Liberating the Labyrinth class

Are you ready for some stunning stunt knitting? Would you like to knit an entire sweater in only 10 or 20 rows? This class will walk you through how to knit labyrinth fabric based on the work of Debbie New. This fabric can show off multicolored yarns to wonderful effect and create kaleidoscopic effects from Fair Isle patterns. Additionally, we will consider under-explored implications including hexagonal labyrinths, lace labyrinths, and side-to-side labyrinths. Impress your knitting friends and yourself!

Skill level is advanced.
Prerequisite: Must have experience with mitered squares. Must know how to work a double decrease (three stitches become one) and a double increase (one stitch becomes three). If you have never made mitered squares, please make the two optional homework swatches (directions here), which are a decreasing mitered square and an increasing mitered square. Know how you like to use markers so you can reliably work a double decrease or a double increase without the line "drifting."

What you will learn:
how to plan a labyrinth project
how to knit a right-turning labyrinth
how to knit a left-turning labyrinth
how to join it all together
tips and tricks for keeping track as you work

Maximum 20 students.

½ day workshop

Students receive a handout in booklet form and the patterns for Twist & Turn Cube and Zig-Zag Cube.

Class learning pattern worked in Knit One, Crochet Too Paintbox
(one skein each)

No materials fee.

Homework: Know your favorite double-increase (turn one stitch into three) and double-decrease (turn three stitches into one) and how you like to use stitch markers at those points. Please take a few minutes to practice both of those before class if it has been awhile since you have used either technique. If you have never made mitered squares, please work one increasing mitered square and one decreasing mitered square. (Directions here.)

class swatches worked in Lion Brand Landscapes

Supplies:

• class yarn (smooth, non-splitting, light or bright or medium color); multiple colors of yarn or long-print yarns are especially fun in this technique.
• a long (40- or 60-inch) circular or interchangeable needle you like with this yarn
• stitch markers in at least two colors
• crochet hook

No special needs for the room set up. A whiteboard or flip chart is nice to have but not need to have. I have a projector if the facilities can accommodate it. Room set-up should be tables and chairs either facing forward or in a U-shape.

This class has been taught at:
Unwind 2014, Blowing Rock NC;
Southeastern Animal Fiber Fair 2014, Fletcher NC;
Southeastern Animal Fiber Fair 2017, Fletcher NC;
Atlanta Knitting Guild, Atlanta GA, January 2019;
South Carolina Knit Inn, Greenville SC, February 2019;
Pittsburgh Creative Arts Festival, Pittsburgh PA, March 2019;
Southeastern Animal Fiber Fair 2019, Fletcher NC;
TKGA Next Level Knitting Conference 2022, virtual;
Pittsburgh Creative Arts Festival 2022;
Dallas Fort-Worth Fiber Fest 2022;
Shenandoah Valley Fiber Festival 2023, Berryville VA;
New York State Sheep and Wool Festival 2023, Rhinebeck NY;
Salt Lake Knitting Guild, Salt Lake City UT, March 2024.