Upcoming Classes @ YarnDurango!

 Please call the shop to reserve your place in a class. 

9 7 0 . 2 5 9 . 9 8 2 7 

If you are not positive you will attend, you may pay for your session the day of the class, all materials purchased for classes are 10% off.

Classes with no attendance may be rescheduled, and if you need a make-up session, PLEASE let the teacher know and arrange to meet up on one of our regularly scheduled UFO Saturdays!

If you are attending at the last minute, please call before showing up to be sure there is a slot open or that the session has not been rescheduled!!!!

We hope to see you learning a new technique at one of our upcoming classes!

Happy Knitting 

~ Brandy @ YarnDurango

Botanica Medallion Cardigan/Shrug

Cost: $40.00 for 2 sessions OR $20 if you can only make one or the other. 

(Scheduled: Aug 1st 5-7pm; 4th 10am-Noon; 15th 5-7pm; 18th 10am-Noon)

This is a fabulous and fun project! This pattern comes to us from Vogue Knitting, and can be purchased and downloaded via their website.

Review and download the pattern - CLICK HERE.  

PLEASE refer to the pattern for your materials list and yardage. 

The first class will focus on the center medallion, and the second class will focus on the outer band and finishing.

Possible Yarn Suggestions: Venezia, Cascade 220SW, Silky Wool, Dream, Ultra Pima, Weekend, Vintage, Bamboo & Pearls, Soya Cotton, Seduce, Comfort, Solstice, Flicker etc.

Design your own Tank Top

Cost: 3 sessions  of  1 hr/2 hrs/2 hrs  - $50 for all three or $20/$25/$25

(Scheduled July 25th 5-7pm & 28th 10am-Noon)

(August 8th 5-7 pm / 11th 10am-Noon /  22nd 6-7pm / 25th 10-11 am)

The aim of this class is to design your own garment using your favorite and best fitting top. Skill level will be for all who can knit, purl and cast on. You can make this as simple or complicated as your personal skill allows! This is a great opportunity to experiment with stitch patterns.

***Students will be required to come to the first session with your gauge sample in the yarn you have chosen. This will be your reference for calculating your top's measurements!!!****

The 1st class will get you started knitting, the 2nd class focuses on armholes, neck shaping and short-row shoulders, and the 3rd class on sewing together, picking up stitches around the armholes, and the neck.

MATERIALS REQUIRED: 

Yarn: summer weight yarn in cotton or bamboo (Misti Cotton, Bamboo & Pearls, Ultra Pima, and more available at the shop!) Come in if you need help with how many yards you'll need, but make SURE to get enough to finish your project.

Needles: Bring one set of needles that matches the band on your yarn and one set that is one size SMALLER.

HOMEWORK: With smaller needles, CO 30 stitches and knit in garter stitch for 1 inch. Change to larger needles and knit in stockinette stitch for a minimum of 3 inches. For a simple top this is enough, however if you desire a stitch pattern, knit it after teh stockinette section for 1-3 repeats. Do not rip out patterns you do not like, as this will be a useful experience and benefit you and the rest of the class.  It is helpful to divide your stitch sample sections with 2 rows of garter stitch. You can get help with pattern repeats in the shop when you choose your yarn! (You can also bring PICTURES of knit garments that have design inspiring elements to them!)

Luminarie (Entrelac) Skirt

Cost: $40.00 for 2 sessions OR $20 per session

(Scheduled:  July 27th  and August 10th 10am-Noon)

This pattern appears in the Interweave Knits Summer 2009 magazine and can be purchased and downloaded via their website (CLICK HERE). This is a good opportunity for intermediate knitters to challenge themselves. You must know how to UN-knit, as mistakes can and do happen!
MATERIALS: Silk, Cotton, Rayon or Bamboo yarn (or a blend!) REFER TO PATTERN FOR YARDAGE REQUIREMENTS! Choose something with a nice drape in a Sport or DK weight. (Interlacements silk or bamboo would be loverly!)

Helpful tip: this skirt grows length-wise on thin ladies and looses length on curvier ladies. Take this into consideration and if you need a longer or shorter garment, make sure to consider that in your yarn yardage. Sample knit in Interlacements yarn with LOTS leftover!)

24" or longer circular needle (lace needles would be helpful!)

Size 9 / I / 5.5 mm Crochet Hook for finishing the bottom edge.

*****PLEASE come in with a gauge swatch knit in stockinette stitch if you need help determining your size!!!*****

Mosaic Knitting - Colorwork/Slip-stitch Scarf

Cost: $20.00 for a 2 hr class

 (Scheduled: August 3rd 10am-Noon / 27th Call for time)

Learn a simpler way of 2-color knitting than fair-isle. This technique uses slipped stitches to achieve a patterning effect. Students must know how to Cast On, Knit and Purl. We will begin making a scarf during this class. Come into the shop of you need help choosing yarn!

Materials: 2 skeins worsted weight yarn - Main color and Contrast color.

(TIP: Wool works best, if you need help with a substitute fiber just ask! It is recommended to use 2 highly contrasting colors. One solid dark color and one self striping or variegated color would be a fun combination!)

Sz 10 needles or size on yarn label

(Yarn Suggestions: Cascade 220, Sprout, Luna, Vintage, Venezia or Lana Bambu would be good options!)

Beaded/Scalloped Summer Purse

Cost: $25 for a 2hr class

(Scheduled August 13th call for time / 17th 10am-Noon)

This class will teach you a lot! You will learn a double-needle cast-on, knitting 

with beads, a bit of lace knitting and how to crochet a seam together.

The finished purse measures about 14x21cm.

Materials: 200 yds of cotton yarn (You may substitute but need a yarn that is firm!)

45 beads that will fit ON your yarn 

(TIP: have a few extra in case you break or lose some! Beads are not available @ the shop, however Beads and Beyond or Cowboy Trading Co. have great selections and are within walking distance!)

1 beading needle or dental floss for stringing

(small beading needles available in the shop!)

(Dig into your needle stash for this baby!) 

Crochet hook

Knitting needles listed on yarn band

Knitting needles one sz smaller than listed

1 dpn in lg size 

2 sz US#7 dpn's for making the i-cord strap

1 sz US#1 for double needle cast on

(TIP: If you choose a yarn that will knit up nicely on a US #7 needle, then you can use a set of DPN's with stoppers on the ends. Then all you need is a set (or a single) US #6 needle and a single US #1 for the rest of your project!)

UFO Saturdays!

Pattern for Knitted UFO HERE

UFO Saturdays 1st and Third Saturday of every month  Noon-4pm

A day of finishing up Un-Finished-Objects  (look for schedule on YarnDurango.com!)

           Anyone is welcome to come and work on a project that needs finishing (or starting!). Also, if you are in need of assistance or guidance for your project, please call before coming in, and we will have someone available to help you get moving again. There is no charge for help, but if we are really busy in the shop there could be a delay, so we like to have an extra hand and individualized attention for those who need help!

Feel free to make every saturday your day for finishing up your knitting, even on unspecified days, you are always welcome to sit and knit!

KAL YARN SUGGESTIONS

For those of you participating in the KAL, here are some suggestions and ideas for yarn choices:

Henrietta Maria

The pattern calls for a yarn that is actually more of a Sport or DK weight. If you are unsure of your yarn choice, please do check your gauge! If you haven't picked a yarn, here are some suggestions that we have in stock:

Any of the Sublime DK's , Debbie Bliss Baby Cashmerino DK, Rowan Pure Life, Pure Merino by Berroco, Venezia Worsted, Silky Wool, Cascade 220 Sport, Frog Tree Alpaca Sport, Solstice by Classic Elite, Epiphany, Heritage Silk, Sterling, Any of the Mirasol yarns, Degrade, Firefly, Soft Linen, Ultra Alpaca, Eco Cloud, Flicker, MiniMochi, Vintage, Vintage DK, Cascade 220 Superwash, BijouSpun Yarns, Intelacements Yarns, Strandavarious yarns, Shaeffer Yarns.

That should be plenty to choose from!

Check out who is knitting Henrietta on Ravelry.com by clicking here!

As for Otto:

You could knit him right to gauge with any DK weight yarn. He is done on DPN's and with a super tight gauge - which is key, because you don't want him bleeding his stuffins out all over!

AND LOOK WHAT I FOUND!!!!! Click HERE for the FREE pattern!

You could knit him a SWEATER!!!!! How stinkin cute is that?! You know you just have to knit this for your kids, or grandkids, or cat, or dog, or baby elephant... Or your desk - Or your car window, or passenger seat, or bike basket - Or little red wagon!

Whatever or whomever you knit him for, he is just TOO cute to pass up!

You could change the yarn selection up EASILY - Like this:

Worsted:

Cascade 220, Vintage, Vintage Chunky, Peruvia, Comfort, Pima Fresca, Caccade Baby Alpaca, or even Plush!

Aran/Chunky:

Eco Wool, Lustra, Venezia Bulky, Mochi Plus, Sprout, handspun alpaca by CoeBear Alpaca Ranch, Puffin, Misti Alpaca, Eco Duo, or double strand any lighter yarn!

Bulky/Super Bulky:

Let's make a big snuggly Otto!

How about Lanaloft bulky, or Brown Sheep Burly Spun, Thick & Quick Merino, Peruvia Quick, Campus, Magnum, or stack the lighter strands up to make your own bulky yarn!

The key is to keep your gauge SUPER TIGHT! And who says he has to be WHITE - He could be any color, make him brown or grey, or russet or fawn - Or make it fun and knit him up in red, orange, green, gold - Otto's fun possibilities are endless!

Check out who made him on Ravelry by clicking here!

KAL DAY!

Saturday July 16th! 

Be there or be knitting a garter stitch square!
Not that there's anything wrong with that!!!

But how's about something cute and wearable or cute and entertaining?!

We are going to gather at the end of customer appreciation week, and Knit Together on our KAL projects! With the sale happening in the store this week, there's no better time to stock up on enough yarn for the Henrietta Maria Cardigan or Otto the Polar Bear! 

Come in and choose your yarn and be ready to Knit Together on Saturday. We'd like it to be a grand old time, so bring a snack or a drink to share, and we will gather out front in our beautiful courtyard garden. 

The afternoon shade is usually loverly, and Saturdays in Durango can't be beat. Come early and get a good parking spot on the street too!!! We open at 10 AM, so feel free to come and go as you please! It will be a casual time of Knittin Around!

The Votes Are in!

First - Thank you to all who voted for our KAL! Now that the people have spoken- I am pleased to announce that we have a tie!

I thought short and soft about it, and decided that two proposed projects could very well have a fight to the death. But what a waste of YARN!

So, why not just do both!?!

     

          Henrietta Maria    

Otto the Polar Bear

The knitting officially starts July 8th, but feel free to start now if you want! We'll kick off the knitting  July 8th and focus on the KAL projects on mondays. We are already getting short on Otto patterns, but have a call in for more - and you can get Henrietta Maria on Ravelry.  

So pick which one you would like to do, choose your yarn, and show up on KnitNight and we'll compare our projects, help each other, give tips to those in need of assistance, and on the night of our unveiling of our finished projects - Perhaps we could have a little shindig and have goodies to celebrate the finish of our KAL.

The runner up was very clearly the Percy Shawl, and boy was I kinda hoping for that one in a way (so I had a reason to knit it too!). So the NEXT KAL for early fall may surely have to be Percy. It was fun to vote, and fun for me to watch the little bars climb higher and higher. Go grab your needles, lug in your knitting bag of yarn, and let's get our Henriettas and Ottos going - I'll be CASTING ON (AGAIN) tonight. And since I actually already am in the Henrietta KAL on Ravelry, my little Otto shall begin!

Can't wait to see you all, either online or in shop!

Happy Knitting!!!

~ Brandy

Cast your vote and Knit ~A~Long with all the Gals @ Yarn Durango

We have decided to introduce a KAL for the summer.

All of the patterns collected are friendly to most knitters, and relatively easy. Also easy to substitute yarns, adjust or alter the pattern, or use an alternate technique (i.e. magic loop) to suit your knitting style as well. Anyone can join, whether in one of the groups that meets locally or across the country, feel free to dive in.

We will post the results here on the blog and in our Ravelry group as well. Have a look, pick your favorite pattern (Use the poll @ the top-left of the blog) and ENJOY! 

All photos and pattens listed are copyright of their respective and original 

owners, and are also linked, so feel free to click!

So let's see what's behind:

Door # 1:

 Corsica Pattern by Berroco

(FREE PDF BOOLKET HERE)

"Corsica is a curve flattering garment that is worked in several directions. The center lace panel rises from the lower hem while the sides are picked up and knit at a perpendicular angle."  ~ Berroco.com

Door # 2:

Lapse Pattern in Berroco's Lustra Booklet #289

(available in the shop, preview HERE)

Lapse is a simple sweater knit in Berroco Lustra.  Pattern is in the Lustra book # 289, so you'll have plenty of lovely patterns to knit after Lapse is finished!

Door # 3:

Henrietta Maria Cardigan - Pattern designer Beth Wolden is also having a Ravelry KAL -

(Download on Ravelry.com)

Henrietta Maria is a simple knit that is highly textured with seed stitch, and embroidered with small flowers. Easy to follow and easy to adjust, it is written in 2 size groups to fit anyone, and any size from xSm to 5x. Pattern designer Beth Wolden is having a KAL on Ravelry.com as well. Take a peek for ideas as to how each knitter is personalizing their own Henrietta!

Door # 4:

Percy Shawl

(Download on Ravelry.com)

Percy is a beautiful shawl that would make a wonderful summer gift! You can download the pattern on Ravelry.com, and it would knit up beautifully in any weight yarn from Lace to Worsted! Maybe an adventurous knitter would like even like to knit it in a Chunky or Aran weight as well!

Door # 5:

Otto the Polar Bear

(available in the shop or on Ravelry)

If you like Elijah the Elephant, you'll LOVE Otto the Polar Bear! Like Elijah, Otto is knit in the round entirely on DPN's and stuffed as you work. What an adorable gift for a Baby or even an Older Child for Christmas, Birthdays, or an Older Sibling Gift!

Join one of our local groups!

We have several groups meeting at the shop throughout the week. If you have been looking for other knitters and fiber enthusiasts to meet, this is the place to do it! Check out the descriptions of our current group meetings and feel free to join us at any time!



Monday KnitNight group 4pm-7pm
Join the YarnDurango group on Ravelry and get a Free Gift in the shop! Just join the group, come in with your Ravelry username, and receive a Free YarnDurango Gift!  

Open knitting! Everyone welcome, feel free to bring a beverage, snack or bottle of wine to share. And be ready to laugh, and loose count, and frog, and knit again! Always a good time, with friendly knitters who love to visit, have Project Show-And-Tell, and help one another out.







Wednesday FLKC group 5:30-8pm

FunLadiesKnittingClub (Join the group on Ravelry!)

Open Knitting! Everyone welcome, bring a snack or beverage to share. Regular knit-a-longs and fun knitting projects. An eclectic group of friendly knitting friends, always have an interesting project to start or share.







Thursday WildWooly Spinners Spinning group  1pm-4pm 

(Join the group on Ravelry!) Open Group! Spinning, Knitting, Lockerhooking - No rules - Really! Not a shy group at all, so get ready to have a good laugh. While most bring their wheels and drop spindles, we have been known to work on anything that suits our fancy. Everyone is welcome to come and work on their spinning or knitting projects anytime.

Find this shirt HERE

Saturdays Mad-Hatters group  Noon - 3 pm 
 (Call the shop or look for schedule on YarnDurango.com!)
(PS- Shirt pictured not affiliated with the group, but why not check out something fun?!)

Knitting newborn hats for Mercy Medical Center's nursery. Simple, easy baby hats work up fast. Mandi will even teach you how to knit them if you promise to donate a hat! Pattern booklet availiable, also if you would be so kind as to donate a hat - or as many as you can knit up! Crochet hats also accepted, but no pattern available YET! Nice and easy-going group, friendly and always helping one another, we have a good relaxing knit-time while we whip up our lovely little hats!
If you are not able to make it to a group session, you can bring your finished baby hats to the shop. PLEASE make sure your hats are machine washable, and measure 6 inches wide and 5 inches tall when laid flat! Otherwise, hats that are not the correct size, the hospital will not accept.  (Whenever hats are either too small or too large, Mandi has to take them out and re-knit them - So sizing them properly makes a huge difference for her as well. She puts so much work into organizing everything for this cause, and delivers every hat by hand, so lets make her work a little easier!)

Pattern for Knitted UFO HERE

UFO Saturdays   2nd and Last saturday of every month  Noon-4pm

A day of finishing up Un-Finished-Objects  (look for schedule on YarnDurango.com!)

           Anyone is welcome to come and work on a project that needs finishing (or starting!). Also, if you are in need of assistance or guidance for your project, please call before coming in, and we will have someone available to help you get moving again. There is no charge for help, but if we are really busy in the shop there could be a delay, so we like to have an extra hand and individualized attention for those who need help! Feel free to make every saturday your day for finishing up your knitting, even on unspecified days, you are always welcome to sit and knit!






Didn't find a group that suits you?! How about coming by and finding a day that your own group of friends can gather at the shop to knit?! We love having groups come and work at the shop, and all are welcome at anytime. Also, now that our beautiful Durango weather is warming up, we can use the courtyard in front of the shop as well! So please, join us in one of our groups or start your own!