Knit City Montreal - May 16-18, 2025
Color theory for fiber artists
Learn strategies to help you quickly and efficiently try out exciting yarns and colors in your knitting. First, we will use coloring pages to explore our innate color sense. The fundamental concepts of color interaction and theory will be introduced in a lecture format. During the presentation, students will learn about the color wheel, historical points of interest, and will see examples of quick and dirty color-ups from a fashion industry perspective, focusing on methods of exploring color combinations without the expense of yarn and the time intensive process of swatching. Students are encouraged to bring in “difficult” yarns, spinning fiber, and color inspiration. Coloring and knitting
swatches during the lecture time is encouraged.
In the second half of the class, we discuss everyone’s coloring pages and yarn comparisons. This is an interactive and conversational class, designed to show range of palettes and color perspectives and how a pattern is changed by color.
Homework: Fill in at least one coloring page on paper or digital printout or knit a stripe contrast swatch to show in class.
https://www.knitsocial.ca/workshops-mtl-en/kx5yr3bw32j1ie0rqf5y6agghqidj2
Intro to Algorithmic Stitch Patterns
In this class we will create texture, colorwork or lace using rule based guides instead of restrictive instructions. Unlike a traditional pattern that always produces the same result, projects based on algorithms (rules) have an element of randomness. In the first part of the class, we will discuss how to create simple but unique stitch motifs and colorwork based on anything from the roll of dice to the number of steps you take in a day. We’ll go over a range of techniques that produce stunning results. I’ll demonstrate how to plan a temperature blanket inspired project from a set of data. Each student will work on a swatch or mini shawl in class using their own set of rules. Everyone will share their results and discuss how each rule affected the outcome of their stitch pattern.
Supplies: 4+ balls of yarn in any weight, Bring mostly solid colors. Scraps are OK. Needles /hooks in an appropriate size for your yarns. A pencil and notebook or scratch paper. Dice will be available, but students are encouraged to bring their own. Optional: Color Card for project yarn, coloring supplies to match your yarn, a set of data (such as daily average temperatures from 1975).
https://www.knitsocial.ca/workshops-mtl-en/intro-to-algorhythmic-stitch-patterns-xandy-peters
Intro to Stacked Stitches
Stacked stitches are an innovative approach to striped colorwork, best known as the technique behind the Fox Paws pattern. Stacks can add shaping, create 3d texture, replace short rows, and when combined with stripes, they create intricate motifs without unsightly strands on the wrong side of your projects. You’ll never need to manage more than one color at a time or worry about bobbins because stacked stitches bend rows of garter stitch into new shapes and patterns using only increases and decreases.
This introductory class will enable knitters of all levels to try out the technique in a swatch and become confident working patterns that incorporate stacked stitches. We will focus on mastering the increase and decrease stitches and learn several strategies for avoiding problems and fixing mistakes.
Requirements: This class is best suited for intermediate level knitters or adventurous beginners who have experience reading patterns and working basic increases and decreases.
Supplies: Worsted weight scrap yarn in multiple colors, circular needles with a flexible cord in a corresponding size to your yarn and a few adjacent sizes (metal or plastic needles are strongly recommended), stitch markers. Optional materials: scratch paper, highlighter tape, and a digital row counter.
https://www.knitsocial.ca/workshops-mtl-en/intro-to-stacked-stitches-xandy-peters
Stitch by Color
Students will have chance to cut out, fill in, and play with their own tile sets. Once we’ve made some fun patterns with simple tiles, we’ll move on to edge matched tiling. These tile sets are used to create random patterns that look seamless (think of randomly generated maps in video games). These tile sets are surprisingly easy to create, and we will go over various strategies for creating edge
matched tiles. Students will have time in class to create their own colorwork tile sets on paper and explore the possibilities. At the end of class, students can share their colorwork designs.
Requirements: Students should be familiar with 2 color stranded colorwork, crochet colorwork, or quilt piecing.
Supplies: Graph Paper. A pencil or erasable pen. At least 2-3 colored pencils.
Students will work on paper during class but are encouraged to bring 2 colors of
yarn or 16-25 half-square triangles *just in case* they feel like working with textiles.
https://www.knitsocial.ca/workshops-mtl-en/stitch-by-colour-xandy-peters
