Strange Brew - Beginning Colorwork Sweater Class

This class will take you step-by-step from planning to completion of your first stranded colorwork sweater. We will use the brilliant “Strange Brew” book by Tin Can Knits as a guide for this class. They have done the design work and (lots of) math to create easy-to-follow patterns and templates. We get to add our imagination! This tends to be a flexible class with tons of inspiration, fun, and camaraderie along the way. The focus of this class will be knitting a top down, seamless colorwork sweater in the size of your choice (newborn to adult). You can choose one of the patterns already in the book, or create your own motifs. Questions prior to the start of class can be directed to Jacquie at knitsmuch@gmail.com.

Skill Requirements

• This is an intermediate class.
• Students should be comfortable with knitting and purling in the round, basic increases. Basic experience with stranded colorwork knitting is recommended. Some working knowledge about sweater construction will be helpful.
• There will be a chance to briefly review stranded colorwork techniques (eg. managing colors, tension, color dominance) in the first class, and practice in your swatch.
• Brand new to stranded colorwork? The “Beginning Stranded Colorwork” class is a great way to develop your technique without the commitment of a full garment. https://www.acornstreet.com/module/class/472724/beginning-stranded-colorwork

Materials List

• E-copy of book “Strange Brew: A Colorwork Knitting Adventure” by Alexa Ludeman and Emily Wessel (Tin Can Knits).
• https://tincanknits.com/book/strange-brew, or https://ravel.me/strange-brew
• A printed version of this book may be difficult to find, as it is now offered only as an ebook.
• Your e-book can be purchased from Ravelry at Acorn Street Shop, and the 10% class supplies discount will apply.
• Yarn appropriate for your chosen pattern.  Strange Bres offers the option of using Aran, DK, or fingering Weight yarn.
• Needles appropriate to your chosen pattern.  Actual needle sizes may need to be adjusted depending on your gauge and results of swatching.  It is not unlikely you will need to use a larger needle size for colorwork compared to plain stockinette stitch for even tension.
• The Knitting Barber Cords - not essential, but very handy when trying on your sweater-in-progress to check fit.  Waste yarn can also be used for the purpose.
• Graph paper or knitting graph paper, and colored pencils if you'd like to create your own designs.
• Stitch markers
• Darning needle

  Optional : If you are intrigued with Pacific Knit Co Doodle Decks they work very well with the Strange Brew recipe.

Homework

Prior to first class:

• Enjoy perusing all the amazing patterns in the Strange Brew book! Choose the pattern you are planning to knit (this can be subject to change)
• Strange Brew has sizing options for newborn up to adult sizes.
• Strange Brew offers options for Aran, DK, or Fingering Weight yarn.
• Choose to knit one of the beautiful patterns in the book or choose your own motif.  Strange Brew has taken the difficulty out of creating your own motif.
• If Possible, measurements for whom the sweater is being knit. See page 120.
• If you love the fit of a hand knit or commercial sweater that you already own, bring it along. This can be a great template to determine size
• If you can’t wait and are comfortable swatching stockinette and colorwork in the round, go ahead! We will definitely review this during first class as well.
• Speed Swatching for Circular Knitting, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zs_KmZpS0dk (see 8:19 for Colorwork Speed Swatching)
• I tend to use three selvedge stitches on each side. I knit the first two and last two stitches of the round with both colors together through the back loop, and purl the third stitch from each end with both colors held together.

• Our sweaters will be knit in the round. Our swatches will need to be knit in the round to determine accurate gauge for a good fitting sweater.
• Tips to accurately measure gauge.
• Checking out color choices and/or placement in your colorwork.
• Brief review of colorwork knitting technique.
• This will include options to manage two colors, color dominance, optimizing tension, catching floats.
• Any and all of your other questions!