Classes & EventsWant to take on a new craft? Or just add a new skill or technique to your toolbox? How about meeting a pattern designer or getting a book signed? Join us at the shop for our classes, private lessons, and events!
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Shop Calendar: Stilly River Yarns
Regular Gatherings
PLEASE NOTE: Due to COVID-19 precautions, we are not currently hosting our standard social crafting times in the shop. We are hosting social hours on Zoom twice a week (Sundays, 2 - 3 PM PST // Tuesdays, 7 - 8 PM PST).
As Washington proceeds through its 4-phase reopening plan, we are monitoring recommendations about gatherings from the Snohomish Health District, the state, and the Centers for Disease Control. As larger gatherings are permitted later in the spring and summer, we will look at hosting outdoor social nights in our parking lot. Watch this space!
Classes, special events, and lessons
Special events, late spring / summer 2020
Please note that all special events are likely to be partially or completely virtual, due to precautions against the COVID-19 pandemic. We will update you here, on our social media pages, and through our regular newsletter.
Classes and lessons
We’re keenly aware that many of our customers and community members aren’t yet ready to proceed with business as normal due to the COVID-19 pandemic. It’s uncertain when we’ll be able to fully open, but in the meantime, we’re making some major changes to keep you and our shop family safe. One of those changes is that all learning opportunities are moving online for the late spring and summer. We know that this may present major challenges, but our normal instructional environment and techniques require us to be much closer than social distancing allows for an extended period of time; we don’t feel like it’s worth the risk to offer in-person classes at this time. NOTE: Due to social distancing restrictions, we are not currently scheduling private introductory lessons. We hope to be able to resume lessons in the late summer of 2020, but this will depend on state guidelines and best practice recommendations from the Snohomish Health District and the Centers for Disease Control.
So - with that being said, our class policies are still in place, with some slight modifications for the online environment. You can read them here.
Since we’re not sure what the next few months hold, we’re going to start with this class slate. We may add more classes (or more sessions of a given class, in person) as the reopening process allows. Stay tuned to our website, social media, and newsletter for the details!
REGISTER HERE: Sock Mechanics with Deb Romero (June 3, 5, 10, 15, & 18 // 7 - 8 PM PST each session [5 hours total])
This is the class you want if you have ever made a pair of socks and been disappointed with how they fit… or if you want to make socks for someone who has different size feet, or has other fitting issues (think extra-wide feet, super-narrow feet, or high arches). Learn how to rethink sock patterns and modify them for any foot! Deb Romero is a guest instructor who will be joining us from Wichita, Kansas.
REGISTER HERE: Toe-Up Socks (Saturdays, June 6 / 13 / 20, 9:30 - 10:30 AM PST [3 hours total])
Sometimes you have a limited amount of yarn... sometimes you're not quiiiiite sure how big your sock target's foot is... sometimes, you want to try your socks on for best fit as you go. If any of these statements hold true for your sock projects, then toe-up socks are an excellent candidate for a new sock technique for you to learn. Using the Towanda Socks pattern by Heather Hill, you'll learn Judy's Magic Cast-On and work a gusset-and-flap toe-up sock in a DK-weight yarn. We'll meet on 3 consecutive Saturday mornings - on the first morning, you'll learn how to work the cast-on and get started on the foot of your sock; on the second morning, we'll turn the heel and start the heel flap; on the third morning, we'll finish up, learn an elastic bind-off, and answer any questions you might have!
REGISTER HERE: Fiber Facts (Sunday, June 7, 10 AM - noon PST -OR- Thursday, June 11, 7 - 9 PM PST -OR- Sunday, July 12, 4 - 6 PM PST)
Some of the most common questions we field in the shop involve how different fibers behave - can you make a cabled sweater out of 100% alpaca? Which sock yarn should you use to make socks that will wear like iron? Why did the superwash wool you used in your hat get so slouchy, and can you redeem it? The truth of the matter is that not all fibers behave the same way, and many fiber crafters don’t know that until a project (or eight) go horribly awry. In this two-hour lecture-based workshop, we’ll go over the different properties of different fibers, talk about the best way to use them (and which projects to avoid with them!), and how to care for them as you embark on and finish projects.
REGISTER HERE: Introduction to Lace: Horsefeathers Cowl (Thursdays, July 2 / 16 / 30, 7 - 8 PM PST [3 hours total]
If you've been drooling over the lacy wraps that have seemed to be everywhere for the past couple of years (Ambah O'Brien and Joji Locatelli, we're looking at you) - but have despaired because you're intimidated by the thought of knitting LACE, we're here with the class you've been waiting for! Lindsey designed the Horsefeathers Cowl to help you ease into the world of putting holes in your knitting on purpose. In this three-hour class, you'll learn about reading charts, using lifelines, recognizing "landmark stitches," using stitch markers, and blocking your work. Knitting lace will become a technique you'll look forward to!
REGISTER HERE: Hooked on Crochet (Series 1: July 8 / 10 / 12, 7 - 8 PM PST each session // Series 2: July 22 / 24 / 26, 7 - 8 PM PST each session // 3 hours total instruction)
If you're stuck at home and have been looking to pick up a new, cozy craft, then let's get you going on crochet! We're glad to be able to offer a virtual class version of our standard learn-to-crochet lessons, with some minor modifications.PLEASE NOTE: You will need to plan to attend all three sessions.
REGISTER HERE: Sweater Prep: A First Sweater Workshop (Thursdays, August 6 / 13 / 20, 8 - 9 PM PST [3 hours total])
Sweaters are seen by many to be the Holy Grail of the fiber crafting world. They bring together the somewhat terrifying combination of purchasing large quantities of yarn, picking a pattern that will flatter the wearer, following a long and somewhat complex set of directions, getting the sizing and fit correct, and figuring out how to wash it and get it into the right shape and - sometimes - sew the blasted thing together.
It’s a lot.
Since we started the Intrepid Sweater Brigade in the winter of 2018, we’ve had requests from customers to take it a step further and provide an in-depth workshop to soothe anxiety and trepidation over the idea of working on full-sized garments for the first time. We hope that this workshop will give you the tools you need to approach your first sweater with more confidence! We’ll discuss pattern and yarn selection, how to swatch accurately, how to choose the size to make (and how to get your measurements!), and techniques that will come in handy for embarking on the adventure of your first garment. This class is 100% appropriate for crocheters and knitters.
Please note that all special events are likely to be partially or completely virtual, due to precautions against the COVID-19 pandemic. We will update you here, on our social media pages, and through our regular newsletter.
- Spring 2020 Craft-Along: late April - June 27
- PNW Slow Crawl: May 22 - September 7
- Shopiversary Celebration: Saturday, June 27
Classes and lessons
We’re keenly aware that many of our customers and community members aren’t yet ready to proceed with business as normal due to the COVID-19 pandemic. It’s uncertain when we’ll be able to fully open, but in the meantime, we’re making some major changes to keep you and our shop family safe. One of those changes is that all learning opportunities are moving online for the late spring and summer. We know that this may present major challenges, but our normal instructional environment and techniques require us to be much closer than social distancing allows for an extended period of time; we don’t feel like it’s worth the risk to offer in-person classes at this time. NOTE: Due to social distancing restrictions, we are not currently scheduling private introductory lessons. We hope to be able to resume lessons in the late summer of 2020, but this will depend on state guidelines and best practice recommendations from the Snohomish Health District and the Centers for Disease Control.
So - with that being said, our class policies are still in place, with some slight modifications for the online environment. You can read them here.
Since we’re not sure what the next few months hold, we’re going to start with this class slate. We may add more classes (or more sessions of a given class, in person) as the reopening process allows. Stay tuned to our website, social media, and newsletter for the details!
REGISTER HERE: Sock Mechanics with Deb Romero (June 3, 5, 10, 15, & 18 // 7 - 8 PM PST each session [5 hours total])
This is the class you want if you have ever made a pair of socks and been disappointed with how they fit… or if you want to make socks for someone who has different size feet, or has other fitting issues (think extra-wide feet, super-narrow feet, or high arches). Learn how to rethink sock patterns and modify them for any foot! Deb Romero is a guest instructor who will be joining us from Wichita, Kansas.
- Class fee: $60 (includes all handouts; materials purchased through Stilly River Yarns are eligible for a 20% discount). Please note: classes with guest instructors are not eligible for our pay-what-you can program, though we may be able to offer you financial assistance through our Community Crafters' Fund.
- Prerequisites: must understand top down sock construction/sock terminology and have knitted at least one pair of socks; must be comfortable with using the needle configuration you’re planning on using in class (double points, magic loop, 9” needle, 2 circulars)
- Materials: 100g fingering-weight yarn with at least 10% nylon, needles in your preferred configuration for sock knitting, in sizes US0 - US2 (or US2.5), 2 “lightbulb”/safety-pin stitch markers, 5 other stitch markers in form of your choice, tapestry/darning needle, scissors, rigid measuring tool (ruler)
- Homework: Come to class with a swatch knit with at least 3” in stockinette on the following 3 needle sizes US0, US1, US1.5 - use the same brand of sock yarn as you want to knit your socks in. If you are unable to complete all 3 sections, please - at a minimum - complete a section with US0 and a section with US1. Do 2 rows of purl between sections when you change needles. Please bind off - this will be a sample you keep as a reference.
REGISTER HERE: Toe-Up Socks (Saturdays, June 6 / 13 / 20, 9:30 - 10:30 AM PST [3 hours total])
Sometimes you have a limited amount of yarn... sometimes you're not quiiiiite sure how big your sock target's foot is... sometimes, you want to try your socks on for best fit as you go. If any of these statements hold true for your sock projects, then toe-up socks are an excellent candidate for a new sock technique for you to learn. Using the Towanda Socks pattern by Heather Hill, you'll learn Judy's Magic Cast-On and work a gusset-and-flap toe-up sock in a DK-weight yarn. We'll meet on 3 consecutive Saturday mornings - on the first morning, you'll learn how to work the cast-on and get started on the foot of your sock; on the second morning, we'll turn the heel and start the heel flap; on the third morning, we'll finish up, learn an elastic bind-off, and answer any questions you might have!
- Class fee: $40 (includes yarn) - pay-what-you-can available
- Prerequisite skills: working in the round, knitting, purling, binding off, basic increases, basic decreases
- Materials: US4 / 3.75mm needles in configuration that you prefer to work small-circumference objects in the round (Magic Loop, 2 circulars, double-pointed needles), stitch markers, tapestry needle
- Homework: none! We'll start the socks in the first class.
REGISTER HERE: Fiber Facts (Sunday, June 7, 10 AM - noon PST -OR- Thursday, June 11, 7 - 9 PM PST -OR- Sunday, July 12, 4 - 6 PM PST)
Some of the most common questions we field in the shop involve how different fibers behave - can you make a cabled sweater out of 100% alpaca? Which sock yarn should you use to make socks that will wear like iron? Why did the superwash wool you used in your hat get so slouchy, and can you redeem it? The truth of the matter is that not all fibers behave the same way, and many fiber crafters don’t know that until a project (or eight) go horribly awry. In this two-hour lecture-based workshop, we’ll go over the different properties of different fibers, talk about the best way to use them (and which projects to avoid with them!), and how to care for them as you embark on and finish projects.
- Class fee: $25 (includes handouts) - pay-what-you-can available
- Prerequisite skills: None
- Materials: Pen/pencil for taking notes
- Homework: If you’ve had a project fail - or work spectacularly well! - and you suspect your yarn choice may have been part of the failure/success, bring that story with you!
REGISTER HERE: Introduction to Lace: Horsefeathers Cowl (Thursdays, July 2 / 16 / 30, 7 - 8 PM PST [3 hours total]
If you've been drooling over the lacy wraps that have seemed to be everywhere for the past couple of years (Ambah O'Brien and Joji Locatelli, we're looking at you) - but have despaired because you're intimidated by the thought of knitting LACE, we're here with the class you've been waiting for! Lindsey designed the Horsefeathers Cowl to help you ease into the world of putting holes in your knitting on purpose. In this three-hour class, you'll learn about reading charts, using lifelines, recognizing "landmark stitches," using stitch markers, and blocking your work. Knitting lace will become a technique you'll look forward to!
- Class fee: $50 (includes three hours of instruction, pattern, and project yarn - please notify us at registration if you need non-wool yarn) - pay-what-you-can available
- Prerequisite skills: knitting in the round, basic increases and decreases, the ability to "read" your stitches (knit, purl, yarnovers)
- Other materials: 16" / 40cm circular needles, size US8 / 5mm; 10 stitch markers (if possible, make one different from the others to mark the beginning of the round); smooth waste yarn; tapestry needle
- Homework: Cast on and work the initial set of garter ridges, stopping at the “Feather and Fan” section.
REGISTER HERE: Hooked on Crochet (Series 1: July 8 / 10 / 12, 7 - 8 PM PST each session // Series 2: July 22 / 24 / 26, 7 - 8 PM PST each session // 3 hours total instruction)
If you're stuck at home and have been looking to pick up a new, cozy craft, then let's get you going on crochet! We're glad to be able to offer a virtual class version of our standard learn-to-crochet lessons, with some minor modifications.PLEASE NOTE: You will need to plan to attend all three sessions.
- Class fee: $60 (pay-what-you-can model)
- Prerequisites: None
- Materials needed: Learn to Crochet Kit OR smooth cotton yarn and a USG or USH crochet hook
REGISTER HERE: Sweater Prep: A First Sweater Workshop (Thursdays, August 6 / 13 / 20, 8 - 9 PM PST [3 hours total])
Sweaters are seen by many to be the Holy Grail of the fiber crafting world. They bring together the somewhat terrifying combination of purchasing large quantities of yarn, picking a pattern that will flatter the wearer, following a long and somewhat complex set of directions, getting the sizing and fit correct, and figuring out how to wash it and get it into the right shape and - sometimes - sew the blasted thing together.
It’s a lot.
Since we started the Intrepid Sweater Brigade in the winter of 2018, we’ve had requests from customers to take it a step further and provide an in-depth workshop to soothe anxiety and trepidation over the idea of working on full-sized garments for the first time. We hope that this workshop will give you the tools you need to approach your first sweater with more confidence! We’ll discuss pattern and yarn selection, how to swatch accurately, how to choose the size to make (and how to get your measurements!), and techniques that will come in handy for embarking on the adventure of your first garment. This class is 100% appropriate for crocheters and knitters.
- Class fee: $45 (includes handouts)
- Prerequisite skills: Basic stitches for your craft
- Materials: Pen/pencil for taking notes, basic tools of your craft to practice techniques - pick a hook / set of needles you’re comfortable with and smooth yarn to match.
- Homework: If you have a pattern in mind, bring it to class! This is a great opportunity to get all your questions answered and your planning squared away, just in time for starting a sweater for the fall and winter weather.