Join Stephanie for an introduction to stranded knitting—no prior colorwork experience required! We'll try out a variety of stranded techniques for both continental, combination, and English styles to find what works best for your personal style of knitting. We'll also cover color dominance, the basics of color theory, how to catch your floats, and getting a great fit.

Materials for the first class:

• Pattern: Purchase Jennifer Steingass's Treysta pattern on Ravelry here
• Yarn: this pattern is knit in Lettlopi, which is a lofty aran. Suitable substitutes would be Cascade 220, La Bien Aimee Corrie Worsted or Gilliatt, Studio Donegal Soft Donegal, Walcott Origins, Knitting for Olive Heavy Merino. I recommend against a superwash wool for your first colorwork. See pattern for yardage requirements.
• Needles:
  • A: US 5 (3.75 mm) 16" circular (neckline).
  • B: US 6 (4 mm) DPNs and 32" or longer circular (ribbed edges).
  • C: US 7 (4.5 mm) DPNs or magic loop for sleeves, 16" circular, and 32" or longer circular (main body). Note: The Laine version and the Ravelry versions call for different needle sizes but the same gauge—this accounts for an apparent errata on the Ravelry pattern that lists two sizes for Needle B. Whatever needles you choose to use, based on your gauge, consider bringing a set of 32” circs one size up from Needle C to work the colorwork sections (in case you knit colorwork tighter). If you choose to use small (12” or less) circumference needles for the sleeves, consider one size up (in case you tend to knit tighter on smaller circs).
• Stitch markers, darning needle, and barber cords

Schedule:

• 2/19: Color theory / yarns / swatches / casting on
  • Come to class with your gauge swatch finished and all your yarns
• 2/26: Colorwork—how to read chart and hold yarns
  • Come to class with the ribbing finished—bring your larger 16” circs
• 3/5: Colorwork—catching floats / increases
  • Come to class having worked through Row 15 of the chart
• 3/19: Short rows, separating sleeves / body
  • Come to class having finished the chart and any additional stockinette rows needed to achieve indicated length; stop before first "Begin short row shaping” section
• 3/26: Trying on, colorwork cuffs
  • Come to class having knit the sleeves to the band chart (so 3” shorter than desired length) and your body knit at least 6 inches so we can try our sweaters on and check the fit
• 4/9: Weaving in ends
  • Come to class with everything bound off but your ends loose so we can weave them in!

***Homework for the first class on 2/19:***
Please come to class having knit and blocked a stockinette gauge swatch. If you don't block it, it won't be accurate! We'll measure and calculate your size in class. Since the gauge we're aiming for with Treysta is 18 stitches & 26 rounds in stockinette, you can cast on 26 stitches on US 6 needles, knit 34 rows in stockinette, and then bind off. Be sure not to cast on or off too tight—go up a needle size if you’re concerned. For more guidance and photos, Ysolda has a lovely in-depth explanation on how to knit and block your swatch here.

Block your swatch as you’re going to wash it (likely handwashing with a few drops of Soak)—here’s a tutorial on the quick-dry burrito method. Have a go at measuring your swatch (photo guide here)—if your gauge has fewer than 18 stitches or 26 rows in 4 inches, try going down one needle size and knitting a second swatch (don’t unravel the first one). If your gauge has more than 18 stitches or 26  rows in 4 inches, try going up a needle size.

Skill Level:	Intermediate
Skill Details:
Requirements:	You should have at least one sweater under your belt. Please know how to knit, purl, cast on using the longtail method, cast off in pattern, knit in the round, increase, and decrease. No colorwork experience required!
Instructor:	Stephanie