consider their local yarn store, is watching all of the different communities that pop up.  There are informal communities such as the regulars at our various Drop-In sessions,  employees who join together in impromptu knit-a-longs, weavers who know they can stop by and get some advice from the store’s founder, Barbara, and people who travel from far and wide with a group of friends to shop at the store on a regular basis.

Another community we have happily worked to build here at WEBS is made up of the members of our WEBS Expert Knitter Certification Program.  Knitters who join this program are interested in taking their craft to the next level by following a course of 18 classes designed to take them from their current skill level (many are beginners) through confidently designing a sweater from scratch.

Just a few of the great classes in the program:

All of the classes are taught on-site, here at the store, by a team of wonderful Teachers-in-Residence, as well as by nationally and internationally known Guest Teachers.  Each instructor brings a unique perspective to the craft, as well as many tricks and tips!  Most classes are open to all customers, but members of the Expert Knitter Certification Program get a head start on registering each season during a special preview period.

After completing the coursework, program participants begin an independent final project, the Capstone Project, designing and knitting a sweater to fit.  Once that sweater is completed and reviewed by the Capstone Committee, participants are awarded the WEBS Expert Knitter Certificate during a lovely graduation event! The sweaters created through this process are an inspiration. (We’ll give you a sneak preview of this year’s Capstone Projects in-progress in an upcoming post.)

Beyond the usual course and materials fees for each class,  a yearly fee of $50 is the only additional cost for participating in the program.

Knitters join the program for a variety of reasons.  Some are looking to take classes that might be a challenge and out of their comfort zone,  some friends join together and see it as a great way to spend regular time together sharing a craft they adore, others want to be able to look at a bag of yarn and declare “I know exactly what that will be!”  Whatever the reason for joining, all members of the program find they have joined a welcoming community of people who enjoy yarn, and who want to learn as much about fiber crafts as possible while having lots of fun in the process.

If you would like more information about the WEBS Expert Knitter Certification Program, you can download the brochure here (pdf) or contact us using the info on this page. You can also check out our newly formed Ravelry forum and meet some of the current members!

Here on the blog, we often tell you about the amazing and talented guest instructors we are lucky enough to have in the store each season to teach all sorts of skills and projects. Recently, it occurred to me that readers might be interested in hearing a little bit about some of the wonderful people who teach for us on a regular basis – our WEBS Teachers-in-Residence. It seems a good place to start this occasional series is with Leslie Ann, who has begun a free monthly Rigid Heddle Drop-In Session! The next meeting of that drop-in is tomorrow evening, March12th, 5:30pm – 8pm.

Leslie Ann, what are some of the classes you teach here at WEBS?

I teach Introduction to Rigid Heddle and the rigid heddle technique classes – Lace, Pick Up Sticks and Using Two Heddles. I also teach the Beginning Weaving class for multi-harness floor looms. And I teach a few knitting classes, such as the Cornucopia of Cast-Ons and Bevy of Bind-Offs as well as Casts-Ons and Bind-Offs for Sock Knitters. And, of course, I’m now resident weaver for the Rigid Heddle Monthly Drop-In!

What is your general philosophy towards fiber crafting?

I have always loved creating things with my hands and with fibers. I don’t consider myself particularly artistic when it comes to drawing and coloring (as I’m sure my daughter would tell you!), but I love to touch color and to manipulate it with my hands. And I love to make things for other people. I think it’s really special when I knit or weave that I touch every inch of the thread that goes into what I make. I put my good thoughts and energy into the yarn as I work with it and it feels good to know that it will surround the person I make it for. I find that my creativity is kinesthetic – when I touch yarn I want to make something beautiful with it. I am inspired by the feel and color of yarn and the design flows from there.

My philosophy? I guess it has two parts. The first is that I make things to share the good feelings I get from working with fiber. The second is that it’s all about fun –play with the colors, rejoice in the touch, enjoy the process of creation.

We are excited about the addition of rigid heddle to our regular Drop-In line up! Now that you’ve held a few sessions, what can a customer expect to experience when he/she stops by for Rigid Heddle Drop-In?

Rigid Heddle Drop-In is pretty informal. Some people bring their looms and weave, some just come to chat and ask questions. I have my loom there and demonstrate some techniques. We always have show and tell, which is pretty inspiring. Fun and inspiration are my goals for Drop-In! I find that the weavers really enjoy getting together and sharing projects and experiences. It’s usually such a solitary craft, so it’s fun to be with other folks who speak your language and appreciate the work you are doing. So there’s always that sense of camaraderie. People will find a nice open classroom, set up for weaving. It is great to be able to weave with other folks as well as ask questions about your project. I find that I talk a lot! Mostly answering questions, those little things that really make a difference in our weaving – how much to angle the weft, how to tuck in the ends, how to hemstitch. And I find that the group shares a lot with each other – their experiences with different fibers, successes and challenges, great ideas for projects.

What is your favorite thing about teaching Rigid Heddle?

I love getting other people hooked on weaving! And I love when they see how easy it is with a rigid heddle loom. The day starts with lots of questions (and, sometimes, anxiety) but soon everyone is immersed in weaving. And there’s always such excitement when we pull the scarves off the looms! Rigid heddle weaving is so immediate, the process is so fast, that you get that creative gratification quickly. And it’s fun showing people how to take their weaving to new levels using pick up sticks and finger-manipulated techniques. I feel like I’m opening the door to the candy shop. And then I get to see what people create!

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If you have any questions about Leslie Ann’s classes or drop-in, feel free to come into the store, or contact Customer Service, for more information.

Let us know in the comments if you enjoyed this teacher profile! Would you be interested in hearing from more of our lovely and talented teaching staff?

The newest issue of Interweave Knits came across my desk recently, and as I glanced over the cover for hints of what awaited me inside, I noticed a familiar name!

Mary Jane Mucklestone has written a wonderful article filled with tricks and tips for tackling Fair Isle knitting, as well as clear, helpful guidelines for choosing colors for your project (the detail that tends to be my biggest challenge).

If the article whets your appetite for colorful knitting, but you could use a bit more information and support, I have just the solution!  Mary Jane Mucklestone is teaching three classes here at the store in March!

Colorful Knitting is the perfect class for exploring principles of color theory and how to apply them to your projects.

Instant Mittens is a class that is all about instant gratification! With fun embellishment techniques, you can have a pair of fabulous mittens done in time for the next New England storm.

And, don’t overlook the Tams class.  Even if this style of head-wear isn’t your style, there is so much to learn from the technique! Reading colorwork charts, designing centered wheel patterns, using yarn dominance to your advantage and more.

If you are in the area, don’t miss out on all that Mary Jane has to share!

——–

Also, on a January episode of Ready, Set, Knit, I declared 2011 to be The Year of Finishing (what was I thinking?)  So, in the interest of keeping myself honest about my New Year’s knitting resolution, that sweater behind the magazine is a top-down raglan that has been languishing in the unfinished pile since December. It is back on the needles and heading toward finished – one lunch break at a time!

Last weekend the store was buzzing, not only with knitters grabbing up yarn for projects (just in case the prediction of a snow storm turned out to be true), but also with the the sound of “ah ha!” moments coming from the classrooms again and again.

In addition to classes about felting slippers, finishing techniques and the tricks and tips of fixing mistakes, this weekend saw Annie Foley lead a group of knitters through the exhilarating process of cutting their knitting for the first time in the workshop “Eek! Steeks!”

(Thanks to Kathy C. for sending along her photos of the action!)

We also were thrilled to welcome Amy Herzog who gave a Fit to Flatter workshop. Amy walked us through taking our own accurate measurements, looking at our body shapes and determining the styles that will flatter each of us most. The concepts she passed along were eye-opening, and we had so much fun trying on garments that looked both great and not-so-great on each of us. I know I’m looking at my Ravelry queue with a whole new eye to what might suit me best.

It was certainly a jam-packed weekend, and it’s only the beginning! We have a ton of classes scheduled this season. Just look at them all! Which ones are you excited about?

(Also: Did you know you can leave reviews of classes on our website? If you’ve taken a class in the past that we are offering again, we invite you to say a few words about what you gained by participating. Just click on the class, and then on the “Customer Review” tab. Reviews by past participants can often help encourage others who are considering joining in on the fun!)

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Check out the Berroco Flicker that Kathy mentioned.

Yarns

• Trendsetter Flamenco
• Universal Yarn Eden Silk
• Sublime Baby Cashmere Merino Silk 4 Ply
• K1C2 Cotonade Closeout
• Gedifra Barina Closeout
• Tahki Cotton Classic Grab Bags

Upcoming Events to Check Out

• Check out VK Live this month in New York City!
• Stitches West
• Don’t miss Fiber Camp Boston, where Kathy will be the keynote speaker!
• Stitches South
• NEWS – New England Weavers Seminar
• Sock Summit 2011
• Stitches Midwest
• Stitches East

Classes with Tina, our Education Manager

We’ve got some fantastic classes coming up in our Winter/Spring semester. Make sure you check them out on our site and sign up!

Classes kick off with Fit to Flatter with Amy Herzog, based on her online tutorials.

Fixing Mistakes and Steeking workshops are also coming up soon.

Advanced Fearless Finishing is also being offered, and you don’t want to miss this class. It’s the last class our own Dori Betjemenn. Dori knows everything about knitting, so you don’t want to miss your chance to take a class with her!

Mary Beth Temple will be here teaching Broomstick Lace and Tunisian Crochet.

Rosemary Drysdale will be here to discuss entrelac.

Mary Jane Mucklestone will have colorwork classes.

Melissa Morgan-Oakes will be teaching her 2-at-a-time sock technique.

Know someone who wants to learn something new? Point them in our direction.

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

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The store will be closed Monday, September 6th for Labor Day. Enjoy the holiday!

Bus Trip to Rhinebeck! Sign up today!

Check out websbeads.com and see our new products!

View our Fall catalog online now! It will be in your mailbox soon too.

Yarns

• Cascade 220 Sport
• Nashua Isabella
• Debbie Macomber Cashmere Fleur de Lys
• Debbie Macomber Gerbera Print
• Debbie Macomber Gerbera Solid
• Debbie Macomber Petals Sock
• Blossom Street Collection Book 1
• Blossom Street Collection Book 2
• Blossom Street Collection Book 3
• Regia 4-Ply Design Line Jazz Color by Erika Knight
• Schulana Pinturas
• Schulana Book 27

Catalog

• Cover – Elizabeth Sweater in Classic Elite Liberty Wool Print
• Blue Point Store in Boreale from St. Denis
• Superior/Nirvana Cardigan from Filatura di Crosa
• Buck Hill Pullover from Spud & Chloë

Classes with Tina – make sure you check out all of our classes online!

• Classic Elite Exclusive Patterns – $50.00
• Fashion Accessories – $50.00
• Hooded Aran Coat – $130.00
• Amethyst Brook Shawl - $65.00
• Barry Klein from Trendsetter Yarns – Knitting Garments that Fit
• Beth Brown-Reinsel – Colorwork Sampler
• Melissa Weaver Dunning – Scottish Tartan Weaving