Tech editing class with Knitgrrl + Alexandra Virgiel

Available in the Knitgrrl virtual classroom space, a new class on tech editing, co-taught by experienced technical editor Alexandra Virgiel and Shannon Okey. Class will cover:

Ease, sizing standards, fit, set-in sleeves and sleeve cap calculations, grading (and how to do it for knitting patterns!) grading set-in sleeve pullovers, grading top-down pullovers, grading around design elements such as motifs and special topics, such as grading for men and children, how to draw schematics using Open Office, charting software, and much more.

Experience level: intermediate, you should already be writing patterns, even if you haven’t published them yet, and have some idea of what goes into a pattern, element-wise
Price: $65
Class begins: as soon as we hit enrollment limits, and continues for a month afterward (can be longer if we decide it is appropriate)

Update 15 June: We’re taking enrollment for the next tech editing class, which will start the first full week of July (after the holiday weekend). Class is $65 and we expect it to sell out immediately, given the interest on the Knitgrrl Ning alone.

Get Published! (with Knitgrrl)

bookshelf, originally uploaded by chotda

Have you always wanted to write a book? Now’s your chance!

Whether you want to submit your work to large publishers or do it yourself, Shannon Okey has the insider knowledge to help you succeed! Author of 12 major-publisher books and owner of Cooperative Press, which has been publishing craft-related titles since 2007 (including forthcoming title The Knitgrrl Guide To Professional Knitwear Design: How to Keep Your Knits About You), Okey reveals the processes behind:

• building a successful book proposal
• brainstorming a book: discovering what you have to offer the market
• publishing it yourself for greater profit and control
• finding a printer or an appropriate print solution

and many other topics of interest to creative people of all kinds, not just crafters.

Class begins 29 March. $85.

Piebird Design spring class schedule

Spring 2010 Piebird Design classes with Mercedes Tarasovich-Clark

Want to see an online class in action? Join Mercedes’ free online sock knitting class, and learn to make a pair of children’s socks to donate to Children in Common, a charity providing warm clothing and other assistance for children in orphanages in Russia. Your donations of knitted items is appreciated, but not required to participate in class. Sign up here!

CROCHET

Learn the basics of the hook, including chain, slip, single, half-double, and double crochet stitches.
Materials: one skein or ball of smooth light colored worsted weight yarn, one size H crochet hook
OR, one skein bulky weight yarn, one size K crochet hook

KNITTING

SPINNING

Stefanie Japel new classes March/April

Stefanie Japel of glampyre.com announces her SPRING SESSION is now open for pre-registration!

More Photos
Fitted Raglan Shawl Class (Self-guided version) (See video on main page for more information about this project.)
The class will be taught using a combination of pre-recorded video and PDF handouts. There is also a forum, in which you can ask questions at any time and meet others who are working through the same class, but may be at a different point in the material.

Fitted Raglan Shawl Class (Regular version) (See video on main page for more information about this project.)
The class will be taught using a combination of pre-recorded video, live chat, and PDF handouts. There is also a forum, in which you can ask questions at any time and hold discussions with other students in class.

You will receive: a PDF copy of the knitting pattern, as well as additional PDF handouts with further explanation and instruction as to how to read lace knitting charts and work lace stitches, how to incorporate lace stitches into raglan – style increases, and more.

Materials: (Feel free to make substitutions!)
Sock Weight Shawl, pictured in colors “Autumn Wine” (2 sk.) and “Rockwell” (1 sk.): 3 skeins Lorna’s Laces Shepherd Sock [80% Superwash Wool, 20% Nylon, 215 yds. / 2 oz.]
DK Weight Shawl, pictured in color “Mirth”: 3 skeins Lorna’s Laces Green Line DK [100% organic merino wool, 145 yds. / 2 oz.]
Worsted Weight Shawl, pictured in colors “Chagrin” (1 sk.) and “Courage” (1 sk.): 2 skeins Lorna’s Laces Green Line Worsted [100% organic merino wool, 210 yds. / 4 oz.]

Needles:
Sock Weight Shawl: US 5 / 3.75mm
DK Weight Shawl: US 7 / 4.5mm
Worsted Weight Shawl: US 10 / 8mm

WEEK 1: Introduction to lace knitting and Lace Chart 1 — How to read lace charts — How to cast on a garter stitch insert — Lace chart 1 row by row video instruction

WEEK 2: Lace Chart 2 and working with color — Lace chart 2 row by row video instruction — Color Theory: Which colors work together and why — How to effectively change from one color to another in this project.

WEEK 3: Lace Chart 3 and Finishing — Lace chart 3 video instruction — Finishing and weaving in ends in lace — Blocking

WEEK 4: Knitting time! Use this week to watch the videos, ask questions, and generally finish up.

Sign up today, start class tomorrow!
Class Fee for self-guided version:
$35 for four weeks’ access to the class materials.

Regular version of class starts March 15.
Class Fee for regular version:
$45 for four weeks of class.

More photos

UP-cycled T-shirt yarn class (Self-Guided Version and Regular Version)
Learn to turn unwanted old (or new) t-shirts into a beautiful yarn that resembles expensive woven cotton tube-type yarns. I will show you how to create different weights of yarn, and to add effects to the yarn while you’re making it.

You will receive: A PDF booklet of four knitting patterns (click on More Photos under the mosaic above to see more examples of class projects,) as well as additional PDF handouts with further explanation and instruction as to how to create yarn from T-shirts, how to dye cotton yarn using natural and commercial dyes, and more.

Week 1 of the class will teach you to turn those old Tshirts, jersey bed sheets, or yardages of Tshirt-type fabric into yarn

Week 2 of the class will be “Dye Class.” You’ll learn how to use natural dyes like tea and coffee to give your yarn an organic, earthy feel. We’ll also see how to use commercial dyes like Rit and Dylon to add gorgeous bright color to the yarn and create special looks.

Week 3 of class will focus on projects for your yarns. Once you’ve created your t-shirt yarn, you’ve effectively RE-cycled your t-shirts, but our goal is to UPcycle. I’ll give you four patterns (leaf-shaped face cloths, lace wrap, lace triangle scarf, and lace shrug) that will use your new t-shirt yarn to its best advantage. I’ll even go one step further and show you how to package your knits into gorgeous gifts that any friend or relative would love to receive.

Week 4 of the class will be time for you to knit your projects and ask any additional questions, watch the videos, and generally finish up.
The class will be taught using a combination of pre-recorded video and PDF handouts. There is also a forum, in which you can ask questions at any time and meet other students who may be at a different point in the class.

Class Fee for self-guided version:
$35 for four weeks’ access to the class materials

Regular version of class begins March 15. This class WILL include scheduled live chat times and will have the feel of a typical knitting / crafting classroom.

Class Fee for Regular Version: $45
Register now to hold your spot!

This class will teach YOU to be the designer!

First, you’ll choose your own shawl shape. Either a four-sectioned shawl like “frost diamonds” (in this issue of Knitty) and “Mirth” OR a simpler, two-sectioned (half-square) triangle like many others you’ve seen online.

Next, you choose one, two, three, or more stitch patterns that work and flow together to create the body of your shawl.

Then, you’ll see how to choose a border stitch pattern to tie the whole thing together.

Finally, you’ll write your own pattern! (You’ll need to find your own testers / tech editors after the pattern is written.)

By the end of the class, you’ll have a finished shawl pattern (even if you haven’t finished your knitting) that you can share with friends, publish yourself, or even submit to a magazine!

Interested?

Class will begin on March 22.
Class Fee $75 for four weeks of class.

Register now to hold your spot!

How to Fit Your Knits Class starts April 4 and lasts 4 weeks.

In this four-week class, you will learn how to examine any printed knitting pattern, knit flat or in the round, whether top down, or bottom up, and determine whether its shaping will work for you. You will learn to add custom shaping, based on your own body measurements (or those of any friend or family member) to any commercial knitting pattern.

This is not a “design your own sweater” class, but you will learn the fundamentals of fit, shaping, taking proper figure measurements, and doing the math that will help you to create knitted garments that actually fit.

The class will take place over four weeks, and you will have 24-hour access to class materials during that time. You will be able to work at your own pace, with the help of forum discussion, live chat, video instruction, and PDF handouts.

Class Fee: $75
for 4 weeks of class

How to Teach an Online Class: An introduction to using Web 2.0 to teach your classes!
Begins: April 26 and runs for 4 weeks.

The class will cost $75 and will show teachers how to use inexpensive video cameras to create content, how to create PDFs that go along with the videos, how to generally use the online classroom software.

I will provide Ning-specific training that I’ve learned teaching in this format. [ I have DEFINITELY found that video is an incredibly important part off the class. I've even had students say, "Your videos have meant SO much to me!"]

Class begins April 26
Class Fee $75 for four weeks

Sign up directly for all her classes here.

How to Rock the Craft Show teleclass

Title: How to Rock the Craft Show (Blonde Chicken Boutique, Tara Swiger)
Fee: $29
Format: Online via recording + printable materials
Enrollment: Sign up here
Class begins: any time you’re ready to take it!

Class description:
This 2 hour teleclass will teach you how to:

• Decide if craft shows are right for your business.
• Fit them into your schedule and business cycle.
• Pick a great craft show and avoid the duds.
• Put together an application that will help you get accepted.
• Prepare for the show – inventory, booth, everything!
• Keep your other sales going while prepping for shows.
• Create a booth that grabs attention.
• Connect with customers, other vendors and media at the show.
• Continue to make sales after the show.

We’ll also cover how doing craft shows fit into your larger business goals, deciding if a far-away show is worth the expense and the logistical considerations of doing shows.

What am I getting?

• 2 hour class recording
• Written summary of the class – including questions and answers
• Checklist – What to Bring to the Show (so you never forget a thing)
• Checklist – Make Post-Show Sales!

Marketing & Branding with Knitgrrl

Title: Marketing & branding with Knitgrrl (Shannon Okey)
Fee: $75
Format: Online via web browser
Enrollment: Fill out this form
Class begins: at discretion of instructor, likely by end of February 2010
Class ends: one month later

Description:

People get squicked out by the word “marketing,” and for good reason. A lot of the people out there who claim they’re going to teach you about marketing come at it from the absolute wrong perspective. Marketing does not have to be sleazy. Marketing is really:

1. putting your best foot forward
2. communicating effectively
3. meeting the needs of your target audience, information-sharing-wise.

I want to be sure that the class members have something to teach each other, too, whether it’s because they are from a different discipline, or because they sell their products in venues the majority of students don’t, or… [etc].

Why the emphasis on diversity? I’ve learned a lot watching creative people in other disciplines (such as Jenny Hart of Sublime Stitching), and I’m willing to bet the reverse is true, too. For example, Sublime Stitching now offers PDF patterns as well, which the knitting world has done for some time now.

I’m going to limit enrollment numbers in each session, so if you’re interested, now’s the time. This class will be $50 if you fill out the form before the 15th and $75 after. As with all my other classes, there will be a lot of talk about the subject from the crafty perspective, though of course noncrafty people are welcome, too.