Please join us in welcoming internationally recognized knitwear designer, Shirley Paden to Loop on Saturday, April 17. Shirley will teach her Sweater Design Master Class from 10 am to 5 pm (with a 1 hour lunch break) which is based on her new book, Knitwear Design Workshop: The Comprehensive Guide to Handknits.

Once an executive in the corporate world, Shirley Paden left it all behind 15 years ago to pursue a career in knitwear design. Today Shirley is the owner and founder of Shirley Paden Custom Knits in New York City. She teaches master knitting classes for the fashion industry and conducts seminars on lace, entrelac, cables, color knitting, and finishing techniques. Her designs have been published in Interweave Knits, Vogue Knitting, and Knitter’s magazines. Knitwear Design Workshop is her first book.

From the initial spark of inspiration to the sewing of the last seam, Shirley Paden will guide you through the knitwear design process. Based on the successful workshops Paden teaches to the fashion industry in New York, Knitwear Design Workshop gives you the foundation to take your knitwear designs to the next level with confidence.

Sweater Design Master Class

$120 - Saturday, April 17 from 10 am to 5 pm (includes a 1-hour lunch break)

In this class you will learn to custom-make your own sweater patterns. You will work through organizing the components involved in constructing two different types of pullovers with a round neckline - the Classic Body and the Double Tapered Body.

The Classic Body silhouette is based on the bust measurements. It is worked straight to the armholes, then the armholes and neckline are shaped. The Double Tapered Body silhouette is shaped along the natural curves of the body to the armholes before the armholes and neckline are shaped. Both pullover types will be planned with set-in sleeves.

You will be walked through accurately measuring a swatch, taking body measurements, writing a pattern, and calculating yarn amounts.

Homework: Select a sweater silhouette and sketch the garment.  For an example of a Classic Body pullover silhouette see Interweave Knits Winter '00/01 "Timeless Fair Isle" pages 16-18. For an example of a Double Tapered Pullover Body silhouette see the "Oriel Lace Blouse" featured in the Summer 2007 issue of Interweave knits.  Both patterns can be seen at the Interweave store.

Next, select the stitch pattern and the yarn.  When that is done, knit one or two swatches.  Note: Swatches should be at least 8"x 8" in order to achieve a more accurate garment knitting gauge. 

Prep for yarn calculations: First, block and measure both the width and length of the swatch.  * Next, measure the number of yards of remaining yarn left on the ball. Check the ball band for the total yardage in the ball.  Subtract the remaining yarn amount from the amount written on the ball band to determine the amount of yarn used in the swatch.  These numbers will be necessary to determine how much yardage of the swatched yarn will be needed for the project. The number of balls of that particular yarn needed for the garment can then be determined based on the number of yards in each ball. 

* If you do not own a yardage counter, one easy way to measure the yardage in a ball of yarn is to measure off 36” (1 yard) on a table or flat surface.  Place a piece of tape at the beginning and ending point for the yard. Use a measuring tape to measure between the ends of the tape to ensure that the distance between the two points is one yard. Measure one yard at a time by pulling the yarn between the two pieces of tape.  Place a basket with a clean liner or plastic bag on the floor beside the measurement location and allow the yarn to drop into the basket once it has been measured.  When finished you can easily rewind the yarn from the basket.  You can also tape a yardstick to the table and measure along the top of it. 

Bring to Class: tape measure, 2 pencils with erasers, writing paper, calculator, sketch of your sweater, swatch, swatch calculations, and ball bands.

Please note that your full payment is required to reserve your space. No refunds will be made unless the class is canceled by Loop. Thank you!