British Yarn

Joanne was born and grew up in Ontario, Canada, and moved to Colorado, USA in 1998.  She has been knitting since she was a small child, after learning at the knees of her mum.  She is a knitting tutor in Colorado and loves all aspects of knitting, especially if it presents a challenge.  She also loves finding out about traditional techniques and is an avid fan of knitting with rare yarns. You can find out more about her on her blog

Classes with Joanne will take place in the Cottrell Building

Yarn for Joanne’s workshops is provided

Introduction to intarsia

Come and learn how to knit pictures by playing with the intarsia technique.  Joanne will guide you through all techniques involved in intarsia knitting, including choosing and preparing the yarns, tools to make the work easier, reading charts, joining in new yarn, duplicate stitch, finishing off your intarsia project.  In the afternoon, you will create an intarsia design in small groups, swatch and take away a new design with you. Knitters’ graph paper is included in your handout.

When: Tuesday, 9.30 - 5.00

Level: Intermediate plus

Class Skills: Knitters should be comfortable with all basic knit stitches

Cost: £80

Class Length: 6 hours

Homework: None

Bring with you:

4mm - 5mm knitting needles (US 6-8)

Darning needle

A ruler

At least 10 different coloured felt tip pens or pencils

Usual knitting paraphenalia

Minimum number of students for class to run: 10 Maximum number of students: 25

Cowichan Knitting

The Cowichan First Nations people live on Vancouver Island and Canada’s west coast, and create amazing garments filled with  symbolism.  Come and learn about the people and their knitting.  (Jo adds: The Cowichan tribes have a fantastic website)

When: Wednesday, 9.30 - 12.30

Level: Intermediate

Class Skills: Cost: £40

Class Length: 3 hours

Bring with you:

4.5mm (US &) knitting needles

Notepad, pen and pencil

Usual knitting paraphenalia

Minimum number of students for class to run: 10 Maximum number of students: 25

Knitting with wild fibres

There are many unusual and exotic fibres on the market today.  Spend a few hours learning about and swatching with yarns made from buffalo, qiviut, yak to name but a few.

When: Thursday, 9.30 - 12.30

Level: Beginner plus

Class Skills: Basic knit stitches

Cost: £40

Class Length: 3 hours

Bring with you:

A variety of knitting needles

Usual knitting paraphenalia

Notepad and pen

Homework: None

Minimum number of students for class to run: 10 Maximum number of students: 25

Thrummed mittens

Thrumming is the traditional method of adding small pieces of roving to your knitting, usually mittens, for incredible warmth.  This technique originated in the Canadian provinces of Newfoundland and Labrador, where the winter is hard.  You can also use this technique to create incredibly warm slippers, socks, hats and other accessories.

When: Thursday 2.00 - 5.00

Level: Advanced Beginner plus

Class Skills: Comfortable with basic knit stitches, knitting in the round on double pointed needles and made one pair of mittens.

Cost: £40

Class Length: 3 hours

Bring with you:

4mm (US 8) double pointed needles

Homework: None

Minimum number of students for class to run: 10 Maximum number of students: 25