Rhinebeck After Party

Last month, the Bare Naked Wools pop up store at Squam really got Anne and I excited about doing our own knitspot event. Oh! You hadn’t heard about that on ravelry? In case you haven’t, knitspot will have its FIRST event in the days after New York Sheep and Wool Festival!

Anne will teach daily workshops and Bare Naked Wools will be available in the pop up store! All the workshops are available a la carte. You can choose one or two or sign up for the whole kit and caboodle. If you just want to shop the store and hang out in the evening with knitspotters, you can do that too! Before I get all super dooper wordy excited about this event, I think I’ll just post Anne’s announcement. She said it best.

here’s an idea: how about a rhinebeck after party??

personally, i’ve always been kinda sad to head home after rhinebeck; wishing secretly that kim, beckie, and i could stay a couple of extra days to hang out, play with our yarn, and enjoy a little more of the surrounding area (think: wineries, art studios, delectable food choices). and if i feel that way, then some of you are going to feel the same, especially the west-coasters who are coming out for their first RB experience—a weekend is not enough!

we also heard that many of our dear knitspot friends would love to get together for some workshops, so an idea began to germinate—what IF we put together a groovy RB after party, with the opportunity for participants to learn some new tricks, shop in a bare naked wools pop-up store (clothing is of course optional, haha), see and taste the best that the hudson valley has to offer, and spend time getting down with our peeps—how cool would that be??

so erica has been hard at work, figuring out the logistics and we’re ready now to present you

Rhinebeck After Party, an a la carte knitspot event

October 20 – 23, 2013
Kingston Courtyard by Marriott
500 Frank Sottile Blvd
Kingston, NY 12401

you can choose a menu of workshops, plan excursions (hey, take the train to NYC for a day if you like!), hang out and socialize in the evenings, and shop our little BNWs marketplace. take a taste or sign up for the whole kit and caboodle. and feel free to simply stay on to knit and socialize; we’ve secured a great hotel rate for our gang. we’re excited to hang out with our nation; let the good times roll!

SUNDAY October 20
BNWs marketplace open to public 5 – 9 pm
general socializing in the lobby

MONDAY October 21
Yarn Voyage 9 am – 12 pm
Ever wonder why, when you achieved exact gauge, your finished object looks nothing like the original in a different yarn? Much more than a discussion about yarn weights, this explorative workshop for knitters and handspinners of all levels covers myriad yarn characteristics and their effect on knitted fabric. Participants will learn how yarn type relates to gauge, needle size, texture, and fabric integrity, and how to use that information to make better choices and/or substitutions in their projects. Students will test Bare Naked Woolsof 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 ability to execute simple patterned motifs from written or charted instructions.
Materials: a book of stitch patterns with a few simple ones marked for possible use in class, a variety of needles, sizes 3US to 9US (3.25 mm to 5.5 mm).

$105 (includes BNWs course materials)

Afternoon Free Time of Your Choice 12 – 4 pm
explore woodstock, have lunch at the CIA, knit and socialize with knitspotters, or spend some quiet time on your own

Blocking 4 pm – 7 pm
An in-depth foray into wet and steam blocking using various blocking tools and pattern schematics; participants will do some hands on work. Focus will be on working with wool, but other fibers will be discussed. Other topics of discussion: choosing a blocking method, choosing tools, why blocking is important, blocking and fiber, effects of blocking on a finished piece.
Materials: Students will need a notepad, measuring tools and one or two small finished objects (a sweater piece, scarf, mitts, neckwarmer, swatch, etc) and pattern schematic if applicable, if they wish to participate.
Students are also encouraged to bring the materials listed below if they own them already and are driving in; this will ensure that they can block their own item and make more tools available for all members of the workshop. However, there is no need to purchase tools just for this event.

steam iron, towels (1-2 large, 2-3 hand size), pins, blocking squares or board, blocking wires (if possible), ruler, spray bottle.

$90

BNWs marketplace open to public 7- 8:30 pm

TUESDAY October 22
Sweater Fitness 9 am – 12 pm AND 4 – 7 pm
An intermediate workshop in the important basics of sweater fit and construction. 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 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).
The emphasis of this workshop is on preparation and execution for a well-fitting sweater; seaming and finishing will not be covered.

Materials: a soft measuring tape, notepad, 50-100 yards of project yarn, sweater pattern, and a variety of needles for swatching. Students should dress in a form-fitting top (baggy clothing will not be appropriate for obtaining accurate measurements).
Note: Students must bring only knitspot sweater patterns to work with in class.

$180

Afternoon Free Time of Your Choice 12 – 4 pm
explore woodstock, have lunch at the CIA, knit and socialize with knitspotters, or spend some quiet time on your own

BNWs marketplace open to public 7- 8:30 pm

Knit Nite 8:30 – ??
FREE for workshop participants/$15 tickets sold at the door for non-participants
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
kimkimkim will entertain us with songs (just kidding)

WEDNESDAY October 23
Finishing: Joining and Trims 9 am – 12 pm
This workshop provides the knitter with discussion and demonstration of various tools and techniques for finishing projects with polished, professional results; focus is on finishing seamed garments.
Joining: covers myriad aspects of seaming, grafting, and finished openings, as well as planning the right methods for individual projects.
Embellishments: discusses add-ons such as buttonholes and bands, buttons, pockets, and edgings for knitted garments as well as picking up stitches.

Materials: current finishing projects or swatches (see list below), blocking tools (see list below), tapestry needles, a variety of knitting needles to practice techniques, 100 yards of practice yarn, spare project yarn if using actual project pieces in workshop, and pattern documentation/schematic for project if applicable.

Homework: students should bring a current finishing/seaming project such as sweater pieces, mitts, scarf, or neckwarmer to seam during workshop; please include pattern schematic. Please block most sweater pieces in advance; the more variety in accessory pieces, the better. If no project is ready for finishing, participants should prepare 4 swatches that are 3-4 inches square and 2 swatches that are 21 sts wide by 1 inch long, with live sts on a holder. Tapestry needles, pins, knitting needles size 4 or 5, 100 yards of fingering yarn for practice, spare project yarn.

$90

Afternoon Free Time of Your Choice 12 – 4 pm
explore woodstock, have lunch at the CIA, knit and socialize with knitspotters, or spend some quiet time on your own

Welcome to the Chart Side 4 – 7 pm
In this workshop we explore the practical application of charted knitting patterns, how to read them, and how to use them for speed and efficiency in creating knitted fabric. Various charting systems are reviewed and practice time provided in using charts for both knitting flat fabric and pieces worked in the round.
Students must have a complete understanding of increasing and decreasing, and be able to execute k2tog, ssk, sl1 k2tog psso, without assistance. Students should have completed a small project (hat, mittens, etc) that requires shaping and employs an early intermediate level of knitting skill and pattern reading (an understanding of intermediate knitting terminology is expected).

Materials: stitch markers, 100 yards of fingering or DK yarn along with appropriately sized needles; a magnetic board and/or higlighting tape are optional but may be helpful.

$90

BNWs marketplace open to public 7- 8:30 pm

THE KNITTY GRITTY

workshops are offered on a first come, first serve basis. please do not reply to this post if you are interested in a class. you must email majordomo@knitspot.com with

–your workshop selections (along with alternate workshop choices in case your first picks are not available)
–full name, email, address, phone #

and an invoice will be sent to you. if the invoice is not paid within 24 hours, you will forfeit your space in the workshop(s) and it will be offered to the next person on the request list.

if you sign up for the whole kit and caboodle (all 5 workshops), each workshop will be discounted $5 each.

please call hotels directly to make your room reservations: 

Kingston Courtyard by Marriott
500 Frank Sottile Blvd
Kingston, NY 12401
(845)382-2300

use discount code KNITSPOT to receive the hotel room block rate of $119.99 per night plus tax. the code will not show up if you try to book online. you must to call the main #.

Hampton Inn Kingston
1307 Ulster Ave
Kingston, NY 12401
845-382-2600

Rooms may be reserved by:
-Calling the hotel directly at 845-382-2600 and asking for the KNITSPOT GROUP (or group code KAP) rate of $129 per night plus tax.
-Booking online at www.kingston.hamptoninn.com. Note the group code KAP will be needed to access the rate.
-Calling 1-800-HAMPTON, mentioning the Hampton Inn Kingston, the date and the group code KAP.

Excited!? I sure am! I’m looking forward to processing all of your requests and seeing lots of you in New York.

NOTE: refunds cannot be made once you have paid for a spot in the workshops. however, if you need to recoup costs you may find a person to take your place. if you do so, please notify us with the person’s name and contact info in case we need to get pertinent info to them. thank you for your understanding.