Weekend Workshops with
Beth Brown-Reinsel

October 31 – November 2, 2008
Evanston Ecology Center, Evanston, IL

>>>  REGISTRATION FORM ONLINE
Registration is open to everyone. Members receive discount.

Beth Brown-Reinsel has been involved in many facets of the fiber arts as a spinner, basket weaver, dyer, knitter, former yarn shop owner, author, and knitwear designer, but teaching is her passion -- specifically, historic knitting. She loves being with knitters--creative, involved, alive people who know the joy of learning and creating with their hands. Beth has worked in production as well as in creating and teaching courses and workshops both locally and nationally. She developed and implemented the correspondence course Traditional Ganseys for The Knitting Guild of America for 11 years, as well as owning Knitting Traditions, a mail order business of imported traditional yarns, for seven years. Beth authored the book Knitting Ganseys, published by Interweave Press. Her articles and designs have been featured in magazines such as Knitters, Interweave Knits, Vogue Knitting, Threads, Cast-On and Shuttle, Spindle and Dyepot. Check out her website: www.knittingtraditions.com

Registrations for workshops will be accepted on a first-paid basis. When a class is filled to capacity, we will start a waiting list. If you are wait-listed for a class, we will return your check to you and ask you to send a new check if a space opens up in the class. There will be no refunds unless we can fill your place from the waiting list.

Workshop Info

Class #1: Lecture and Slide Show: Estonian Culture and Knitting (lecture)
Friday, October 31, 2008, 6:30 P.M. – 8:30 P.M. (Evanston Ecology Center) 
1 to 2 hours.   $25 WCKG Members / $30 Non-Members
Skill level: All. Class Size: 35 students.

Estonian culture is very rich, as is its knitting. Slides taken during my month-long stay in 2005 will cover old styles of homes and fences, the women and the knitting on the island of Kihnu, and garments in the National museum. In addition, my mittens, gloves, and socks that I bought in Estonia will be on display for closer examination.

Class #2: Aran Cardigans From the Top Down
Saturday, November 1, 2008, 9:00 A.M. – 4:30 P.M. (Evanston Ecology Center) 
6 hours.  $90 WCKG Members / $95 Non-Members
Skill level: Intermediate. Size: 20 students.      

This unusual type of Aran construction is controversial as to its historic authenticity. Nevertheless, it is a fascinating concept, which results in a stunning garment that is fun to knit. While knitting a small sampler sweater from the neck down, traditional pattern motifs will be worked, including bobbles, traveling stitches, knit/purl motifs, baby cables, background stitches, and more! The neckline studied will be shaped for a comfortable fit by utilizing increases and casting on extra stitches.

Class #3: An Introduction to Twined Knitting
Sunday, November 2, 2008, 9:00 A.M. to 12:00 NOON   (Evanston Ecology Center) 
3 hours.    $50 WCKG Members / $55 Non-Members
(registration includes $10 materials fee)
Skill level: Intermediate. Class size: 20 students.

Must be comfortable with double pointed needles or working with two circulars. Ability to knit English style (yarn held in the right hand) is very helpful, but not required.

Curious about the 400 year-old Swedish technique of Twined Knitting? In this three hour class, knit one of a pair of wristers while learning a traditional cast-on, twined knitting, twined purling, and patterning (the "O" stitch, the Crook stitch).

Class #4: Swedish Cast-Ons and Knitting Technique
Sunday, November 2, 2008, 1:30 P.M. to 4:30 P.M.  (Evanston Ecology Center) 
3 hours.    $50 WCKG Members / $55 Non-Members
Skill level: ALL. Class size: 20 students.

Five cast-ons from Sweden will be taught in this hands-on class. They are all one-needle cast-on methods, and can be adapted for one or two color edges for sweaters, mittens, socks, and hats. In addition, the Continental method of knitting, purling, and weaving will be taught as well as the Scandinavian technique of working with two yarns in the left hand (knitting, purling, and weaving). Small sample swatches will be made using all of the techniques learned in class.