Join us each Thursday Night for Stitch Nite (knit, crochet and other handworks welcome) from 5 – 7 pm. It’s a great place for you to get or share advice, show off your finished project, find out about the latest greatest pattern, and of course, see what is new in the Cottage. Light snacks are welcome. Continuing to meet every Thursday Night (except for Holidays) 5:00 – 7:00 p.m.

Cost: FREE

Join us each Friday afternoon for Stitch Together (knit, crochet and other handworks welcome) from 12:30 – 3:00pm. It’s a great place for you to get or share advice, show off your finished project, find out about the latest greatest pattern, and of course, see what is new in the Cottage. Continuing to meet every Friday Afternoon (except for Holidays).

Cost: FREE

Are you a new knitter who wants to increase your skills?  Have you been knitting for awhile, but would like to try some new techniques?  This is the place for you!  Following the Learn-To-Knit Afghan Book by Barbara Walker, we will explore 32 different knitting techniques during the upcoming year.  We meet every other week, learning a new technique and work throughout the year to enhance our knitting skills.  Feel free to jump in whenever you like and out whenever you like – follow the chapter and page schedule on our website below.

NOTE: This group will meet directly before Thursday Knit/Crochet Together, so please stay and enjoy knitting at Magpies.

Skill Level: Beginning to Intermediate

Cost: Free w/ purchase.  This group is open to anyone who purchases the Barbara Walker book ($19.99) and at least 3 skeins of yarn from Magpie’s Cottage to get started.

4-5: Chapter 7, Sq. 56 Elkhorn and Fleurette Panels

4-19: Chapter 1, Sq. 1 Striped Garter Stitch

5-3: Chapter 2, Sq. 9 Horizontal Chain

5-17: Chapter 3, Sq. 17 Woven Tweed

5-31: Chapter 4, Sq. 25 Wave

6-14: Chapter 5, Sq. 33 Simple Cables w/ Moss Stitch

6-28: Chapter 6, Sq. 41 Bias Stripes

7-12: Chapter 7, Sq. 49 Tilted Trellis

7-26: Chapter 8, Sq. 57 Star Stitch

Knitting 101  - Learn the basics of knitting

We start at the very beginning in this learn how to knit class.  Students will leave with the knowledge of how to cast on, knit, purl, cast off, and how to read basic knitting patterns.  This class will give you a great foundation that will prepare you for your future in knitting!

Dates: Tuesdays, January 10 & 24, 5:30-7:30pm (Night) OR Wednesdays, January 11 & 25 1:00-3:00pm (Day)

Skill Level: Beginner – new to knitting

Cost: $45 includes TNNA Beginning Knitting Book, basic dishcloth pattern, knitting needles, and (1) skein of Plymouth Fantasy Naturale

Materials Needed: All materials are included in the class fee.

Sockology- Toe-Up (2 sessions)

Are you ready to knit socks?   Learn this easy toe-up method of knitting socks from a true sock knitting guru  and soon you too will have the secret to making socks!  You’ll learn Wendy’s Magic Cast-on technique, increasing, decreasing, a short row heel and Elizabeth Zimmerman’s Sewn Bind-off.

Dates: Saturdays January 14 & February 4, 10:30-12:30 pm

Skill Level: Secure Beginner – should know how to cast on & off, knit & purl

Cost: $40.00 Includes pattern

Materials Needed: 2- 16” circular needles size US0, 1, or 2 (or size to obtain gauge of 8 sts/1”) and 100g of sock yarn (Happy Feet, Sockotta, Fortissima, Austermann, Trekking, Malabrigo or Misti Alpaca Sock)

We start with the very basics in this learn-to-crochet class.  Students will learn how to chain stitch, single, double and treble crochet, and half crochet.   You will leave with a crochet sampler and all the beginning techniques to start you on the great skill of crocheting.

Dates: Mondays, January 16 & 30, 5:30-7:30 pm

Skill Level: Beginner

Cost: $45 includes: TNNA Beginning Crochet Book, crochet hook, and (1) skein of Berroco Comfort or  Plymouth Encore

Materials Needed: All materials are included in the class fee

Would you love to knit a real sweater, but are a bit nervous about following a pattern for the first time?  Do you need some motivation to reach your goal of completing a larger project?  Are you confused about seaming and finishing?  This knit along is for you!  Join us for relaxing and enjoyable afternoons of knitting while we learn how to knit a sweater from a written pattern.  It’s a great way to build your confidence and insure that you complete your project.

Dates: Thursdays January 19, February 2,16, & March 1, 4:00-5:00 pm

Skill Level: Must be comfortable knitting and purling

Cost: The Knit along is free w/ purchase of yarn and Vogue Early Fall 2010 magazine for the sweater

Materials Needed: Yarn: Any of the following – Cascade Eco +, Cascade Magnum, Misti Alpaca or Plymouth Baby Alpaca  – or combination of yarn to get 8sts and 12 rows in 4”, stitch markers, darning needle. Needle: (1) size US 15  needle, cable needle

NOTE: This group will meet directly before Thursday Stitch Together, so please stay and enjoy knitting at Magpies.

Learn Continental Knitting & Introduction to Fair Isle – Knit A Valentine’s Heart Hat!

Are you a yarn “thrower” and secretly have always wanted to knit in the Continental style (yarn in left hand)?  Now’s your chance!  Learn continental knitting and be on your way to fun Fair Isle knitting while making a 2 color sweetheart hat just in time for Valentines Day!

Date: Tuesday, January 31, 5:00-7:00 pm

Skill Level: Advanced Beginner, should be comfortable casting on, knitting & purling, and knitting in the round

Cost: $35, includes a cute hat pattern and class hand out

Materials Needed: 200 yds of worsted weight yarn (main color), Small amount of worsted weight yarn (contrast color), 16” circular needle size US #8 (or needle size to obtain gauge of 4.5 sts/inch), Double pointed #8 needles, Stitch markers

A small bit of pre-class homework is required. See handout.

The Next Step -Knit a Baby Hat! (2 Sessions)

Are you ready to knit more than dishcloths and scarves?  This class will give you the confidence and ability to take your newly-learned craft to the next level.  We will teach you how to knit in the round, learn how to read a pattern, increasing, decreasing, and knit with double point needles.

Dates: Tuesdays, February 7 & 21, 5:30-7:30pm

Skill Level: Should know how to knit & purl, cast on & off

Cost: $40 includes hat pattern

Materials needed: 1 skein of Washable Sock Weight Yarn (like Plymouth Happy Feet) Size US 3 -16” long circular needle, and size US 3 double point needles, stitch marker and darning needle.

From Start to Finish! (1 Session)

Would you like to gain confidence in selecting the right patterns, substituting yarns, and “getting gauge”?  Do you want to increase your knowledge in blocking and seaming and finishing?  Join us for this great class as we get down to the knitty gritty part of the art of knitting.

Dates: Tuesday March 6, 5:30-7:30

Skill Level: Anyone

Cost: $25 includes handout

Materials Needed: Bring your homework, a darning needle,  contrasting color scrap yarn

A small bit of pre-class homework is required. See handout.

Knit with Mawata “silk hankies” (1 Session)

Looking for a new technique to try? In this class you will learn to “draw” and knit with 100% silk cocoons. Come and learn the technique of making yarn out of Mawata Silk hankies! You can knit or a small project in no time, while gaining a whole new understanding and appreciation of the silk fiber and harvest.

Dates: Tuesday March 13, 5:30-7:30

Skill Level: Advanced beginner

Cost: $40 includes 1oz of silk mawata, and pattern

Materials Needed: Bring a small selection of smooth needles from home – or get them here! – size US 3-6

Beaded Undulated Waves Scarf (1 Session)

Learn how to knit with beads and end up with beautiful statement scarf that you will wear with pride.  This intricate undulating wave scarf class will teach lace techniques, beading, and chart reading.

Dates: Tuesday March 20,  5:30-8:00

Skill Level: Advanced Beginner, should be comfortable casting on & off, kniting & purling

Cost: $25, includes pattern

Materials Needed: 1 Skein of Schaefer Heather(wool) or Susan(mercerized cotton) US 6 needles, 4 stitch markers, 100g size 6 glass beads (1254 beads needed), sewing needle

A small bit of pre-class homework is required.

Wire Knit & Crochet Jewelry – A great Mother’s Day Idea! – (1 session)

Crochet & Knit with wire?!  Join us in learning the ins and outs of this beautiful technique of wire crochet and knitting.  You will go home with a wonderful, wearable, beaded necklace or bracelet plus the tools and materials to make many, many more.  Bring your own extra beads if you’d like, but everything else is provided.

Date: Tuesday April 3, 5:30-8:30

Skill Level: Beginner.  You should know how to crochet a chain & basic knitting

Cost: $50 includes pattern, (1) spool wire, (2) hanks of beads, closures, and (1) crochet hook and (1) set of bamboo knitting needles.

Materials Needed: All materials are provided in the class fee (beads, wire, crochet hook, clasp)

Crochet 102 Crochet Flowers & Motifs (1 Session)

Continue with the fundamentals and expanding on basic stitches.  This “next step” crochet class will help students learn pattern reading, chart reading and expand your basic crochet skills while you an assortment of fun and funky flowers.

Dates: Tuesday, April 10, 5:30-7:30 pm

Skill Level: Beginner and Beyond.  You should understand basic crochet terms & stitches

Cost: $25 includes an assortment of patterns

Materials Needed: Size H crochet hook and an assortment of yarn in floral and leaf colors in worsted weight

In an effort to better serve Magpie’s clients, the YARN PROFESSORS will be available for out-of-store projects (yarn and pattern not purchased at The Cottage) for a $5.00 fee and of course FREE for in-store projects (yarn and pattern purchased at The Cottage). No Appointment is necessary, just walk in Fridays from 1:00p.m. – 4:00p.m. and help will be available on a first-come first-serve basis. (Please note: This time is set aside for limited help, NOT for instruction, one-on-one instruction is available for a fee of $25.00 per hour.)