Sunday, January 03, 2010

A Modified Nimbus Sweater Class



Did you know that I am teaching knitting classes at A Peaceful Place Wellness Center in Clifton Park, NY?

The Modified Nimbus Sweater

The Advanced Beginner Knitter will love making this quick cardigan sweater. The Modified Nimbus Sweater is a quick knit using bulky yarn. With short sleeves and a cropped body, this sweater practically flies off your needles! I tweaked the original design to make it a little longer and the body is knit in one large piece to reduce the amount of seaming. A Modified Nimbus Sweater is a variation of the Nimbus Sweater pattern by Berrocco.

The classes are four Wednesdays: 1/13, 1/20, 1/27, and 2/3 from 6:30pm to 8:00pm. We are reserving 2/10 as a make-up date in case of snow. The cost is $60. Please sign up at A Peaceful Place with your name, phone number, and a check for the class fee to reserve your spot in class.

DETAILS YOU WILL NEED FOR THE CLASS:

What should I bring to class? yarn, size 11 double pointed needles, size 11 24-inch (or longer) circular needles, tape measure, scissors, darning needle, paper & pen, 5 stitch markers (2 of one color and 3 of another color), and a cardigan that you like how it fits (optional) If you prefer the original Nimbus sweater pattern then print it and bring it with you. I will provide the pattern for the Modified Nimbus sweater.

Skills needed for this pattern: knit, purl, cast on, bind off, k2tog, picking up stitches, working in the round on DPNs, sewing seams, and weaving in ends
You must be comfortable with the knit and purl stitches for this class. Everything else you can learn in class!

Yarn Requirements:

X-Small bust measurement 32", body length 15"-->515 yards

Small bust measurement 36", body length 15.5"-->618 yards

Medium bust measurement 40", body length 16"-->618 yards

Large bust measurement 44", body length 16.5"-->721 yards

1X bust measurement 48", body length 17.5"-->927 yards

2X bust measurement 52", body length 18.5"-->1030 yards

An extra 100-200 yards will be needed to make the body and/or sleeves longer. I always like to get an extra skein or two of yarn then I think I will need. Better to have yarn that I need to return to the store, then run out before I am finished!

The pattern calls for Berrocco Peruvia Quick yarn and size 11 needles. However, you can use any super bulky yarn and needles that you can get guage with. Some possible substitutions are:

Lion Brand Wool Ease Thick and Quick

Cascade Yarns Ecological Wool

Malabrigo Yarn Chunky

Brown Sheep Lamb’s Pride Bulky

Noro Iro

Noro Big Kureyon

HOMEWORK BEFORE THE FIRST CLASS~~~GAUGE SWATCH:

It is a very good idea to knit a gauge swatch to make sure your sweater will actually fit when you are done with it. Use the yarn and needles you are planning to use and cast on 20 stitches. Knit one row and purl the next row. Continue in pattern until you have completed 20 rows. Your gauge should be: 12 knit stitches across (horizontal) will measure 4 inches & 16 rows (vertical) will measure 4 inches. If you have more stitches and rows then you should, then you will need to use smaller needles. If you have fewer stitches or rows then you should, then you will need to use bigger needles. After switching needles you will need to knit another swatch to make sure you are getting gauge. Once you get gauge you are ready to begin!

GETTING A GREAT FIT: Please bring a cardigan sweater to class to use as an example of how you like your sweater to fit. It will help to measure a sweater that you already like when deciding the length of the body and sleeves of your new sweater.


NEWBORN CHARITY HAT EVENT

On Sunday January 24th from 1pm-3pm Suzanne Morrison Gauvreau will be offering a FREE knitting class to make baby hats for the wonderful charity To Love a Child. These hats will provide warmth for new born babies in Haiti and Africa. If you can do the knit stitch, Suzanne can teach you the rest! Please sign up at A Peaceful Place with your name and phone number to reserve your spot in class. Please bring a ball of worsted yarn and size 7 double pointed needles.

If you have any questions, please contact me at knittingknirvana@yahoo.com I can't wait to see you in class! :)