Oops!!!
This was suppose to take you to Oakland Fiber & Textile Festival's website and not my blog site for the store. Sorry about that. Just click the light grey words for the site and you will get there.

Sorry for the inconvenient detour.

We hope to see you at the festival.

Bente

Classes for September 2010

KNITTING CLASSES

Continental Knitting 101 - 1.5-hour classes
For beginners - take as many sessions as you need; all ages are welcome.

Saturdays, September 11th and 25th, 1 to 2:30pm (note the time change) $15 per class
Teacher: Lisa Tulchin

Knitting the Seaweed Scarf - One 2-hour class
Knit the beautiful and fun Seaweed Scarf design. Check on Ravelry to see the project.
Sunday, August 22nd, 2 to 4pm $25 (incl. pattern)
Teacher: Michaela Popoff

Sock Yarn & East Bay Wine Tasting - One 2-hour gathering

Try out several of Piedmont Yarn's hand-dyed sock yarns while sipping wines produced right here in the East Bay. There will be enough yarn for a pair of socks.

Friday, August 27th, 7 to 9pm $30

Finishing Techniques - One 3-hour class
After knitting or crocheting a great garment it is equally important to be able to finish it just as well---and most of us need a little help doing it just right. Bring a garment that needs assembly/finishing or several swatches.
Saturday, August 28th, noon to 3pm $30
Teacher: Kira Dulaney

Easy Top Down Baby Sweater - Two 2-hour classes

This is an easy and fun project based on Zimmermann/Swansen concepts. Great and fast for all those babies, grandbabies, and nieces/nephews...

Saturdays, September 11th and 25th, 5 to 7pm $40

Teacher: Tammy Wu

Kira K's Skirt Class - Four 2-hour classes
This is a repeat of an earlier summer class that was so successful we want to do it again. Come in early and choose a pattern and matching yarn. Advance beginner knitting skills required.
Saturdays, September 18th and 25th, October 9th and 23rd, 3 to 5pm $75 (includes pattern, but not yarn)
Teacher: Kira Dulaney

Lace Knitting for Beginners - Two 2-hour classes
This class will focus on how to read and construct lace knitting. Lace knitting can be so much fun once you have the right tools. Advance beginner knitting skills required.
Saturdays, September 25th and October 2nd, 11am to 1pm $40
Teacher: David Oorbeck

Intermediate Lace Knitting - Two 2-hour classes
This class will focus on taking you from beginner lace knitting to the intermediate/advanced level. Enjoy the experience of creating something outstanding.
Advance beginner/intermediate knitting skills required.
Saturdays, October 23rd and 30th, 1 to 3pm $40
Teacher: David Oorbeck

TKGA Shadow Class - One 2-hour class every 2nd Friday of the month
A class/support group for those interested in taking the 1st level of TKGA's Master Knitters program.
The classes will assist you towards completing their requirements. There will be homework to complete and discuss, and samples to be worked and collected for TKGA final approval.
Every 2nd Friday of the month: September 17th (had to do the 3rd this month) and October 8th from 7 to 8pm
$15 per class (will include most materials)
There will be several teachers involved

CROCHET CLASSES

Pattern Reading for Beginners - One 2-hour class

Now you know the stitches, but how do you read the patterns? This class is for just that.

Sunday, September 5th, noon to 2pm $20

Teacher: Peter Franzi

Tunisian Crochet - One 2-hour class

It looks different, but it's not knitting---it is crochet! Add yet another unique skill.

(Tunisian hook required for class)
Sunday, September 12th, noon to 2pm $20

Teacher: Peter Franzi

Introduction To Crochet - One 2-hour class
As it says, introduction to the very basic chain, single, and maybe double crochet stitches.
No prior skills needed.
Saturday, September 18th, 10am to noon $20

Teacher: Peter Franzi

Intermediate Crochet - Two 2-hour classes

Build on the skills from the previous class to master textures and pattern reading.

Introduction to Crochet is a prerequisite.

Sundays, September 19th and 26th, noon to 2pm $40

Teacher: Peter Franzi

OTHER CLASSES

Improve Your Focus & Memory - 1-hour introductory class

It happens to all of us ... the memory starts to go! But there are ways to prevent it from happening so fast. Larhken will show you how through Brain Gym exercises, very simple yet effective techniques.

Tuesday, September 14th, 6 to 7pm $15

Teacher: Larhken Carroll

Drop Spindle for Beginners - One 2-hour class

Enjoy spinning your own yarn.

Saturday, August 21st, 4:30 to 6:30pm

or Saturday, September 11th, 3 to 5pm $20 + $5 for spindle rental

Teacher: David Oorbeck

ArtFelt - One 3-hour class
Play with the great creation of ArtFelt. Easy for beginner and younger students. You will come away with a great product almost no matter what you do.
Sunday, August 29th, 2 to 5pm $35 (includes materials)
Teacher: Jenny Briffa

Rigid Heddle Weaving Class - One 7-hour class

This is the perfect class for knitters who would like to experiment with weaving. The loom is small and handy, and within the class you will be able to create a wonderful scarf. Looms can be rented for an additional $5. Bring lunch and your yarn of choice. Class will be held at Lou's studio.

Sunday, September 26th, 9:30am to 4:30pm $80 + $5 for loom rental

Teacher: Lou Grantham

Spinning Wheel for Beginners - Two 2.5 hour classes

Come learn the enjoyment of making your own yarn. It's economical, fun, and ever challenging. But watch out---it's easy to become addicted!

Mondays, September 27th and October 4th, 5:30 to 8pm $50 + $5 for spinning wheel rental

Teacher: Lou Grantham

Intermediate Drop Spindle Class - One 2-hour class

So you know the basics but you want to be able to do more. Here is the class for you. Add to your skills, improve your control, and iron out the little beginner kinks.

Saturday, October 2nd, 1:30 to 3:30pm $20 +$5 for spindle rental

Teacher: David Oorbeck

Spinner's Night, Mondays, September 20 and October 18th, 5:30 to 8pm. Teacher: Lou Grantham

Knitters Gatherings, Wednesdays and Fridays, 3 to 7pm. Various mentors

Local Grown Fiber Trunk Shows

Locally Grown & Dyed Fibers

It's easy to go into any yarn store and buy pretty much any kind of yarn made in such places as Peru, China, or Italy, but quite a different matter to find yarn and fiber grown and processed here locally. Yes, there are a few larger American mills like Brown Sheep and Kraemer Textiles, and happily those mills are represented in many stores---but the local stuff is harder to come by unless you travel out to the sticks to get it.

The Oakland Fiber & Textile Festival was an attempt to bring you, the buyer, together with those producing locally grown and dyed fibers. Next we'll bring them in one by one to the shop, where they will present their wares and give you the lowdown on their product so you really get to know, on a very personal level, the garment you are about to make. It's like art versus reproductions. We all know how to do this with the food we buy; now we are creating a venue for your local yarn and fiber.

A discount is applied to all purchases made during the Trunk Show.

Updates on Trunk Shows can be found on Ravelry on the Piedmont Yarn Group, Bay Area Knitters, and Bay Area Spinners.

Trunk Show Schedule



Sandi Young of Buckeye Farm, Mountain Ranch, CA
Wednesday, July 28th, 5 to 7pm
Sandi Young graduated from Pratt Institute in Brooklyn, New York with a degree in Graphic Design and Visual Communication. She has worked as a graphic designer for such clients as Atlantic Records, The New York Times, and Apple Computers, and has won numerous design awards. Her design work has been displayed in the Victoria and Albert Museum design collection in London. Sandi has been a fiber artist for 40 years and has been the proprietor of the Crafts Gallery in New York State. Her work has been accepted by the American Crafts Council, and her sweater designs and handspun yarns are available in several California fiber studios. For the last 18 years Sandi has lived on a farm in Mountain Ranch, California, raising champion Angora goats, and uses their mohair for handspun, hand-dyed, hand-knitted wearable art. Trunk Show Sandi will be bringing handspun, hand-knitted, one- (or few-)-of-a-kind sweaters and shawls, and handspun, hand-dyed yarns (some for sale) and samples for custom orders.

Janelle Gunther of Snickleftriz Yarns, Pleasanton, CA
Saturday, August 7th, 1 to 3pm

Janelle's father gave her the nickname Snicklefritz, which he insists means "little cute kid," but other people say it means mischievous kid! Who is correct? Hmmmm... Polymer scientist by day and an indie dyer by night, Janelle (aka Snicklefritz Yarns) is on a mission to provide the masses with fun and unique colorways while educating them that not all superwash yarns are created equal! Using her knowledge of chemistry, she uses non-toxic dyes to create beautiful yarns that won't flash or pool. Her colorways are inspired by her travelling gnome's adventures. The gnome has gone as far as Norway, the UK, and the Bonneville Salt Flats to inspire Snicklefritz to create "Gnome Drag Racing on the Salt Flats" or "Gnome Floating Through a Fjord." In addition to showcasing new yarns and fiber at the trunk show, she will also be entertaining attendees with magnifications of yarn at up to 1000x so you'll see why so many people are in love with BFL yarn! Like the gnome and nickname, the yarn and fiber at Snicklefritz Yarns are certainly cute and just a little mischievous.

Janet Heppler of Nebo Rock Textiles, Covelo, CA
Tuesday, August 17th, noon to 2pm

Janet has been involved with fiber, fiber arts, and fiber animals for over 30 years. She lives with her family on a farm in Mendocino County outside the town of Covelo, raising Merino sheep, Angora goats, and Angora rabbits, all of which produce multiple shades of natural-colored hand-spinning fiber. Nebo Rock Ranch and Textiles fleeces have won many awards at various California county fairs. Janet's fiber art interest starts with the animals and goes to the finished product. She likes hand-spinning fiber from her own animals, and then weaving the yarn into scarves, shawls, and rugs, plus dying her yarn in a multitude of rainbow colors. She also teaches spinning, weaving, and dying, and gives carding, fancy spinning, and animal care demonstrations at fiber events.

Brenda Collins of Pan's Garden Yarns, Boulder Creek, CA
Saturday, August 28th, 3 to 5pm

Brenda Collins is originally from Virginia. When she was a small girl, her maternal grandmother taught her to knit and crochet.

In the middle 1980s Brenda became frustrated with the lack of good quality wool knitting yarn in ther area. Chance would have it that she picked up a Whole Earth Catalog and noticed that handspinning was making a comeback. After a long search, she found a woman who taught her the basics on the drop spindle. Soon she was not only spinning, but also weaving and dyeing.

Since the late 1980s, Brenda has been selling her yarn and other fiber products at craft and fiber fairs on both coasts. She has exhibited her handspun yarn in various fiber competitions and has won many awards, including several Best in Shows.

Presently, Brenda lives in Boulder Creek, CA, and is active in the local spinning guild, Mavens of the FiberForest. "Spinning is my passion," she says, "and I hope to be at the spinning wheel as long as my hands can work and my feet can pedal!"

August Classes

KNITTING CLASSES

August 2010 Classes.
Continental Knitting 101 - 1.5-hour classes
For beginners - take as many sessions as you need; all ages are welcome.
Saturdays, August 7th and 21st, 3 to 4:30pm $15 per class
Teacher: Bente Petersen

Fair Isle Colorwork for Beginners - One 3-hour class
Learn the basics of how to use more than one color at the same time. Advanced beginner skill required. Must know how to knit on either double pointed needles or two circulars. Three to five colors in a wool DK weight yarn needed for the class. (Or buy a $10 yarn kit with all the yarn needed; colors may vary.)
Saturday, July 31, noon to 3pm $30
Teacher: Carla Bossieux

Entrelac for Beginners - One 3-hour class
Have you ever wondered how they knit those squares on the side in different colors? Here's your chance to find out. You will be doing it like a pro by the end of the class. Advance beginner skills required. Bring yarn that has a long colorway change for best effect.
Saturday, July 31st, 3 to 6pm $30
Teacher: Leslie Kamholz

Socks for Beginners - Two 2.5-hour classes
Learn to knit the basic sock in a thicker yarn. Pattern can be adapted to thin sock yarn. Must know how to knit on double-pointed needles.
Sundays, August 1st and 8th, 2 to 4:30pm $40
Teacher: Melinda Van Roey

Lace Knitting- Two 2-hour classes
This class will focus on getting you successfully started on lace knitting, including the ins and outs of pattern reading. Enjoy the experience of creating something outstanding.
Advance beginner knitting skills required.
Saturdays, August 7th and 14th, 11am to 1pm $40
Teacher: David Oorbeck

TKGA Shadow Class - One 2-hour class every 2nd Friday of the month
A class/support group for those interested in taking the 1st level of TKGA's Master Knitters program.
The classes will assist you towards completing their requirements. There will be homework to complete and discuss, and samples to be worked and collected for TKGA final approval.
Every 2nd Friday of the month (August 13th, September 10th, October 8th) from 6 to 8pm.
$20 per class (will include some materials). There will be several teachers involved

Knitting the Seaweed Scarf - One 2-hour class
Knit the beautiful and fun Seaweed Scarf design. Check on Ravelry to see the project.
Sunday, August 22nd, 2 to 4pm $25 (incl. pattern)
Teacher: Michaela Popoff

Finishing Techniques - One 3-hour class
After knitting or crocheting a great garment it is equally important to be able to finish it just as well---and most of us need a little help doing it just right. Bring a garment that needs assembly/finishing or several swatches.
Saturday August 28th, noon to 3pm $30
Teacher: Kira Dulaney

Kira K's Skirt Class - Four 2-hour classes
This is a repeat of an earlier summer class that was so successful we want to do it again. Come in early and choose a pattern and matching yarn. Advance beginner knitting skills required.
Saturdays, September 18th and 25th, October 9th and 23rd, 3 to 5pm
$75 (includes pattern, but not yarn)
Teacher: Kira Dulaney

CROCHET CLASSES

Intermediate Crochet - Three 2-hour classes Build on the skills from the previous class to master textures and pattern reading.
Introduction to Crochet is a prerequisite.
Sundays, August 15th, 22nd, and 29th, noon to 2pm $50
Teacher: Peter Franzi

Tuesday Crochet Mini Classes - 2-hour classes
August 3rd, Parent/Child Intro Class
August 10th, Pattern Reading
August 17th, Square of the Month
August 24th, Joining, finishing, and other tricks of the trade
August 31st, Tunisian Crochet (Tunisian hook required for class)
Tuesdays, 5 to 7pm $10 per class. Sign up in advance, please!
Teacher: Peter Franzi

Introduction To Crochet - One 2-hour Class
As it Says: introduction to the very basic chain, single, and maybe double crochet stitches.
No Prior Skills needed.
Saturday, August 21, 10am to noon $20
Teacher: Peter Franzi

OTHER CLASSES

Box Bag Wet Felting - One 4-hour class
Learn how to use your washing machine for wet-felted products. This class will take place at Jenny's house in the Lake Merritt district where a washing machine is available. The main body of the bag has been machine knit so you can focus on all the fun stuff: shaping and decorating. The final walk-through will show you how to use your washing machine for the felting process. Sunday, August 8th, 1 to 5pm $50 (includes all materials)
Teacher: Jenny Briffa

Improve Your Focus & Memory - 1-hour introductory class
It happens to all of us ... the memory starts to go! But there are ways to prevent it from happening so fast. Larhken will show you how through Brain Gym exercises, very simple yet effective techniques. I use them a lot!
Tuesday, August 10th, 6 to 7pm $15
Teacher: Larhken Carroll

Drop Spindle for Beginners - One 2-hour class
Enjoy spinning your own yarn.
Saturday, August 21st, 4:30 to 6:30pm $20 + $5 for spindle rental
Teacher: David Oorbeck

ArtFelt - One 3-hour class
Play with the great creation of ArtFelt. Easy for beginner and younger students. You will come away with a great product almost no matter what you do.
Sunday, August 29th, 2 to 5pm $35 (includes materials)
Teacher: Jenny Briffa

$5 off if you sign up more than 3 days prior to each class.

Free Gatherings:

Wednesdays & Fridays from 3 to7pm – Knitting

Tuesdays from 3 to 7pm – Crochet

Every 3^rd Monday from 5:30 to 8pm -- Spinning

Oakland Fiber & Textile Festival

I just want to thank everybody that were part of the Oakland Fiber & Textile Festival -- Lou, vendors, volunteers and everybody that took the time out to visit.

We hope to do it again next year.

Bente

Classes for July 2010

KNITTING CLASSES

Continental Knitting 101 - 1.5-hour classesFor beginners - take as many sessions as you need; all ages are welcome.
Saturdays, July 10th and 24th, 3 to 4:30pm
$15 per class
Teacher: Bente Petersen

Two-at-a-Time Toe-Up Socks - Two 2-hour classes
This is an awesome class for those sock knitters wanting to add a new sock technique to their bag of tricks. Especially great if you have a limited amount of sock yarn. Advanced beginner skills required. Must know how to knit on 2 circular needles with ease.
Saturdays, July 10th and 24th, 4:30 to 6:30pm
$40.
Teacher: Leslie Kamholz

Cast On & Bind Off - One 3-hour class
There are many ways to cast on and bind off. This class will show you how to do a lot of them and discuss when to use them. Advance beginner skills required.
Saturday, July 17th, 3 to 6pm
$30
Teacher: Lisa Ellis

Introduction to Cabling - One 3-hour class
You always wanted to get started with cables, but feel a bit intimidated by charts and all the complicated stuff. Fear no more---join the class and you will be cabling with ease. Advanced beginner skills required.
Sunday, July 18th, 2 to 5pm
$30
Teacher: Leslie Kamholz

Slip-Stitch Colorwork - One 3-hour class
Enjoy the cool effect of slip-stitch colorwork, a great technique for all knitters. Advance beginner skills needed.
Sunday, July 25th, 2 to 5pm
$30
Teacher: Leslie Kamholz
Fair Isle Colorwork for Beginners - One 3-hour classLearn the basics of how to use more than one color at the same time. Advanced beginner skill required. Must know how to knit on either double pointed needles or two circulars. Three to five colors in a wool DK weight yarn needed for the class. (Or buy a $10 yarn kit with all the yarn needed; colors may vary.)Saturday, July 31, noon to 3pm$30Teacher: Carla Bossieux

Entrelac for Beginners - One 3-hour class
Have you ever wondered how they knit those squares on the side in different colors? Here's your chance to find out. You will be doing it by the end of the class like a pro. Advance beginner skills required. Bring yarn that has a long colorway change for best effect.
Saturday, July 31st, 3 to 6pm
$30
Teacher: Leslie Kamholz
Socks for Beginners- Two 2.5-hour classes
Learn to knit the basic sock in a thicker yarn. Pattern can be adapted to thin sock yarn.
Must know how to knit on double-pointed needles.
Sundays, August 1st and 8th, 2 to 4:30pm
$40
Teacher: Melinda Van Roey

CROCHET CLASSES
Crochet for Beginners - Three 2-hour classes
Learn the 6 basic crochet stitches and be on your way to mastering a new skill.
No prior skills needed.
Sundays, July 11th, 18th, and 25th noon to 2pm
$50
Teacher: Peter Franzi
Introduction to Crochet - One 2-hour class
As it says: introduction to the very basic chain, single, and maybe double crochet stitches.
No prior skills needed.
Saturday, July 17th, 10am to noon
$20
Teacher: Peter Franzi
Tuesday Crochet Mini Classes - 2-hour classesJuly 6th, Parent/Child Intro ClassJuly 13th, Pattern ReadingJuly 20th, Square of the MonthJuly 27th, Joining, finishing, and other tricks of the tradeTuesdays, 5 to 7pm$10 per class. Sign up in advance, please!Teacher: Peter Franzi
OTHER CLASSES

Spinner's Mini Classes - 2-hour classes
The perfect get-together for those who have taken their first drop spindle or spinning wheel classes. Keep in touch and fine-tune your skills.
Every 1st & 3rd Monday, 5 to 7pm
$10 per class. Sign up in advance, please!
Teacher: Lou Grantham

Spinner's Night - Two 2-hour classes
Learn to spin on a spinning wheel. Great beginner class.
Thursdays, July 1st & 8th, 6 to 8pm
$40 + $5 for spinning wheel rental
Teacher: Lou Grantham

3D Felting - One 3-hour class
Learn how to make fabulous felted 3D products. With use of wire and wool you can make the best and cutest animal figures. You will love this class!
Sunday, July 11th, 2 to 5pm
$35 (includes materials)
Teacher: Jenny Briffa

Improve Your Focus & Memory - 1-hour introductory class
It happens to all of us ... the memory starts to go! But there are ways to prevent it from happening so fast. Larhken will show you how through Brain Gym exercises, very simple, yet effective, techniques. I use them a lot!
Tuesday, July 13th, 6 to 7pm
$15
Teacher: Larhken Carroll

Drop Spindle for beginners - One 2-hour class
Enjoy spinning your own yarn.
Saturday, July 24th, noon to 2pm
$20 + $5 for spindle rental
Teacher: David Oorbeck

June Classes

KNITTING CLASSES

Continental Knitting 101 - 1.5-hour classesFor beginners - take as many sessions as you need; all ages are welcome.
Saturdays, May 22nd, June 5th, and June 19th, 2 to 3:30pm
$15 per class
Teacher: Bente Petersen

Socks for Beginners- Two 2.5-hour classes
Learn to knit the basic sock in a thicker yarn. Pattern can be adapted to thin sock yarn.
Must know how to knit on double-pointed needles.
Sundays, May 30th and June 6th, 2 to 4:30pm
$40
Teacher: Melinda Van Roey

Summer Skirt class - Four 1.5-hour classes
Choose one of Kira Dulaney's great summer skirt designs for this class with the designer. Class price includes the pattern. Check out the skirts and patterns in the store.
Saturdays, May 22nd and 29th, June 12th and 26th, 11am to 12:30pm
$65
Teacher: Kira Dulaney (from Kira K. Designs)Colorwork for Beginners - One 3-hour classLearn the basics of how to use more than one color at the same time. Must be an advanced beginner knitter.Saturday, June 19th, noon to 3pm$30Teacher: Carla Bossieux

CROCHET CLASSES

Introduction to Crochet - One 2-hour class
As it says: introduction to the very basic chain, single, and maybe double crochet stitches.
No prior skills needed.
Saturday, June 5th, noon to 2pm
$20
Teacher: Peter Franzi
Tuesday Crochet Mini Classes - 2-hour classesJune 1st, Parent/Child Intro ClassJune 8th, Pattern Reading for BeginnersJune 15th, Square of the MonthJune 22nd, Diagonal Crochet StitchJune 29th, Intermediate Pattern ReadingTuesdays, 5 to 7pm$10 per class. Sign-up in advance, please!Teacher: Peter Franzi
OTHER CLASSES

Peruvian Double Plying - One 2-hour class
In this class you will learn to ply with your drop spindle.
Saturday, May 22nd, 4 to 6pm
$20 + $5 for spindle rental
Teacher: David Oorbeck

Drop Spindle for beginners - One 2-hour class
Enjoy spinning your own yarn.
Saturday, May 29th, 1 to 3pm
$20 + $5 for spindle rental
Teacher: David Oorbeck

Rigid Heddle Looms for Beginners - One 6-hour class
Make a scarf in an afternoon with this easy-to-set-up and -use rigid heddle loom.
Sunday, June 6th, 10am to 4:30pm (with 30-min. lunch break)
$60 + $5 for loom rental. Class will take place in Lou's studio.
Teacher: Lou Grantham

Spinner's Mini Classes - 2-hour classes
The perfect get-together for those who have taken their first drop spindle or spinning wheel classes. Keep in touch and fine-tune your skills.
Every 1st & 3rd Monday, 5 to 7pm
$10 per class. Sign-up in advance, please!
Teacher: Lou Grantham

Spinner's Night - Two 2-hour classes
Learn to spin on a spinning wheel. Great beginner class.
Thursdays, July 1st & 8th, 6 to 8pm
$40 + $5 for spinning wheel rental
Teacher: Lou Grantham

3D Felting - One 3-hour class
Learn how to make fabulous felted 3D products. With use of wire and wool you can make the best and cutest animal figures. You will love this class!
Sunday, July 11th, 2 to 5pm
$35 (includes materials)
Teacher: Jenny Briffa