Piedmont Yarn & Apparel

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CLASS DESCRIPTIONS

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To sign up for these classes, please come into the shop or call us at (510) 595-9595.

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For All Handcrafters

Visible Mending – One 2-hour class

Visible Mending is a creative way to extend the life of your clothing and household items while embellishing them for a unique look. We will cover basic patches with running stitch as well as more decorative embroidery and woven darns.

Materials: embroidery hoop, embroidery needles, embroidery floss, scissors. Optional: Speedweve style mending loom. We will provide fabric for practicing and/or patching, but you can also bring your own items to mend. Optional: Mending kits (hoops, muslin, needles, floss) will be available for purchase from the teacher for $10 OR all of that plus a Speedweve loom and yarn for $25.

Skill level: No prior experience required

Wednesday, July 5, 6-8 p.m.

Saturday, July 29, 1-3 p.m.

Teacher: Kira Dulaney, Fee $45

 

Intro to Tapestry Weaving

Weaving is an ancient art that is easy to learn yet has endless possibilities. Unleash your creativity while playing with color and texture! We will use a simple frame loom to make an artistic wall hanging while exploring plain weave as well as rya fringe, soumak, and clasped weft weaving techniques.

Materials: Black Sheep Goods Pop Out Loom, scissors, darning needle. We will provide yarn, but you can also bring your own.

Note: Materials Kits ($40) available on the day of class for purchase directly from the instructor

Wednesday, July 19, 6-8 p.m.

Teacher: Kira Dulaney, Fee $45

 

Crochet

Beginning Crochet – One 2-hour class

Crochet is fast and fun, especially with thicker yarn. You’ll learn a few basic stitches while starting to make a cowl (also known as an infinity scarf) worked flat and seamed together at the end.

Materials: 130-260 yards smooth chunky weight yarn (we recommend Malabrigo Mecha and sample was made with one skein), size K or L crochet hook, darning needle, three removable stitch markers.

Skill level: No prior experience required

Wednesday, June 14, 6-8 p.m.

Saturday, July 22, 10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.

Monday, August 21, 6-8 p.m.

Teacher: Kira Dulaney, Fee $40

 

Hybrid Crochet (aka Tunisian Crochet) – One 2-hour class

Delve into a hybrid crochet technique which is easy for beginners and interesting even for experienced crocheters! Hybrid crochet uses two passes to create a single row, building up stitches on your crochet hook, then working them off on the return pass. It creates a soft, squishy fabric in a process that feels like a mix between knitting and crochet – endless possibilities for texture and lace.
Materials: 40 yards smooth worsted or aran weight yarn, G or H crochet hook: a long-handled Tunisian hook, a hook with attached cable, or a smooth-handled hook (no rubber grips or thumb grooves).

Skill level: No prior experience required

Wednesday, May 31,6-8 p.m.  Fee $35

Wednesday, August 2, 6-8 p.m. Fee $45

Teacher: Kira Dulaney

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Starting Crochet Any Which Way

Beginning a project is exciting, but the first row or round can be frustrating. Learn various versions of foundation crochet, a method that works the foundation chain and first row at the same time, which is less awkward and easier to count. Foundation single crochet and foundation double crochet are gamechangers, and we will take it up a level with more complex stitch patterns. You’ll also learn new ways to start crocheting in the round including magic ring plus a simple alternative, and a sneaky way to smoothly join a chain into the round.

Materials: 30 yards easy to see yarn, crochet hook in size appropriate for your yarn, removable stitch markers, scissors

Skill level required: Advanced beginner (must know ch, sc, dc)

Wednesday, June 28, 6-8 p.m.

Teacher: Kira Dulaney, Fee: $45

 

Crocheted Granny Squares – One 2-hour class

Take your crochet to the next level! We’ll go over the basics of

crocheting in the round while making different granny squares.
Materials: 75 yards of smooth yarn (small amounts of different colors is okay), crochet hook in appropriate size for your yarn, removable stitch markers.

Skill Level: Advanced Beginner (must know ch, sc, dc)

Wednesdays, July 12, 6-8 p.m.

Teacher: Kira Dulaney, Fee $45

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Tips & Tricks for Crocheters– One 2-hour class

Kira has been crocheting since she was three years old and has picked up lots of tips and tricks for the fastest, easiest, neatest projects. Learn her favorite shortcuts and uncommon but useful techniques in this fun class.

Materials: bring your crochet toolkit, some easy-to-see yarn and appropriately sized crochet hook. Parts of the class are demonstration only, so feel free to bring an easy project to work on as well.

Skill level required: Advanced beginner (must know ch, sc, dc)

Saturday, July 22, 1-3 p.m.

Teacher: Kira Dulaney, Fee $45

 

Crocheted Amigurumi Owl – One 2-hour class

Amigurumi is the Japanese art of knitting or crocheting small stuffed animals. Learn the basics of amigurumi by making a cute
Baby Owl Ornament designed by Josephine Wu. This is a great skill building class for newer crocheters to learn how to work in the round, increase, decrease, and read a pattern, plus you get to have a fun friend to take home!

Materials: 20 yards smooth worsted weight yarn, size F crochet hook, darning needle, 6mm safety eyes, removable stitch marker Note: you can use thicker yarn and
larger hook to make a larger owl, but smaller yarn isn’t recommended for learning new skills.

Skill level required: Advanced beginner (must know ch, sc, dc)

Saturday, July 29, 10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.

Teacher: Kira Dulaney, Fee $45

 

Knitting

English/American-Style Knitting – One 1½-hour class

This is the beginner knitting class for those who prefer to learn the English style of knitting. Learn cast-on, knit, purl, and bind-off. Take as many or as few classes as you need.

Materials: Bring size US 7 or US 8 needles and light-colored, smooth, worsted-weight yarn. All your supplies can be purchased at the shop. 

Skill level: No prior experience required. Children 12 and over are welcome.

Sundays, June 4, 10:30 a.m. - 12 p.m,.or June 18, 10-11:30 a.m.

Saturdays, July 1 or 15, 10-11:30 a.m.

Teacher: Carol Schwamberger, Fee: $22.50/class

 

Skill-Building/Color – One 2-hour class

You know the basic cast-on, knit, purl, and bind-off ... but how do you go from there to becoming an intermediate knitter? These classes help you get there step-by-step, working with books designed for just that purpose. In each class, you will work on a new square or panel with a set pattern that touches on pattern reading and stitch patterns.  As the classes progress, so will your skills. In the end, you will have enough pieces for a nice-size blanket. Take as few or as many classes as you like to build your skills and confidence

Note: Discuss materials with Carol before first class.

Skill level required: Advanced Beginner (must know CO, K, P, BO)

Sundays, June 4 or 18, 12-2 p.m.

Saturdays, July 1 or 15, 12-2 p.m.

Teacher: Carol Schwamberger, Fee: $35/class +$19.95 book

 

Introduction to Brioche Stitch (in the round) – Two 2-hour classes

Brioche stitch creates a soft, squishy, reversible fabric, that’s great for warm clothing! Start your brioche journey with a simple two-color cowl. In the first class you will learn how brioche is constructed, how to work brioche in the round, and how to always know where you are in the pattern. In the second class, you will receive continued support for brioche and will learn to identify and correct mistakes.

Materials: 100 yards each of two contrasting colors of smooth, elastic worsted weight yarn (no dark colors, please!); 24-inch size 9 circular needles;stitch markers.

 Preparation: With MC, cast on 80 stitches, join in the round, and work one round K1 P1 ribbing. It will be tight, but don't worry; things will loosen up after a couple of rounds of brioche. If you prefer, you may start the cowl on 16-inch number 9 needles and work onto the 24-inch needles in the class.
Skill level required: Advanced beginner (must know CO, K, P, BO)

Saturdays, June 3 & 10, 2:30-4:30 p.m.
Teacher: Maggie Jacobs, Fee $ 70

 

Correcting (or Avoiding) Knitting Mistakes  – One 2-hour class 

Take the fear and worry out of knitting with this incredibly useful class. You’ll learn how common mistakes are made as well as how to correct them on the following row, when possible. We’ll also practice picking up dropped stitches (gulp!) and methods for taking out your knitting stitch-by-stitch and many rows at once. 

Materials: 30 yards smooth, easy to see worsted or aran-weight yarn, knitting needles in a size appropriate for your yarn, circular knitting needles size US 0-US 2, crochet hook size G or H, darning needle. 

Skill level required: Advanced Beginner (must know CO, K, P, BO)

Monday, July 10, 6-8 p.m.

Teacher: Kira Dulaney, Fee: $45

 

Introduction to Continental-style Knitting – One 2-hour class

This class is for those who would like to learn to knit Continental style (holding the yarn in the left hand). Whether you are new to knitting or are a seasoned American-style knitter, Continental knitting is a useful skill to have in your toolbox. It is less prone to repetitive stress injuries, makes stranded knitting easier, and many people find it faster than English/American-style knitting. We will focus on the knit and purl stitches in this class since cast-on and bind-off techniques are the same for both styles of knitting. Already took the class?  You're welcome to return for continued instruction and support!

Materials: Light-colored, smooth worsted weight yarn and size 7 or 8 needles

Skill level: No prior experience required

Saturday, June 24, 1-3 p.m.

Teacher Maggie Jacobs, Fee $35

 

Knitted Amigurumi Aliens – One 2-hour class

Amigurumi is the Japanese art of knitting or crocheting small stuffed animals. Learn the basics of amigurumi by making an adorable Mini Alien designed by Barbara Prime. This is a great skill building class for newer knitters to learn how to increase, decrease, make bobbles, and read a pattern, plus you get to have a fun friend to take home! You can choose to knit your alien flat or in the round.

Materials: 10 yards sport or DK weight yarn, US size 2.5 (3mm) knitting needles*, yarn needle, 8mm safety eyes or small buttons, stitch marker if working in the round. Note: you can use thicker yarn and larger needles to make a larger alien, but smaller yarn isn’t recommended for learning new skills.

*You can work the alien flat with any style of knitting needles, or work in the round with double-pointed needles or a long circular needle for magic loop.

Skill level required: Advanced beginner (must know CO, K, P, BO)

Monday, July 17, 6-8 p.m.

Teacher: Kira Dulaney, Fee: $45

 

Intro to Entrelac – One 2-hour class

Come and explore this fascinating knitting technique! Entrelac is a textured diamond pattern that resembles woven strips of fabric, but is knit seamlessly. It’s especially striking in stripes or color-changing yarns. In this class we will make a swatch that could be turned into a headband, bracelet, or narrow scarf (note that front and back of scarf will look different).

Materials: 50 yards smooth worsted or aran weight yarn (okay to bring similar yarn in two colors, or long-stripe variegated yarn), knitting needles in a size appropriate for your yarn, optional: crochet hook for picking up stitches.

Skill level required: Advanced beginner (must know CO, K, P, BO)

Monday, July 24, 6-8 p.m.

Teacher: Kira Dulaney, Fee: $45

 

Moëbius Cowls – One 2-hour class

Learn a fun new technique while knitting a super-fast cowl that makes a great gift! Moebius Cowls are tubes with a twist, and in bulky yarn they knit up quickly. Come learn this fun technique!

Materials: 90–150 yards of bulky yarn (variegated yarns are especially fun), size US 13 or US 15 circular needles 47" long, stitch marker.

Skill level required: Advanced beginner (must know CO, K, P, BO)

Wednesday, July 26, 6-8 p.m.

Teacher: Kira Dulaney, Fee: $45

 

Casting On and Binding Off – One 2-hour class

Many knitters know just one way to cast on and one way to bind off, but there are so many options. In this class you will learn a variety of cast-on and bind-off techniques, including a provisional cast on and a super stretchy bind off. We’ll also talk about when to use each technique to create the best edges for all your projects.

Materials: 30 yards smooth, easy to see worsted or aran weight yarn, knitting needles in a size appropriate for your yarn, crochet hook size G or H, darning needle, scissors.

Skill level required: Advanced beginner (must know CO, K, P, BO)

Monday, July 31, 6-8 p.m.

Teacher: Kira Dulaney, Fee: $45

 

To sign up for these classes, please come into the shop or call us at (510) 595-9595.

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Piedmont Yarn Class Policies

• Students & instructors must be fully vaccinated. Masks are required.

• Please note the skill level required for each class. Keep in mind that project-oriented classes are not intended for beginners. To learn how to knit or crochet, please sign up for a beginning class that does not require previous experience.

• Sign up in advance!  Enrollment is limited

• Class fees must be paid in full at the time of registration.

• Please come to class prepared: purchase all supplies before the start time of the first class. A 10% discount is offered to students purchasing materials for class.

• Cancellations must be made at least three days prior to the start of the class, to receive store credit for the amount paid.

• Classes with fewer than three students enrolled three days before the first class meeting will be cancelled and fees will be refunded.

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