| Anne Berk |
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Although she learned to knit in the sixth grade, Anne Berk knit only sporadically until her college years. Then, when she studied abroad in Ireland in 1979/80, she found that in that culture she was out of place in a group without some knitting in her lap. The women in her community gave her wool and needles and she began knitting aran sweaters, just as they did. However, on returning to the States, she lacked the time and resources to pursue her interest. In 1998, with her career as an optometrist established and her two children in school, she decided to try the Master Knitting program as a challenge to herself. She completed the program, becoming a certified Master Knitter in April 2005. Along this journey Anne has become passionate about knitting and now teaches others to knit. Anne especially enjoys teaching about techniques that improve the quality and appearance of hand knits, skills that were honed by the Master Knitting program. Anne has been teaching Intarsia since 2001 and credits Lucy Neatby for being her inspiration. Currently her passion is Argyle Socks. She taught a class on this subject at Sock Summit this year. Her recent work includes a booklet of argyle patterns for ShibuiKnits, a men’s sweater vest for Simply Shetland Yarns, and a woman’s argyle sock pattern for Shibui, which debuted at Sock Summit. She is researching the history of Argyle in Scotland and America, and hopes to see this type of knitting revived and evolved for current knitters, and the history published so that we don’t forget the knitters who did this type of knitting before us. Anne loves knitting, and knitters, and helping people get what they want out of their work.
Teddy Bear Sweater FinishingStudents will work up the pieces of a teddy bear sweater at home, and we knit the edgings and assemble the sweater in class.
Level: Advanced Beginner plus Class Skills: Basic knitting stitches (knit/purl), casting on and off, What you’ll learn: Picking up stitches along the edge, knitting edges and necklines, mattress stitch, weaving in ends. How to choose methods for different knitting situations, how to fix problems. When: Tuesday, 2.00 - 5.00 Cost: £38 Class Length: 3 hours Bring with you: - Knitting needles size 3.75mm(US 5)and size 5mm (US 8) - Markers - Waste yarn or stitch holders - Yarn needle - 3 buttons - Needle small enough to sew buttons on - Sewing thread
Homework: Yes. Download document here. Minimum student numbers: 13 Maximum student numbers: 25
Intarsia in the roundThis class is for the intrepid knitter who is told that something is difficult or impossible, but wants to do it anyway. Intarsia is easily knit flat, but there is a way to create seamless intarsia in the round. It is tricky, but once you know how, it is very manageable. This is knitting magic at a high level!
Level: Intermediate plus Class Skills: Previous experience of knitting in the round essential. Previous experience of intarsia useful but not necessary. What you’ll learn: Managing several strands of yarn at once, manipulating the yarn in unusual ways. When: Wednesday 9.30 - 12.30 Cost: £38 Class Length: 3 hours Bring with you: -Worsted/aran weight yarn in 4 different colours. - A 4.5mm (US 7) circular needle -16”/40cm in length. Homework: None Minimum student numbers: 13 Maximum student numbers: 25
Argyle socksBasic construction of hand-knitting argyle socks, flat. Intarsia, adding strands, strand management, weaving in ends. How to follow a chart, work heel and gusset flat, and join with argyle gusset to knit foot in the round. There is a lot of information to cover – ability to multi-task is helpful! Level: Intermediate plus Class Skills: Previous experience of knitting in the round essential. Previous experience of colourwork useful but not necessary. Must have knit at least one pair of socks. What you’ll learn: Managing several strands of yarn at once, manipulating the yarn in unusual ways. When: Thursday 9.30 - 5.00 Cost: £76 Class Length: 6 hours Bring with you: - Yarn: stash of smooth sock yarns. Anne recommends solid colours with as much contrast between colours as possible and of equal weight. It is easier to see your joins and the development of the pattern if there is a big contrast of colour at the join. So choose a light colour to be next to a dark colour, etc.
- Knitting needles : double pointed needles, straights and or circular needles in desired sizes. You will be knitting both flat and circularly.
- Notions: sharp tapestry needles for weaving in ends, scissors, post-it notes for following charts
Homework: On straight needles of a suitable size (2.5mm - 3mm) , cast on 32 sts and work K1, P1 ribbing for about 1 “. (WS) Purl one row, increasing one stitch in middle of row. (33 sts total). Continue in stocking stitch for 28 more rows.
Minimum student numbers: 13 Maximum student numbers: 25
Argyle designDesigning with Argyle is very math-intensive, as the designer is constrained by the geometry of the motif. Learn how to control size and shape to create customized garments that will fit and flatter. Any and all questions about design and pattern-writing in general, and Argyle in particular, will be discussed in a collaborative environment. This is a course for knitters who want to design garments for personal use, or have an interest in professional design. This is a follow on class from Thursday’s class. You do not need to take Thursday’s class to take part, although it is suggested as this class is a progression from the Thursday class. Level: Intermediate plus Class Skills: Previous experience of knitting in the round essential. Previous experience of colourwork useful but not necessary. Must have knit at least one pair of socks. What you’ll learn: Designing charts and pattern writing, shaping techniques and choices, colour theory. There will be many samples to evaluate and discuss. When: Friday 9.30 - 12.30 Cost: £39 Class Length: 3 hours Bring with you: Graph paper and/or knitter’s graph paper, coloured pencils, crayons, calculator, tape measure. Students are encouraged to bring photographs, knitting patterns or garments which inspire you. Minimum student numbers: 13 Maximum student numbers: 25 |
