It's Rabbit Season

The Sunday Sessions in March feature adorable "Sophie" as an excuse to learn about using double pointed needles and several shaping techniques that allow this bunny to be made completely without seams!

Although it's a toy, it is a somewhat challenging knit. Even folks experienced with double pointed needles will tell you that it's a fiddly thing to work with 6 stitches distributed onto 3 needles - but, I have scoured the internet and found an amazing cast-on that makes things much more straightforward and still ends up invisible - woohoo! And while most of us are used to a "Make One" in our projects, you might not have given thought to the fact that you can choose to do it so that the new stitch leans either left or right, and that sometimes, as with Sophie, it matters which is which. I'll teach you an easy mnemonic so that you can do it again in future projects. It's subtle, but other knitters will look at your garments and think that you are brilliant!) In a few hours you will feel able to conquer any project on double-points - you'll even learn the kitchener stitch which is a key technique in mastering socks.

For my first Sophie, I used Spud and Chloe Sweater - so soft, so smooth, and such great colors! For the second version, I've chosen Elsebeth Lavold’s Baby Llama -- super soft with just the right amount fuzzy and lots of great colors!Whatever yarn you choose, you’ll need at least 220 yards and a 5-needle set of double points that are at least two sizes smaller than what the ball band recommends.You’ll also need a small ball of waste yarn(preferably something smooth and in a contrasting color to your bunny) for practicing the shaping, the grafting, and doing the cast on.A crochet hook, a blunt tapestry needle and markers are helpful.I’ll bring the stuffing that you can take home with you.

We will have safety craft eyes and noses in black and also colored eyes that you can buy to use instead of embroidery for the face.We won’t finish the bunny during the session but plan to finish the head and learn how to pick up the stitches for the body and the ears.You’ll be able to finish the rest on your own since all the techniques you need will have been covered and practiced.

All this knowledge, a fun afternoon with congenial folks and a cuddly toy at the end – such a deal for the price of a few materials.Remember, if you choose to use your own yarn, then the class is $45.You can purchase the pattern here at the shop. Please arrive on time, prepared to begin as we will start right away since there is a lot to cover.

Looking forward to seeing you in March,

Amy