British Yarn

Liz Lovick lives and designs on one of Scotland’s Orkney islands, using her environment and its knitting heritage as her inspiration.  A former teacher, Liz has studied the history of Shetland lace and fair isle knitting in great depth and now brings her knowledge of these age-old techniques to a new audience.  She is renowned the world over for her historically-accurate fair isle and lace designs.  You can find out more about her and her work on her website.

Classes with Liz will be taking place in the Cottrell Building

Yarn for Liz’s classes is kindly being donated by Jamieson and Smith

ONLY FOUR PLACES REMAINING

An introduction to Fair Isle

Come and learn fair isle from the UK’s world-renowed expert, Liz Lovick.  In this class, Liz will guide you how to get started with your fair isle knitting, will talk about stranding techniques, colour theory (where you will have a play with different patterns) and will also talk to you about the history behind the technique.  In the afternoon, you will work through a small project which Liz has specifically designed for this class.

When: Tuesday, 9.30 - 5.00

Level: Advanced beginner plus

Class Skills: Knitters should be comfortable with knitting in the round

Cost: £80

Class Length: 6 hours

Homework: None

Bring with you:

Set of 4 or 5 double pointed needles  or circulars, 3 to 3.75 MM (US 3 to 5)

Notepad and pen

At least 10 different colour felt tip pens or pencils

A laptop if you have one with you

Minimum number of students for class to run: 10 Maximum number of students: 22

Design your own lace project

Done some lace knitting and want to expand your skills? Then this is the class for you! Liz will guide you through looking at the structure, of lace,  charting and changing patterns to suit.  You will work on a small project together creating a pattern together. Liz will provide knitters’ graph paper in your class pack.

When: Wednesday, 9.30 - 12.30

Level: Intermediate plus

Class Skills: Experience of lace knitting and comfortable working fine yarn on larger needles!

Cost: £40

Class Length: 3 hours

Bring with you:

A variety of needles between 3.5mm and 6mm (US 4-10)

Stitch markers

Notepad and pencil

Laptop if you have one with you

Homework: None

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

Further exploration of Fair Isle

You have done some fair isle knitting and you want to explore the technique further (and perhaps you  took the class on Tuesday).  In this class, you will be looking at techniques in detail; choosing colours, choosing patterns.  You will also learn how fair isle sweaters are constructed, how to cut steeks, and the maths behind grading fair isle projects.  Later on in the afternoon, you will work to create your own fair isle design, taking the pattern home with you to complete.

When: Thursday, 9.30 - 5.00

Level: Intermediate plus

Class Skills: Knitters should have experience of knitting at least one fair isle project

Cost: £80

Class Length: 6 hours

Bring with you:

Notepad and pen

Set of 4 or 5 double pointed needles or circular needles 3-3.75mm (US 3-5)

Small sharp scissors

One sharp sewing needle

One blunt darning needle

A laptop if you have one with you.

Homework: None

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

All images © Elizabeth Lovick