Nordic Knitting Conference 2010
The third Nordic Knitting Conference will take place on October 15-17, 2010. Internationally
acclaimed knitting experts from Scandinavia and the U.S. will lead the three day
conference. The renowned line-up of world-class instructors includes Britt-Marie
Christofferson (Sweden) Ruth Sørensen (Denmark) Beth Brown-Reinsel (U.S.) Evelyn
Clark (U.S.) Nancy Bush (U.S.) and Carol Rhoades (U.S).
The conference will also include a happy hour on Friday night and a banquet on Saturday
night with keynote speech by Nancy Bush on Estonian Lace.
Registration opens on Monday July 5th, 2010, and will be mail-in only, on a first-come,
first-served basis.
The registration form is available
HERE(Adobe
Reader required), or you may call the Museum and we will mail you one.
The registration process is a lottery. Registrations are collected, sorted, and
processed by postmark date and all the registrations with the same postmark date
are randomly entered into the computer. Registrations received before July 5 will
be considered a July 5 postmark. Be aware that some classes may fill up quickly.
While a July 5 postmark gives you a better chance of getting into your first choice,
it doesn’t guarantee it. You will receive a confirmation of your registration with
further instructions once we start the registration process.
All classes and instructors are subject to change without notice. Classes will be
cancelled if minimum enrollment is not met.
Cost
Conference registration is $35 for members of the Nordic Heritage Museum, $40 for
non-members.
Classes are $110 for full day (6 hours) or $60 for half day (3 hours).
The special Saturday night banquet and lecture is $35. It is possible to go to the
banquet without being enrolled in the conference.
Since the Museum is in a residential area, we encourage you to either bring your
own lunch or order a boxed lunch through the Museum. Catered boxed lunches can be
ordered for $12.
Class Materials Fees
Many classes will list a materials fee. This is paid directly to the instructor
at the time of the class, and pays for handouts, materials, etc., that the instructor
will provide.
Waiting List
We hope that the schedule provided will offer opportunities for everyone to take
classes and learn something new. However, we may not be able to accommodate everyone.
In order to provide adequate assistance, each instructor sets a maximum number of
students that she feels comfortable working with.
We will create a waiting list of 5 students for each class, so that if a student
is unable to attend another may take their place. Students on the waiting list will
be billed as if they were enrolled; refunds will be issued after the conference
is over. Please remember to provide your phone number so that we can contact you
quickly in case of an opening.
Please note on your registration form if you do not wish to be on any waiting lists.
Cancellation Policy
Full refund (minus registration fee) will be given until September 3. A half refund
(minus registration fee) will be given until September 17. No refunds will be given
after September 17.
Beth Brown-Reinsel
Danish Nattrøjer
Friday October 15, 2010 from 9:00 am to 4:30pm
The lovely women's "blouses" from 19th century Denmark, called "Nattrøjer", or nightshirts,
were knitted of one color in knit/purl motifs. In this class, a small sweater will
be knitted circularly compiling a variety of construction techniques: Split bottom
welts, overlapping welts at the join, the half gusset as part of the body, "seam"
stitches, transposing the pattern chart to change from circular to flat knitting,
as well as a small version of the classic knit/purl pattern motif that was a part
of so many of these garments. A discussion on designing and a brief slide show is
included.
Skill Level: Intermediate- must be experienced at reading charts, and using double
pointed needles.
Students Bring: 2 oz. worsted weight yarn (preferably wool). A light, solid- colored,
smooth yarn is easier to see and to work with. Size 3.75 mm double pointed needles,
7" long or shorter. Optional: a 12" circular needle or, if you are familiar with
the Magic Loop or working with two circular needles, you can bring the appropriate
longer circulars. St markers, st holders, scissors, tapestry needle, sticky notes
or magnetic board to keep your place on the chart.
Materials Fee: $2.00 for Handouts
Norwegian Fana Cardigan
Saturday October 16 and October 17, 2010 between 9am and 4:30pm (lunch 12-1:30pm)
The classic details and traditional construction of the Norwegian Fana Cardigan
sweaters will be taught in this two-day workshop through the knitting of a small
sweater. Techniques to be learned include circularly knitted body and sleeves, square
and drop shoulder armholes, cut-and-sew armholes and front, knitted self -facings,
button bands, and 2-color star, band, and checkerboard patterns. Designing one's
own Fana cardigan will be discussed.
Skill Level: Intermediate (Experience with Double Pointed Needles and machine sewing
is helpful.) Students Bring: Students will need one sewing machine for every five
students on the second day of class.
Materials Fee: $2.00 for Handouts
Nancy Bush
Two – End Knitting/Tvåändsstickning
Friday October 15, 9AM-4:30PM
Travel to Sweden in this workshop! We will study the traditional technique of two
end, or twined knitting, a special way to make mittens, gloves, socks and other
warm and sturdy projects. Learn how to carry the two yarns, how to make interesting
textures and how to add in colors - all while making a wonderful pair of mittens!
Students should be familiar with using double point needles for this class.
Skill level: Intermediate
Students bring: Along with the usual knitting supplies, you will need to bring #2
(2.75mm) or #3 (3.50mm) double pointed needles.
Materials fee: Z twist yarn from Sweden, a small amount of a contrast color and
handouts will be provided for a materials fee of $25.00
Overture to Estonian Lace
Saturday October 16, 9AM-4.30PM
Estonia has a lace tradition spanning nearly 200 years. We will learn about their
unique stitch patterns, special edging and corner treatments for a modern style
lace edge along with some some very different ways of creating texture in lace.
Skill level: Intermediate
Students bring: Along with the usual knitting supplies, you will need to bring set
of 5 US #3 (3.50mm) or US #4 (3.75mm) double point needles same sizes in 16" circular
needle (optional)at least 4 stitch markers - one unique from the others, partial
skein of dk or worsted weight cotton, G or H crochet hook, tapestry needle and optional
metal board with magnets to keep track of your charts.
Material fee: Yarn and handouts will be provided for a materials fee of $10 00.
Estonian Cuffs
Sunday October 17, 9AM-4.30PM
Estonian Mittens have VERY interesting and unique cuffs! The class will look at
several different cuff treatments and learn how to use the techniques to create
edges on more than mittens! We will practice some new ways of casting on and working
textured stitches. The techniques learned in this exciting class can be applied
to mittens, gloves, socks, and even sweaters!
Skill level: Intermediate
Students bring: Along with the usual knitting supplies, you will need to bring A
set of 5 #2 (2.75mm) or #3 (3.50) double point needles, 8" long (you may bring circulars
if you wish).
Materials fee: Yarn and handouts will be provided for a materials fee of $20.00.
Britt-Marie Christoffersson
Two Colored Garter Stitch
Friday October 15, 2010 between 9am and 4:30pm (lunch 12-1:30pm)
When changing colors while knitting garter stitch there will be a mixture of the
two colors on the wrong side rows, most often this is not what you want. But using
it consciously can give a more interesting surface. This kind of garter stitch is
repeated in four rows. Another way of knitting garter stitch with two colors without
mixing the colors on purl rows is to knit one row with the first color and two rows
with the other. This technique is repeated in three rows. The workshop introduces
using these techniques for different patterns.
Skill Level: Intermediate
Students Bring: Knitting Needles of different sizes, paper and pencil
Materials Fee: $10.00
Traditional Knitting with a Twist
Saturday October 16, 2010 between 9am and 4:30pm (lunch 12-1:30pm)
Approximately in the middle of Sweden, in the eastern part, you will find the county
of Hälsingland. Knitted sweaters make up a very important part of the national costume.
The most beautiful ones with lots of different patterns are the sweaters from Delsbo
and Bjuråker. This workshop will introduce the students how these patterns were
knitted, which techniques were used and which colors. The result is a wristlet.
Materials to make a pair will be available to buy.
Skill Level: Intermediate
Students Bring: US size 3 double pointed needles for knitting in the round
Materials Fee: $15.00
The Haalkrus Technique
Sunday October 17, 2010 between 9am and 12
The Haalkrus Technique is first of all a technique for weaving but it once inspired
a knitter to make something like it. The basis of this technique is slip stitches
which causes the work to tighten. During this workshop the members will also try
another way of knitting these kinds of patterns, to make the work become bubbly
and wavy.
Skill Level: Intermediate
Students Bring: Knitting Needles of different sizes, paper and pencil
Materials Fee: $10.00
Textured Stockinette using Slip Stitches
Sunday October 17, 2010 between 1.30pm and 4.30pm
Using slip stitches in combination with stocking and garter stitches gives quite
subtle patterns because they depend on the building of shadows. Stitches slipped
every second row become larger than the knitted ones. The students of the workshop
will try knitting geometrical pattern: stripes, squares, triangles, and diagonals.
Skill Level: Intermediate
Students Bring: Knitting Needles of different sizes, paper and pencil
Materials Fee: $10.00
Evelyn Clark
Icelandic Lace
Saturday October 16, 2010 between 9am and 4:30pm (lunch 12-1:30pm)
Icelandic lace shawls are wonderfully wearable and fun to knit. Also, since the
stitch patterns are simple, the knitter can focus on colors—traditional or contemporary.
During the class we will look at the Nordic Heritage Museum's fabulous collection
of Icelandic lace and talk about its traditional characteristics. We'll discuss
how the designs probably evolved, and look at the characteristics of wool from Icelandic
sheep. Tips will be given on how to read charts for traditional lace stitches. Students
can knit a small shawl to practice a provisional cast-on, a sewn splice to change
yarn colors, and a chained crochet cast-off. The pattern later can be used to knit
a full-size shawl.
Skill Level: Intermediate
Students Bring: 1) Shetland/sport/DK weight yarns in 2 or more medium to light colors
2) Knitting needles (regular and double-pointed) in size to get gauge of 18 sts
to 4" (10cm) in Stockinette stitch 3) Usual knitting supplies, including sharp-pointed
sewing (chenille) needle with eye large enough for yarn 4) Optional: graph paper
and pencil to practice charting lace
Materials Fee: None
Icelandic Lace Wrist Warmers
Sunday October 17, 2010 between 9am and 4:30pm (lunch 12-1:30pm)
Icelandic lace is interesting and fun to knit. Three traditional lace patterns are
used to create wrist warmers that are knit in the round. They can be knit in many
colors or one and in traditional naturals contemporary brights. During the class
we will look at the Nordic Heritage Museum's fabulous collection of Icelandic lace
and talk about its traditional characteristics. We'll discuss how the designs probably
evolved, and look at the characteristics of wool from Icelandic sheep. Tips will
be given on how to read charts for traditional lace stitches. Students can knit
a wrist warmer to learn three lace patterns, change colors, and cast off with picots.
The pattern later can be used to knit a variety of wrist warmers.
Skill Level: Intermediate, must be able to knit in the round
Students Bring: 1) Shetland/sport/DK weight yarns in 1 to 3 colors 2) Set of 5 double-pointed
needles in size to get gauge of 24 sts to 4" (10cm) in Stockinette stitch 3) Usual
knitting supplies 4) Optional: graph paper and pencil to practice charting lace
Materials Fee: None
Carol Rhoades
Finnish Rya Mittens
Friday October 15, 2010 between 9am and 4:30pm (lunch 12-1:30pm)
Several knitting traditions have developed ways to line mittens as an extra barrier
against the cold. Finnish Rya mittens are related to Rya rugs – both use strands
of yarn knotted in as a shag. In this workshop, you’ll learn how to knit in the
shag with a pattern on the outside of the mitten or so it is almost invisible. The
mittens have a doubled cuff -- you will learn how to make a provisional cast-on,
knit the lace, and join the two layers before working the single layer of the mitten
hand. Next, you’ll get a choice of patterns for the shag and tips on how to secure
it. You’ll learn typical Finnish mitten top and thumb shaping as well as finishing
techniques. Time permitting we will also try one or two other methods of mitten
linings. You will knit a sampler size mitten in class and receive guidelines for
a full-sized mitten.
Skill Level: Students should be able to cast on/bind off, knit/purl, basic increases
and decreases, knit in the round
Students Bring:1- 50 g ball of smooth, solid color, wool sport-weight yarn. I recommend
Rauma Finull, Dale Heilo or Shetland jumper weight. About 10-15 yards wool or wool
blend contrast color yarn to cut up for shag. For both yarns, no super wash please!
2 yards smooth cotton sport-weight yarn for provisional cast on. Sets of dpn (or
two circulars or long “Magic Loop” circular) US size 2 or 3 (2.75 or 3.25 mm) +
needles 1 size smaller for ribbing if desired; pair of scissors; crochet hook US
size C. Knitting accessories such as tapestry needle, row marker, notepaper and
pen.
Materials Fee: $5.00 per student which includes Bibliography and charted patterns
(basic mitten patterns and charts)
A Finnish Medley of Knitting Stitches and Techniques
Saturday October 16, 2010 between 9am and 4:30pm (lunch 12-1:30pm)
Every knitting culture has its own special versions of stitches and techniques.
In this workshop, we will sample several ways of casting on for a looped fringe
and wrapping yarn for a fringe “fur tape” edging. Students can then choose one of
these edges for a sampler (can be a wrist warmer if desired) with double purl, wrapped,
and twisted braid stitches. The instructor will present a slide program on traditional
and contemporary Finnish knitting. We can also learn a few key Finnish knitting
words.
Skill Level: Students should be able to cast on/bind off, knit/purl, basic increases
and decreases, knit in the round
Students Bring: 1- 50 g ball of smooth, solid color, wool sport-weight yarn + 2
balls contrasting colors. I recommend Dale Heilo or Rauma Finull. A few yards matching
color crochet thread or fingering weight wool to secure to fur tape. Sets of dpn
(or two circulars or long “Magic Loop” circular) US size 2 or 3 (2.75 or 3.25 mm);
crochet hook US size A or B. Knitting accessories such as tapestry needle, row marker,
notepaper and pen.
Materials Fee: $5.00 per student which includes Bibliography, technique instructions,
and template for wrapping “fur tape.”
Binge Knitting from Southern Sweden
Sunday October 17, 2010 between 9am and 4:30pm (lunch 12-1:30pm)
“Binge” is a term for knitting in the southern province of Halland in Sweden. In
1907 a cooperative was formed to standardize and market items knit in traditional
Halland patterns, including abstract floral designs, small geometrics and pheasants.
Usually knit in various combinations of white, red and blue, the garments ranged
from mittens, caps, socks, and sweaters to ponchos and even bathing suits. In this
class, you’ll learn about the history of Halland knitting and its construction techniques
as you knit a wrist warmer or small mitten. You will have several designs to choose
from or you can design your own mitten if you are a more advanced knitter.
Skill Level: Students should be able to cast on/bind off, knit/purl, basic increases
and decreases, knit in the round; two-color experience recommended but can be learned
in class
Students Bring: - 1 50 g ball white, plus one or two other colors (red or blue recommended),
of smooth, solid color, wool sport-weight yarn. I recommend Rauma Finull or Dale
Falk or Heilo.Sets of dpn (or two circulars or long “Magic Loop” circular) US sizes
2 + 3 or 4 (2.75 + 3.25 or 3.5 mm) Knitting accessories such as scissors, tapestry
needle, crochet hook, row marker, notepaper and pen.
Materials Fee: $5.00 per student for bibliography and charted patterns (basic wrist
warmer and mitten patterns and charts)
Ruth Soerensen
Moensterstrik, Teknik og Design (Stranded Knitting: Designing with Multi-colored
Yarn)
Friday October 15, 2010 between 9am and 4:30pm (lunch 12-1:30pm)
In this class you will have the possibility to work with your own design of motifs.
The idea is to take off from traditional stranded knitting and put your individual
touch into it. As basic you can work with solid coloured yarn but in the class you
will see how you can use multicoloured yarn and add something more to the design
in an easy way.
Skill Level: Knowledge of Stranded Knitting will be appropriate
Students Bring: Double pointed needles size 3 or 3½ mm, Yarn – one colorway of multicoloured
yarn or at lest 2 different colors if you work with solid colored yarn (Shetland,
Kauni, Evilla or similar qualities) and normal knitting accoutrements.
Materials Fee: $2 for hand-outs.
Designing and using Steeks for Shawls
Saturday October 16, 2010 between 9am and 4:30pm (lunch 12-1:30pm)
For many years it has been common – specially related to traditional Norwegian and
Shetland knitting – to knit stranded knitting in a round to avoid the difficult
stranding when you purl on the wrong side. Many knitters are a little afraid of
cutting the knitting. In this class you will try to do that in small swatches and
see how you can use the old technique in new designs of triangular and squared shawls.
Skill Level: Knowledge of Stranded Knitting will be appropriate
Students Bring: Double pointed needles and a short (about 40 cm) circular needle
all size 3 or 3½ mm Yarn in at least 2 different colors (Shetland, Kauni, Evilla
or similar qualities) and normal knitting accoutrements.
Materials Fee: $2 for hand-outs.
Antique Beaded Wristlets
Sunday October 17, 2010 between 9am and 12pm and Sunday October 17, 2010 between
1:30pm and 4:30pm
In the class you will knit a small swatch to try the technique of adding beads to
your knitting. Later in the class you will have opportunity to start knitting a
copy of an old wristlet from an old pattern and see how to make your own designs.
Skill Level: For both beginners and experienced knitters.
Students Bring: The students bring knitting needles size 2½ and normal knitting
accoutrements. Supplies for swatches are available in the class for free.
Materials Fee: Yarn and beads for the antique wristlets are available in the class
for $12.00
Beth Brown-Reinsel has been involved in many facets of the fiber arts as
a spinner, basket weaver, dyer, knitter, former yarn shop owner, author, and knitwear
designer, but teaching is her passion. She has worked in production as well as in
creating and teaching courses and workshops both locally and nationally. She developed
and implemented the correspondence course Traditional Ganseys for The Knitting Guild
of America for 11 years, as well as owning Knitting Traditions, a mail order business
of imported traditional yarns, for seven years. Beth has authored the book Knitting
Ganseys, published by Interweave Press. Her articles and designs have been featured
in magazines such as Knitters, Interweave Knits, Vogue Knitting, Threads, Cast-On
and Shuttle, Spindle and Dyepot.
www.knittingtraditions.com
Nancy Bush found her passion for traditional hand knitting via a degree in
Art History and post graduate studies in color design and weaving in San Francisco
and Sweden. She has worked as a free-lance designer and consultant to several yarn
companies. She is currently a member of the advisory panel for PieceWork Magazine.
Her designs and articles have also appeared in Interweave Knits, Spin Off, Knitter's,
Vogue Knitting, and Threads. She has taught workshops throughout the United States,
in Canada, Great Britain, Finland and at the Culture College in Viljandi, Estonia.
She was the knitting guide on the Interweave Press Knitter's Journey to Scandinavia.
As a knitter, her focus has been on traditional knitting techniques and uses of
ethnic patterns. Her specialty is Estonian traditional knitting. She is the author
of Folk Socks (1994), Folk Knitting in Estonia (1999), Knitting on the Road (2001),
Knitting Vintage Socks (2005) and Knitted Lace of Estonia (2008) all published by
Interweave Press. Nancy owns the Wooly West, an online and mail order yarn business
in Salt Lake City.
www.woolywest.com
Britt-Marie Christofferson is a Swedish textile designer with experience
from working closely with the textile and wall paper industries. She is a former
member of the 10 Group (10-gruppen). She has, for the past decades, been working
in Sweden with the exhibits Old Patterns, New Sweaters and the Entire World’s Knitting
Techniques. A book was published in 1988 which was later published in English under
the title Swedish Sweaters. The second part of the exhibits was called Knitting
a Handicraft to Develop. A book was published with the same name but only in Swedish.
Britt-Marie is currently working on the third part of the project which has the
working name Embroidering on Knits. She teaches workshops in conjunction with the
exhibits and on commission as a handicraft consultant all around Sweden. Britt-Marie
has also taught in Denmark, Norway and Japan. She lives in Halmstad, Sweden.
Evelyn A. Clark is a designer who lives in the Pacific Northwest. She left
a marketing career to live a simpler life and developed a passion for putting holes
in her knitting. She enjoys sharing her lace knitting addiction with others in classes
and workshops, and in 2010 she taught at the Arctic Knitting Retreat in Iceland.
Her designs have been published by Fiber Trends, Interweave Knits, Knitter's, Leisure
Arts and Vogue, and she is the author of Knitting Lace Triangles. For more information,
visit her web site at
www.evelynclarkdesigns.com.
Carol H. Rhoades has been examining the relationship between fiber, preparation,
spinning and product for over 25 years. She is particularly interested in Scandinavian
sheep and the knitting traditions connected with their wools. Carol has studied
knitting in Sweden; is a regular participant in the Scandinavian Knitting Symposium;
and has translated knitting books from Swedish, Norwegian, and Danish. She is the
translator for Vivian Hoxbro’s books Domino Knitting and Shadow Knitting, Ann Maj-Ling’s
book, Two End Knitting, published by Schoolhouse Press, as well as Elsebeth Lavold’s
Designer’s Choice Collection and books by Marianne and Helga Isager. In 1993, she
combined several of her interests in a dissertation on 19th century British and
Swedish women writers, discussing a knitting scene from their works in each chapter.
Carol’s infusion of knitting with her love of 19th century literature makes her
the perfect person to bring knitting legacies to life for all of us 21st century
knitters. Carol is the Technical Editor of and a frequent contributor to Spin-Off
Magazine. Carol teaches knitting and spinning around the U.S. and abroad and lives
in Madison, Wisconsin.
Ruth Soerensen was born in 1950 in the Denmark. The women in her family were
all knitting as a natural part of their life, and of course Ruth learned how to
knit early in life. Later on in life, working with textiles became her profession.
She studied at the
Danish Design School
and her speciality subjects were weaving and knitting. Ruth Soerensen has always
admired the Shetland tradition and she went to the Shetland Islands to experience
their yarn and knitting. She has visited the Faroe Islands, which have a fantastic
knitting tradition as well. As a Dane she is heavily inspired by the Scandinavian
tradition and what she works with now is to be true to the (Danish) approach to
design about details – using the Scandinavian tradition for colour knitting and
work it into a new context due to nowadays knitting and living. She especially works
with new kinds of yarn and tries to integrate working with colours in a new way.
For more information, please contact Stina Cowan at
stinac@nordicmuseum.org or (206) 789-5707.