Nancy Bush found her way to traditional knitting techniques and uses of ethnic patterns via a degree in Art History and post-graduate studies in color design and weaving in San Francisco and Sweden. She has published articles and designs in Knitter’s, Interweave Knits and SpinOff and others. She has been the knitting contributor to PieceWork Magazine and is currently a member of the editorial advisory panel. She teaches workshops in the United States and abroad. She owns The Wooly West, a mail-order yarn business in Salt Lake City, Utah. She is the author of Folk Socks (1994) to be reissued in the Autumn of 2011, Folk Knitting in Estonia (1999), Knitting on the Road, Socks for the Traveling Knitter (2001), Knitting Vintage Socks (2005) and Knitted Lace of Estonia: Techniques, Patterns, and Traditions (2008), all published by Interweave Press.
Learn about Estonian knitting traditions through their socks. Students will begin a sock, learning some interesting Estonian techniques: a special cast-on, unique cuff treatment and knitted braids. A variety of Estonian sock styles will be discussed. Students should be familiar with using double point needles for this class.
| Class Level: | Intermediate |
| Class Skills: | Experience using double point needles helpful for this class. Circulars are also welcome. |
| Cost: | $150 |
| Class Length: | 6 hours |
Travel to Sweden in this workshop! We will study the traditional technique of two end, or twined knitting, a special way to make mittens, gloves, socks and other warm and sturdy projects. Learn how to carry the two yarns, how to make interesting textures and how to add in colors - all while beginning a wonderful pair of socks!
| Class Level: | Advanced |
| Class Skills: | Students would be familiar with using double point needles for this class. |
| Cost: | $150 |
| Class Length: | 6 hours |
This workshop will begin with a discussion of the patterns that were written for sock and stocking knitting in the 19th century, drawing extensively from the Weldon’s Practical Needlework journals. We will look at styles that were popular and how they translate into modern times. We will discuss the patterns, how they were written and how best to translate them into 21st century knitting language. Students will make a sampler in this class, using techniques adapted from Nancy’s book, Knitting Vintage Socks (Interweave Press. 2005), including a very interesting heel and toe shaping not commonly used today.
| Class Level: | Intermediate |
| Class Skills: | Students should be familiar with using double point needles for this class and have made at least one sock. |
| Cost: | $150 |
| Class Length: | 6 hours |