Knitting is an act of creation and transformation.  The process can be calming, meditative, challenging, and exciting.  At times it can also be boring in its repetition, frustrating, or it may appear to be too difficult of a challenge.  The products can be simple or complex, large or small.

Knitting With Intention explores the many ways in which knitting can be approached as creative transformation, as meditative focus, as an exciting challenge or a calming process, and how to transform a sense of boredom, frustration, or overwhelming difficulty while knitting.

One of the many items that can benefit from a process of knitting with intention is a prayer shawl.  Prayer shawls may be a gift to yourself or someone that you care for.  In this class you will begin the process of creating a prayer shawl.  Students will be provided with the pattern for a Dragon Hatchling shawl that combines garter stitch and lace to create a small crescent shawl resembling dragon wings.  The pattern requires less than 400 yards of fingering weight yarn.  It is knit on relatively large needles (4.5mm), and thus requires a yarn that will bloom.  A wool blend is ideal, particularly one with plant fibres.  Avoid a yarn that is tightly spun.

Skills required: Casting on and binding off, knit and purl stitches, decreasing stitches, and reading charts.  The instructor is available to provide help if you encounter difficulties.  If you are not familiar with reading charts, this project will help you learn.

Supplies provided: shawl pattern

Supplies you need to bring:

4.5mm circular needles at least 24” long

386 yards of fingering (sock) weight yarn (see below for further recommendations)

I (Mandyz) recommend two local yarn shops for purchasing supplies  – Yarn Indulgences located in the Kitchener Market or Shall We Knit now located at 11 Willow St in Uptown Waterloo.

The ideal yarn for this project is one that will “bloom”.  A wool blend is best; one that is soft next to your skin.  I would not suggest a tightly spun sock yarn or a light weight sock yarn.  If necessary you could use a sport weight.  Something with some plant fibre such as bamboo or tencel or seacell works well.

There will be some locally dyed yarn on hand for sale at The Hive and Grove for the workshop from Waterloo Wools and Lofty Fibres.  Prices range from $21 to $27 for these beautiful, soft yarns that would create unique shawls as a special gift to yourself or a loved one.

Facilitator: Mandyz Moon

Knitting Designs Website: Ravelry Designer: Mandyz Moon

Cost: $25 + HST