The following are classes we offer at Everything Alpaca. We send an e-mail every month or so announcing classes, and you can find a more indepth description and information here. To sign up for classes, you have options:
1. call the store at 303-660-6684 – if we don’t answer, leave a message with your name and phone number and class you ar interested in. We will call you back as soon as we can.
2. e-mail us at [email protected].
3. Coming Soon – Select to our SHOP tab at the top of the page and then select classes. You can pay for the class through the website.
If you see a class you are intersted in but we don’t have it scheduled, give us a call at 303-660-6684 so we can set up.
Neon Rectangle Scarf
Cost: $40 plus cost of yarn at 10% discount.
Learn to use German short rows to make this beautiful masterpiece. Pattern by Art Yarns and purchase of 2 skeins of Art Yarns Merino Cloud or similar Art Yarns yarn required to obtain this exclusive pattern. We do offer 10% off yarn and supplies for our classes. Despite the complex look of this scarf, it is a relatively easy pattern and fairly quick knit.
Prerequisite: Advanced beginnner knitter – need to be comfortable with knit and purl stitches and some pattern reading ability. You will learn to read a more complex pattern and knitting charts with this class. You will become an expert in German Short Rows as there are a lot of them in this project.
Beginning Knitting
Note that there are 2 methods taught, depending on instructor. Deb teaches American, or English, or throwing method (holding yarn in the right hand). Jonna teaches continental, German or picking method (holding yarn in the left hand). Both methods are very acceptible ways to learn to knit, so if you don’t know which method you want to learn, just pick the class and date that works with your schedule.
Cost: $60.00
This class is a 2-part class covering about 5 hours. Part 1 is 3 hours and part 2, usually a week later, is 2 hours. We allow a week between so you can practice your stitches. You will learn how to cast on, knit, purl, cast off and follow a pattern as you work on a diagonal stitch scarf utilizing knit and purl stitches. The cost of the class includes practice yarn, a set of knitting needles, the pattern, 5 hours of instruction, and project yarn.
beginning Crochet
Cost $60. Price includes crochet hook, yarn, 3 hours of instruction
Learn the basics of crochet. Chain, single, double, half double, treble and V stitches. Learn to count your crochet stitches so you don’t end up with a wandering edge on flat pieces. Learn magic loop and how to crochet in the round. Class projects may be pot holders or washcloths for flat work and coasters or trivets for round work.
Brioche Intensive
Cost: $90 for 5 lessons plus cost of yarn to do project at 10% discount. Practice yarn and Fresh Knitting Brioche book by Nancy Marchant ($25.00 value) included in class cost.
What to bring: Size 7 or 8 needles to work on worsted weight yarn, stitch markers, translucent tape for charts or whatever system you use to keep track of where you are in a patterns, yarn needle. Any supplies you need to purchase at the store will be 10% off on class days.
What is brioche? It is a form of double knitting that creates a lovely knitted fabric that lays flat. It can be done with one color or two colors, straight rib type knit or patterned knit as shown in the picture on the left. We will meet once a week for first 3 weeks, then 2 weeks later and final class to be determined by the group.
Part 1- Intro to brioche. Knit single color, flat and in the round. Learn to correct mistakes on simple brioche stitches.
Part 2 – (next week) 2-color brioche, flat and in the round. Continue to learn how to fix mitakes, dropped stitches, etc. Learn Italian cast-on.
Part 3 – (next week) 2-color patterned brioche, flat and in the round. Learn Italian bindoff.
Part 4 – (2 weeks after part 3) start chosen project which will be a cowl or scarf.
Part 5 – Brioche graduation and show and tell – date will be determined by the class
Prerequisite: intermediate knitter. Must be very comfortable with knit and purl stitches, how to fix simple mistakes in stockinette stitch knitting, knitting in the round.
Toe Up, 2-at-a-time Socks
Cost: $50 plus sock yarn purchased at Everything Alpaca at 10% discount.
Must be an advanced beginner, comfortable with knit and purl stitches.
Bring your own 40″ US size 3 and 4 circular needles.
In this class learn to make 2 socks at the same time, sovling the issue with the one knitted sock syndrome, i.e. lacking motivation to do the same sock twice. This techinque also lets you knit socks to the length you desire based on how much yarn you have left after knitting the heel. If you knit with gradient sock blanks, which we have in store, you will have a matching set of gradient socks utilizing this technique.
Knitted Fingerless Mitts
Cost: $50 plus yarn purchased at the store, 10% discount This is a 3-hr class for advanced beginner knitters, i.e. you must be comfortable with knitting and purling.
Highlights: working in the round on double points, thumb gusset, stretchy cast-on and bind-off, twisted rib
Jonna will get you going on a pair of fingerless mitts utilizing the techniques listed above.
DK weight yarn is used, so please bring double point needles US size 4, 5 and 6 – or you can use Addi FlexiFlips. If you don’t have these, we have them for sale and they will be 10% off to students day of class.
Lace Academy
COST: $150 due at start of class. Includes Building with Lace booklet ($20 value). Yarn to be purchased at Everything Alpaca at 10% discount. Fingering to DK weight yarn.
Bring your own (if you don’t have, we have for sale at 10% off to students on class days)
- US size 6 24″ circular needles and a second size 6 or smaller with end protectors to use when learning 1 of 3 provisional cast-ons that will be taught.
- about a dozen removable (safety pin style, for example) stitch markers
- smooth small diameter waste yarn for 2 of the provisional cast-ons taught and to use as life lines (2 to 3 yards)
- row counter
- tapestry needle
- cable needle
- fix-it tool Crohet hook and beads will be needed later in the course, but hold off on buying these
- until we discuss the exact requirements.
Learn multiple lace techniques, a little lace knitting history, how to read a lace chart, 3 different provisional cast-ons, how to add beads to your knitting, and many other things that pertain to lace and also cross over to enhance other techniques of your knitting skills.
This is an almost year-long learning experience as we meet once a month in the evening after store hours for uninterupted learning, usually 5:30 – 7:00 but some nights may run a bit later due to the specific content being taught. Knit Purl Hunter’s “Building with Lace” booklet will be our guide, and we will add other tricks and techniques not covered in her book. The project is the lovely lace sampler shawl pictured to the left.
Portuguese Knitting
Cost: $60, includes Portuguese knitting pin, yarn
Bring your own circular needles for worsted weight yarn (US 7-9 and 16″ cable)
Learn this anchient knitting technique of placing the yarn behind your neck or through a pin on your shoulder and flick the yarn with your thumb to create stitches. This technique is used a lot in South America to make all the delightful colorful items since this is a fabulous technique for colorwork. Tension is controlled by where you hold your project in front of you, not through your fingers. This can be a great technique for people with arthritic hands and other hand dexterity issues.
Dotty Cowl - 2-color crochet
Cost: $25 plus cost of 2 skeins of fingering yarn purchased at the store, 10% discount. Cost includes 2 hours of instruction and pattern ($6 value).
Photo courtesy of Malabrigo Yarn.
Learn this beautiful crochet technique to create this double sided, reversible cowl. The sample we have in the store always gets oohs and aahs for its beautiful stitch pattern and contrasting colors. This is a Malabrigo pattern designed for Malabrigo sock yarn, and we have lots of choices in the store.
Building Blocks Academy
Cost: $100 plus cost of yarn purchased at Everything Alpaca to do project at 10% discount – cost includes Building Blocks book ($20 value)
Are you a knitter who knows the basic but have not ventured into more complex stitches or more complex techniques? You don’t feel confident with or are confined by your knitting skills? Your mantra is “I want to be a better knitter”? In this academy, you will learn how to reach charts, knit yarnovers and bobbles, increases and decreases, cables, right and left twists, slip stitches, make one stitches, finishing techniques (i.e. blocking, sewing seams, weaving in ends) and other tips and tricks. At the end of the academy, you will have a beautiful knitted sample baby blanket or lap afghan. And you will have much more confidence in your knitting skills to tackle even more comlex projects. You will receive Michelle Hunter’s Building Blocks book with your class fee which will be the basis for this class.
This academy meets every other week after store hours (5:30-7:30) for 13 weeks at the store. This gives you 2 weeks to complete each of the 12 blocks that measure approximately 12″ x 12″. The first week, we will pick out your yarn colors, get introduced to the book and start block 1. Week 13 will be finishing up and learning to connect your blocks. The last week will be graduation and show and tell.
BEGINNING WEAVING ON A RIGID HEDDLE LOOM
Mug Rugs - one-day class
Scarf or Tea Towls - 2-day class
MUG RUG CLASS
In this one-day class, you will make 4 mug rugs using a basic weave. You will learn some basic terminology, parts of the loom, and select fun colors of cotton yarn for your project. You will learn how to calculate your warp and weft requirements (it’s basic math-not scary at all). The continuous warp technique will be used to dress the loom. Hemstrich will be used to finish the edges once removed from teh loom.
SUPPLIES:
- Loom (if you have one) – if not, wee below for purchase or rental info
- One boat shuttle and bobbins for the shuttle (comes with the loom if purchased or rented)
PLEASE BRING:
- Tape measure
- Scissors
- Pen/Pencil
- Darning Needle
1. If you have your own loom, $100 plus yarn purchased at Everything Alpaca, 10% discount
2. BEST VALUE – Purchase a 15″ Cricket loom with your class and save $84! Cost for loom and class is $275 (Value $359). Kit includes 2 skeins of contrasting color yarn. If you prefer, you can purchase different yarn for the class at the store at a 10% discount.
3. Rent a loom for the class for $20. Class cost is $100 plus yarn at 10% discount. If you decide to buy the loom the same day as class, you will receive a 10% discount.
SCARF CLASS 2-DAY
If you are new to weavign or wish to sharpen your skills on a rigid heddle loom, this class if for you! Day 1 we will cover basic terminology, parts of the loom, how to select an awesome yarn for your scarf (and personalityt) and calculate your warp and weft requirements (it’s basic math-not scary at all!). We will use continuous warp technique to dress the loomand focus on a basic weave. You will have a week between classes to take your project home and weave away.
Day 2 of class we will work on removing your project from teh loom and finishing the ends.
SUPPLIES:
- Loom (if you have one) – it not, see below for purchase or rental options
- One boat shuttle and bobbins for the shuttle (comes with loom if purchasing or renting)
PLEASE BRING:
- Tape measure
- Scissors
- Pen/Pencil
- Darning needle (available for purchase at the store if necessary)
COST OPTIONS:
1. If you have your own loom, class cost is $130 plus yarn purchased at Everything Alpaca (10% discount in store)
2. BEST VALUE – Purchase a 15″ Cricket loom with your class and save $84. Cost for loom and class is $305 (Value $389). Loom kit includes 2 skeins of contrasting color yarn. If you prefer, you can purchase diferent yarn for the class at the store at a 10% discount.
3. Rent a loom for the class for $20. Class cost is $130 plus yarn purchased at the store, 10% discount. If you decide to buy a 15″ cricet loom the same day of class, you will receive a 10% discount.
Class minimum 2, maximum 4
NEEDLE FELTING
COST: $30 plus cost of supplies (needle felting kit and roving-all at 10% discount day of class)
2-hour class