CLICK HERE for Winter 2010 Classes

CLICK HERE for Winter 2010 Beginner Classes

Join BJ Licko-Keel on Friday, December 11, 2009, 1 to 4 pm to begin your collection of 6 tapestry crochet holiday coasters.  Learn this two color crochet technique that allows you to crochet in reversible color patterns.

Call 219-462-1700 to register.

Still time to get in on some great classes:  Details here: Fall 2009 Classes

Call 219-462-1700 to register
Needle Felted Pumpkin: Saturday, October 17, 1 pm

Fair Isle Scarf: Thursday, October 22, 1 pm

Irish Aran Scarf:  Thursday, October 22, 1 pm

Double Knit Headband: Monday, October 19, 1 pm OR Saturday, October 24, 3 pm

Top Down Zip Cardie: Wednesday, October 28, 7 pm

Maggiknits: Saturday, October 31, 1 pm

Broomstick Crochet Cardigan: Monday, November 2, 7 pm

Felt Clogs & Flip Flops: Tuesday, November 3, 7 pm

Beginner Project: Saturday, November 7, 10:30 am OR Monday, November 9, 7 pm

Spring 2009 News

Classes begin Thursday, September 25

Fashion Show Sunday, November 2

All the details are here: Fall 2008 Classes

Dozens of times over the years people have showed me handknit sweaters purchased in Ireland.  Almost all of those sweaters have looked like the very same sweater:  honeycomb cable up the front and a larger cable framing the honeycomb panel.  I began to fear that the knitters in Ireland had forgotten the richness of their own traditions which included many more stitch patterns and many more ways to arrange those stitches into beautiful sweaters. 

We are so grateful to our good friend and customer Carole, who introduced us to Rosaleen Hegarty.  Rosaleen manages Cranaknits, located in the town of Buncrana, in County Donegal, Republic of Ireland.  She manages a group of cottage knitters who take wool home and knit sweaters.  The knitters bring their work in to Rosaleen’s factory where a group of highly skilled women assemble and finish the sweaters, make corrections as needed, and ready the sweaters for shipment to stores.  Our staffmember, Debbie, has visited there and witnessed these women correcting mistakes on cable panels with incredible speed. 

Rosaleen also had a bag of sweaters with her that proved that Irish knitting has not devolved to one sweater with a honeycomb cable up the front.  Rosaleen’s knitters knit many different styles–most of which are Rosaleen’s original designs.  In fact, the Irish government has hired Rosaleen to teach throughout the country to keep up standards and to encourage innovation within the tradition.  The European Union has also recognized her as a resource on this type of knitting and has hired her to record information that can be archived for future generations. 

 Join us for an evening with Rosaleen on Friday, April 25th, 2008, 6 to 9 pm.  We will do some cable knitting in genuine Irish aran wool.  We will hear some of her remarkable story, and we will get to see that beautiful bag of finished sweaters, some of which will be for sale that evening only.  Cost for the evening will be $25 which will include approximately 2 ounces of Irish wool.  Supplies needed will be size 8 needles, circular or straight.  Call 219-462-1700 to register. 

Maggi Jackson has made a life in designing high fashion knitwear.  She works in the traditional linens and wools of her Irish homeland, but her design style is definitely not traditional.  You are invited to join us for an evening of knitting inspiration and Irish humor. 

Friday, April 4
7:00  pm
Fashion Show
The energy and excitement of a live Maggiknits fashion show will keep you inspired and motivated in your knitting for months to come.  You will be able to try on fashion show garments after the show. 
Fashion Show Fee: $15.00
(may be applied to class fee for Saturday or Sunday)
A drawing will be held for a free class with Maggi

Saturday, April 5
10 am to 4 pm
Beginning with Maggi
Newbies to Maggi’s style of knitting will learn the signature stitches from the master herself.  Your class piece can become décor (pillow top or table runner) or the beginning of a scarf. 
Class Fee: $80 includes lunch
$20 yarn pack fee

Sunday, April 6
10 am to 4 pm
Ireland to Spain
Matadors, flamenco dancers, and rows upon rows of olive trees—Maggie shows how Spanish influences inspired her new stitches. Discover what you can create just by looking around you. Work samples in 2-colored frilled tubes, colored bobbles, twisted split, and picot tubes, then use your pieces in a shawl, pillow, purse, wall hanging, or as attachments to a sweater. Think outside the box!  This class is intended for knitters with previous Maggi knitting experience. 
Class Fee: $80 includes lunch
$20 yarn pack fee
More about Maggi Jackson at
www.maggiknits.com

Thank you Maggie (www.maggiknits.com) for two weekends of inspiring classes. Launch your new Maggie Jackson project in class with Debbie on:

Thursday, May 17, 7 to 9 pm

Saturday, May 19, 10:30 am to 12:30 pm

Thursday, May 24, 7 to 9 pm

The featured design will be La Alhambra wrap from Squares and Frills, Book 11, but you may work on the Maggie design of your choice. Debbie will be teaching Maggie Jackson classes all summer long Thursdays, 7 to 9 pm and Saturdays, 10:30 am to 12:30 pm beginning on Thursday, June 7.