Crayon Box Jacket with Joan Debolt

Sept. 23, Oct. 7 & 14   4:00-6:00

Fee:  $50

No two projects will be this same as this jacket is really a canvas on which to paint (knit) with many colors and texture combinations. The designer Chris Bylsma gives you the structure in solid detail, and simultaneously lets you play with the design.  This pattern is one of her most popular, and exists in a small version for little girls as well. Joan will teach you how to make the squares and how to join during the first class and give you a couple of weeks to work on the body of the sweater.  During the next two classes you will learn how to do the sleeves and then put it all together and add the borders. Joan knows a couple of tricks to make the basic pattern even better. 

Supplies Needed- this is a good project to use up your stash.  You can use a variety of yarns  finger weight to worsted weight and novelty yarns can add a little bit of spice.   You might have a  color scheme in mind when you register. Joan has a stash of novelty yarns that she will bring along colors that she thinks will work with your color scheme and class members can swap yarns if you are willing.  You will need needle size US10 straight, US8 5 circular needles 24” or longer.  Of course if you know you knit tight or loose you might want to bring along a size smaller or larger.  You will need to purchase the pattern, which we will have available at the shop. 

 About Joan Debolt

     Joan learned to knit as a child and attended college in preparation for teaching sewing and cooking, but she always found herself going back to her real love - knitting.  She had been reading and collecting knitting technique books for over 30 years.   She had been teaching for over 25 years. She consider herself more of a technical knitter than a designer.  Among her favorite books was  Elizabeth Zimmerman, Knitting Without Tears.   She corresponded with Elizabeth for several years and then began to attend her “camp” where a whole new world opened up for her and she realized how little she knew about knitting.  I was fortunate enough to attend workshops in Wisconsin for many years with Elizabeth and  have also studied with many of those whose books are a foundation for our knitting libraries.  Beside Elizabeth Zimmermann and her daughter Meg Swanson she has honed her skills with Beth Brown-Reinsel, Elizabeth Upitis, Alice Staremore, and many others.  Joan has contributed to a number of books such as The Opinionated Knitter published by Schoolhouse Press and patterns by Cottage Creations.  Joan says, "Knitting is my passion and I love to share with others what I have been blessed to learn".