Projects, classes and product

Projects
I have a wonderful knitted toy to show off.

This was a fun project to knit and it shows.  The pattern comes from Susan B. Anderson  book Itty Bitty toys  She is one of my favorite designers.  She will be signing her new book, Topsy Turvy, at Maryland Sheep and Wool Festival (MSWF) on Saturday, May 4th.  

I also finished weaving a lace shawl that didn't photograph as well as the toy.  Here is one photo that shows the flower pattern that appears at regular intervals throughout the entire shawl.  I had lots of problems with weaving this beauty but it was worth it in the end.  I'm not sure if it was the Atwater Bronson lace pattern or the alpaca/silk yarn but the combination of the two made this quite a challenge.

Classes
 I have openings in both my beginning and intermediate weaving classes and in all levels of knitting and crochet.  In addition, I am now teaching spindling.  What's that?  Spinning on a drop spindle.  We'll start with wool and graduate to other fibers from there.

Products
We have several new weaving kits in our Etsy shop along with hand knitted and hand woven items.  Have something special in mind?  Let us create a special scarf, bag, shawl or sweater for you.  We love custom orders.  Contact lotsaknots@msn.com.

Looking for Schacht spinning and weaving products? We have everything you need.  Come sample weaving on Schacht rigid heddle looms, spin on a Matchless spinning wheel and try out the Sidekick portable wheel.  Contact me at lotsaknots@msn.com  or leave a comment to this post.  My studio is located near Washington, DC and convenient to Frederick, MD and Leesburg, VA.  Hope to see you soon!

Winter Show at GPNS Nov 17 & 18

We were invited to sell our hand made items at the Garrett Park Nursery School Crafts Fair.  The show is on Saturday and Sunday, November 17 & 18 from 10am to 5pm.
We are busy finishing several new items which we hope will be big hits.  In addition, we have two of our well loved ponchos for sale.

Scarf poncho

 We have this beautiful white poncho available and another one made using various green yarns.  We use 11 different yarns in each poncho.  The panels are knit by both Janet and Claudia, then Claudia crochets them together and Janet makes the fringe.  A truly joint venture.

Scarves, hats and hand mitts will be available.  Some are hand woven and some hand knit.  We make everything ourselves and they are all one-of-a-kind items.

This year we have a few items for the home.  A lovely hand woven plaid table runner and a set of hand woven placemats.

Have you ever seen a cloth bowl?  They are washable, unbreakable and reversible.  We will bring a few with us.  These are hand sewn and come in a variety of styles.

No show would be complete without our "Lotsaknot".  The scarf that started it all.  It's a unique design that can be worn with anything from suits to jeans.  It's the scarf for the scarf challenged.  Put it on in the morning and it stays tied and looking nice all day.  We have a variety of colors and designs available.

Hope to see you at Garrett Park Town Hall, 10814 Kenilworth Ave, Kensington, MD.   See the map at the left side of the page.  

Lotsaknots Fall Classes

Take a class.  Have fun.  Expand your mind and your personal fiber toolkit.

With all the choices available it's hard to know what to take.  I have enjoyed reading blogs and websites  advertising upcoming class schedules and there is a lot to choose from.

What makes Lotsaknots different?

• Classes are available BOTH in studio and LIVE, online
• Scheduling is flexible.  We work with your schedule to meet your needs.
• We offer knitting, crochet and weaving.
• Classes are available for beginner to advanced in knitting and crochet.
• We are among the few studios to offer rigid heddle weaving.

Knitting classes are available day, evening and weekend.  Classes are private, 1:1 in our Poolesville studio or online via video conferencing.  All classes are a minimum of 2 hours.  Cost: $18/hour.

Bring a project you want to finish or we will provide knitting needles and yarn and you provide the time.  Beginner to expert level classes.  

Crochet classes are available day, evening and weekend.  Classes are private, 1:1 in our Poolesville studio or online via video conference.  All classes are a minimum of 2 hours.  Cost:  $18/hour.  Beginner to expert level available.  

Rigid heddle weaving is the fastest growing area of weaving.  

Warp and weave on a rigid heddle loom

• 3 classes  Sept 29, Oct 6 and 13
• Class time:  9am to 3pm
• Total students:  3
• All materials provided including yarn, looms and written, detailed instructions
• Cost:  $150.

Questions? Sign up?  Contact Claudia lotsaknots@msn.com  

For additional details on video conference refer to the Lotsaknots Fiber Geek.

The Lotsaknots Fiber Geek

It’s about fiber and knitting, crochet and weaving.  It’s about connecting people, you and me, in an easier way and helping you conquer the fiber obstacle you are facing.

Have you reached a point in that sweater pattern where you feel lost?  You know something is amiss but you cannot tell what.  We can work together and figure it out.  You can join me in my studio and we can sit side by side by using our computers to bridge the miles.  You in your home and me in mine.

Video conferencing has been around for a long time and it’s reached the point where most computers have cameras and a microphone.  That’s all you need.  No software to buy or install.  Nothing special to do.  I send you an email, you click on the link and follow the instructions to allow your camera and mic to turn on.  That’s all there is.

And, one more thing.  We will record it so you can refer back to the session whenever you want.

 The recording is available 24/7. 

I am the Lotsaknots Fiber Geek.  I have been enjoying the benefits of video conferencing for many years. With the convenience of Skype, Gmail talk, Webex and other similar programs I have kept in touch with family and friends from around the world.  I have enjoyed meeting people from New Zealand to Belgium and from several miles west of my home.  

I have decided to put together my comfort with video conferencing and my ability to teach knitting, weaving and crochet and create the Fiber Geek Program.  

It's a one-on-one, private session to learn techniques, conquer problems and take on new tasks with the help of an experienced teacher.  I have been knitting for over 50 years and I have explored many advanced techniques and patterns.  The cost is $40 for a 2 hour session.  Payment through Paypal only.

I have been teaching others to knit for over 25 years,  I have been crocheting for equally as long and actually started teaching crochet over 30 years ago.  

I have been teaching Rigid Heddle Weaving for several years in my home studio.  Many of my students have advanced beyond the rigid heddle loom to 4 and 8 shaft looms and advanced classes.  

Have questions or want a test drive? Contact me at: lotsaknots@msn.com.