Secrets to Spectacular Sweater Success with Patty Lyons (MAY 17)
(FRI, 9AM-4PM)
In this “all things sweater” overview class, you’ll discover the secrets to make this the year of your perfect sweater! After a brief foray into fiber and pattern choice, you’ll explore swatching best practices that go far beyond gauge. You’ll peek at the pattern to see what it will and won’t tell you. From there, you’ll delve into specific knitting techniques to discover a host of “the pattern never told you that” knitting refinements: from better cast ons, ways to improve the look of your rib, shaping, shoulders and over all fabric as well as a few fantastic bind offs. Finally, finishing issues that plague many a knitter will be revealed as you rediscover best practice for picking up stitches (including the oh so tricky button band on a v neck trauma) as well as the best way to set in a sleeve.
Skill level: Intermediate thru advanced. Students must know long tail cast on, how to knit, purl, cast on, bind off, basic increases and decreases, have knit one sweater.
Materials needed: Yarn - Worsted or chunky weight yarn in a light color (to make your swatches) an extra ball of yarn, scissors, needle 1 size smaller than you used to make your swatch. Empty needle needle for casting on.
Homework list:
Swatch #1: C0 28 work in
Row 1: *K3, P2* repeat from * to * to last three stitches K3
Row 2: *P3, K2* repeat from * to * to last three stitches P3
work for 2” in the rib stitch as established, leave on needle
Swatch #2CO 15 St
Work in Stockinette for 18 rows ending with WS row
(RS) K2, k2tog, work to end of row — 14
(WS) purl back
Rep last two rows 9 times — 5 st
BO
MEET YOUR TEACHER
PATTY LYONS is a nationally recognized knitting teacher and technique expert who is known for teaching the “why” not just the “how” in her pursuit of training the “mindful knitter”. She specializes in sweater design and sharing her love of the much-maligned subjects of gauge and blocking. Her designs and articles have been published in Vogue Knitting, Interweave Knits, Knit Purl, Knitter’s Magazine, and more. Patty has been a repeat guest on PBS’s Knitting Daily TV and featured as subject-matter expert in publications including the Wall Street Journal. She’s even made a nemesis (all in good fun) out of popular late night host, Seth Meyers—of Late Night with Seth Meyers. She is the author of Patty Lyons’ Knitting Bag of Tricks.
Cancellation and Refund Policy
Please note our 2024 cancellation and refund policy includes a non-refundable $100.00 registration fee per workshop. In the case must withdraw, you have 8 weeks prior to class for a full tuition refund, less the registration fee. After this date all payments are non-refundable, no exceptions. Thank you for your understanding!
Have a question about a HD workshop or class order? Email hdretail@harrisville.com.
Single Rooms, $70 Per Night
Please note, the boarding house is for class participants only.
With spectacular views of town from its third-story perch, our boarding house offers bright, airy accommodations just a few minutes’ walk from the studio, shop, and general store with cafe. Year after year, returning students remark upon the peaceful camaraderie they enjoy winding down after class in the spacious common areas, and the fun conviviality of cooking family-style dinners in the kitchen. In addition to a living room, dining area, and full kitchen, the boarding house has six bedrooms and two full bathrooms.
Built in 1853, Cheshire Mills Boarding House provided lodging for workers at the mill for over 100 years. Today, Harrisville Designs is dedicated to maintaining an economical nightly rate to help ensure the cost of lodging is affordable during workshops and classes throughout the season.
Harrisville Designs is happy to provide towels, sheets, and pillowcases for an extra $20 per stay (please order ahead). However, students are more than welcome to bring their own linens. Pillows and blankets are provided. Reservations can be made while signing up for class. We do apologize, it’s an old building. There is no elevator and two flights of stairs. Please pack accordingly.
Alternative Housing & Dining
Harrisville is a small village (pop. 1200) with a post office and general store/cafe across the street from the studio and Boarding House. Harrisville is a short drive from Peterborough (15 minutes away) and Keene (20-25 minutes away); both offer a nice variety of hotels, shops, and restaurants.
Additional accommodations in Harrisville are available at Aldworth Manor and the Harrisville Inn and at local Airbnb’s including the Harrisville Guest Suite. Peterborough accommodations are available at Cranberry Meadow Farm, the Jack Daniels Motor Inn, and the Little River Bed and Breakfast. Options in Keene include the Carriage Barn Inn, the Best Western Plus, the Fairfield Inn & Suites, the Holiday Inn Express, the Courtyard by Marriott, and Days Inn. We also suggest searching Airbnb and Vrbo.
Location
About Our Workshops
Nestled in the heart of a historic textile village, workshops at Harrisville Designs take place in the Bethuel Harris Mill. Built in the 1830s as a spinning mill for locally raised wool and located at the end of the canal, it originally operated on water power. Today, it’s home to our first-floor retail store and spacious second-floor workshop studio. Year after year students are greeted by sunlit windows, fresh air, and tranquil views of the mill pond and preserved industrial brick buildings.
Workshops vary in skill levels and lengths. Enrollment is limited to ensure each student is immersed in the atmosphere of a working studio rather than a classroom. Most scheduled classes meet from 9 am to 4 pm; however, the studio is open to students 24 hours a day while their class is in session. Looms are provided in the weaving classes, and woolen yarn and other materials are included unless otherwise noted in the materials lists online. While taking a class, students receive a 10% discount on HD items in our store, including looms! (Excludes sale and consignment items)
Have a question about a HD workshop or class order? Email hdretail@harrisville.com.