This is definitely the Class List issue. There are a lot of great offerings for summer, which is a perfect time to learn new techniques. In fact, we've devoted so much space to these, that we'll need to send another newsletter in a couple of weeks which will be dedicated to new book and yarn reviews, as well as a Malabrigo update.

Congratulations to three of our customers, who won prizes at the Del Mar Fair for their knitting entries:

• Barbara Coon
• Barbara Lawson
• Barbara Wiseman

The Barbaras certainly seem to have the corner on the award-winning knits market!

Toe-up Socks (three 1.5 hour classes) This is a project-based class.
Skills - Judy's magic cast on, short-row w&t heel, binding off, pattern options, and working with double pointed needles or two circular needles.
Materials - sock yarn (200 yards for child's size and 400 yards for adult size), US 2 (2.5 mm) double pointed needles or two circular needles.
August 15, 22, and 29 - 10:00 to 11:30
"Once upon a time, I was just a girl who wanted to knit socks" begins the narrative in Socks From The Toe Up by Wendy D. Johnson. Bring out that girl in you; grab some yarn and needles and open up the door to new possibilities for knitting.

Twist and Shout! This is a skills-based class.
Skills - we will learn 4 ways to create cables.
Materials -- Working yarn and appropriate sized needles and one cable needle or a double pointed needle.
August 15 - 1:30 to 3:30
Cables create a depth and surface texture that begs to be touched but working with a cable needle to create every cable cross is laborious. Once we master using a cable needle we will learn three ways to cross stitches without the use of a cable needle.

Buttonholes This is a skills-based class.
Skills - eyelet baby, three row eyelet, double yo buttonhole, one-row buttonhole, two-row horizontal buttonhole, and a vertical buttonhole.
Materials -- any weight yarn with appropriate sized needles.
Homework - cast on 11 stitches and knit 3 rows; then work stockinette stitch for about 1" ending on a WS row so you are ready to knit; leave yarn attached.
August 29 - 1:30 to 3:30
Are you tired of pullover sweaters but you just can't find a buttonhole; think again! We will explore six different buttonholes and learn how to place them so they are evenly spaced along the button band.

Cuff-to-Toe Socks (three 1.5 hour classes)
September 12, 19, and 26 - 1:30 to 3:00
This is a project-based class
Skills - Norwegian cast on, working with double pointed needles or two circular needles, working the heel flap, "turning the heel," the gusset, shaping the toe finishing with the Rosebud closure. (No grafting!)
Materials - sock yarn (200 yards for child's size and 400 yards for adult size), US 2 (2.5 mm) double pointed needles or two circular needles.

I adore the juxtaposition of math and knitting and cuff-to-toe socks exemplify this beautifully. Once you determine the size you need, the entire sock is worked within a simple formula. Socks are my travel project; small and portable and I can wear them home.

Moebius Scarf
September 19 - 9:30 to 11:30
This is a project-based class.
Skills - Moebius cast on and working a lovely lace stitch pattern.
Materials - 40" to 47" long circular needle in size US 10 (6 mm) or US 10.5 (6.5 mm) and about 200 yards of sport, DK, or knitting worsted weight yarn. (The lighter the yarn the lacier the result.) You will need one stitch marker.
Gauge - about 12 sts = 4" in the lace pattern.

A Moebius loop (named after August Ferdinand Möbius) is a geometric shape consisting of a single surface and a single bound off edge - picture a donut with a twist! This lovely shawl frames the neckline beautifully being aesthetically pleasing and functional.

Casting On
September 26 - 9:30 to 11:30
This is a skills-based class.
Skills: we will learn eight ways to cast on and when to use them.

1. Knitted cast on
2. Cable cast on
3. Crochet cast on
4. Long tail or Continental cast on
5. Tubular cast on
6. Provision cast on using waste yarn, crochet chain, and crochet cast on

Materials -- Along with the usual knitting supplies, please bring needles, two colors of yarn, crochet hook similar in diameter to selected needles.
From the moment you cast on your first stitch you have begun the finishing process, so the method you select is important. Come explore the possibilities!

Paulette teaches beginning needlepoint, beginning and advanced knitting, Great American Afghan, etc., on Wednesday mornings from 10 to 12. Call in advance to schedule, and to see what's being taught.

Linda is available to teach children. Please contact the shop and we'll get you in touch with Linda to arrange a mutually convenient time. She will be gone on July 30, back August 6, then gone for the rest of the summer.
10:30 am - 12:30 pm, $20/class. Register in advance.

Nancy teaches her class on alternate Tuesdays and Saturdays:

• Tuesdays
  • 9:30 am - 12 pm
  • 12:30 - 3 pm
• Saturdays
  • 10 am - 1 pm
  • 2 - 5 pm

Cost: $17/session on Tuesday; $20/session on Saturday. No pre-registration required!

Time: 2:30 to 4:30 every Sunday.
Phyllis will teach you whatever you want to learn.
$20/class; please register and pay in advance.

Time: 10 am to 12 pm every Sunday.
Jan will teach you whatever you want to learn.
$20/class; please register and pay in advance.

Time: 1 to 4 pm
Margi will teach you how to make necklaces or bracelets from beads. Examples can be found in the Cottage's hallway. Ask about dates at the counter.
$30/class plus materials; please register and pay in advance to reserve your place and get a materials list.