for Knitters
to see my online courses, click here. to learn about future virtual and online course opportunities, as well as free tutorials, click here.
for SHOP OWNERS &
event hosts
my knitting classes (at right) are available to your shop or event! I am passionate about teaching and though I do limit my travel throughout each year, it brings me such joy to come visit and teach in a workshop setting. click here to send an e-mail inquiry but first, view the links below for loads of detail on each of my courses along with travel and rate information. if you’re a knitter interested in taking my courses, be sure to pass this webpage on to your Local yarn shop owner and let them know about the opportunity! while you’re waiting, you can subscribe to my virtual course mailing list so that you’ll know next time I’m teaching through zoom. its always a true honor to visit a shop and you never know just where I’ll turn up.
click here
to view my course catalog which includes full details about each workshop including length of course, required skill levels, materials, course specific fees and more.this is the most up to date and thorough listing of my courses.
Click here
to view a sample contract with rate information.
About the Workshops
Kate’s been a teacher since 2005 when she led Political Science courses for undergraduates at the University of Florida while getting her PhD. In 2010, her first design was published and ever since then, she’s added a myriad of knitting workshops to her repertoire. Kate teaches regularly at local yarn shops, events and has been a featured teacher at a variety of retreats as well. Teaching knitters is such a pleasure!
Workbooks
Some courses feature workbooks. Kate’s workbooks are incredibly thorough and allow students to focus on the teaching, instead of scrambling to write each note or try to remember every detail. They also include space for additional note taking if desired. Materials fees vary per class as some have Workbooks and others are based on patterns. Kate’s workbooks are exclusive to her workshops and are not sold separately.
After Class
Kate likes to make sure that students retain as much knowledge as possible. therefore, she follows up with her students after each workshop with a few items depending on the course. Students are e-mailed documents that will help them recall the how-to’s of completing any worksheet or workbook, if applicable. Each student receives a copy of their featured workbook filled in with the examples used in class, along with blank worksheet PDFs so that going forward, they can use them on a pattern of their choosing. Class patterns will also be dropped in Ravelry libraries for any student that provides a Ravelry ID or e-mailed directly to students when requested.
I F Y O U H A V E A N Y Q U E S T I O N S, D O N ’ T H E S I T A T E T O R E A C H O U T.
references
-”Kate was a fantastic part of our 2023 Knitting in the Hills Retreat! Our attendees loved her passion and enthusiasm for her craft and we got wonderful feedback on all of her classes (and more than a few requests we have her back again for more!)” - Knitting in the hills retreat by hill country weavers (austin, TX)
“Kate did us the honor of coming to teach at our flagship store when it was still brand new, and she was so flexible with our tiny teaching space! She’s been one of our favorite designers to work with through the years because her attention to detail results in patterns that are so flattering and show off the yarns so nicely. That’s why it was exciting for us to bring her in to teach her tailoring class, on modifying your knits for your own measurements! Being able to modify your pattern is an absolute game changer and is something every knitter will benefit from. Also, big shout out for the seamless zipper class. Get ready to have your mind blown!" -Rachel Price, owner, Spincycle Yarns (bellingham, Wa)
We received so much positive feedback from our class members about Kate and her mind-blowing classes! Like some other reviews shared, learning the ability to make alterations to existing patterns is a game changer! Our students loved Kate's attention to detail, her ability to explain and teach new techniques or concepts, and her gorgeous patterns. We plan on bringing Kate back year after year! -danni etter, owner, black mountain yarn shop (black mountain, nc)
“We have invited Kate to our shop for a couple of classes. They were very informative and Kate is always a joy. The tailoring workshop has proven to be a staple of knowledge to achieve a great fit!”- Missy waddell, owner, copious fibers (irmo, sc)
“Kate is a favorite guest instructor in our shop! Her classes are engaging, fun, and very well organized. She shares helpful tips, explains techniques clearly, and brings her students on the learning journey in a very supportive way.” -Mindy Owen, Owner, A Yarn Less Raveled (Danville, CA)
direct Comments from Students (anonymous reviews):
"Kate is an enthusiastic and focused instructor who clearly has a passion that a fitted sweater should fit all body types."
"Best class I had at the retreat, Kate knew her stuff and gave great professional information."
"Kate is an excellent teacher and her handouts are the bomb!"
"The best class I've taken at Stitches! A true in-depth learning experience! Great teacher, easy to understand materials. Thanks!"
"Very helpful. Great handouts. Never had a teacher who gave so much and was so helpful. She knew her class. Very enjoyable."
"Excellent class! Helpful tips and really great explanations."
“I really enjoyed the May tailoring workshop. I immediately used some of the information on the tee shirt I was working on.”
“I used tailoring measurements to get my sleeve length right THE FIRST TIME. This is it before BO. Perfect with gently bent arm. Thank you for your teaching.”
“Thank you SO much and thank you for an amazing workshop. I learned so much!”
“Thank you so much for the wonderful workshop! I could have used a couple more hours! If you offer more classes, I am definitely interested!”
“The course was packed with lots of useful information. The sweater type breakdown was of particular interest to me. I’d never had that explained so clearly before. It explained why some of my previous modifications didn’t work as well as I’d hoped. The way you presented the modifications in the class was very thorough and clear. I love that you did an example and then had us work through them again with our own measurements—a good way to reinforce the concepts. Overall I thought it was an excellent class!”
“I'm so glad I took this course. I think the timing was right for me. Definitely going to be using allll the info! Thanks for sharing.”
“Just wanted to let you know that I’m ready to frog and reknit two older sweaters. This class gave me the tools I need to figure out why they don’t fit and correct that so I can be happy with my finished product. Thank you so much!! I wish we could have done the class in person and then all sat around after working on our new sweaters 😊”
“Kate is so enthusiastic and approachable and motivates her students to want to learn how to improve their techniques. I wish the 2nd day had been longer. I would have liked to spend more time on the alteration techniques for sleeve length and waist shaping. I would suggest either adding an extra hour or possibly trying to tighten up the material reviewed on day 1. Overall an excellent and valuable class! Thank you, Kate!”
“Course was great, and very well suited to zoom. Breaking it up into two days, 2 hour sessions also worked well. I have already recommended the course to a number of friends who have asked these exact questions while attempting to adjust a pattern to truly fit them, hopefully they will be able to catch another session soon!”
“This class makes me excited to start a new project that I’d previously been apprehensive to try.”
“You make the material easy to understand. Having several sweaters to put on helps with the understanding, I am sorry I missed the first day, But the best laid plans are easily changed by the airlines. Your smile helps.”
“Your knowledge is vast. It was a delight to take your class and see your beautiful designs. You obviously put a huge amount of work into them.”
“I truly enjoyed this class. The math formulas, technique tips and methodology are invaluable. I will use all of this information going forward. Kate is a fabulous teacher. I would definitely be interested in any future classes.”’
“This is a brilliant course, and something I have been looking for for years! I liked the fact it was delivered via Zoom which made it easy for me to attend. I would like to attend more of your classes via Zoom, as it was very well done.”
“I thought you were very well prepared & have created well organized, clear worksheets that can easily be followed on my own. You are a very good teacher! Thank you!”
“It was a pleasure participating in the class. I'm always looking to improve my tailoring skills as I knit and your class quite helpful. Thank you.”
“Great course! Moved along well. Everything was very clear. Thanks”
+ TAILORING WORKSHOP
Learn how to customize sweater designs for a better fit. This course walks knitters through schematics and a little necessary math to make adjustments in patterns for a flattering and tailor-made project. Included are several math worksheets for adjusting stitches or rows in a particular section of a sweater. We conclude by going through some finishing tips to maximize profit in your knitvestment! Kate has created a fabulously detailed workbook for this course which will keep your fingers free for knitting and give you something to take home with everything you have learned. This course also includes the Perfect Tee Handbook, which was designed as the ideal project to practice tailoring techniques.
+ ME & EWE
This incredibly versatile sweater design includes a myriad of chart options so that each knitter can choose between sun or moon + tulips or leaves. Make it fall or spring themed, or choose a combination in between! In this course, students will learn a myriad of techniques and have an opportunity to begin Me & Ewe in class or take what they learn for another project going forward. This sweater features an array of colorwork worked seamlessly from the top down with yoked increases & short row shaping at the shoulders. The A-line shape of the body provides for a fantastic fit at both the shoulders and the waist & hips, no matter your bust size. Instructions are included for both a cropped and longer length and it’s easy as pie to customize the sleeve length, as there is no shaping until the wrist.
+ CHEVV
The clever construction of this boxy, colorwork sweater is both fun to knit and provides an opportunity to learn a myriad of techniques including STEEKING. With just two short steeks, Chevv is the perfect project to try this empowering technique for the first time, especially with being able to practice first during class. Pullover is worked seamlessly in the round from the top down with geometric colorwork in a single dominant color on a tri-color gradient background. It includes fully written options for a cropped or longer body length, ¾ or full length sleeves and yardage for either a 2-color (single background color) or 4-color (featured, tri-color background) sweater along with worksheets to assist with additional adjustments. During the workshop, knitters will practice all techniques, including steeking, with their working swatch. Then, they will be able to cast on for their sweater and most likely get through the shoulder-join of this creative construction style.
+ MATH FOR HATS
This course is intended to help knitters at all levels adjust and add sizes to an existing pattern, or to start from scratch to design their own hat. We begin by learning how to swatch in the round. We will discuss gauge, different levels of ease including when negative/positive ease are appropriate with a variety of stitch patterns, and how to use available standard sizing and even estimate yardage. We will look at all basic hat shapes including beanies and berets, and also discuss some accessories like earflaps and embellishments. Finally, we will look at the various construction methods and how they suit for the hat inside your head. The Math for Hats booklet is a required material for the course, we will work our way through the entire book, including practicing with both the gauge and yardage worksheets.
+ A BETTER RAGLAN
Raglans are one of the most accessible and popular styles of sweater construction! Proportions are essential for a flattering fit and in this course, knitters will learn how to shape a yoke Complex-Raglan-style. Complex Raglans are a giant step closer to the more challenging top-down seamless set-in sleeve construction which provides a tailored fit across the shoulders. A raglan becomes “complex” when the spacing of increasing or decreasing is not even throughout the yoke and instead more closely mimics the curves of the body. Class begins by adjusting an existing basic Raglan pattern, and then knitters will have the opportunity to start from scratch to design their own Complex Raglan based on their desired measurements, which we will talk about in class. Along with learning the Complex Raglan, the shaping worksheets provided will also allow knitters to adjust yoke depth in other patterns to their preferences, whether a shorter or longer yoke is desired. The featured pattern in this course is the Sunday Crew; it has an extra deep yoke that provides a perfect opportunity for adjustment practice.
+ TOP-DOWN SEAMLESS SET-IN SLEEVES
This construction method is needles-down the most flattering, classic, tailored fit out there for pretty much all body types. Knitters will choose between most of Kate’s patterns featuring this construction method to use in class (and hopefully beyond!). We will begin by taking your personal measurements and discussing how to choose the appropriate size, as my recommendations for this style differ slightly from other garment construction methods. Getting started is the challenging part, so in class we will knit the Shoulder Tabs and get your sweater all joined up so that you can move forward with confidence in the rest of your project. Instruction will be provided for Provisional CO, Cable CO, Picking up stitches along with 3 different styles of Short Row Shaping. Pattern Options include: Little White Cardi, Naveen, Julie Twist, Whimsy, Fierce & Perfect Tee (coming September 2023). There is minimal overlap with the Tailoring Workshop in this course, but knitters that choose Perfect Tee as their project will really be ready to roll if they have completed Tailoring prior as their math will be completed and they can focus on the knitting techniques.
+ SEAMLESS ZIPPER INSTALLATION
Conquer your zipper fears! You don't need a sewing machine or even a needle & thread to install a zipper in your handknits. This technique turns your zipper into a knittable object for a stunning and impeccable finish. For this course, bring either a finished handknit or the homework swatches to practice the technique. This is a hands on course that goes from working out the math (just a wee bit!) to determine how many stitches you will need to pick up to actually installing a zipper onto a garment or swatch.
+ ROSEWOOD PULLOVER
In this course, you will learn a myriad of techniques and have an opportunity to go forward and use them to knit your own Rosewood or take what you learn for another project of your choice. Soft, light and cozy texture defines this pullover. Rosewood features cabled fabric throughout, bobble accented raglan lines along with slimming twisted columns on each side that match up with underarm sleeve columns. It is worked seamlessly from the bottom up, pairing fitted sleeves with a slightly oversized body. View all the design details here. Techniques included in this course:
- Reading your work and incorporating stitches into pattern
- Cabling without a needle
- Crossing cables before working shaping
- Make Bobble
- 3 styles of Short Row Shaping
- Calculating your ideal Sweater & Sleeve Length
- Calculating extra yardage for length adjustments
- Finishing Tips
+ LOVEBIRDS SWEATER
In this course, you will learn a myriad of techniques and have an opportunity to go forward and use them to knit your own Lovebirds or take what you learn for another project of your choice. This project features an array of geometric colorwork worked seamlessly from the top down with yoked increases & short row shaping both at the shoulders and the bottom. The gentle A-line shape of the body combined with extra length at the hem complements curvy and straight body types alike. Techniques included in this course:
- Two-handed colorwork
- Managing longer floats
- Cabling without a needle
- 3 styles of Short Row Shaping
- Calculating your ideal Sweater & Sleeve Length
- Calculating extra yardage for length adjustments
- Finishing Tips
+ POCKETS PLUS +
Pockets are such a delightful addition to a sweater! In this course you will learn how to add pockets to an existing design, whether it is top-down or bottom-up. We will go through each style one at a time, outlining the set-up, how to work the piece, and any required finishing. Instructions for four different pocket styles will be taught along with considerations including placement, size, dimensions & proportions to garment.
*PLUS + STUDENTS CHOICE: * The course Workbook includes instructions to add a Hood to a garment and I’ve got a brand spanking new awesome pocket technique for really good pockets that hold stuff. Based on the time left in class after going through the basic pocket techniques, the class will choose which option they’d like to focus on. Either way, the information goes home with the student.
Knitters should bring a pattern of their choice (from any designer!) that they would like to add pockets–planning your pockets ahead of time gives you all the options! Finished sweaters or WIPs are also welcome. Don’t know where to start? Check out Gramps Cardigan, Sunday Crew (wouldn’t a kangaroo pocket and even a hood make this sweater even more cozy?) or Flutter. Knitting for a child? Might we suggest Ryan Cardigan, which is friendly to side pocket styles or Diplodocus for a kangaroo style pocket.
+ FAIR PLAY (Beginner Fair Isle & Hat Project course)
Learn how to knit Fair Isle in this playful course that gives you a chance to design your own hat in the size and style of your choice from ear flaps all the way through stitch patterns. A variety of 2-color stitch options will be provided to help keep you motivated. Choose to repeat one or mix and match depending on your level of comfort. In the end you'll not only be able to work stranded colorwork, but you'll have a hat to show for it!
SIZES OFFERED: Newborn (Baby, Toddler, Child)(Adult Small, Adult Large)
Yardage for two color hat: 40 (50, 65, 80)(100, 125) yards each A & B
To use more than two colors, make sure your total yardage adds up to 80 (100, 130, 160)(200, 250) yards
To include ear flaps on your hat, add 25 yards for that color (this section will not be worked in Fair Isle)
To include a stocking tail on your hat, add 50 yards for that color (this section will not be worked in Fair Isle)
-Sizes 7, 8, & 9 16" circular needles and set of DPNs (we will be swatching in Fair Isle before you begin your project and you'll need a few size options to make sure you can get gauge)
-Knitters tools like scissors, darning needle, measuring tape, stitch markers
+ WELCOME MOCS
These slipper-booties are part of the New Guy layette collection and the booklet (or e-book) is a required material for the course. When you aren’t tickling those little toes, they need to be kept warm. This slipper-style twist on a baby bootie features a crossover wrap panel and some funky fringe edging. They are a perfect accent to any of the other pieces in the collection and, particularly in the smaller sizes, require mere scraps of yarn. Learn basic increasing & decreasing, picking up stitches, i-cord bind-off and how to make fringe. Practice your making-up sewing skills, too. You'll have time to finish at least one bootie during class and faster knitters may even finish the pair. Sizes offered are Preemie (Newborn, 3 months, 6 months)(12 months, 2 years, 3 years).
+ GROW WITH ME
The one problem with hand knits for children is how quickly they grow out of them. This class teaches knitters the basics on how children grow and the best ways to get more wear out of each garment. It not only provides a description of growth patterns, but it also walks knitters through a little necessary math to make adjustments in patterns and gives an overview of schematic interpretation. Included are several math worksheets for adjusting stitches or rows in a particular section of a sweater. We finish up by practicing some knitted grow-with-me tips & tricks for long-lasting sweaters. This class is also totally applicable for adults who wish to learn how to alter certain parts of a sweater for a better fit. It's definitely not solely a "kids knitting" course. The Knits for Boys book is recommended as a counterpart but the required Grow With Me Workbook includes the necessary course information.
