Looping Back class

Making a loop, knitting with part of it, and then tightening it is a peculiar technique that lends itself to some unusual applications. You can bind off on both ends of the same row to preserve symmetry. You can also add modules — intarsia, entrelac, or even side-to-side edgings —  in a way that is seamless and elegant. You can adds beads in a unique way that is both more secure and prevents them from sliding around. These are all various applications of Rick Mondragon’s sliding loop/modular intarsia technique.

Skill level is advanced.
Prerequisite: Should already have experience with intarsia and entrelac (a swatch from a class is fine). Knowing how to carry/trap a yarn in Fair Isle knitting is encouraged. Knowing how to knit back backwards is helpful but not essential.

What you will learn:
how to use Mondragon loop to work modular intarsia, particularly useful when controlling the flashing of multicolored yarns
how to work flat (sometimes reversible!) entrelac, based on the work on Jay Petersen
how to join a perpendicular lace edge using this technique (a very flat join, indeed!)
an unusual way to add beads
how to bind-off at both ends without having one edge of the fabric being one row taller than the other

back side of flat entrelac

Maximum 20 students.

½ day workshop

Students receive a handout in booklet form. The booklet does not contain the Sir Thomas entrelac pattern. However, I generally offer the pattern as a free gift to my students.

No materials fee.

Homework: Just a small swatch. Picture and directions posted here.

Supplies:

• homework swatch
• class yarn (smooth, non-splitting, light or bright or medium color) in a couple colors
• needles to work that yarn
• cable or double-pointed needles (optional, but helpful)
• small crochet hook for beading
• beads that will fit on the class yarn (I bring pony beads for students who don’t have spare scrap beads.)
• waste yarn (slippery, such as mercerized cotton, if possible)
  

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 overlaps some with a previous class named “Unventions.” Elements of it have been taught at
The Whole Nine Yarns, Woodstock GA;
Knitters Connection 2012, Columbus OH;
South Carolina Knit Inn 2012, Greenville SC;
Unwind 2013, Blowing Rock NC.

This class has been taught in its current format at
Unwind 2014, Blowing Rock NC;
Maryland Sheep and Wool Festival, May 2014, West Friendship MD;
Southeastern Animal Fiber Fair 2014, Fletcher NC;
Atlanta Knitting Guild, April 2015, Atlanta GA;
Unwind, Blowing Rock NC, November 2021.