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The winter classes are in full swing with great feedback from the attendees. Of the classes so far we have had great results on Brioche classes due to the versatility of the fabric created. The technique is a little tricky at first but once you get it, the possibilities are limitless due to the choices in yarns and colour combinations. Due to the interest in brioche I will be adding more classes to the spring 2019 schedule. ~Gabriela
 And I finally got the sleeves on my Nanook by Heidi Kirrmaier in Nepal
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2019 Winter ClassesThe preparations for next year’s classes are in full swing… Along with our Knitting Classes and Workshops we have weekly Knit Therapy Classes offered on Tuesday and Friday mornings and Wednesday Evening. It is a great opportunity to get expert advice on any project you are working on and enjoy the company of other knitters Check out our website Needles and Knits for Knitting Class and workshop schedules and pricing. We offer classes in every skill level; Something easy like the Einstein Coat or Baby Albert Jacket which is all knit in garter stitch and has minimal finishing but still offers new skills like a crochet cast on and three-needle-bind-off.  Moussaillon is another garment worked entirely in garter stitch with short row shaping.  Knitting Brioche is one of the most popular techniques right now (check out the Holiday Vogue Knitting Magazine) and we have classes scheduled for a cowl, a blanket and socks in the New Year.
We also have mitten classes to keep your hands warm; choose from felted or thrummed, or make them both.
To keep your toes toasty there will be a Mukluks class and a slipper class. And back by popular demand we offer knitting two socks at the same time again.
If you want to expand you stitch technique horizon we have scheduled a few classes and workshops with cowls that feature Fairisle, Beading, Slip Stitch, Brioche and Diamond Stitch.
Bookworm is one of Heidi K’s newest designs featuring a comfy oversized style while The Perfect Edge By Von Hinterm Stein is a fitted cardigan with lovely princess lines and a notched collar. The Two way Cardigan offers a cozy shape that can be worn two different ways.
And of course we have to have a skirt (Mint Tulip), a baby Owl blanket, a poncho, a cable hat, a kids tunic and a couple of bandit kerchiefs to round out the schedule.
I almost forgot my favourite!!!!! The Golden Hour Shawl by Drea Renee Knits featuring fun colour changes, a little lace, a little mosaic and Bobbles or Nupps to keep things interesting.  Our Knit-A-Long for the next session is ….ta-dah…. A Dragon Boat Cardigan, knit in the round with steeks (yay!!!) Tove knit it in 1996 and it took her a little over two weeks… I think we are going to take a little more time with it….  2019 is just around the corner, hope that you have been inspired!
-Gabriela At Needles and Knits, our yarn dying class is all the rage and very popular! We have since held three classes! One of our students who had attended the Oct 13th class enjoyed it so much that she took the time to send me this note: Do you ever wonder how some yarns have such beautiful colours? So once again, by popular demand, we will be running our fourth yarn dying class in the spring of 2019. Check out the gallery of beautiful yarn dyed by the October 13 class! Over the past couple of years, Gabriela has introduced and has been teaching classes and workshops at Needles and Knits Wool Shop in Aurora. Her unique style, and approach to her classes, is why new and long time students sign up for several classes a year. So who is the lady that runs the workshops? We believe an introduction has been long overdue, and we are rectifying that right now. Read on, and enjoy the interview transcript below... How did you start knitting ? GD: My grade 2 class learned to knit, crochet, and embroider as it was part of the curriculum. Where did you study? GD: In the 90's I took Fashion Arts at Seneca and in third year I had to choose a specialty - tailoring or knitting on the machines . I designed a whole fashion line in one semester which was leather skirts and knit sweaters with lace inserts. I have also taken classes with Lucy Neatby, Jared Flood, Donna Druchunas, and Brandon Mably. Why did you choose knitting? GD: I have always knit. I was in between jobs - retail, owning my own ceramics business, and I applied at a knitting store. I started teaching classes and ended up working there 10 years! What was your first knitting design? GD: I was 19 years old at Kindergarten Teacher College and I designed a pullover with the Hungarian flag on it for the Hungarian Scouts. What projects are you currently working on? Lace cardigan Garter stitch cardigan Socks Lace shawl Intarsia pillow Mitre square garment 40 UFO's (unfinished objects) What is your favourite piece that you have knit? GD: One of my 45 skirts. I love them all so it is hard to pick one. What hobbies and interests do you have ? GD: Gardening, pets and family (not necessarily in that order). Do you have any recommendations or suggestions for people new to knitting? GD: Use the best quality materials you can afford. Do not be afraid to start over or change things (ie. in the pattern). Take classes - group or one on one. "Knitting is a social thing" so be inspired by others. What is your ideal " I'm going to knit for the next few hours" routine? Do you watch movies? Listen to music? GD: I carve out time to knit. If I am knitting intricate lace then I will listen to music. I watch tv if knitting anything else. English or Continental? Continental Cardigan or Pullover? Cardigan Cables or Lace? Lace DPNs or Magic Loop? Neither - 2 circulars Yarn - Solid or Variegated? Both Socks - Toe Up or Top Down? Top Down Needles - Wood or Metal? Wood Wool, cotton, alpaca, cashmere, silk? Silk and cotton What does your stash look like? GD: It fills the office, a closet and half the attic and there is more scattered elsewhere. What is your favourite thing about knitting? GD: The possibilities are endless. "You can tweak anything." If I am teaching a modular class, I love how everyone is knitting the same thing but they all come out differently.  Tin Can Knit patterns are very well written to accommodate all levels of knitters from beginner to advance. Their books are filled with beautiful photography and helpful tutorials to guide you along the way. Each pattern is comprised of modern seamless knits for the whole family from baby sizes 0-6 months to adult size 4XL. Stop by Needles and Knits Wool Shop and check out the selection of Tin Can Knits pattern books.
Current and upcoming classes at Needles and Knits using their patterns: Dogwood Baby Blanket and Vivid Blanket
Register in store at Needles & Knits Wool Shop for the Spring Knit-Along: Line Dance by Heidi Kirrmaier. This cardigan is all about neat lines created by a combination of squishy garter stitch, I-cord edges, pockets and slipped stitch details. It is worked top down in one piece, and has a gentle A-line shape. Intended to fit with 0-2 inches of positive ease. The front sections overlap by about 1 inch. Suitable for a knitter with some experience. Class Information: THIS SESSION IS NOW FULL
Where: Needles & Knits Upper Level Sessions: Four – 2 hour classes Starts: Monday Evenings 6:30PM – 8:30PM April 24, May 1, 15 and 20 Cost: Free Registration: Sign up in store at Needles & Knits Wool Shop, Aurora ON Materials: DK weight yarn **Materials for the class must be purchased in store at Needles & Knits Wool Shop, Aurora ON Pattern available for paid download on Ravelry Therapy Knitters Holiday PotluckTherapy Knitters Potluck brought together a gathering of knitters from various Needles & Knits knitting classes and workshops! Students brought mouth watering appetizers, main dishes and deserts! There was a sharing of recipes, laughs, opinions and of course, their finished work or work in progress. We are looking forward to another year of learning something new in the classes offered with another potluck in the spring :) Click here for more information about our upcoming 2017 Winter knitting classes and workshops  Thursday Knit Nite Holiday DinnerDecember is the month of celebrations and gatherings of family and friends. On Thursday December 15, the Thursday night, Tea with Tove group braved the winter snow storm to attend the annual Holiday Dinner...and of course, to knit! From Needles & Knits, we wish all Happy Holidays and the very best in the New Year! We would like to give you an update on the knitting classes that are currently being held at Needles & Knits. There are some absolutely beautiful garments being created! The last class of the Pi shawl was used to block the shawls. Gabriela, who teaches all the classes at Needles & Knits, had each person soak their shawl in some Eucalan, then wrap the shawl in a towel and spread it out. Next it was pinned down, always measuring form the centre out. The yarn used was Tahiti Fashion, a lace weight cotton. Having a large table like the one Tove has in the wool shop, made it super easy to block these shawls! Joanie is modeling Audrey's Glamour Jacket that was knit out of Sirdar Cotton DK and Audrey is wearing a skirt she knit in Rowan's Revive. All yarns mentioned can be purchased at Needles and Knits.
Check out the classes on the website as new classes have been posted for the fall. Sign up in the store, at Needles & Knits Wool Shop. Have a look at these classes offered at Needles and Knits for the summer! Gabriela, our expert instructor, has chosen a variety of projects that offer new knitting skills and will give you a finished product that you will proud of. You can learn how to knit lace, enterlac, mosaic or even knit a Top-Down summer T-shirt. These are just a few of the many project classes offered over the summer. There is something for everyone. Here are a few of the classes offered. For more information such as cost, dates and times just go to the “Classes & Workshops” section on the main page. Knit therapy classes have already started but there are still a few spaces left and the fee can be pro-rated for latecomers.
Have a wonderful summer from all of us and Needles and Knits! Don’t forget to wear sunscreen!
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