Workshops & Classes

Professional Finishing workshop
Full day workshop led by Emma King
Saturday 21st August 2010, 10.00am – 4.00pm
at Threads of Life, Castle Donington
(see contact page for location, map and directions)
Places still available

This workshop will provide you with all the necessary skills needed to give your hand- knitted projects a professional finish. Techniques covered will include picking up stitches for necks and button bands, short row shaping, grafting and mattress stitch. You will be required to knit and bring with you some small stocking stitch samples which will enable you to get the most out of your day.

Participants will need to bring the following:
• Three 10x10cm stocking stitch squares in double knitting weight yarn. These are very important as we will use them throughout the day.
• A pair of 4mm and 3.25mm needles.
• Sewing up needles.

Knitting ability: This course is suitable for intermediate and experienced knitters. New knitters must have knowledge of the basic techniques.

Full cost £40, including refreshments, lunch and materials. To reserve a place please fill in the booking form and send a cheque for £10 payable to 'Threads of Life'.
Only 10 places available

 For more information about Emma King click here.

Knitting with Colour – Fairisle and Intarsia

Full day workshop led by Emma King

Saturday 11th September 2010, 10.00am - 4.00pm
at Threads of Life, Castle Donington

This workshop will show you the two different techniques of knitting with colour which are ‘fairisle’ and ‘intarsia’. Whilst working on a simple fairisle panel you will learn the two-handed method of carrying yarns which will help you to achieve an even tension and neat, flat fabric. You will then learn how to manage your colours and avoid holes whilst working on a simple intarsia panel.The two panels can then be sewn together to make a bag.

Participants will need to bring the following:
• A pair of 4mm needles.
• Sewing up needle.

Knitting ability: This course is suitable for both experienced knitters and new knitters who must have knowledge of the basic techniques.

Full cost £45, including refreshments, lunch and materials. To reserve a place please fill in the bookings form and send a cheque for £10 payable to Threads of Life.
Only 10 places available

Knit and Accessorise - make a pair of fun handwarmers

Full day workshop led by Emma King
Saturday 6th November 2010, 10.00am - 4.00pm

This workshop draws inspiration from Emma’s book ‘Fun and Funky Knitting’. Knitted accessories are great fun to make and provide the perfect chance to experiment with colour and texture. Today we will be working on a pair of cosy hand warmers combining cables, stripes (you will learn some tricks that will help to eliminate the ends when working in stripes!) and beads.

Participants will need to bring the following:
• A pair of 4mm needles.
• A pair of 4mm double pointed needles.
• Sewing up needle.
• Fine sewing needle and sewing thread.

Knitting ability: This course is suitable for both experienced knitters and new knitters who have knowledge of the basic techniques.

Full cost £45, including refreshments, lunch and materials. To reserve a place please fill in the bookings form and send a cheque for £10 payable to Threads of Life.
Only 10 places available

Bags to Knit

Full-day workshop led by Emma King
Saturday 11th December 2010, 10.00am - 4.00pm
This workshop is based on Emma’s books ’25 Bags to Knit’ and ‘25 More Bags to Knit’. Knitted bags are great fun to make and provide the perfect opportunity to experiment with yarns and colours. Come along and knit your own bag whilst trying out different techniques such as knitting with texture, colour, beads and sequins. Fun knitted flowers, frills and cords will also be shown.

Participants will need to bring the following:
• A pair of 4mm and 3.25mm needles.
• Sewing up needle.
• Fine sewing needle and sewing thread.
• Any oddments of textured yarns and/or beads etc that they would like to include in their design. (Optional)

Knitting ability: This course is suitable for both experienced knitters and new knitters who have knowledge of the basic techniques.

Full cost £45, including refreshments, lunch and materials. To reserve a place please fill in the bookings form and send a cheque for £10 payable to Threads of Life.
Only 10 places available

Pick and mix - summer sessions on wednesdays

Since summer is also holiday-time I’m doing a mixture of sessions so it’s not absolutely necessary to be able to come every week. It also means we can do (at least) two totally different things at almost the same time – well we are versatile!

This course is designed so that you can pick which classes you want, or are able, to do.
The crochet classes are for beginners, or if you are starting again after a long break.
For the knitting classes you will need to have a little experience of knitting to start with.

 August 4th – Introduction to crochet
 11th – Knitting in the round with double pointed needles – make a simple cover for a mobile phone or iPod, or a little bag.
 18th – Crochet 2 – following patterns – make a soap sachet or a bottle bag.
 25th – Knitting in the round 2 – the ‘fiddly bits’ of making gloves and socks
 Sept 1st – sharing new skills and trouble-shooting – bring the projects you have started (or completed), whether they are crochet or knitting. It’s a chance to enjoy achievements, and sort out problems which may have cropped up.

Cost: £7.50 to book, and £5.00 for each session attended. This covers the cost of basic materials. The crochet book will be £5.00 extra (normally £6.99), and there’s a 10% discount on any things purchased in the shop during the course.

Only 8 places available.