Piedmont Yarn & Apparel

 

CLASSES

We're always working on improving our selection of classes so that they address the needs of our customers. If there is some skill you are interested in mastering, or a particular project-related class you'd like to see, please let us know.

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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

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Kira K Designs Extravaganza – 2-hour classes

Kira is a local knitting and crochet pattern designer and in this class you can make any of her 100+ patterns with personal help at every step of the way! We’ve scheduled the class so that people can make a whole sweater or skirt, but you could also choose to make multiple smaller projects.

Materials: The Kira K Designs pattern(s) of your choice and everything in the materials list for your pattern(s). 

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

Mondays, September 12 & 26, October 10 & 24,

November 7 & 21,, 6-8 p.m.

Teacher: Kira Dulaney, Fee: Fee: $140/4 classes (minimum), $175/5 classes, $210/6 classes (patterns of choice sold separately)

 

Altering Knit and Crochet Patterns for Size, Gauge, and Style – One 2.5-hour class

It can be hard to find just the right knitting or crochet pattern to fit your yarn, body, and fashion sense. We will go through common alterations for size, gauge, and style, and you will start the work of altering a pattern. This class will be useful for anyone who knits or crochets garments or accessories.

Materials: paper, pencil, calculator, pattern(s) that you would like to alter.

Saturday, November 5 2:30-5pm

Teacher: Kira Dulaney, Fee: $44

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Crochet

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Beginning Crochet – Two 2-hour classes

In this introductory class, you’ll learn the basic stitches while crocheting a button-up pouch to hold your phone or other treasures, and also start a simple scarf. We will cover chain stitch, single crochet, half-double crochet, double crochet, and triple crochet.
Materials: 200 yards smooth worsted or aran weight yarn, size G or H

crochet hook, 1 or 2 buttons, darning needle, removable stitch markers and sharp scissors.

Skill level required: No prior experience

Wednesdays,  6-8 p.m. August, 17 & 24, OR September 21 &28 OR

Saturdays, 3-5 p.m. October 22 & 29

Teacher: Kira Dulaney, Fee: $60

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Crocheted Amigurumi Owl

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.

Wednesday, August 31, 6-8 p.m.

Teacher: Kira Dulaney, Fee $35

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Crocheted Hats – Two 2-hour classes

Hats are fast and fun to crochet, and there are endless possibilities. First-time hat makers can crochet a simple hat using Kira’s easy swatch-free formula, or if you want something a little more challenging, choose any of Kira’s crocheted hat patterns. You’ll learn to work in the round, read a pattern, increase, measure gauge, and make a simple flower to decorate your hat!

Materials: For simple spiral hat: 100 grams of worsted or aran yarn and an appropriate hook for that yarn, removable stitch markers, yarn needle.  If you want to make a more complex design, go to www.kirakdesigns.com or our in-store binder and choose any of Kira's crocheted hat patterns, and bring all materials specified. The spiral hat pattern is included in the class.

Skill level required: Beginner (must know chain stitch, single crochet, and double crochet).

Wednesdays, September 7 & 14, 6-8 p.m. OR

Wednesdays, October 12 & 19, 6-8 p.m.

Teacher: Kira Dulaney, Fee: $70

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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, October 5, 6-8 p.m.

Teacher: Kira Dulaney, Fee $35

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Textured Crochet Stitches – One 2-hour Class

Bring dimension & depth to your crochet by manipulating your stitches.

We’ll work on different textured stitch patterns, incorporating crossed stitches, bobbles, and post stitches. You can make swatches, or use them as the beginning of three textured scarves!

Materials: Three balls of easy-to-see yarn (small amounts are fine, or bring full skeins to start scarves), crochet hook in size(s) appropriate for your yarn(s), removable stitch markers.

Skill level required: Advanced beginner (must know chain stitch, single crochet, and double crochet)

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

Teacher: Kira Dulaney, Fee: $35

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Tips and 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.

Wednesday, November 16, 6-8 p.m.

Teacher: Kira Dulaney, Fee $35

 

Knitting

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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.

Saturdays, August 6 & 20, September 10, 10-11:30 a.m.

Teacher: Carol Schwamberger, Fee: $22.50/class

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Skill-Building Squares – 2-hour classes, ongoing

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 a book designed for just that purpose. In each class, you will work on a new square with a set pattern that touches on pattern reading, lace, and cable stitches. As the classes progress, so will your skills. In the end, you will have enough squares 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.

Saturdays, August 6 & 20, 12-2 p.m.

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

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

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Introduction to Continental-style Knitting – One 1½-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.

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

Skill level: No prior experience required

Saturday, September 10, 1-2:30 p.m.

Teacher Maggie Jacobs, Fee $22.50

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Introduction to Brioche Stitch (in the round) – Two 1 ½-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 colors of worsted yarn (wool, wool blend, or any smooth elastic yarn); 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.
Skill level required: Advanced beginner (must know CO, K, P, BO) Saturdays October 8 & 15, 2:30-4 p.m.
Teacher: Maggie Jacobs, Fee $ 52.50

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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)

Wednesday, August 10, 6-8  p.m. OR

Saturday, October 22, 12:30-2:30 p.m.

Teacher: Kira Dulaney, Fee: $35

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Intro to Knitted Cables – One 2-hour class 

Cables are fun to knit and can add texture and detail to any project. Learn how to work cables and traveling stitches both with and without a cable needle, as well as how to read cable stitch patterns and charts. If you’re ready to move beyond simple knit/purl patterns, this is the class for you!

Materials: 80 yards smooth, easy-to-see worsted or aran-weight yarn, knitting needles that are appropriate for your yarn, cable needle (preferably J shaped style).

Wednesday, November 2, 6-8 p.m.

Teacher: Kira Dulaney, Fee: $35

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Knitting with Beads – One 2-hour class

Beads can add incredible texture to your knitting, and there are many different methods to explore. Learn a simple beaded cast-on then four different ways of placing the beads on your knitting (and making sure they show on the correct side). Come explore this fascinating technique and get inspired to add beads to your future projects.

Materials: knitting needles in size 4-6 and $10 materials fee (paid directly to the teacher - kit includes yarn, beads, beading needle, and steel crochet hook).

Saturday, November 5, 12-2 p.m.

Teacher: Kira Dulaney, Fee: $35

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Gauge and Blocking – One 2-hour class 

Checking your gauge is necessary if you want projects to fit, but a lot of people aren't sure if they're doing it right. In this class we'll discuss why gauge is so important, the best way to make a swatch, and the rare times when you can get away with being not quite on gauge. We will also practice measuring gauge on a variety of stitch patterns and go through the process of both wet blocking and steam blocking. This class will be useful for anyone who knits or crochets garments or accessories.

Materials – all optional: Swatches or projects to check gauge, swatches or projects ready to block. If you have them, also bring a small bowl, terry cloth hand towel, blocking surface (blocking mat, blocks, or clean cardboard), blocking pins, steamer or steam iron, measuring tape, blocking wires.

Saturday November 19, 12:30-2:30pm

Teacher: Kira Dulaney, Fee: $35

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Embroidery on Knitted Fabric – One 2-hour class 

Embroidery on Knitted Fabric: Add texture and dimension to your projects with embroidery on top of your knitting. We will cover duplicate stitch, which covers knitted stitches to create a faux colorwork effect, as well as some basic embroidery stitches such as chain stitch, stem stitch, and daisy stitch.

Materials: Blocked 4-6” swatch in stocking stitch, small amounts of yarns in a similar weight as the swatch, darning needle, scissors.

Saturday November 19, 3-5pm

Teacher: Kira Dulaney, Fee: $35

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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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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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