Knitting 101
Participants in Knitting 101 (Knit Fundamentals) will master knits and purls to proficiently create sample pieces that can be turned into a variety of projects. This is the perfect class for absolute beginners and novice knitters alike. Over four weekly sessions, learn how to cast on (get started) using more than one technique, to create a wide variety of stitches (garter stitch, stocking stitch, rib stitch, seed stitch), to increase and decrease like a pro, and to "bind off" your knitted piece. We'll also show you how to correct mistakes and to use an invisible seaming method to connect all your pieces together. No experience is required and a "get started" kit is included in your registration fee. Have fun, meet new people, and get the skills you need to knit the projects you desire. This workshop has continuous enrolment (you can start at any time as long as there is room in the class).
$95 for 4, 2-hour sessions plus a "get started" kit with book, yarn and knitting needles!
Saturdays from 10:00 AM-12:00 PM. You can take these lessons either at our downtown or our southside locations. Special evening time: (downtown only) Thursdays from 5:00 - 7:00 PM.
PLEASE NOTE: during the month of May, there are five Saturdays! Knitting 101 will run on the Southside May 8, 15, 22 and 29 (no class on May 1). Knitting 101 will run at our Downtown location May 1, 8, 15 and 29 (no class on May 22).

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2 Hour Project Tutorials
You’ve been inspired to pick up one of the projects on display in the store and you’d like a little on-going assistance to complete it. We have a new, 5-visit drop in punch card that you can purchase and scheduled drop-in times so you can get the help and support you need. Each visit entitles you to a 2 hour group tutorial session with one of our knitting instructors. Just call ahead to book your spot in one of our drop-in sessions. You can also exchange one punch for a ½ hour one-on-one lesson.
$75 for a 5 visit punch card pass.
Specified drop in times listed on workshop calendar.

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Drop-In Knitting Circle
Come by the store and work on your knitting (or other handcraft) projects. This is a good opportunity to socialize with other "fiber artists" and to support each others' work. Bring your project and a refreshment and make yourself at home. Due to space restrictions and seating, we do ask that you RSVP to reserve a spot.
Free. First Sunday afternoon of each month from 1:00 - 3:00 PM at River City Yarns Downtown (780) 477-9276 AND/OR at River City Yarns Southside (780) 450-9276

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Workshop Amnesty
If you've taken one of our workshops but haven't finished your project, come in for a "workshop amnesty" session. We'll get you back on track with your project! Bring along your UFO, your handout or pattern, your needles and anything else that's still rolling around in your project bag.
Registration: This workshop is free for anyone who has taken a River City Yarns workshop. $25.00 for all others. Please RSVP.
Saturday, May 22 from 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM at River City Yarns Downtown OR
Sunday, May 23 from 1:00 - 3:00 PM at River City Yarns Downtown OR
Wednesday, May 26 from 5:30 - 7:30 PM at River City Yarns Southside

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IYOTS: International Year of the Scarf Knit-a-Long
Canadian designer, Ilga Leja, has come up with a knit-a-long membership idea called IYOTS (International Year of the Scarf). You purchase a membership and each month you’ll receive a new pattern for an international scarf. Your pattern will be an entirely new Ilga Leja design and you’ll get it before anyone else! The scarf patterns will be as varied as the countries they represent: there will be lace, of course. But there will also be colourwork, textured stitches, different shapings, and various techniques. Each month will employ some different technique or design approach. River City Yarns will host a Knit-a-Long (KAL) each month for Edmonton members to get together and work through the scarf patterns. Think of it as getting all your 2010 Christmas knitting done, one month at a time. To sign up, visit Ilga’s website and click on the IYofS logo. Prerequisites: join Ilga Leja's IYofS program - you need the patterns and the technique sheets!
Materials required: bring along your pattern, your chosen yarn, a beverage (optional) and your thoughts on the work so far.
Registration: $Free (RSVP requested)
Sunday, May 30 from 1:00 - 3:00 PM at River City Yarns Downtown

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Drop Spindle Spinning
Learn to make your own two-ply yarn using a drop spindle. Learn how to prepare fibre for spinning, how to introduce new fibres to the twist and find out if spinning direction makes a difference. In Part 2 of this class, we’ll discuss and try out different methods for plying yarn and how to set the yarn prior to working with it.
Materials Required: a drop spindle and a small amount (50g) of roving (both available at River City Yarns).
$45 (plus materials) for two, 2-hour workshops
Wednesday evenings, May 5 & 12 from 5:30 - 7:30 PM at River City Yarns Southside (come back on Wednesday, May 19 for a "spin in" and practice your new skills)

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Everything You Need to Know to Knit Socks (with an Option to Knit 2 at Once!)
If you've been wanting to knit socks (or to learn to knit two at once) this is your opportunity. Novice Knitters: knit an adult sock (for you!) on a set of double pointed needles or two circulars. Advanced knitters: bring your favourite sock pattern and two circular needles and you'll learn how to cast on two at once, how to work two in the round, how to move stitches between needles (it's trickier than you might think!) and how to convert your pattern into a "two at once" recipe. This three-part class runs over three consecutive weeks (check your calendar!) and is a perfect class for graduates of Knitting 101 and experienced knitters alike. In the first class, we cast on and get comfortable knitting in the round on small needles with fine yarn; in part two, we make a heel flap and "turn the heel", pick up stitches and work the gusset; and in the third class we make a toe and close it with Kitchener Stitch. Whew! It's a lot of work making socks! But well worth the effort.
Materials required: approximately 400m of a fingering weight (sock) yarn, DPNs to match yarn (or two circulars).
Registration: $75 (plus materials) for three, 2-hour sessions.
Thursdays, May 20, 27 and June 3 from 4:30 - 6:30 PM at River City Yarns Downtown

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Baa Baa Bangles with Donna James from Wooly Boulevard
Create a fancy bracelet using felted wool, glass and metal beads. You will learn how to wet-felt wool rovings into solid beads, then string them with glass and metal beads into a bracelet, finishing with charms on the clasp. Participants in this workshop are encouraged to bring along a charm of their own to personalize their project. You can purchase or bring along, wool roving in one or more colours (we highly recommend "topknots" by Aurelia). A materials fee of $7.50 (payable to Donna) will provide you with a selection of glass and metal beads, as well as findings (clasps) in both silver and gold tones and a selection of charms and softflex wire. No prerequisites... and no knitting required!
$35 (plus materials) for one, 3-hour session
Saturday, May 15 from 1:00 PM - 4:00 PM at River City Yarns Southside

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Elizabeth Zimmerman's Baby Surprise Jacket
Are you a fan of Elizabeth Zimmerman? She’s the inventor of the Baby Surprise Jacket and you’ll find the pattern for it in a couple of her books, The Opinionated Knitter and Knitting Workshop but we also have her single pattern available at the store. We’ll help you through the knitting, folding (some call it "knitter's origami") and seaming parts of this clever little pattern.
Materials Required: approximately 400m of a light (fingering) to medium (dk) weight yarn and knitting needles appropriate to yarn choice (we can help you find the right combination).
$45 (plus materials) for four, 1-hour sessions OR two, 2-hour sessions.
Tuesdays, May 4, 11, 18 & 25 from 4:30 - 5:30 PM at River City Yarns Downtown OR
Fridays, May 8 & 15 from 3:30 - 5:30 PM at River City Yarns Southside

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Fetching! (Knit in the Round, Cabled, Fingerless Gloves)
Learn to knit in the round and make cables with this lovely fingerless glove pattern from Knitty.com. The cables hold the gloves nicely at your wrist and across your knuckles, and are excellent for keeping you warm yet unhindered while knitting, typing, or enjoying a coffee at an outdoor café. If you have never tried knitting cables before, this would be an excellent project to start with. The cable pattern is simple, and if you make a mistake and end up having to rip out some rows, it shouldn't take you long to catch up.
Materials Required: 1-2 balls of Debbie Bliss Cashmerino Aran [many knitters have completed a pair with just one ball, but every knitter is different. Buy two, and if you don't need both for your first pair, make a second.] 1 set of 4mm double-point needles, 1 stitch marker, cable needle, approx. 12 inches smooth waste yarn in a contrasting color (mercerized cotton works well) and a wool/tapestry needle (a blunt sewing needle with a big eye). Please visit Knitty.com to download and print the free pattern for Fetching.
$45 (plus materials) for two, 2-hour workshops
Saturdays, May 8 & 15 from 2:00 - 4:00 PM at River City Yarns Downtown OR Southside

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Fun and Fast Felted Slippers
Knit and felt a pair of cozy slippers for yourself or as a great gift. In part 1, we will cast on and begin knitting in the round, discussing how to pick up stitches, change colours, add other fibers and creating shapes (turn a heel, make a toe). We will also cover the felting process and how to complete your felting at home. In Part 2, participants return to finish their project or show their finished work, talk about the felting experience and discuss finishing techniques. Learners need to know how to knit and purl. (If you've wanted to knit socks but were afraid... this is a great class for you! You'll essentially knit short socks on big needles.)
Materials Required: approximately 200m of 100% bulky or super-bulky weight wool (we recommend Naturgarn or Alafoss Lopi), a set of 8mm double pointed needles and River City Yarn’s Felted Slipper pattern.
$45 (plus materials) for two, 2-hour workshops
Sundays, May 9 & 16 from 1:00 - 3:00 PM at River City Yarns Downtown OR
Sundays, May 23 and 30 from 1:00 - 3:00 PM at River City Yarns Southside

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Spin-In!
Bring out your drop spindle(s) and/or your spinning wheel and come out to River City Yarns Southside for an evening of spinning. We'll have some "fibre tasting" for you to try out but more importantly, you'll get a chance to meet some other spinners and maybe fill a bobbin (or two)!
Registration: there is no charge to attend this event but we do ask for you to reserve your spot by calling our southside store at (780) 450-9276. Thanks!
Wednesday, May 19 from 5:30 - 7:30 PM at River City Yarns Southside

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Entrelac Scarf
Join our instructor, Cathy Jackson, for a few hours and learn how to turn your knitting into this fabulous woven look. The Entrelac Scarf is colourful and easier than it looks! You'll feel like a knitting genius and all you need to know is how to knit and purl. You'll be entrelacing everything once you get the hang of it!
Materials Required: download the Entrelac Scarf pattern by Allison LoCicero and bring approximately 400m of a worsted/aran weight yarn (the pattern recommends using 4 balls of Noro Silk Garden and the store sample uses 4 balls of Noro Kureyon) and 4.5 - 5.0 mm knitting needles.
Registration: $35 for one, 3 hour session
Saturday, May 29 from 1:00 - 4:00 PM at River City Yarns Southside

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Learn a Little Lace (and make Queen Vicki's Wristlets)
Come in for a relaxed intro to knitting lace. We'll do up a few swatches using lace patterns that involve yarn overs, left and right slanting decreases and reading charts. You'll learn tips and strategies for dealing with lace patterns, how to recognize stitches and perhaps most importantly, how to "unknit" a lace row (without dropping those precious yarn overs). Once you’re comfortable with the technique, we’ll get you started on a lovely set of Victorian-inspired lace wristlets - we've nicknamed them "Queen Vicki's Wristlets" - a perfect project for Victoria Day but perfect for wearing at any occasion! The pattern will be provided in class. Prerequisite: Knitting 101.
Materials Required: Approximately 70g of a fingering/sport weight yarn (we recommend Lana Grossa Cool Wool 2000 or Filatura di Crosa Zarina) in a solid colour and 3.5 mm needles (any type). A wool/tapestry needle is also required. Handouts and project pattern provided with paid registration.
Registration: $35 for one, 3 hour session
Monday, May 24 from 12:30 - 3:30 PM at River City Yarns Downtown AND Southside

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