Weekend Workshops with
Melissa Leapman

May 2-3, 2009
Comfort Inn, Skokie, IL

>>>  REGISTRATION FORM
Registration will be open to everyone. Members receive discount.

The Windy City Knitting Guild is pleased to offer, a weekend with Melissa Leapman!  A widely published designer, Melissa has published patterns in every premiere needlecrafts publication in the country.

As a freelance designer, she has worked with many leading ready-to-wear manufacturers and design houses in New York City.  In addition, over the years, most American yarn companies have commissioned Melissa to create designs to promote their new and existing yarns.  She’s been featured on Lifetime TV’s Handmade by Design, HGTV’s Sew Much More, PBS’s Needle Arts Studio, and the DIY Network’s Knitty Gritty.

She is the author of several knitting and crocheting books.  Her most recent titles are Hot Knits, Cool Crochet, and Knitting beyond Scarves (Watson-Giptill, 2004, 2005 and 2006), as well as Cables Untangled (Potter Craft, 2006), and Continuous Cables.

Workshop Info

Class 1 – Colorful Cables
Saturday, May 2, 2009:  9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. 3 hours

Savvy knitters know that cables add beautiful texture to knitted fabrics without much effort.  Just imagine the awesome effects you can achieve by incorporating colorwork into them!  In this hands-on workshop, discover several easy ways to make cables even more exciting and fun.

Homework – assignments will be sent out later.
Supplies:  Homework swatches with yarn still attached; extra white or cream-colored smooth worsted weight yarn; smooth worsted weight yarn in three or four different bright colors; one size 5 double-pointed needle.

Class 2 – Celtic Cables
Saturday, May 2, 2009:  1:30 p.m. – 4:30 p.m. 3 hours

Learn how to use basic cabling techniques to create Celtic inspired panels and motifs.
(Shhhh, don’t tell anyone, but these gorgeous cables are much easier to knit than they look!)

Homework – assignments will be sent out later.
Supplies:   Three homework swatches; smooth worsted weight yarn in solid, light colors, preferably wool; appropriate knitting needles; two size 6 double-pointed needles; graph paper (4 or 5 squares to the inch); pencil.

Class 3 – Fully-Fashioned and Fabulous!
Sunday, May 3, 2009 – 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. 3 hours

It’s all in the details!  Explore fun and easy ways to work garment shapings with style and finesse.  Discover designer tricks, which use full-fashion techniques with figure/flattering results!

Homework – assignments will be sent out later.
Supplies:   Five homework swatches with appropriate needles, yarn and scissors.
    
Class 4 – Crochet for Cowards  - MUST REGISTER FOR THIS CLASS BY APRIL 3
Sunday, May 3, 2009 – 1:30 p.m. – 4:30 p.m. 3 hours

Want to learn the basics of crochet?  In three short (and fun) hours, you’ll have all the skills you’ll need to create a beautiful, in-class, project. 

Materials Fee $20.00 - Homework – None

Supplies:   Smooth, light-colored worsted weight yarn for learning; 300 yds of smooth worsted weight yarn for first class project (hand-dyed or variegated is OK); 300 yds of bulky weight yarn for second class project (hand-dyed or variegated is OK); scissors.

Workshop Location

Classes will be held at the Comfort Inn at 9333 Skokie Blvd. in Skokie.  Parking is available (directions are below), and rides from the Howard El or Skokie Swift can be arranged.  You can also take CTA Bus #97 – Skokie Westbound from the Howard El station, directly to Skokie Blvd. and Gross Point Rd.

Food and beverages will not be provided at the workshop.  There are quite a few restaurants and fast food places nearby, or you may bring your own food and beverages.

Directions to the Hotel:
From North I-94 toward Chicago, exit Old Orchard Rd. and go left.  Turn right to Skokie Blvd; turn left at the light just before the hotel and right into the hotel.  From South I-94, exit Dempster East to Gross Point Rd; turn left to Skokie Blvd, turn right to hotel.

From West I-88 to I-294 to Dempster East to Gross Point Rd. Turn left to Skokie Blvd, turn right to hotel. From O'Hare Airport I-294 to Dempster East to Gross Point Rd. Turn left to Skokie Blvd, turn right to hotel.

From Midway Airport I-55 toward Chicago I-90/94 through downtown Chicago area I-90/94 splits take I-94 to Milwaukee to Dempster East to Gross Point Rd, turn left to Skokie Blvd, turn right to hotel.