Toronto Craft Alert

At long last, knitting classes are back at Americo! Here is the new schedule for fall/winter and spring 2010, featuring favourites for beginners and a couple new challenging additions for our more advanced knitters.

Classes are still free (except for Knitting Anatomy), however, we ask that you drop by the store in advance to pick up your materials and register your spot. Hurry, because seating is limited and classes book up quickly!

As well, our new weekly Knitting Nights are on Wednesdays from 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. for very casual help and cool company.

Check out our online pattern catalogue and yarn catalogue with hundreds of original designs to choose from. Our patterns are still free with the purchase of yarn and kits can be ordered by e-mail, phone or in person.

Beginner 101
Take your pick from any of these original Americo patterns: the Walter Scarf, Simple Shawl, Lacy Llama Scarf or Slouch Hat. Perfect for true beginners who need to learn how to cast on, cast off and knit — or anyone who wants to refresh their knitting skills with an easy new project.
2 hours (1 session)
Sunday October 18th, 2:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.
OR
Sunday November 22nd, 2:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.
OR
Sunday January 3rd, 2:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.
OR
Sunday March 14th, 2:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.
OR
Sunday May 9th, 2:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Skill Level: Beginner
Cost: Materials only

Quick Holiday Knit Gifts
Two months until the holidays and you have to get ten gifts done? Choose from one of our quick bulky knit patterns: legwarmers, arm warmers, scarves, neck wraps or hats. Stop by the shop to see the assortment of easy quick knits and choose one that will help you advance in your technique: knitting in the round, decreasing, knit and purl, cables — your choice!
2 hours (1 session)
Sunday November 1st, 2:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Skill Level: Easy/Intermediate
Cost: Materials only

Knitting Is Square
Step up your knitting skills by using simple straight-line techniques to create your choice of our Waffle Ridge Cardi-Wrap (featured by Sandra Pittana on CityLine), Portobello Shrug, Toga Vest or Tina Vest. New skills learned include purling, casting on and off between sections and picking up stitches.
4 hours (2 two-hour sessions)
Sunday October 25th, 2:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Sunday November 8th, 2:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.
OR
Sunday February 21st, 2:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Sunday March 28th, 2:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Skill Level: Beginner/Intermediate
Cost: Materials only

Knit a Hat or a Felted Bowl in the Round
Learn how to knit in the round using circular and double-pointed needles to create your choice of any Americo hat. The idea is to step up your knitting techniques, so pick something just outside your skill level. Some ideas can be seen in the store or here: Ellenesque Bowls, Simple Cable Hat, Cloche Hat, Alpaca Ribbed Hat or Cable and Seed Cap. Additional techniques learned will be adjusted to the knitter’s skill level.
4 hours (2 sessions)
Sunday November 29th, 2:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Sunday December 6th, 2:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Skill Level: Easy – Advanced
Cost: Materials only

Felted Bag
Choose from many of our sophisticated merino and leather handbags using the basic knit stitch and felting your knitted piece. Finishing techniques, such as sewing and accessorizing with leather handles and details will also be explored.
2 hours (1 session)
Sunday January 17th, 2:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.
OR
Sunday April 25th, 2:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Skill Level: Beginner
Cost: Materials only

“That Vest”
Our best-selling reversible vests (featured by Sandra Pittana on CityLine) is a perfect project for true beginners, where you will learn how to cast-on, cast-off and the basic knit stitch. Wear it two ways — long or short, right-side up or upside down. Choose from several different versions.
4 hours (2 two-hour sessions)
Sunday February 14th, 2:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Sunday February 28th, 2:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Skill level: Beginner
Cost: Materials only

Knitting Anatomy
Don’t understand how to fix a mistake you found at the end of your project? Dropped a stitch? Dropped and edge stitch? Worked a technique wrong? Don’t know what’s what in your knitting? Learn how to fix a variety of mistakes without having to tear your project apart, problem solve your knitting, and get hands on experience dealing with the messes that terrify you. Students will be required to pick up a small homework assignment to bring to the class.
2 hours (1 session)
Sunday January 10th, 2:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.
OR
Sunday April 18th, 2:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Skill Level: Easy/Intermediate/Advanced
Materials: From your home stash: 4.5-5.5mm needles, Worsted weight flat yarn, crochet hook, yarn needle, spare knitting needle in a smaller size
Cost: $30

Basic Pattern Design for the New Knitter
It doesn’t get any more basic than this: Make your own unique New Yorker neck wrap or any basic scarf using any pattern stitch of your choice that is appropriate to your skill level. Learn how to calculate gauge and factor the math into what you want your final piece to be. Homework assignment recommended prior to class.
2 hours (1 session)
Sunday February 7th, 2:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Skill Level: Easy/Intermediate/Advanced
Cost: Materials only

Suddenly Spring
Are you a new knitter who’s not ready to give up for the summer? Want to learn how to purl? Change colors? Make one of Americo’s fluid summer wraps, such as Roman Holiday, Summer in the City or Summer in Vienna to keep you busy during the warmer weather.
2 hours (1 session)
Sunday April 11th, 2:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.
OR
Sunday May 23rd, 2:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Skill Level: Easy
Cost: Materials only

Surprise! It’s a…Top-Down Raglan Sweater
Baby on the way? Make one of our adorable top-down Baby Raglan sweaters. Learn all the basic techniques of sweater shaping in one quick little project.
4 hours (2 sessions)
Sunday May 16th, 2:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Sunday May 30th, 2:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Skill Level: Easy
Cost: Materials only

Finishing Techniques
This is your chance to bring in a project from a previous class that you never got around to finishing properly. Get basic extra help on how to cast off, seam, sew in ends and adorn your work.
2 hours (1 session)
Sunday December 13th, 2:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.
AND/OR
Sunday January 24th, 2:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.
AND/OR
Sunday March 7th, 2:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.
AND/OR
Sunday April 4th, 2:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.
AND/OR
Sunday May 2nd, 2:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.
AND/OR
Sunday June 6th, 2:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Skill Level: All Levels
Cost: Materials only

All classes are held at:

AMERICO ORIGINAL
456 Queen Street West
(416) 777-9747
www.americo.ca