CLASSES & EVENTS

UP NEXT: SOFT SCIENCE: A GUIDE TO KNITTING & CROCHET FIBERS, PART 2

Grab a beverage from our sponsor, This Girl Walks Into a Bar, and join us for a lively, yarn-filled evening as we dive deeper into the fascinating world of knitting and crochet fibers. If you missed the first lecture of this 2-part Soft Science series, not to worry! We'll kick things off with a quick review of Part 1, so you’ll be all caught up before we head into this fresh batch of fiber know-how.

Then we'll get right to the meat of the goods: exploring how the characteristics of different fibers can make or break your project! Learn why some yarns make cables pop, others make lace shine, and which ones give stockinette that perfect drape. You’ll also get the scoop on plant-based fibers and blends, from cool and crisp cottons to silky bamboos and everything in between.

A plethora of "ah-ha!" moments will to shed light on the secrets to achieving success with your knitting and crochet projects. Whether you’re a cable connoisseur, lace lover, or stockinette superfan, you’ll leave with the confidence to match your yarn to your stitches like a pro.

Purls of Wisdom is sponsored by This Girl Walks into a Bar: Mixers + Snacks. Sisters and co-owners, Jordan Catapano and Jocelyn Dunn, created This Girl Walks into a Bar to complete and enhance your bar setup. Set against the backdrop of California outdoor entertaining and dining, their products use fresh, certified-organic ingredients, that are low sugar and taste homemade. Their mission is to create high-quality, non-alcoholic, and responsibly sourced organic mixers for any age and every lifestyle. Cheers!

Class Policies: Be sure to read our general Class Policies before registering.

Cancellation Policy: If you need to cancel or reschedule your registration, please provide at least 24 hours advance notice before the start of your first class for a refund minus a $10 service fee. Cancellations made with less than 24 hours notice are non-refundable.

Sweater Weather Warriors is a flexible, pay-as-you-go series of sessions—a low-pressure, high-support space to work through your sweater projects with guidance, camaraderie, and a little accountability.

Think of it as a cross between a Help Session and a Knitalong—perfect if you need help deciphering where you left off, mastering a finishing technique, or just want the encouragement of fellow knitters. Drop in when you can, commit to making progress, and finally give those sweaters the grand finale they deserve!

Materials: A sweater in progress that needs a little encouragement to get to the finish line. All your tools to finish it!

Instructor: Dedra Clark

Class Policies: Be sure to read our general Class Policies before registering.

Cancellation Policy: If you need to cancel or reschedule your registration, please provide at least 24 hours advance notice before the start of your first class for a refund minus a $10 service fee. Cancellations made with less than 24 hours notice are non-refundable.

Beginning August 22, our shop will be overflowing with colorful, hand-dyed skeins dyed by Laura Salisbury of Always Be Kind Yarn—each one dyed to bring awareness to suicide and to remind every maker that kindness can quite literally save a life! Swing by opening weekend, Friday and Saturday, August 22 & 23, to meet the dyer. Laura will be in the shop, ready to share the stories behind her colorways, offer project ideas, and sprinkle a little extra hope into your stash. Pick up a skein of our very own custom colorway, dyed just for us by Laura! The full trunk show stays on our shelves through August 31, giving you plenty of time to dream up sweaters, shawls, and rainbow-bright socks. 

Bring your project ideas (or WIPs that need the perfect pop of color) and come soak in a rainbow of kindness. Can’t make the meet-and-greet? No worries—stock will stay on the floor until August 31, but once a skein is gone, it’s gone!

Come sip something delicious, settle in with your stitching, and meet Laura—an indie dyer known not only for her gorgeous colorways but for the positivity and purpose she brings to the fiber community.

You’ll have a chance to browse a beautiful selection of Always Be Kind Yarn, chat with Laura about her creative process, and hear the inspiring story behind her brand. Whether you’re a longtime fan or new to her yarn, it’s the perfect opportunity to connect, shop, stitch, and celebrate the power of kindness—one stitch at a time.

Our Learn to Crochet class is designed for never-before crocheters to gain proficiency with the fundamental stitches that form the basis of a world of gorgeous textural designs. In this three-session class, we will learn the 3 foundational stitches that make up most of crochet: single, half-double, and double. You'll also gain proficiency with chaining, slip stitches, and how to hold your hook and yarn.

Materials: Included

Prerequisite skills: None

Instructor: Ilana Holland

Class Policies: Be sure to read our general Class Policies before registering.

Cancellation Policy: If you need to cancel or reschedule your registration, please provide at least 24 hours advance notice before the start of your first class for a refund minus a $10 service fee. Cancellations made with less than 24 hours notice are non-refundable.

In this three-hour workshop, Ilana will help guide you into understanding of how animal fibers are prepared and then spun into the delightful yarn we love to use and collect.

What you’ll learn:

The stages before yarn:

• Different fibers
• Tops, batts, roving, rolags, etc…
• Staple length

Making yarn with a top whorl drop spindle:

• What is a top whorl drop spindle?
• Park and draft method
• Plying
• Other techniques

Making rolags with hand carders:

• Brief history of hand carders
• Safety
• Other techniques

Included in your class registration fee:

• Spinning fibers

Available to use during the workshop: 

• 2.5 oz Ashford top whorl drop spindle
• Ashford Classic Hand Carders, 72 TPI

Prerequisite skills: None

Instructor: Ilana Holland

Class Policies: Be sure to read our general Class Policies before registering.

Cancellation Policy: If you need to cancel or reschedule your registration, please provide at least 24 hours advance notice before the start of your first class for a refund minus a $10 service fee. Cancellations made with less than 24 hours notice are non-refundable.

Knitting has seen a resurgence and is bursting at the seams with fresh, modern designs to knit and wear with pride! Get started on the slow fashion path to creating your own hand knits in this 4-week series geared towards absolute beginners. 

Whether you’ve never picked up needles before or you’ve dabbled in the past and are in need of a refresher, this class will give you a solid foundation of the fundamentals of knitting. We’ll cover key topics including casting on, binding off, the knit and the purl stitch, plus how to reading a simple pattern, and unknitting and picking up dropped stitches so you’re able to fix mistakes when they happen (and they happen to the best of us). There will also be a short discussion on gauge and how to find patterns.

Join our all-star knitting instructor, Dedra, as she walks you through every detail of making your very own sweater. At the end of this class, you'll have a very cute, very sporty pullover that you'll proudly wear everywhere! Class meets five times over the course of seven weeks to knit Varsity Sweater by Lamb & Kid Designs.

Class 1: Starting out right! In this first class, we'll cover the all-important gauge swatch - how to do it right and what to do if you're not getting gauge. We will also discuss different types of sweater construction, top down, bottom up, cardigans and pullovers. 

Class 2: All about the yoke. We'll learn how to use short rows to shape the neckline for elegance and a comfortable fit and, at the same time, we'll be working those raglan sleeve increases.

Class 3: Getting to the meat of it. This week we'll tackle the sleeves and body of the sweater. Once your sleeve stitches are secured, cables are adjusted and a few rows are under your belt, it's smooth sailing from here! We'll send you off on a two-week break to knit, knit, knit on your own with the goal of coming back with a completed, bound off sweater body.

Class 4: School's back in session! We'll gather together again and jump in on those sleeves, learning how to shape them, along with strategies for making them the perfect length.

Class 5: Graduation Day! We will finish our sweaters strong and celebrate the big win! We'll talk about finishing techniques and how to care for your handmade heirloom. 

Congratulations, you've graduated to Sweater Knitter!

Materials: 905-1648 yards of worsted weight yarn, such as Amano Yarns' Riti depending on the size you choose to knit. (Don't worry, we're happy help you determine yardage.) *Approx. 20 yards of contrasting worsted weight yarn for each sleeve stripe. Suggested needle sizes: US 7 circular knitting needles in 16" and 24-32" length. US 5 circular knitting needles in 16" and 32" lengths, or sizes required to get listed pattern gauge. Darning needle, 4 stitch markers, including a unique one for BOR, and a pair of scissors. 

In Beanie Basics, you'll review the long tail cast on and discover knitting in the round, working with two colors, decreasing, and what to do when the circumference of your work becomes too small for your circular needle. We'll be working with The Conversationalist, by The Plucky Knitter – an adorable, wearable, two-color hat!

Materials: 2 skeins of Malabrigo Rios in contrasting colors. Suggested needles: US 5 and US 7 circular knitting needles, 16" length or size required to get listed pattern gauge plus one set of double-pointed needles in the larger of the two sizes. Stitch markers, scissors and a darning needle.

Weekly on Thursdays from 1-3pm

Bring your crochet projects and join fellow crocheters at Fancywork every Thursday from 1-3pm. This 2-hour hook session is designed specifically to foster community among the crochet crew. All skill levels are welcome in this weekly drop-in event. No need to reserve a spot ahead of time. Just join us in the shop. We can't wait to see what you're working on!

Please note: While we encourage crochet for people of all ages, this event is geared towards ages 18 and above. If you are interested in a crochet event for you or someone you care for under the age of 18, please let us know. We'd love to put together an event just for the younger set!

*Important*

When you check out there should be a box titled "Order special instructions". 

Please write in the box what you would like to focus on in this private crochet session. 
Examples:

• I have never crocheted before. I would like to learn from the beginning! 
• I would like to learn the ____ stitch. 
• I have this pattern (name and designer), I would like help with it. 

This way Ilana will have time to prepare the lesson beforehand! Thank you so much. 

Held on the First Friday of every month from 5-7pm!

Join us on the First Friday evening of every month for a FREE community gathering of stitches. We’ll keep the doors open from 5-7pm for community stitching time paired with refreshments, raffles, and discounts on select items.

Bring Your Own Cup (BYOC) if possible please. Space is limited in our small shop and seating is available on a first come, first served basis. We can't wait to welcome you,  your project and your great big smile!

Knitting has seen a resurgence and is bursting at the seams with fresh, modern designs to knit and wear with pride! Get started on the slow fashion path to creating your own hand knits in this 4-week series geared towards absolute beginners. 

Whether you’ve never picked up needles before or you’ve dabbled in the past and are in need of a refresher, this class will give you a solid foundation of the fundamentals of knitting. We’ll cover key topics including casting on, binding off, the knit and the purl stitch, plus how to reading a simple pattern, and unknitting and picking up dropped stitches so you’re able to fix mistakes when they happen (and they happen to the best of us). There will also be a short discussion on gauge and how to find patterns.

Knitting has seen a resurgence and is bursting at the seams with fresh, modern designs to knit and wear with pride! Get started on the slow fashion path to creating your own hand knits in this 4-week series geared towards absolute beginners. 

Whether you’ve never picked up needles before or you’ve dabbled in the past and are in need of a refresher, this class will give you a solid foundation of the fundamentals of knitting. We’ll cover key topics including casting on, binding off, the knit and the purl stitch, plus how to reading a simple pattern, and unknitting and picking up dropped stitches so you’re able to fix mistakes when they happen (and they happen to the best of us). There will also be a short discussion on gauge and how to find patterns.

Throughout the class, you’ll gain confidence reading charts and translating symbols into stitches, while learning how to work directional increases and decreases that shape the shawl and flow seamlessly into its stitch patterns. We’ll take time to demystify more complex elements, like working cables without a cable needle and forming bobbles with ease. Along the way, you’ll get tips for managing your stitch markers, tracking your progress, and making sense of where you are in the pattern—even if you set it down for a while.

Just as important as learning new techniques is learning how to recover when things don’t go quite as planned. This class will also focus on how to read your knitting and fix common mistakes, including how to spot and correct miscrossed cables, dropped stitches in twisted sections, or bobbles that didn’t quite turn out. Whether you're new to these textures or looking to sharpen your existing skills, you'll finish with a solid foundation—and a show-stopping shawl in progress.

Materials: 2 balls each of Knitting for Olive Merino or Cotton Merino and Soft Silk Mohair. Suggested needle size: US 4 circular knitting needles, 24-32" length or size required to get listed pattern gauge. Cable needle, stitch markers, and a tapestry needle.