Exploring the Mysteries of Knitting Lyra

A Knitting Workshop

July 19, August 2, August 30, and September 27 (and thereafter as necessary),

10:30 to 11:30 a.m.

Name: Exploring the Mysteries of Knitting Lyra

Class Dates and Time: Saturdays, July 26, August 2 and 30, September 27, and thereafter as necessary, 10:30 to 11:30 a.m.

Fee: $12.00 per session 

Registration can be done by e-mail, mail, phone (510) 843-7290 or in person at the Museum.
Printable Registration Form

Class Location:

Lacis Museum of Lace and Textiles
LacisMuseum.org
2982 Adeline St.
Berkeley, CA 94703
510-843-7290

General Workshop Description:
“Lyra” is perhaps the Mt. Everest of lace knitting, a beautiful masterpiece designed by Herbert Niebling. The delicate pattern of lyre-shaped flowers and leaves against Niebling’s signature hex mesh can be knitted in cordonnet to produce an exquisite tablecloth, or laceweight wool for an elegant shawl, but there’s no reason it can’t be a worsted weight afghan – the possibilities are endless and endlessly fascinating. The chart can be intimidating, however, so we are offering a class that will initiate you into the mysteries of knitting from complex charts, casting on in the round, the many and varied stitches used in the pattern, all the way through binding off and blocking. The class will begin with two sessions a week apart, to get you off to a good start, then a meeting every 3 weeks or so to accompany you along the way and bring things to a happy ending. 

Skill Level:
This class is open to those with basic knitting skills and a sense of adventure. Age is not an issue, you only need to be able to cast on, and comfortable with knit and purl stitches and casting off. (If you are an insecure beginning knitter, come by the shop on a Saturday and I will give you a personalized lesson to get you up to speed on the basics.) Knowledge of "knit 2 together" decrease and "yarn over" increase is helpful, but the only hard and fast requirement is a strong desire to knit this exquisite pattern, because, as knitting designer Cheryl Oberle says, "If you want it, you can knit it."

Materials List:
Yarn or thread of your choice (lace of this complexity generally looks best in solid color, but a subtle variegated colorway can also work, depending on the look you want to achieve). Yardage will vary according to the yarn. Three balls of DMC Cebelia #30 will do, or about 1500 yards of laceweight yarn.
Double point and circular needles appropriate for achieving the lace fabric you want (usually 2 or 3 sizes larger than you would use for plain stockinette fabric, with sharp tips and a smooth join)
You will also need plenty of stitch markers, some coilless safety pins, post-it notes or another way to keep track of the chart (a magnet with metal board is useful for a chart of this size), pencil or pen for making notes, a colored pen or pencil, scissors, and the usual knitting paraphernalia.