Knot Hysteria

Friday November 13th (we don’t believe in bad luck) ST-1 (which now that Sock Summit is over, means ”Steph and Tina” rather than “Sock Team”) are celebrating the formation of our new company “Knot Hysteria Productions” with a beautiful weekend of knitting, dyeing and fibre investigation in one of our favourite spots… Port Ludlow, Washington.  We really missed the intimate, intensive nature of real-time teaching at Sock Summit (we were a little busy) and one of our goals for this weekend is to enjoy the luxury having real time between students and teachers (that would be us, and you) that can only be achieved in a smaller group setting – with people who aren’t running a conference. (Apparently.)

Level: Established.  Knitters attending should be comfortable knitting, purling, decreasing, increasing and be familiar with typical knitting instructions. (This means that if you’re a brand new knitter, you’re probably going to be overwhelmed in spots, unless you’re gung-ho and a fast learner. Some people are. If you’re a skilled beginner, don’t be put off.)

The weekend begins when you check in on Friday night, and we all have an opportunity to talk, hang out (maybe have a drink) get to know each other, and you’re assigned to one of two small groups. 

Saturday, Group one goes with Stephanie, for an all day exploration (9-5 with a break for lunch) of knitting and how to be really excellent at it.  We’ll look at knitting history, lever knitting, knitting for speed and efficiency, and problem solve knitting issues so we all walk out better knitters.  Why do you knit the way you do? What could you change to knit better or faster? What are the techniques and thoughts of the worlds fastest and most efficient knitters?  (Note: This class contains some of the same information as “Knitting for Speed and Efficiency”, but is expanded.  If you’ve always wanted to take that class, this one is close, and if you’ve taken this class and are wondering if you’ll learn anything in this one… you will.)

Meanwhile, Group two goes with Tina, to a big room with a floor covered in plastic and loaded with dye and yarn, where you will spend the day invited into Tina’s dye and colour world.  There are (almost) no boundaries and the only rule is an open mind.  Tina will talk with you about colour, how she sees and uses it and how that relates to dyeing, spinning and knitting.  You will explore what colour means to you and how you see it and then interpret it in your own fiber work.  You’ll spend time at the dye tables working through your own colour inhibitions, challenging what you think you like, and dyeing your very own colourways to take home.

Saturday night ST-1 gives a joint lecture on “How to tell if its good yarn, and what to do with it if it is” where we’ll talk about the properties of various yarns, how to pick the right ones for your project, how to care for it, and what choices you can make during knitting to make sure your project doesn’t droop, stretch or felt, and lasts as long as it possibly can.

Sunday, the groups reverse places for the day classes, and then beginning with dinner and going into the evening (until Steph and Tina get too tired or everyone leaves) we’ll have a group Q&A to talk about knitting, dyeing, fiber, philosophy and what we all think of it.

The price includes classes, fun, the joint lecture on Saturday night, and breakfast, lunch and dinner both Saturday and Sunday.  (We promise that there will be good vegetarian options.) Blue Moon Fiber Arts and Carolina Homespun will have a little store on site with a few things you might like, and Knot Hysteria will have a bookstore.

Accommodations are separate and you will arrange those on your own.  We have negotiated special prices with Port Ludlow, and there are some shared accommodations (condos and town-homes) if you’d like to come with your friends.

Simply call Port Ludlow and tell them that you’re with Knot Hysteria and the knitters, and they will help you get sorted with the special knitter price.  They are lovely and helpful people.

Price for the two day/two class intensive with meals:

$615.00.  All Materials (except knitting needles) Included.

Gift bags, presents and surprises forthcoming.

(If you’re a vendor and you’d like to put something in those, just drop us a line.)

To register, simply send an email to and include your name, address and daytime phone number, and we’ll call you to arrange it. The first 40 knitters are in.

WE ARE FULL!! 

Thank you!