First, a HUGE thank you to everyone that traveled great distances to attend our Rhinebeck After Party last year. Why am I thanking everyone, you ask? Because these folks made our first event so incredibly successful (read about it here) that we can now call it an annual event. That’s right. Rhinebeck After Party is back!
RAP (as it got nicknamed last year) is a way to extend all the fun of New York State Sheep and Wool Festival. This festival takes place annually the third weekend in October and it’s a Knitspot favorite. Anne rents a house with friends and she has always been kinda sad to head straight home following the show. She always wanted a couple extra days to hang out, play with her new yarn, and enjoy the Hudson River Valley. Last year she had a brilliant idea – an after party! An event that begins immediately following NYS Sheep and Wool, where people can shop a Bare Naked Wools popup, learn new tricks in Knitspot workshops, and hang out and knit for a few extra days. Last year was such a fun event,
we couldn’t wait to do it again!
This year Anne has come up with a new theme: COLOR. We’ll go around the world in a color knitting exploration. The workshops kick off with a brand new Yarn Voyage and after a Color Immersion adventure. We are so excited about this year’s theme! And for those that missed it last year, or can’t get enough, we are repeating Sweater Fitness. I’ve personally taken this class twice and I know I could use a refresher. If you don’t want a hear a word more, because you’ve been waiting for us to run another event and you can’t wait to get a spot, you may sign up here.
Workshops will run Monday through Wednesday, and the popup store will be open to the public Sunday (2 -8 pm) and Monday and Tuesday (7 – 9 pm). On Tuesday we’ll also have a Knit Nite – social knit with the knitspot team and friends with a grazing bar of finger foods and drinks; test your luck at a few door prizes. This event is FREE for workshop participants/$15 tickets sold at the door for non-participants. Everything conveniently takes place at the Kingston Courtyard by Marriott (call hotel (845.382.2300) directly for room reservations and ask for group rate KNITSPOT).
Without further ado, I give you the workshop lineup for 2014…
Yarn Voyage II: Color Territory (3 hrs)
Yarn voyage for color knitting and design: Are your attempts at color knitting foiled by sloppy looking results, fabrics that appear lifeless, and/or stitches that gape and won’t lie straight? Do you find your attempts at substituting colors or creating your own combinations disappointing? It might not be you—it could be your yarn. Learn how choosing the right yarn will help you achieve a smooth and cohesive surface as well as a beautifully orchestrated palette in your color knitting projects. Our voyage into color knitting territory is much more than a discussion about yarn weight. It’s an explorative class for knitters and handspinners of all levels, covering the specific characteristics of yarn that influence the outcome of color knitted fabric. Included will be a short history of color work in knitting, how it was disseminated around the world, how various cultures influenced its development, and the evolution in turn of its separate ethnic identities. Participants will learn how yarn type relates to the fabric surface, texture, weight, and elasticity, and how to use that information to make better choices and/or substitutions in their projects. Students will test Bare Naked Wools of various fibers and twist ratios to make comparisons and learn to assess final fabrics. Even the most experienced knitters and spinners will go away with new insight on the fibers and yarns they thought they knew. Students should have intermediate knitting skills with the ability to execute simple patterned motifs from written or charted instructions.
A Survey of Color Knitting Technique (3 hrs)
Let’s tackle something new together and take the fear out of color knitting! This class is an exploration of color knitting techniques including mosaic, intarsia, stranded colorwork, and slip stitch. We will start with intarsia, experiment a bit, and move on to slip stitches and mosaic using two colors at a time. Finally, we’ll move into stranded color knitting, where both two-handed and one-handed techniques will be covered. Students should have intermediate knitting skills with the ability to execute simple patterned motifs from written or charted instructions.
Color Project Immersion (6 hrs) and project kit
Using the information and skills attained during the previous day’s classes, we’ll get a beautiful color knitting project on the needles in your choice of style—mosaic or stranded. Participants will work on a brand spanking new Knitspot color project with Bare Naked Wools in a relaxed, semi-social setting with the instructor. You’ll start the day by finalizing your color palette, after which we will cast on together. Instruction on creating an optional cashmere lining for the project will be included. After this everyone will work at their own pace alone, in pairs, or in small groups to share experiences and maximize the fun. Anne will circulate to demonstrate and instruct as needed, with some group discussion at various points. The second half of the day will be a continuation of the work begun in the morning, as well as further instruction on the lining and some finishing and blocking tips to close the session. This is a day to totally immerse yourself in getting the jump on a new and possibly challenging project within a supported atmosphere; the emphasis will be on taking the time to be a learner and enjoy it.
Sweater Fitness (6 hrs)
Get into your best shape EVER! Participants will complete a thorough set of body measurements and discuss how to use them to choose and use a Knitspot sweater pattern in an appropriate size. Students may knit gauge swatches during the workshop. Other topics of discussion will include swatching, yarn choices, pattern reading and terminology, types and uses of shaping techniques (increasing and decreasing), tips and tricks for successful navigation through a sweater project.
Students must have a complete understanding of increasing/decreasing, have completed a project that requires shaping (sweater, mittens, etc), and have an intermediate level of knitting skill and pattern reading (understanding of intermediate knitting terminology is expected).
Color Project KAL with Knitspot (2 hrs)
Have you ever wanted a couple more hours with an instructor after an all-day class? Have you ever had just a few more questions but the class was over? Or maybe after you’re a couple inches into the project and you wish the instructor was in your living room just in case you had an issue? If you can answer yes to any of these questions, this informal Knitspot-assisted KAL is for you! Bring your started accessory from the Color Project Immersion Class to the hotel lobby, get comfy, and knit in a relaxed environment with your classmates as Knitspot floats around to help. Or, start a new color knitting project, such as Apples in Clover, with Anne sitting next to you!
For dates, times, prices and online registration, click here. Space is very limited, so seats will go fast.
5 thoughts on “Rhinebeck After Party 2014”
It sounds like so much fun!
Last year was so fun, I can not wait until this year’s RAP. I am so psyched about the Yarn Voyage 2 as Yarn Voyage 1 was amazingly helpful. My knitting has improved leaps and bounds with better understanding of my materials and making better choices.
Wouldn’t miss this for the world! I was getting worried that it wasn’t going to happen… so excited about the new classes! Spending time with everyone after the festival has wound down is simply the best!
I just can’t wait. the new classes sound perfect. I loved every minute of last year and know this year will be even better.
To say that I am jealous of this party would be the understatement of the year!! I so wish I was able to fly across the Pond, go to Rhinebeck and then have fun with you all afterwards. Don’t suppose you could write a note to my head teacher to excuse me from school for a week could you?!
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