Workshops are a great way to meet other knitters and learn new techniques.
Below are my workshops for 2010.

Please contact individual stores for workshop prices, start and finish times, and list of equipment to bring with you – information listed is subject to change.

Click and jump to the Month:
January – February – March– April – May – June – July – August – September – October – November – December





UK WORKSHOPS TOUR


May 2010

Fri 14th May – Design Your Own Knits In Five Easy Steps (part 2)
held at Kangaroo, Knights Court, Bevernbridge, South Chailey BN8 4QF
Telephone: 01273 400030    Website: www.kangaroo.uk.com

Sun 16th May – Socks That Rock
held at Yarn, 55 Chilwell Road, Beeston, Nottingham NG9 1EN
Telephone: 0115 925 3606    E-mail: info@yarn-in-notts.co.uk

Fri 21st May – Basic Lace
held at the Glen Gallery, 48 Fenagh Road, Cullybackey, Co. Antrim, Northern Ireland BT43 5PH
Telephone: 028 2588 0354

Sat 22nd May – Basic Lace
held at the Glen Gallery, 48 Fenagh Road, Cullybackey, Co. Antrim, Northern Ireland BT43 5PH
Telephone: 028 2588 0354

Mon 24th May – A Professional Finish 1
held at The Little Wool Shop, 18 Queen Street, Southwell, Nottinghamshire NG25 0AA
Telephone: 01636 814198

Tues 25th May – Design Your Own Knits In Five Easy Steps (part 2)
held at John Lewis, Central Milton Keynes MK9 3EP
Telephone: 01908 679171

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June 2010

Sat 5th June – Basic Lace
held at The Knitting Corner, The Mill, Curborough, Lichfield WS13 8ES
Telephone: 01543 415837

Tues 15th June – Tackling Intarsia
held at John Lewis, George Street, Aberdeen AB25 1BW
Telephone: 01224 625000

Weds 16th June – Design Your Own Knits In Five Easy Steps (part 1)
held at McAree Brothers, 55-59 King Street, Stirling FK8 1DR
Telephone: 0131 558 1747     E-mail: sales@mcadirect.com

Thurs 17th June – A Professional Finish 1
held at John Lewis, Buchanan Galleries, Glasgow G1 2GF
Telephone: 0141 353 6677

Sun 20th June – Knit Up Your Stash
held at Yarn Barn, 16 Milnrow Road, Shaw, Oldham OL2 8EQ
Telephone: 01706 843538     Website: www.yarnbarnshaw.co.uk

Mon 21st June – A Professional Finish 2
held at John Lewis, Oxford Street, London W1A 1EX
Telephone: 020 7629 7711

Tues 22nd June – Tackling Fairisle
held at John Lewis, Brent Cross Shopping Centre, London NW4 3FL
Telephone: 020 8202 6535

Fri 25th June – Tackling Fair Isle, Intarsia & Beads
held at The Knitting Parlour, 12 Graham Road, Great Malvern, Worcestershire WR14 2HN
Telephone: 01684 892079     Website: www.theknittingparlour.co.uk

Sat 26th June – A Professional Finish 1
held at Get Knitted, 39 Brislington Hill, Brislington, Bristol BS4 5BE
Telephone: 0117 3005211    E-mail: sales@getknitted.com

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July 2010

Mon 5th July – Cable & Bead Project
held at Create, The Victorian Arcade, Ilkley LS29
Telephone: 01943 817 788

Weds 7th July – Knit Up Your Stash
held at Manfield Crafts, 24 Griffith Street, Rushden, Northants NN10 0RL
Telephone: 01933 314920    Website: www.manfieldcrafts.com

Thurs 15th July – Subject to be confirmed
held at The Little Knitting Company, Manor Green, Stanford in the Vale, Oxfordshire SN7 8LU
Telephone: 07980 439 587    Website: www.thelittleknittingcompany.co.uk

Sun 25th April – Design A Bag
held at Ring A Rosie, 272-274 Whitley Road, Whitley Bay, Tyne & Wear NE26 2TG
Telephone: 0191 2528874

Thurs 22nd July – A Professional Finish 1
held at John Lewis, 10 Downing Street, Cambridge CB2 3DS
Telephone: 01223 361292

Sat 24th July – Basic Lace
held at Knit & Yarn, 3 Upper Olland Street, Bungay, Suffolk NR35 1DF
Telephone: 01986 895400    E-mail: gillyb.bell@btinternet.com

Sun 25th July – Tackling Fair Isle, Intarsia & Beads
held at The Yarn House, 27 High Street, Caterham-on-the-Hill, Surrey CR3 5UE
Telephone: 01883 345220    E-mail: enquiries@theyarnhouse.co.uk

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August 2010

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September 2010

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October 2010

Sun 10th October – Knit A Festive Project
held at Ring A Rosie, 272-274 Whitley Road, Whitley Bay, Tyne & Wear NE26 2TG
Telephone: 0191 2528874

Fri 15th October – Subject to be confirmed
held at John Lewis, Oxford Street, London W1A 1EX
Telephone: 020 7629 7711

Sat 16th October – Tackling Intarsia
held at Tudor Rose Patchwork, Unit 1, Oakley Park, Station Road, Oakley, Bedfordshire MK43 7RB
Telephone: 01234 824983

Mon 18th October – Socks That Rock
held at The Little Wool Shop, 18 Queen Street, Southwell, Nottinghamshire NG25 0AA
Telephone: 01636 814198

Tues 19th October – Subject to be confirmed
held at John Lewis, The Harlequin, High Street, Watford WD17 2TW
Telephone: 01923 244266

Weds 20th October – A Professional Finish 1
held at Kangaroo, Knights Court, Bevernbridge, South Chailey BN8 4QF
Telephone: 01273 400030    Website: www.kangaroo.uk.com

Thurs 21st October – Knit Up Your Stash
held at John Lewis, 10 Downing Street, Cambridge CB2 3DS
Telephone: 01223 361292

Sat 23rd October – Subject to be confirmed
held at John Lewis, Barkers Pool, Sheffield S1 1EP
Telephone: 0114 276 8511

Sun 24th October – Subject to be confirmed
held at Yarn Barn, 16 Milnrow Road, Shaw, Oldham OL2 8EQ
Telephone: 01706 843538     Website: www.yarnbarnshaw.co.uk

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November 2010

Mon 1st November – Tackling Fair Isle, Intarsia & Beads
held at Create, The Victorian Arcade, Ilkley LS29
Telephone: 01943 817 788

Sun 7th November – Design Your Own Knits In Five East Steps (part 2)
held at Yarn, 55 Chilwell Road, Beeston, Nottingham NG9 1EN
Telephone: 0115 925 3606    E-mail: info@yarn-in-notts.co.uk

Weds 10th November – Subject to be confirmed
held at Nimble Thimble, 9 Bridge Street, Buckingham, Bucks MK18 1EL
Telephone: 01280 822236

Sat/Sun 13th/14th November – Knit A Festive Project
held at Rowan Yarns, Green Lane Mill, Holmfirth, West Yorkshire HD9 2DX
Telephone: 01484 681881    Website: www.knitrowan.com

Thurs 18th November – Knit A Festive Project
held at The Knitting Parlour, 4a Graham Road, Malvern, Worcs WR14 2HN
Telephone: 01684 892079

Fri 19th November – A Professional Finish 2
held at Get Knitted, 39 Brislington Hill, Brislington, Bristol BS4 5BE
Telephone: 0117 3005211    E-mail: sales@getknitted.com

Sun 21st November – Subject to be confirmed
held at Yarn Barn, 16 Milnrow Road, Shaw, Oldham OL2 8EQ
Telephone: 01706 843538     Website: www.yarnbarnshaw.co.uk

Mon 22nd November – Knit A Festive Project
held at The Little Wool Shop, 18 Queen Street, Southwell, Nottinghamshire NG25 0AA
Telephone: 01636 814198

Fri 26th November – Knit A Festive Project
held at Knit & Yarn, 3 Upper Olland Street, Bungay, Suffolk NR35 1DF
Telephone: 01986 895400    E-mail: gillyb.bell@btinternet.com

Tues 30th November – Subject to be confirmed
held at John Lewis, Brent Cross Shopping Centre, London NW4 3FL
Telephone: 020 8202 6535

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December 2010

Sat 4th December – Knit A Festive Project
held at The Knitting Corner, The Mill, Curborough, Lichfield WS13 8ES
Telephone: 01543 415837

Sun 5th December – Knit A Festive Project
held at Yarn, 55 Chilwell Road, Beeston, Nottingham NG9 1EN
Telephone: 0115 925 3606    E-mail: info@yarn-in-notts.co.uk

Mon 6th December – Knit Up Your Own Stash
held at Create, The Victorian Arcade, Ilkley LS29
Telephone: 01943 817 788

Fri 10th December – Knit A Festive Project
held at the Glen Gallery, 48 Fenagh Road, Cullybackey, Co. Antrim, Northern Ireland BT43 5PH
Telephone: 028 2588 0354

Sat 11th December – Knit A Festive Project
held at the Glen Gallery, 48 Fenagh Road, Cullybackey, Co. Antrim, Northern Ireland BT43 5PH
Telephone: 028 2588 0354

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Also see full listings on the Rowan web site (www.knitrowan.com): 121.
You can contact the individual stores to secure your place on these workshops.

WORKSHOP CONTENT


KNIT UP YOUR OWN STASH
Creative ways to use up your stash.

This workshop is designed to give you some ideas about how to use up your yarn stash. During the workshop you will plan out and begin to knit up a number of swatches that will be joined together to create a cushion-cover. You can choose from a selection of patterns from Debbie’s Blanket & Throws books or you could try designing your own patterns. Advice will be given on:

• mixing different weights of yarn together
• colour combinations
• mixing different fibres together
• stitches that can be combined together in the same design

Materials that you will need to bring with you:
– a mixture of yarns from your stash
– a selection of needle sizes that are suitable for the weights of yarn that you have selected to bring with you
– scissors
– pencil, eraser, coloured pencils (optional)
– ruler
– cable needle (if cabling)
– fine sewing needle and thread (if beading).

Please contact shop/store for start time.

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TACKLING FAIR ISLE, INTARSIA & BEADS

This course is suitable for knitters who can already knit and follow a basic knitting pattern. Working on a small bag project using Rowan Glace Cotton, you will be shown the following techniques:

• how to read a knitted chart
• how to strand yarns across the wrong side of the work (fair isle)
• how to keep the tension even and the knitting flat
• how to weave in yarns on the wrong side of the work (fair isle)
• how to join in new colours (intarsia)
• how to avoid holes between colour changes (intarsia)
• how to knit in beads using the slip stitch technique

Materials that you need to bring with you:
– knitting needles: 2,75mm (no.12) & 3.00mm (no.11)
– scissors
– fine sewing needle
– sewing thread
– hi-lighter pen
– paper and pencil
– yarn bobbins

Please contact shop/store for start time.

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25 BEADED KNITS
A workshop inspired by Debbie’s fifth title.

This course is suitable for knitters who can already knit and purl and want to have a go at knitting with beads. Everyone will begin the workshop by working on a given sample to practise a few special beading techniques. You will either choose a project from the book to start knitting (you will have to purchase your own yarn and beads for this), or you will knit up some more sample swatches from the book of your own choosing (yarn and beads will be provided for swatches). The following techniques will be covered:

• how to thread beads easily onto your yarn
• how to read a beaded pattern
• how to knit with beads using the slip-stitch method on right side and wrong side rows
• designing your own beaded pattern

Materials that you will need to bring with you:
– sewing thread
– fine sewing needle
– knitting needles (a selection including 3.00mm, 3.25mm, 3.75mm and 4.00mm)
– paper and pencil (to make any notes)
– eraser
– Proportional knitting graph paper will be provided if you want to design your own swatch.

Please contact shop/store for start time.

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TACKLING FAIR ISLE, INTARSIA & BEADS

This course is suitable for knitters who can already knit and follow a basic knitting pattern. Working on a small bag project using Rowan Glace Cotton, you will be shown the following techniques:

• how to read a knitted chart
• how to strand yarns across the wrong side of the work (fair isle)
• how to keep the tension even and the knitting flat
• how to weave in yarns on the wrong side of the work (fair isle)
• how to join in new colours (intarsia)
• how to avoid holes between colour changes (intarsia)
• how to knit in beads using the slip stitch technique

Materials that you need to bring with you:
– knitting needles: 2,75mm (no.12) & 3.00mm (no.11)
– scissors
– fine sewing needle
– sewing thread
– hi-lighter pen
– paper and pencil
– yarn bobbins

Please contact shop/store for start time.

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SOCKS THAT ROCK
Learn how to knit socks on 4 needles

This course is suitable for knitters who can already knit and follow a basic knitting pattern. Working on a basic pair of socks in DK weight yarn you will be shown the following techniques:

• how to cast on using 4 needles
• how to knit in the round
• how to turn a heel
• how to shape the toe

Materials that you will need to bring with you:
– set of 5 double-pointed knitting needles: 3.25mm (no.10), and one 4.00mm (no.8) straight needle
– scissors
– stitch markers (optional)
– stitch holder (optional)
– paper and pencil

Please contact shop/store for start time.

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CABLE & BEAD PROJECT
Learn how to knit cables and beads

This course is suitable for knitters who can already knit and follow a basic knitting pattern. Working on a mini cushion or bag project using Rowan Wool Cotton, you will be shown the following techniques:

• how to read cable and bead instructions from a chart
• how to get beads easily onto your yarn
• how to knit with beads using the slip-stitch technique
• how to knit cables

Materials that you will need to bring with you:
– knitting needles: 3.00mm (no.11) and 3.75mm (no.9)
– cable needle
– fine sewing needle
– sewing cotton
– scissors
– hi-lighter pen
– paper and pencil

Please contact shop/store for start time.

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BASIC LACE KNITTING with cables and bobbles

This course is suitable for knitters who can already knit and follow a basic knitting pattern. Working on a small bag project using Rowan Wool Cotton, you will be shown the following techniques:

• how to cast on in the round
• how to knit in the round
• how to knit cables and bobbles
• how to knit lace stitches

Materials that you will need to bring with you:
– knitting needles: 3.75mm (no.9) circular needle (40cm length)
– cable needle
– stitch marker
– scissors
– paper and pencil

Please contact shop/store for start time.

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TACKLING FAIR ISLE
How to master the Fair isle technique

This course is suitable for knitters who can already knit and follow a basic knitting pattern. Working on a small bag project using Rowan Handknit Cotton, you will be shown the following techniques:

• how to read from a fair isle chart
• how to strand yarns across the wrong side of the work
• how to keep the tension even and the knitting flat
• how to weave in yarns on the wrong side of the work

Materials that you need to bring with you:
– knitting needles: 3.00mm (no.11) and 3.75mm (no.9)
– scissors
– hi-lighter pen
– paper and pencil

Please contact shop/store for start time.

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TACKLING INTARSIA
Learn how to master the intarsia technique

This course is suitable for knitters who can already knit and follow a basic knitting pattern. Working on a small phone cosy project using Rowan Glace Cotton, you will be shown the following techniques:

• how to read an intarsia graph
• preparing your yarns before starting to knit
• how to use yarn bobbins successfully
• how to cross the yarns over to avoid a gap in the work
• swiss-darning (duplicate stitch)

Materials that you will need to bring with you:
– knitting needles: 2.75mm (no.12) and 3.00mm (no.11)
– yarn bobbins (for winding small amounts of yarn onto)
– scissors
– hi-lighter pen
– paper and pencil

Please contact shop/store for start time.

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HOW TO DESIGN YOUR OWN KNITS IN FIVE EASY STEPS – Part 1
A workshop inspired by Debbie Abraham’s fourth title

This course is suitable for knitters who can already knit and follow a basic knitting pattern but want to design their own knitted garments or accessories. In this workshop you will be guided through the process of how to create a knitted swatch using your own source of inspiration. The following techniques will be covered:

• creating motifs, patterns and textured stitches from your inspiration
• how to choose a colour palette
• understanding scale
• how to create pattern repeats and how to make them fit
• choosing the most suitable yarn for your project
• getting the fabric quality right
• how to measure tension accurately
• how to convert measurement into stitches and rows

Materials that you will need to bring with you:
– a source of inspiration (it can be anything that you like!)
– a selection of knitting needles (the size of knitting needles that you use will be determined by the yarn that you choose for your project)
– ruler
– coloured pens or pencils
– paper and pencil
– eraser

Proportional knitting graph paper will be provided.
Please contact shop/store for start time.

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HOW TO DESIGN YOUR OWN KNITS IN FIVE EASY STEPS – Part 2
A workshop inspired by Debbie Abraham’s fourth title

This course is suitable for knitters who can already knit and follow a basic knitting pattern but want to design their own knitted garments or accessories. In this workshop you will be guided through the process of how to make your own spec drawing and graph up your design so that it is ready toknit. The following techniques will be covered:

• how to make a spec drawing
• where to get the measurements from for your design
• how to convert measurement into stitches and rows
• making the maths work
• how to transfer your design onto graph paper
• how to work out how much yarn you will need for your design
• writing up your own knitting pattern

Materials that you will need to bring with you:
– a knitted swatch in the yarn and pattern that you want your design to be in
– calculator
– ruler
– tape measure
– squared graph paper
– paper and pencil
– eraser

Please contact shop/store for start time.

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A PROFESSIONAL FINISH 1
Tips to successful knitting and finishing (a one-day workshop)

This workshop is suitable for knitters who have knitted and finished garments before, but want to improve their skills.

This workshop will give you the chance to learn how to professionally knit and finish your garments. Before the day of the workshop you will be asked to knit up the panels for a miniature garment using DK weight yarn. You will be sent a pattern for the back, front and two sleeves. You must bring the knitted panels with you to the workshop.

On the day of the workshop we will talk through the pattern instructions and any queries about the pattern can be answered. We will then assemble the garment.

The finishing techniques that we will cover include:

• blocking and pressing
• joining the shoulders by casting off the stitches together
• picking up stitches around the neck
• sewing in a drop-shoulder sleeve
• sewing the knitted panels together using mattress stitch
• sewing in the ends

Materials that you need to bring with you:
– knitting needles: 3.25mm (no.10), 4.00mm (no.8) and 4.50mm (no.7)
– sewing-up needle
– scissors
– pins
– paper and pencil
– the pattern instructions that you have been sent

Please contact shop/store for start time.

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A PROFESSIONAL FINISH 2
Tips to successful knitting and finishing (a two-day workshop)

This workshop is suitable for knitters who have knitted and finished garments before, but want to improve their skills.

It will give you the chance to learn more techniques to help you professionally knit and finish your garments. You will be asked to do a small amount of preparation before you come to the workshop.The finishing techniques that we will cover include:

• Methods of casting on:
Thumb
Cable
Invisible
• Methods of decreasing (fully fashioning)
• Shaping shoulders using short-row-shaping
• How to knit a neat two-row buttonhole
• Knitting and sewing down button/buttonhole bands

Materials that you need to bring with you:
– knitting needles: 3.25mm (no.10), 4.00mm (no.8) and 4.50mm (no.7) sewing-up needle
– scissors
– paper and pencil

Please contact shop/store for start time.

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MORE BLANKETS & THROWS
A workshop inspired by Debbie Abraham’s third book

More Blankets and throws To Knit offers 12 individual projects using Rowan yarns. Textured stitches, multi-colour designs, stripe patterns, beads, sequins and buttons are used to create unique furnishings for the home. You can follow the instructions for a set project, or have fun experimenting with your own combination of a selection of squares, there are 100 individual squares in the book to choose from.

This workshop will enable you to learn a brand new knitting technique, or brush up on your existing skills. You will choose a square to knit up during the workshop from More Blankets & throws. Choose from textured stitches, cables, intarsia and fair isle patterns, sequins and beads.

You will be shown how your knitted square can be developed into a small bag, with advice given on construction and finishing. You will be using Rowan yarns in a DK weight to knit up your square.

Materials that you will need to bring with you:
– knitting needles: 3.00mm (no.11), 3.25mm (no.10) and 3.75mm (no.9) cable needle (if cabling)
– yarn bobbins (if multi-colour knitting)
– fine sewing needle and sewing cotton (if beading)
– scissors
– hi-lighter pen
– pencil and paper

Please contact shop/store for start time.

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KNIT A FESTIVE PROJECT
Learn how to knit with sequins and beads

This course is suitable for knitters who can already knit and follow a basic knitting pattern. Working on a small projects for the festive table using Rowan 4-ply and DK weight yarns you will learn the following:

• how to get beads and sequins easily onto your yarn
• how to knit with beads and sequins using the slip stitch technique

Materials that you will need to bring with you:
– knitting needles: 2.75mm (no.12) and 3.00mm (no.11)
– fine sewing needle
– sewing cotton
– scissors
– paper and pencil

Please contact shop/store for start time.

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ST PATRICK’S DAY PROJECT
Learn how to knit with colour, cables and beads

This course is suitable for knitters who can already knit and follow a basic knitting pattern. Working on a mini cushion project using Rowan DK weight yarn, you will be shown the following techniques:

• how to read cable and bead instructions from a chart
• how to get beads easily onto your yarn
• how to knit with beads using the slip-stitch technique
• how to knit cables
• how to knit with several colours (intarsia)

Materials that you will need to bring with you:
– knitting needles: 3.00mm (no.11) and 3.75mm (no.9)
– cable needle
– fine sewing needle
– sewing cotton
– yarn bobbins (for winding yarn onto)
– stitch holder
– scissors
– hi-lighter pen
– paper and pencil

Please contact shop/store for start time.

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Email your comments to – Debbie Abrahams

DA-Handknits, 30 Bannerman Road, Nottingham NG6 9HZ
Tel: +44 (0)115 916 1524

All Rights Reserved Copyright © 1997-2010 DA-Handknits, Debbie Abrahams.
Designed by Still-Media Design – last modified: May 9, 2010

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