Pillow of the Month Series

It's time to start our Pillow of the Month, a new  technique-based series. It's a fun variation on the block of the month idea but with more variety.

Each month it's a different pattern that helps build skills and let's you experiment with a variety of yarns. At the end you'll have a lovely new pillow or several pillows. We have the first 6 months selected with at least another potential batch of patterns in the wings for the next series. I hyperventilate at the thought of planning a whole year in advance so the other 6 are quietly waiting their turn to debut from Apr-Sep! 

Sign up for the whole series (6 pillows) or just individual classes.*  Price is reasonable: 6 class series $75 (bonus: a 15% discount on your supplies). Or just pick single class for $15 each (Jan Entrelac $20).Call, email, buy online or pop into the shop to sign up for one or all classes.

#1: Honeycomb Mini Pillow

Oct 17th (Sat)  2-4pm

 

The Honeycomb Mini is an easy to follow slip-stitch pattern using two different yarns. It looks impressive and people think you're a genius at blending all those colors! But it's a secret trick: Use a Noro yarn! This sample uses one ball each of Juniper Moon Moonshine and Noro Taiyo. It fits a 12" pillow form (which seems more like a 10" size). You'll learn a provisional cast-on, the pattern stitch, and practice your seaming skills. During the class we'll talk various finishing techniques. If you find you want help with the actual seaming we can tackle it together during a drop-in Sun or Mon session. Enroll here Or call/email us to save a spot for you.

Here's peek at the other 5 classes:

#2 Falling Leaves 

Nov 21  2-4pm

This pillow is a Ladyship Designs pattern. I'm using worsted-weight Berroco Ultra Alpaca. It's larger - more like an 18" size pillow form. Another impressive-yet-easy to follow lace pattern. Technique is straightforward once you set-up stitch markers etc....

#3 Tweedy Cables

Dec 12  2-4pm

December is about easy, chunky and fast cables. This Agnes cushion uses a new yarn called Brisbane. But you can use any chunky yarn. I'm casting on first with Berroco's Inca Tweed....or Ultra Alpaca Chunky.....can't decide. Really craving tweed at the moment though. This is a good way to learn cables. Another knitters trick: People think cables are impressive....but they are one of easiest things to knit! Impress friends and family with your mad knitting skills once you venture into the land of cables. And cables are easy enough for binge watching all those holiday movies on the Hallmark channel!

#4 Noro Entrelac

Jan TBD: mid month probably

 

We'll put our thinking caps on and concentrate next year for this pillow!  This pattern is probably the trickiest in terms of techniques...hence scheduling this in Jan after the busy holiday season. Entrelac is perfect for Noro colorways. This #16 Entrelac pattern calls for Silk Garden but Kureyon or Kureopatora....any worsted-striping yarn works....and makes about an 18" pillow.

#5 Big Intarsia Heart 

Feb

Found this pattern by Satsuma Street Knits on Ravelry and just love it. A perfect intro to intarsia, another slightly tricky technique but with practice not so hard. It's all in how you twist the different yarns in the row. Here we'll play with using bobbins! Yes....more special tools!

6# Aran Sampler  

Mar

In the spirit of all things Irish this month we'll tackle more complicated cables for this Aran-sweater-style Fisherman's Dream pattern. Here we'll work with multiple cable charts, but it's an intuitive pattern that flows once you get going. At end you'll not be intimidated by charts ever again! 

There you have it! A fun series with plenty of variety, new skills and fast, easy to manage projects. I think pillows are my new favorite thing to make!