Class Details

It’s time for the fourth annual Knit Camp at The Coast Retreat – September 14th – 16th, 2023.

You’ll find class details (including supplies, homework and/or preparation tips) below. Your class handouts and schedule/itinerary will be available through your Retreat Dashboard, which will open on Monday, September 11th.

Thursday - Pool Party (Keith Leonard)

  • Class Description:

    Color pooling is SOO MUCH FUN! In this class we will learn both assigned and planned pooling. Pooling is when the colors in the skein of yarn stay together throughout the knitting process. It’s fun, easy, and addictive. Watch your hand-dyed yarns come alive in a whole new way!

    Materials:
    – 24″ US #7 or #8 circular needle
    – 24” US #5 knitting needle
    – 1 skein Yarn Snob “A Wondrous Worsted” color Cabana Boy (included in VIP Swag Box)
    – 1 mini hank Yarn Snob “A Good Fingering” color Ocean Waves (included in VIP Swag Box)

    Homework:
    Please have your yarn wound before class

Friday - Crossing the Finish Line (Marie Greene)

Class Description:

If “almost finished” projects are languishing in your basket, this class will help you Cross the Finish Line! We’ll talk about the most common reasons knitters don’t fully finish their projects, and how to get unstuck. Marie will share expert tips for necklines, hems, and button bands, AND how to get over those blocking hurdles for good. Add a new set of tools to your knitting toolbox, whether you’re a sweater knitter, sock knitter or shawl knitter – there’s something for everyone in this handy workshop!

Materials:

This class does not require materials, but it never hurts to have your knitting notions and scrap yarn handy.

Homework: There is no homework required for this class.

Friday - Knit it Your Way (Sarah Keller)

Class Description:

In this class, Sarah will guide you through everything you need to know to successfully take a basic pattern and make it your own! Using pattern templates for a basic hat and cowl, we’ll talk about gauge, different stitch patterns, substituting stitch patterns, and charting your own designs. You’ll come away with the confidence to take a pattern and Make It Your Own! The class will include a handout with the pattern for your hat and cowl, as well as several different stitch pattern options, and references for how to find stitch pattern resources.

Hat Materials:
– Approximately 85 (100, 120, 140) yards worsted weight yarn 16″ circular needles size US 6 and 8 (4.0 and 5.0mm) 2nd circular OR double-pointed needles size US 8 (5.0mm)
– SIZES 1 (2, 3, 4) to fit: 6-18 months (2-6 years, adult small, adult large) finished circumference, unstretched 15 (18, 21, 23)”
– GAUGE 16 sts x 24 rows = 4″ in Stockinette stitch in the round

Cowl Materials:
– Approximately 180 (400) yards worsted weight yarn 16 (24″) circular needles size 
– US 7 and 8 (4.5 and 5.0mm) GAUGE 16 sts x 24 rows = 4″ in Stockinette stitch in the round
– SIZES Short (Long) 7″ high x 22 (48)” circumference

Homework: There is no homework for this class.

Friday - Be a Bead Boss (Kyle Kunnecke)

Class Description: Tiny and mighty, the elusive seed bead can be easily trained to stand, lay down, and even play hide-and-seek in knitted fabric. In this workshop we will explore different ways beads can be added to knitting, and discover how to get the beads to stay where we want them once the project is completed. At the end of our adventure, you will have the knowledge, skills, and resources to successfully incorporate beads into your projects.

Supply List: 
– Fingering weight yarn, light in color and smooth – preferably a wool or protein-based fiber (a partial hank is fine) wound and ready to use
– ​At least 25 grams of Size 6/0 beads (included in VIP Swag Box) – please check to make sure the yarn will pass through the beads. Download Kyle’s bead resource list here.
– Dental floss threader
– Size .75mm crochet hook
– US 3 (3.25mm) circular needle (or size necessary to knit a nice fabric with your selected yarn)
– Scissors
– Small flat bottom, lidded container to hold beads
– Sheet of felt to keep beads from rolling away

Homework:
Be sure to gather the needed supplies before we meet, and have your yarn wound and ready to use. When you join this workshop, be sure to find a seat at a sturdy table with good lighting.

Saturday - Believe You Can Weave (Shannon Squire)

Class Description: Learn to use a versatile and very portable little loom to make bookmarks, bracelets, and anything else your crafty brain can think up! The workshop will go over warping, weaving, taking your piece off of the loom, and best practices for weaving on a little loom.

Supply List:
– Bookmark loom kit, which includes loom, wooden weaving needles, wooden combs (included in VIP Swag Box)
– Tapestry needle
– Fingering-weight yarn. Scraps totally work, a wool/nylon blend or cotton yarn is recommended to start (wool is much easier to use for beginners). Make sure it’s multi-ply, and yarns with nylon will be easier to use. Sock yarn leftovers are perfect, as are mini skeins! You only need 5 or 6 grams to make a bookmark.
– Scissors

Homework: Please have your yarn wound before class.

Saturday - Over It! (Christine Long-Derks)

Class Description: Do you have a few skeins in your stash that are no longer bringing you joy when you see them? Let’s change that skein from hideous to happy!

Supply List: 
– Skein (or multiple skeins) of animal based fiber: wool, alpaca, silk, mohair, etc. 
– Cotton or scrap yarn for additional yarn ties
– Food coloring gels (pick one of suggested or something similar) Note: The black and white are very helpful as you can create wide ranges of hues but are not absolutely necessary.
– White vinegar – approx. 1-2 cups per skein
– Large bowl or small bucket (large enough to fully submerge skein(s) of yarn to soak)
– Disposable gloves (2 pair) or reusable rubber type gloves
– Plastic Wrap , multiple mugs or cups (to mix dyes), spoons, fork, microwave-safe dish
– Clean, unused sponge cut into 2-4 pieces (this will depend on how many colors you use)
– Microwave (if no microwave, a crockpot can be used)
– Yarn Soak, Wool Wash or Hair Conditioner

Homework:
– Animal-based yarn from your stash (lighter colors are better, if possible) – needs to be in skein form

Saturday - Crimes Against Knitting (Marie Greene)

Class Description: Put on your detective hat and let’s unravel the mysteries of when knitting goes wrong – AND what to do about it. We’ll learn how to fix moth holes, survive a yarn chicken loss, deal with dye lot issues and MORE! If you love having ALL the cool tricks in your knitting toolbox, you will love this workshop! 

Supply List:

  • An old swatch in stockinette stitch
  • An additional homework swatch (DK weight), knit according to the instructions below.
  • Scissors
  • Tapestry needle
  • Spare yarn (same weight as your swatch, but doesn’t need to be the same color or type)
  • Needles appropriate for the yarn used in your swatches

Homework: In addition to the stockinette swatch, knit a second swatch as follows:

With US 6 or 7 needles and DK or light worsted weight yarn (any regular yarn should be fine, but avoid boucle or heavily variegated yarns, which can make it difficult to differentiate your stitches), cast on 30 stitches using your preferred method. 

RS: [K2, p2] repeat between brackets to last 2 stitches, k2.

WS: [P2, k2] repeat between brackets to last 2 stitches, p2.

Repeat these two rows until ribbing measures 2 inches (5 cm). Then work 3 in (7.75 cm) in stockinette stitch (knitting on the right side, purling on the wrong side).

Bind off in pattern. Block your swatch before class, if you like (but it’s not essential).