Classes at River Knits

Instructor Amanda Gill teaches knitting in the round.

Testimonials from our class members:

"I loved Heather's Beginning Sock Knitting class! Hers was the first knitting class I ever took and I highly recommend the class and Heather as an instructor. Not only in she *extremely* patient, but she creates a wonderful class culture that invites questions, conversation, and laughter. I looked forward to her class every week, and when it was over I spent my summer happily knitting as many socks as I could."
~ Karis

"I never had a pair of socks that fit so well until I took the sock class and knit a pair to the measurement of my feet! I love being able to make socks in the colors and weights I want. There is a huge variety in sock yarns. Also, the small size of the project makes it ideal to try out new stitches and techniques. I am on my third pair (since March). I plan to make a few pair as "stocking" stuffers for Chirstmas (if I can knit any that I actually want to give up!). Sock class is a fun way to spend a few evenings with like-minded knitters!"
~ Cheryl

Class Policies

Payment reserves your space in the class. If you cannot attend the class, a full refund will be given if you notify us any time prior to one week before the start date of the class. No refunds or rain checks will be given after the one week cutoff date.
Materials for classes at River Knits must be purchased at River Knits so that we can remain in business to keep offering you more great classes!
Classes may be cancelled at the instructor’s discretion if minimum enrollment is not reached.
Knitting Survival Kit – In addition to the specific materials required for your class, it is helpful to bring a “basic knitting kit” with you to most classes beyond Knit Basics. This kit should include a small pair of scissors, stitch markers, stitch holders, a crochet hook, a darning needle, pencil and “post-its”, and a tape measure. Having these basic supplies on hand before class starts helps you have more time to learn from the instructor during class.** (Plus your teachers really like the following: Amanda – York Peppermint Patties; Michelle – dark chocolate covered cherries; Heather – Cheetos.)

Course River Knits

Knitting Crash Course at River Knits

*Materials for classes taught at River Knits must be purchased at River Knits*
765-742-KNIT

JANUARY

Help Session
Saturday, January 14, 10am-12pm
Instructor: Heather Wenig
Cost: $15

Want to learn a new skill but there isn’t a class on the schedule for that skill? Do you have a project on the needles that is causing you stress? Need a little help understanding a pattern? Did you take Beginning Knitting and just need a little more support? Come to the Help Session!

Cracking the Code: Reading Patterns and Charts
Saturday, January 14, 12-2 pm
Instructor: Heather Wenig
Cost: $15

CO 25? SSK? K2tog? And what’s that asterisk doing in there? And what about those lace charts or color charts? Unlock the mysteries of the knitting pattern….and there may even be prizes.

Materials: pattern or chart you’d like to try, yarn and needles for pattern you’ve chosen, paper and pen/pencil

How to Shape Your Knitting: Increasing and Decreasing Stitches
Saturday, January 21, 10 am-12 pm
Instructor: Heather Wenig
Cost: $15

Tired of making squares? Wonder how you get the patterns in a lace scarf? Ready to decrease on a sock gusset? This one is for you. We will practice various techniques to increase and decrease stitches, including k2tog, ssk, psso, m1, Kf&b and yo.

Materials: worsted weight yarn, size 7 or 8 needles

Toe-Up Socks
Tuesdays, January 24, 31, and February 7, 7-9 pm
Instructor: Amanda Gill
Socks are the hottest knitting project around! Using Judy’s Magic Cast On and a really cool heel turn that looks like a tradition heel flap, this pattern is a fun new approach to toe-up socks. Plus, you can just knit until you run out of yarn! (This is not the short-row toe and heel that was been taught in the past.)
Materials: Worsted weight yarn, set of 5 US size 4 double-pointed needles OR two 24” size 4 circular needles (if you tend to knit loosely, use size 3 needles), stitch markers. Pattern will be provided in class.

Cost: $45

FEBRUARY

Beginning Knitting
Saturday, February 4, 10am-12 pm
Instructor: Heather Wenig
Cost: $15

It’s time you learned to knit…or finally convinced that friend to learn to knit. J This class is for anyone who has ever looked at something a friend, family or coworker has made and thought “I wish I could make stuff like that.” You will learn to cast on, to bind off, the knit stitch and the purl stitch. This class is for absolute beginners. If you have knit before and just wonder if you’re “doing it right” or want to try a specific project, please register for a help session.

Materials: 1 skein Lamb’s Pride Bulky, size 10 ½ bamboo needles (10” straight or 24” circular)

Stash Organization

Saturday, February 4, 1pm-4pm

Instructor: Amanda Gill

If you’re a knitter or crocheter, you have yarn. Maybe you just have leftovers from projects you’ve finished, or maybe (like me) you have many projects worth of yarn that you need to keep track of. Whether your yarn collection fits into a shoebox or takes up 2 closets, a cedar chest and an armoire, you need a way to organize it. We’ll talk about various ways to arrange your yarn and tools you can use to keep track of what you have. I’ll also give you some stash-busting project ideas that might help you look at those leftovers or single skeins a little differently.

Cost: $25

Help Session
Saturday, February 11, 10am-12pm
Instructor: Heather Wenig
Cost: $15

Want to learn a new skill but there isn’t a class on the schedule for that skill? Do you have a project on the needles that is causing you stress? Need a little help understanding a pattern? Did you take Beginning Knitting and just need a little more support? Come to the Help Session!

Beginning Sock Knitting
Saturdays, February 18 & 25, March 3 & 10; 12-2 pm
Instructor: Heather Wenig
Required skills: knit, purl, cast on
Cost: $60

You know you want to. Come knit socks with us! J Socks are great projects—portable, inexpensive, giftable, warm, lovely. In Beginning Sock Knitting, you will learn to use gauge to custom fit your socks, basic sock construction, how to turn a heel and how to close the toe with Kitchener Stitch.

Materials: pattern provided by instructor at time of registration, size 2 double pointed needles (size 1 if you think of yourself as a “loose knitter”), 400 yards of sport weight yarn (not cotton), pencil, tapestry needle, row counter

Sizing and Fitting 101
Tuesday, February 21; 7-9 pm
Instructor: Amanda Gill
Are you tired of sweaters that don’t fit? Sick of spending hours, days, weeks knitting a garment only to find it doesn’t flatter you like you hoped it would? We have a solution! There are so many variables to consider before casting on a sweater, and we’ll talk about all of them. We’ll cover the importance of measurements, gauge, and ease, as well as some ideas for altering patterns to make them just perfect for you. Because we will be taking measurements in class, please wear (or bring to change into) a close-fitting or thin T-shirt.
Materials: tape measure, paper and pencil, your favorite sweater (can be store-bought), patterns you think you might like to knit someday, any knitting “failures” you haven’t already disposed of.
Cost: $15

Top-Down Seamless Sweater Voucher Class
Tuesdays, February 28, March 6, 20, April 3, 17, May 1, 15, 29; 7-9 pm
Instructor: Amanda Gill
Top-Down sweaters are perfect for knitters of all skill levels! Beginners can knit a simple pullover or cardigan, while more advanced knitters can add stitch patterns, shaping, and other design elements. No matter what your skill level, join us and learn how to knit a sweater that fits you perfectly! By starting at the top, you can try your sweater on frequently and add shaping as you go. You determine what kind of sweater you want: cardigan or pullover, V-neck, crew neck, scoop, square? Short sleeves or long? The choice is yours! And the best part: NO SEAMS! When you are done knitting, you have a finished sweater.
Materials: Knitting from the Top by Barbara G. Walker, yarn and needles of your choice (for ideas on how much yarn you’ll need, please consult the Knitter’s Handy Guide to Yarn Requirements).
Cost: $15/class session; join us for as many as you like.

MARCH

Help Session
Saturday, March 10, 10am-12pm
Instructor: Heather Wenig
Cost: $15

Want to learn a new skill but there isn’t a class on the schedule for that skill? Do you have a project on the needles that is causing you stress? Need a little help understanding a pattern? Did you take Beginning Knitting and just need a little more support? Come to the Help Session!

WestKnits Rocks!
Tuesdays, March 13, 27, April 10, 24; 7-9pm
Instructor: Amanda Gill
Stephen West has quickly become one of my new favorite designers. His design focus is accessories in general, but he has amazing eye for scarves and shawls. He creates interesting, wearable shapes that are appropriate for women or men. For this class, choose from any of his patterns (you can check them out on Ravelry at http://www.ravelry.com/designers/stephen-west , but many of his patterns can be purchased at River Knits; just be sure to let Elizabeth know what you’d like so she can order in time for the first class). No matter what you choose to knit, I think you’ll be thrilled with the results.
Materials: Pattern; yarn, needles and notions as stated in pattern.
Cost: $60

APRIL

Beginning Knitting
Saturday, April 7, 10am-12 pm
Instructor: Heather Wenig
Cost: $15

Help Session
Saturday, April 14, 10am-12pm
Instructor: Heather Wenig
Cost: $15

Want to learn a new skill but there isn’t a class on the schedule for that skill? Do you have a project on the needles that is causing you stress? Need a little help understanding a pattern? Did you take Beginning Knitting and just need a little more support? Come to the Help Session!

MAY

Moc-A-Soc Mania
Tuesdays, May 8, 22, June 5; 7-9pm
Instructor: Amanda Gill
Available in a huge variety of sizes (from baby to adult!), these could very well become your favorite slippers. They knit up fast and look great! Get a jump start on holiday gifts by knitting several pairs over the summer. Baby and Toddler sizes use sport and fingering weight yarn (an excellent way to use up leftovers!), while the adult sizes use worsted and sport weight. Also: the way the patterns are written, these slippers are knit flat in one piece, and then seamed down the sole and up the back of the heel. HOWEVER, I have eliminated this “problem” and will show you how you can knit them seamlessly.
Materials: Pattern; yarn and needles as stated in pattern. If you wish to learn the seamless method, please bring two 24” circular needles in the appropriate size.
Cost: $45

Ongoing Events

Knit Night - 2nd Monday of the month 7-9pm.
Fun, free, purely social night to visit with fellow knitters. Bring your current project! Everyone welcome.

Charity Knitting – Join us and make Weds the high point of your week!

Charity Knitting
Do you need a knitting break mid-week? Knit for others with the charity knitters, every Wednesday afternoon from 12:00-2:00pm. You may knit for the charity of your choice. Regular participants will be glad to tell you about the groups they support, such as Trinity Nursing Center, Community Cancer Network, Mittens for Akkol (socks for orphans in Kazakhstan), Cary Home and much more! Have fun with this warm & caring group while you help others!

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*Materials for classes taught at River Knits must be purchased at River Knits*
765-742-KNIT

Private Lessons Also Available

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Please read our class policy