British Yarn

Star Athena is a designer and writer living in Portland, OR. She has contributed both articles and patterns to a number of places in print and online, including Vogue Knitting, Knitscene, and Knitty. In 2007, Star was a guest on DIY’s knitting TV show Knitty Gritty and in 2006, Star founded the annual online spin-along, The Tour de Fleece.

Classes with Star will be taking place in the Cottrell Building

Sock design Workshop: Know the Rules, Then Break Them.

Are you ready to design your own socks? Know the rules. This sock design workshop covers the basics of sock construction and technique. We’ll ask questions like: Why go toe-up or cuff down? What will slip stitches, cables and ribbing do to the fit? How does stranding affect gauge? Every element in a sock is an intentional design choice. Break the rules. Then we’ll cover ways to unleash creativity onto the simple sock, mixing in alternative design ideas and unexpected elements. How can you make your designs stand out in a competitive market, and where can inspiration be found?  Hands on: Let’s design some socks! We’ll brainstorm, sketch, and knit some designs in class. You’ll also get to walk away with more ideas to develop later. Getting it done: We’ll also discuss pattern writing, proofing, tech editing, and test knitting, tips and tools to make the design process easier, how to solve problems, and, finally, we’ll cover the submission process: how to do it and what to expect. There is a follow-on class on Thursday afternoon which you might wish to consider (attendance not mandatory, but suggested)

When: Tuesday, 9.30 - 5.00 and Thursday, 9.30 - 5.00 (same session running twice)

Level: Intermediate plus

Class Skills: Experience of sock knitting (at least 3 pairs of socks)

Cost: £76

Class Length: 6 hours

Minimum number of students: 8 Maximum number of students: 20

Please bring with you: Double pointed needles and/or circular needles, 2mm - 3mm (US 0-2), some sock yarn, pens, pencils, eraser, sketchbook, notepad and calculator.

Getting Published

How can you make your designs stand out in a competitive market, and where can inspiration be found? We’ll discuss pattern writing, proofing, tech editing, and test knitting, tips and tools to make the design process easier, how to solve problems, and, finally, we’ll cover the submission process: how to do it and what to expect. By the end of the workshop, the knitter will feel inspired to take designing to the next level. You will know what questions to ask yourselves and how to improve your existing ideas. You’ll be ready to start submitting designs for publication or jumping into self-publishing.

When: Wednesday, 9.30 - 12.30

Level: Advanced beginner plus

Class Skills: Should either have written a pattern or have the confidence to write one.

Cost: £38

Class Length: 3 hours

Homework: None

Minimum number of students: 8 Maximum number of students: 20

Bring with you: Notepad, pen, any designs you wish to publish

The Emerald City Mitts and exploring lace construction

The Emerald City beckons with these arm-warmers inspired by the stylized buildings of OZ. Gothic Lace starts on cuff and flows into twisted lacy cables, ending on the hand with a motif that echoes the silhouette of the Emerald City. Wear these when you need a dose of the magic of OZ, or make them for a friend on a magical journey. This pattern includes instructions to make a pair of lacy, cabled wrist warmers. This is an advanced pattern! You’ll need to know how to read a pattern, cast on, knit, purl, increase, decrease, work lace and cables, and work in the round. The lace pattern is charted as well as written; take your pick.

When: Thursday 9.30 - 12.30

Level: Advanced beginner plus

Class Skills: Should either have written a pattern or have the confidence to write one.

Cost: £38

Class Length: 3 hours

Homework:  Please do a gauge swatch ahead of time to ensure you'll have a well-fitting pair of armwarmers

Bring with you: 250yd/229m DK weight yarn. (Or any yarn that gives you proper gauge). Gauge: 24 sts/32 rows = 4" in st st. Needles: 1 set US #4/3.5mm 32” circular needles (magic loop), 2 sets of 24” circulars, or double pointed needles, or size to get gauge. Notions: Darning needle, stitch holder, and stitch marker.

Minimum number of students: 8 Maximum number of students: 20

Taking the next steps in sock design

Do you know how to knit socks and you know how to design basic socks, and you want to move on to more complex patterns?  Then this class is for you!  Star will guide you through more complex designs, including lace and cables, different heel and toe constructions to help you unlock your creativity and turn it into a fantastic pair of socks. By the end of the workshop, the sock knitter will feel inspired to take designing to the next level. You will know what questions to ask yourselves and how to improve your existing ideas. You’ll have new designs on the needles and in the sketchbooks. This class is a follow on from Tuesday’s class - attendance at both is not mandatory.

When: Thursday 2.00 - 5.00

Level: Intermediate plus

Class Skills: Should have knit several pairs of socks and be comfortable with knitting in the round

Cost: £38

Class Length: 3 hours

Homework: None, apart from gathering together some images that inspire you

Bring with you: Sketchpad, pencils, eraser, calculator, any images that inspire you (no matter where they are from), some sock yarn and suitable size needles (either double pointed or circular)

Minimum number of students: 8 Maximum number of students: 20

Project class: Frankensocks

Inspired by the way parts can be sewn together into something new, these socks are actually just knit in the round with a fake seam stitched on later for effect. The two socks have mirrored patterns to help ease the dreaded second sock syndrome. It’s almost like knitting a different sock. These socks are sized for women and men’s feet and can be made in any colours – just one for a more tasteful sock or many for the full creature effect. The socks shown have reversed colours but you don’t have to do that. Add more stitching or skip it entirely. Knitter’s choice. This project is worked from the cuff-down.

When: Friday  9.30 - 12.30

Level: Intermediate plus

Class Skills: Confident sock knitter

Cost: £38

Class Length: 3 hours

Homework:  Please do a tension/gauge swatch ahead of time (Gauge/tension : 30 sts/42 rows = 4" in st st.)

Minimum number of students: 8 Maximum number of students: 20

Please bring with you:

-Any suitable fingering-weight yarns that gives you proper gauge. Optional (for fake seam): 3 yards of a contrasting fingering weight yarn for contrast stitching (Star used Knit Picks Gloss [70% merino wool, 30% Silk; 220yd/201m per 50g skein]; colours: Porcini and Parsley; 1 skein each  and Knit Picks Palette [100% Peruvian Highland wool; 231yd/211m per 50g skein]; colour: Garnet Heather

- Needles: 1 or 2 US #1.5/2.5mm 32” circular needles for magic loop method OR 1 set US #1.5/2.5mm double pointed needles.

- darning needle and two different stitch markers.