Category Archives: classes

A frog is (re)born

Posted on February 7, 2026 | 5 comments

It was a toss-up about which of my frogged yarns was going to be on the needles first.

And it was this one!

two balls of yarn, and a bit of knitting

Remember I said I thought the dark purple was too contrasty with the pooling yarn? Before I went to New York, I popped in the LYS to pick a green, figuring that Mother Nature knows what she’s doing. But I didn’t love this so I ended up going with the dark purple again.

two hanks of yarn, before soaking to unkink it

I was really glad I wound 3 of my 4 hanks on my swift, because the dark purple that I wound on my 2 yard niddy-noddy was too wide for my swift when I was ready to re-wind it after soaking. I had to wait for DH to come home from a trip so he could be my human swift, the night before I left for VKLive.

The initial bit of knitting looks pretty good. Using the dark purple as background and a small featured accent helps tone it down. I’m not sure about my pooling motifs, though. And then I had another idea while I was at my aqua-fit class. I do a lot of mind knitting in the pool.

So this yarn is now the project on the needles.

brioche and assigned pooling knitting in greens

I’m realizing that the orange color pop is shorter than I’m used to, but it works fine for the motif I’m using. Part of the fun of assigned pooling is that every yarn is different, and you can choose what you want to do or not do, to adapt or let it be.

So this is my “mindless” knitting project to take with me to Red Alder Fiber Festival on Wednesday. I’ll be gone for the weekend, teaching classes and hanging out with other fiber loving creators. For now I have to set it aside and prep my teaching things, and pack!

5 Comments

Posted in classes, events, Knit, pattern design, yarn

Tagged assigned pooling, brioche plus assigned pooling, brioche plus pooling, embellished brioche, frogging, knit design, Red Alder Fiber Arts, reusing yarn

VKL NYC 2026

Posted on February 3, 2026 | 5 comments

I’m back! I had a fabulous time teaching and playing at Vogue Knitting Live in NYC. I taught 5 classes and we had a lot of fun!

I think the one with the highest risk/reward ratio was my Log Cabin Love Coasters class, which involved reinforcing and cutting steeks, and then adding log cabin edges. These knitters are no longer afraid to cut their knitting!

I was thrilled to be a featured designer with GoSadi, a new platform for designers and makers.

My Whale Conga Line cowl was featured in the designer display (upper group).

What is GoSadi? According to their site, “GoSadi is your central hub for discovering, saving, and organizing your favorite knit and crochet patterns from across the web. Follow your favorite designers, keep track of your projects, and find endless inspiration all in one place—built to make your creative life simpler and more joyful.”

The Makers part of GoSadi just launched last week. You can sign up for a free maker’s account at this link. There are upgrades you can pay for, but the basic membership is free. Decide if you like it, and you can cancel at any time. I’ve been part of the Designers side of things for the last year, but I haven’t spent a lot of time on it. I’m not good about taking time to learn new things that aren’t knitting! I’ll catch up soon.

I was charmed by Sarah Divi‘s interactive art exhibit; she was here last year, too.

Ellie d’Eustachio‘s knitted coral reef was kinetic and tactile, and blacklit!

She said the corals were especially fun to knit, and encouraged me to touch them.

I posted lots more pictures on my Instagram and Facebook accounts, so if you want more you can find them at those links. I’m not quite done posting yet!

I spent all of my time in the venue, the Marriott Marquis at Times Square. It was super cold out and I didn’t get out at all, except for a show on Wednesday night after arriving.

I went to see Maybe Happy Ending at the Belasco Theater, starring Darren Criss (remember him from Glee?) and Helen J. Shen. It was fantastic, very sweet concept and very well done. And the ending? Maybe it was happy; I don’t know! There was a technical issue before the last (?) act. The actors were asked to leave the stage, and it was announced that they were working on a technical issue. Dez Duron (the jazz singer in the show) came out and entertained us with a few songs. And then Darren and Helen came out to chat a bit and say that the issue couldn’t be fixed that night, and we were sent home (getting a refund). So, maybe happy ending? I’d love to see it again and find out!

I’m home getting ready to head to Red Alder Fiber Arts Festival next week. It’s all brioche and assigned pooling for me next week! There’s still room in Brioche Doctor, Embellished Brioche, and Fun Stitches for Assigned Pooling, so come to Tacoma and knit with me!

woman wearing a handknit cowl featuring assigned pooling motifs — Fired Up assigned pooling cowl

5 Comments

Posted in classes, events, Fame, Knit, travel

Tagged GoSadi, Maybe Happy Ending, New York City, VogueKnittingLive

Wear it or Frog it!

Posted on January 22, 2026 | 9 comments

I have a shawl that I don’t wear, and I decided to frog it (rip-it! rip-it!) to give the yarn another chance to shine.

a purple brioche shawl with orange stars

I didn’t publish this design; I didn’t like the edge (this was my first attempt at putting brioche and assigned pooling together). And I decided (much later) that I didn’t love the high tonal contrast of this dark purple with the pooling yarn.

knitters by the ICE facility in Portland Oregon

I decided to frog it with the ICE knitters today. It was 31 degrees F when I left the house, and I knew my current tiny needle entrelac project would be too fussy for cold fingers. Ripping is much easier.

I got most of it done, but had to finish at home. Too cold!

Balls of yarn and a green Portland Frog Hat

Why yes, I was wearing my Portland Frog Hat while frogging!

It didn’t look too bad in the ball, but you can see how kinky the yarn is when it’s no longer under tension. I wound the purple yarn on my 2 yard niddy-noddy, and the pooling yarn on my swift. The swift is easier; I’m not sure if I put a twist in with the niddy-noddy.

The yarn has been soaked, and it’s now hanging to dry. I may use a lighter purple, or what if I went all the way wacky and used magenta? Too much? I have some velvety deep blue in the same base, and that could be nice, too. This is MadelineTosh Twist Light.

I need to get something on my needles before I leave for New York next week! I’ve packed my teaching suitcase with class supplies and tech, so I’m almost ready.

What are you dreaming of knitting this year?

9 Comments

Posted in classes, Knit, pattern design, yarn

Tagged Brioche knitting, frogging, frogging brioche, knitting, MadelineTosh, portland frog hat

Planning, packing, knitting

Posted on January 18, 2026 | 7 comments

I’m feeling frightfully organized this month. I taught my first (online) class of 2026 on Friday; it was First Steeks for Modern Daily Knitting. We had a blast, and the chat window was filled with glee as students reported that they had cut their knitting. So much fun!

I’ve scheduled local classes through April. My next local class is on Zoom! I’m teaching Advanced Tink Drop Frog: Fixing Mistakes (including lace) on Saturday, February 7 via For Yarn’s Sake. This is a great way to up your knitting skills! Register here.

I’m reviewing Powerpoint presentations this week (oh! I forgot; the young people are calling them slide decks these days) for my classes at Vogue Knitting Live NYC so I can pack my teaching suitcase for next week.

collage of brioche plus assigned pooling

And I’m planning the classes I’ll be teaching at Red Alder in February, including my newest class Embellished Brioche: Brioche plus Assigned Pooling. I’m also teaching Brioche Pastiche (beginning brioche), Brioche Doctor, and Assigned Pooling. There’s still room in some classes; check it out here.

My calendar is tidy, so my mind must be, too! Sure.

7 Comments

Posted in classes, events, Knit

Tagged red alder fiber arts retreat, VogueKnittingLive

Happy new year!

Posted on December 31, 2025 | 9 comments

A quick look back, and then on to 2026.

collage of 2025 pdxknitterati patterns — 2025 PDXKnitterati patterns

I published 10 new patterns in 2025, and gave Brioche Pastiche a big glow up for my Modern Daily Knitting brioche class. Not bad! Patterns are: Jelly Jewels (jewelry organizer), Portland Frog Hat (free), Fantasia Cowlette, Simply Stellar Shawlette, Log Cabin Love Coasters (for January 2026 Modern Daily knitting steek class), Flower Power Entrelac, Scattered Petals, Fired Up, Starstruck, Peekaboo Shawlette, and Brioche Pastiche.

Seven of my new patterns featured assigned pooling (four of those combined brioche and assigned pooling), and five featured brioche. I do have my favorite techniques, don’t I?

The Portland Frog Hat got the most attention this year.

Eight of my Top Nine Instagram posts were related to protest, and the last picture wasn’t even mine! It was a tagged collaboration.

Time to move on to 2026! My first class of the year is Log Cabin Love Coasters, an online class for Modern Daily Knitting. Come cut your first steek with me! It’s very non-threatening when it’s just coasters. Class is on Friday January 16, and it’s recorded so you can see it more than once, or if the time isn’t convenient for you. Register here!

What do YOU want to knit in 2026?

9 Comments

Posted in classes, Fame, Knit, pattern design

Tagged knitting, log cabin love coasters, modern daily knitting, portland frog hat, Portland protests, TopNine

Red Alder Fiber Arts: Treat yourself!

Posted on December 20, 2025 | 5 comments

I’m looking forward to teaching at Red Alder Fiber Arts Retreat, February 12-15! I’m scheduled to teach 3 brioche classes (my favorite, as you know), and an assigned pooling class.

My newest brioche class is Embellished Brioche, which uses brioche rib as a background for assigned pooling. If you know how to knit brioche rib, this would be a great addition to your brioche toolkit. You can add assigned pooling to any of your brioche rib projects; you just need to know your strategy. I would love a few more students for this class.

Pre-registration is important for events like Red Alder; a class may be cut if it doesn’t get enough pre-registration before January 4. Embellished Brioche is in that danger zone. Treat yourself, and treat me, too! Here are some examples of brioche + pooling:

Collage of shawlette, detail of shawlette, and the assigned pooling yarn — Starstruck

a brioche plus assigned pooling cowl — Scattered Petals

My other classes are:

Brioche Pastiche (beginning 2 color brioche in the round)

Fixing Brioche mistakes — Brioche Doctor (fixing brioche mistakes)

Assigned pooling stitches — Fun stitches for assigned pooling

If you are planning to come to Red Alder, please pre-register for classes! There is limited registration available on-site, but for maximum choice, pre-registration before January 4 is the way to go.

Hope to see you there!

5 Comments

Posted in classes, events, Knit

Tagged assigned pooling, brioche knitting class, brioche plus pooling, Red Alder Fiber Arts

Busy weekend of entrelac, frog hats, music

Posted on December 8, 2025 | 6 comments

I was grumbling to myself about having to finish all those ends, and the rest of the design work for this project, when I reminded myself that I had successfully done small circumference entrelac in the round before.

I knit these on dpns, and had no trouble with them. Hmm. Easier than magic loop or flexi-flips. I never thought I’d say that!

It seems a lot less fussy this way. And I do love Brittany birch dpns. I’ll see if I can make this piece be what I want it to be…

We took a stroll to see some Christmas decorations in the neighborhood. Froggy shenanigans continue! I was pleased to receive a letter this week from a church group that knit 27 frog hats, sold them at their holiday bazaar, and donated $550 to Oregon Food Bank. And I received a note from Northeast Emergency Food Program thanking me for the $100 donation from my frog hat sale. I’m glad the hats help people get fed!

winter choir concert — Alameda Women’s Choir

Our choir concert was on Saturday. We sing pop music, and it is fun!

I had a fun solo at the beginning of this song. It’s such a gleeful piece, all about loathing!

Back to work. I’m prepping handouts for Vogue Knitting Live NYC and Red Alder Fiber Arts Retreat. My goal is to have them all turned in by tonight. Wish me luck! And register for these events now, if you’d like to come.

6 Comments

Posted in classes, Knit, music, pattern design

Tagged Alameda Women’s Choir, entrelac, portland frog hat

VK Virtual class winner and more frog hats

Posted on November 12, 2025 | 1 comment

Wow, 11/13 of the commenters want to cut their knitting! We could all use a friend when it comes to that first steek. I’m that friend!

The winner of a Vogue Knitting virtual class with me is Judith Grant. I used a random number generator to choose. Congratulations, Judith!

If you’re interested in cutting with me, you can still register for this class here. Use coupon code NOV25 for 25% off the class. We’ll discuss ways to reinforce your steek before cutting, cut the steek, and pick up stitches for finishing. Class is on Friday Nov. 14, but it’s also recorded and available for 2 weeks after the event.

I was away for the weekend, and talked a friend through cutting some knitting! She doesn’t knit, but she wanted to make a frog hat. She bought a green chenille cardigan at Goodwill. The back of the sweater was wide enough that we could use it for the hat, including the ribbing for the bottom. It’s just a rectangle straight up, seamed to make a tube (she put the seam at the back, since there was only one seam), then seamed across the top. It turned out great.

I finished my worsted weight frog hat, too. Free pattern from me, for worsted and super bulky weight yarns! This yarn was burlier than most worsted, so it’s a little bit big on me.

Green knit hat and Feminist Knit Club patch

I’d like to sell it for a good cause. $100 for the hat and a Feminist Knit Club patch, with all money going to my local food bank (Northeast Emergency Food Program).

Thanks to Thao from Nerdbird Makery for the patches! These are the last of the last; there are no more patches or other Feminist Knit Club swag available. Come and get it!

How was your weekend?

1 Comment

Posted in classes, giveaways, Knit, Other craftiness

Tagged NerdBirdMakery, portland frog hat, steeking, Virtual Knitting Live

VK Virtual class giveaway

Posted on November 8, 2025 | 12 comments

I’m teaching two classes next weekend for Vogue Knitting’s November virtual event. This is the last VK Virtual event of 2025; the next one will be in February. They’re running a sale, use code NOV25 for 25% off all remaining classes. The classes are recorded and available for 2 weeks after the event, so you can sign up for class even if the time isn’t convenient for you. I’m signing up for a class that’s at the same time as one of mine, and I’ll watch it a bit later.

I’m giving away a spot in one of my classes; would you like to win that spot?

Tink Drop Frog teaches you how to identify and fix mistakes in your knitting. This is a great class for advanced beginner to early intermediate knitters. This class is on Saturday November 15.

Sheepy Steeky Coasters walks you through reinforcing and cutting your first steek. You knit your coasters before class, so there’s some homework. This class is on Friday, November 14.

If you’re interested in winning a spot, leave a comment telling me which class you’d like to take. I’ll pick a winner on Wednesday November 12. Good luck! (Edit: I’m changing this to Tuesday Nov. 11, to give time for homework…)

12 Comments

Posted in classes, giveaways, Knit

Steeks, log cabin knitting, and a tidy bind off

Posted on November 2, 2025 | 1 comment

Collage of me and my Log Cabin Love steeked coasters

I’m very pleased to be teaching my second class with Modern Daily Knitting in January. It’s a workshop on cutting your first steek! We’ll be using my Log Cabin Love Coasters pattern, which also features a log cabin knitting border. That’s peak MDK. The virtual class is on Friday January 16. It will be on Zoom, and also recorded. You can register here.

While working on my log cabin edges, I’ve been annoyed by the loose stitch at the end of my bind off. It doesn’t matter in the middle of a project, because I’ll be picking up stitches all the way around the edge, but at some point there will be an outside edge that lets that loose stitch show.

I went poking around on the interwebs, and found a great tutorial by Patty Lyons on the Modern Daily Knitting site. She demonstrates five methods; some of them take pre-planning. All of them are shown with stockinette stitch, and they look great.

My favorite is the one that takes the least planning and effort. Yep, that’s me; git ‘er done. It does show a little bit more in garter stitch knitting, but I think I prefer that to having a loose stitch on the outside edge. I made a video for my log cabin knitting classes.

What do you think? Does that little blip bother you, or does the burble in the garter stitch bother you more? Knitter’s choice! I haven’t found a perfect solution, but this is good enough for me. For now. And I’ll definitely be using it for stockinette stitch.

Do you have a better way? I’d love to know that, too!

1 Comment

Posted in classes, Knit, tutorial

Tagged binding off, first steek, knitting, knitting class, log cabin knitting, log cabin love coasters, modern daily knitting, steek, steeking, tidy bind off