Edie offers a variety of knitting and crochet classes for yarn shops and guilds. Most classes and workshops are taught in a hands-on manner: students learn by doing. All workshops include a handout so that students can take home what they learn in class.

Many classes are appropriate for any knitting skill level. Homework is required for some classes. Contact Edie for additional details on classes and fees. Supplies needed in class and homework assignments will be given at the time the workshop is chosen.

Browse this selection and see what interests you. If you don’t see something you like, just ask–there may be a new class in the works!

About Yarn…
Knit/Crochet (3 hours)

Yarn is the most important component of any project, yet many fiber artists don’t understand how to choose the ideal yarn for a given project. Don’t remain in the dark! In this class, get hands-on practice with a variety of craft and fashion yarns while exploring the difference fiber content and manufacturing methods make to the finished fabric. Learn how to successfully substitute yarns in a pattern and create a gauge swatch that will “speak” to you. Leave class with the confidence that you need to find that perfect yarn! For knitters AND crocheters.

Around the Corner Crochet Borders
Crochet (3 hours)

Crocheted edgings are useful on so many things. In class, we’ll practice a number of fun and unique crocheted edgings. Learn how to make edgings continue around square corners, incorporating the stitch into the corner shaping for an unbroken pattern. Your afghans will thank you! (Need to be familiar with the basic crochet stitches: ch, sc, hdc, dc)

Better Motifs from Start to Finish
Crochet (3 hours)

Whether you stitch elaborate 3-dimensional motifs or stick with a basic granny square, there are techniques you can use to improve the appearance of your finished product. Learn several ways to start a motif in the round, to stitch without using turning chains, to join new colors flawlessly, and to invisibly finish off a round. Practice joining motifs using approaches specifically tailored to your design.

Beyond-the-Square Crochet Motifs
Crochet (3 hours)

Crocheted motifs are fun, portable and quick to stitch, but granny squares are so passe. Using basic crochet stitches, we’ll explore less common shapes and techniques while making a variety of contemporary designs. See how three-dimensional stitches, unusual colorways and yarns can combine to create eye-catching contemporary designs.

Braids & Cords
Knit/Crochet (3 hours)

Tired of single crochet cord? Multiple strand braids, monk’s cord, and crocheted braids and cords are all great alternatives to plain old single crochet. Learn how to make each of these in this hands-on class, and see how they can be used to embellish and improve your fiber projects. For knitters AND crocheters.

Crochet Answers
Crochet (3 hours)

Having problems with crochet? Can’t get your motif to lie flat? Can’t figure out the pattern instructions? Turning chains have you in a knot? You’ve got the questions-I’ve got the answers. In class we’ll examine the most common crochet pitfalls and trouble-shoot problems. Bring your questions to class and we’ll brainstorm solutions.

Crochet for Knitters
Knit (3 hours)

Knitters can appreciate the use of basic crochet techniques for edgings and finishing details. This is a basic how-to class for those who have little or no crochet experience. Learn basic crochet stitches and quickly review pattern reading.

Crochet: Buttonbands and Buttonholes
Crochet (3 hours)

Starting with the simplest opening and continuing with embellished buttonholes, practice a variety of styles and sizes of buttonholes. Learn how to space buttonholes, how to create perfect buttonbands and to avoid the most common buttonhole mistakes, and how to choose the best button for your new buttonhole.

Dictionary Design
Knit (3 hours)

Anyone can be a knitwear designer with the help of a stitch dictionary! Pick a favorite stitch pattern and use it to develop a custom-designed sweater, starting with a simple stockinette stitch template. Learn how to swatch and adapt stitch patterns, make a fabric you like and choose related borders. You’ll leave class ready to knit a sweater you designed!

Dramatic Dropped Stitches
Knit (3 hours)

Dropped stitches can be a Good Thing. Intentionally dropped stitches can create a light and airy fabric with very little effort. Learn an assortment of dropped stitches and see how they can be used to lighten up your knitting. Students should have some experience knitting stitch patterns.

Flower Inset Sock
Knit (3 hours)

Add a bit of crochet to your socks! Crochet a small flower motif, then inset the motif into a seamless knitted sock. You choose where to put the motif–on the leg, the heel, the top of the foot, or all three. There will have lots of examples to look at. Once you master the technique, you’ll be inserting motifs into other knitted items! Must be familiar with sock-knitting.

Four Fun Fabrics
Knit (3 hours)

Furry, fun, flappy and funky – learn four unusual stitches to add pizzazz to your knitting! See how fur stitch, cluster stitch, shirring stitch and flap stitch can be incorporated into your projects. Not for beginning knitters.

Fringes & Furbelows
Knit/Crochet (3 hours)

Jazz up your projects with some new ideas! We’ll practice fringes, tassels, braids, pompons, monk’s cord and curlicues in this hands-on class. See how fancy finishes can make a ho-hum project something special. Knowledge of crochet helpful but not necessary. For knitters OR crocheters.

Going in Circles …& Squares & Triangles
Crochet (3 hours)

We’ll start with the basics of crocheting a flat motif, then experiment with variations. You’ll learn different ways to begin working in the round, and how many increases are needed to make your piece lie flat. We’ll cover as many flat shapes as time allows: circles, squares, triangles, pentagons, hexagons, and ovals. You’ll be designing your own motifs in no time!

Intarsia Without Fear
Knit (3 hours, can be expanded to 6 hours)

Many knitters avoid patterns requiring blocks of color work, fearing that the many different looks that can be achieved with this technique are too difficult. Not so! Intarsia and its baby cousin, duplicate stitch, will be conquered in this hands-on class. We will learn when to choose the intarsia method vs. fair-isle, how to avoid holes, how to handle multiple colors in a row, and what to do with all those ends.

It’s Not Over ’til It’s Finished
Knit (3 hours, can be expanded to 6 hours)

If you are unhappy with the results of your finished garments, this is the class for you! You’ll learn steps to take — from the moment you pick up the needles until the sweater is worn — to make your garment look “hand crafted”, not “home made”. We’ll tackle planning ahead, picking up stitches, blocking, sewing seams, weaving in ends, and other helpful hints.

Knitting Disasters & Other Opportunities
Knit (3 hours)

Almost everyone has at least one UFO (unfinished object) languishing in a closet because of problems with technique, pattern, fit, color, or yarn. Many times, these “disasters” can be turned into opportunities to create something special. Learn to avoid/correct the most common mistakes, deal with yarn shortages or dye lot problems, repair holes and recycle yarn. Bring the worst of your problems to class and – drawing on my years of experience with personal knitting disasters – we will brainstorm solutions.

Lace Basics
Knit (3 hours)

Discover what so many knitters know—lace is fun! Get started on lace knitting with this class for beginning and intermediate knitters. Learn to read lace charts as well as text instructions. Learn strategies for avoiding mistakes and get tips on fixing the most common errors.

Learn to Knit Cables
Knit (3 hours)
Don’t let cables get you in a twist! No matter how complex the cable, the essential principles are the same. Learn the basics of cable formation and behavior, and see how small changes make for different looks. Become comfortable with both text and charted instructions, and pick up tips on keeping track of your place in the pattern.

Math for Knitters (or: Where Do They Get Those Numbers?)
Knit (3 hours)

This class will take the mystery out of those pesky math calculations you have to do when designing or altering a sweater. Math-phobics are welcome, and you don’t have to raise your hand in class. We will draft a basic sweater and discuss calculating yarn amounts, V-neck shaping, rates of increase/decrease, stitch pattern placement. It will NOT cover sleeve cap shaping.

More Crochet for Knitters
Knit (3 hours)

Crochet can be a powerful weapon in the knitter’s arsenal. In this class, you’ll get hands-on practice in crocheted cast-on, seaming, adding crocheting buttons, and in solving fit and design problems. For those who have crocheted before (or who have taken Crochet for Knitters).


Motif Crochet for Everyone
Crochet (3 hours)
Brush-up on your crochet or add this skill to your repertoire by learning the basics of crochet and how to read a simple pattern in this class for all levels. Even if you’ve never crocheted before, you’ll soon be stitching your way through your choice of motifs such as flowers and hexagons, and learning a few tips along the way. Get a quick lesson in how to finish your knitted pieces with flair and a crocheted edging.

Packs & Sacks
Knit /Crochet (3 hours)

From tiny amulet bags to giant totes, knitted bags and crocheted bags are fun and fast. They are a great way to use up small amounts of yarn, and the design possibilities are endless! You’ll learn basic construction techniques for a variety of bags, and tips to make your bag practical to use. Design and make your own bag or backpack and see how to turn your swatches into one-of-a-kind designer bags. A small amount of homework is required. For knitters AND crocheters.

Pattern Reading 101
Knit /Crochet (3 hours)

What do all those abbreviations mean? How do they expect me to read this? How can this make a sweater? Learn the basics of pattern reading in this class for beginning knitters or crocheters, or for experienced knitters or crocheters who have trouble following a pattern.

Pattern Writing 101
Knit /Crochet (3 or 6 hours)

If you have a design you’d like to get published, or even if you just want to share your design with other knitters or crocheters, you need to be able to write it so others can read it. Learn how to craft a well-written pattern, avoiding typical mistakes along the way. Explore the joys and pitfalls of grading patterns for a number of different sizes, and pick up tips for getting your designs accepted for publication. Go home with a pattern template you can use for writing your own patterns. For knitters AND crocheters. (In the longer version of class, practice writing your own sweater pattern.)

Reading Graphs & Schematics
Knit (3 hours)

More and more published patterns are making use of graphs and schematics to impart information, but knitters may shy away from these patterns because they are more comfortable with the written word. Learn how easy it is to understand this graphic representation, and gain experience in following charts for knitter’s choice of knit/purl patterns, cables or lace. Students should have some experience in working stitch patterns.

Stitch Workshop-Knit
Knit (3 hours)

Try your hand at a variety of stitch patterns. Play with color and texture while learning how important swatching and experimentation are to design. We’ll look at a number of stitch families: slip stitches, lace, knit/purl stitches, cables and others as time permits.


Stitch Workshop-Crochet
Crochet (3 hours)

See how crochet uses cables, lace, texture and openwork to create beautiful fabric. Try your hand at a variety of stitch families. Play with color and texture while learning to read crochet text and charts. Basic knowledge of crochet required.


Symbol Crochet Basics
Crochet (3 hours)

More and more crochet patterns are using international crochet symbols. With symbol crochet, you can see what your stitch pattern is supposed to look like and see the relationship of stitches to one another. Many crocheters find this way of presenting patterns easier to follow than written-out instructions, allowing them to avoid mistakes before they happen! Learn the fundamentals of symbol crochet and see how this universal crochet “language” makes it easy to read patterns from any country.

Teaching Tips for Super Classes
Knit /Crochet (3 hours)

While you have heard it said that “teaching is an art”, you don’t have to be an artist to teach. Good teachers not only know their material, they also know how to tailor the information for their audience, taking advantage of students’ learning styles, motivations, and existing interests to foster excitement for new material. Learn how to plan and teach classes that meet both the needs of your shop (to sell product, keep customers stitching) and your customers (to learn new techniques, meet new acquaintances). Get tips on class preparation, timing and materials, homework, and handling challenging situations. The class will be tailored to the particular needs of the participants.

Ten More Tips
Knit (6 hours)

For those who wanted more! This new class follows the popularity of Top Ten Tips to survey ten additional techniques that make your knitting easier and more fun. You’ll start to knit a matching hat and scarf for your favorite bear or doll, while learning to knit in the round on 2 circular needles, knit back backwards, avoid color jogs, bind off invisibly, and other handy techniques. Knitters should be very confident with knitting and purling. No homework required, but you will need to bring materials to class.

Top Ten Tips
Knit (6 hours)Top Ten Tips Sweater

NOTE: Over and over again, in other classes, when someone asks, “How did you know to do that?”, I refer them to my Top Ten Tips class.

In this survey of useful techniques, learn a variety of knitting and finishing techniques for beautiful sweaters. While knitting a sweater for an 18” doll, practice provisional cast-on, short rowing, kitchener stitch, mattress stitch, duplicate stitch, three-needle bind-off, braiding, applied I-cord, and picking up stitches. If you’ve been wondering how to improve your finishing skills, take this class!



Un-Learn to Knit
Knit (3 hours)

You learned the rules: Put your needle in this way, wrap your yarn that way. Now unlearn those rules to gain control of your knitting. No matter how long you’ve been knitting or what your knitting style, understanding the structure of the knitted fabric and how the stitches are related to one another is the key to becoming an expert knitter. We’ll have fun exploring what it really means to take a length of string and turn it into a fabric. You’ll leave class with the confidence and ability to fix mistakes, take shortcuts, and be the master of your stitches.

Watch That Swatch!
Knit/Crochet (3 hours)

This class is for knitters or crocheters who don’t think they need to swatch. Even if you “always” knit/crochet to gauge, a properly worked swatch can give crucial information about the project you are about to start. Save time and avoid costly mistakes by learning from your swatches. Learn how to accurately measure your gauge. Learn the benefits of doing a larger-than-usual swatch, and find out what to do with the swatch when you have finished.