Our classes offer a supportive environment for you to learn and share. We'll be happy to help you find the class that's right for you...and, we're always open to suggestions for new classes. You will receive a supply list when you register for a class.
Skill Building &Technique Classes
Beginning Knitting (B)
Learn the traditional British way or Continental knitting. Master the basics, including casting on and off, the knit stitch, the purl stitch, and more. Familiarize yourself with yarn and needles and enter the fascinating world of knitting! $50 + materials
Series P: Sat. 6/21 & 6/28 3:00-5:00pm with Derrick
Series O: Thu. 9/4, 9/18, 6:00pm-8:00pm, with Ivy
Series C: Sat. 8/2 8/9, 3:00-5:00pm, with Derrick
Series P: Sat. 9/13 & 9/20 3:00-5:00pm, with Derrick
Knitting Fun with Family (B)
Learn to knit with every family member, men and women, boys and girls. Knitting can bring your relationship closer. Spend some time together with your family to learn something that is soothing and creative. You will learn all the basics for knitting in this class. $50 for a single, $80 for two family members, $35 per additional member, materials extra
Thu 7/10 & 7/24 6:00-8:00pm, with Ivy
Thu 8/7 & 8/21 6:00-8:00pm, with Ivy
Sophomore Knitting (B & I)
Continue with your knitting knowledge on a project of your choice. We will help you to interpret instructions and continue with techniques of increasing, decreasing, shaping, and some secrets to help you complete your project. Come to the class with your supplies and pattern in hand. $65 + materials
Series H: Thu 5/15, 5/29 & 6/12, 6:00-8:00pm with Ivy
Series I: Thu. 7/3, 7/17 & 7/31, 6:00-8:00pm, with Ivy
Series J: Thu. 8/14, 8/28 & 9/11, 6:00-8:00pm, with Ivy
Series K: Thu. 9/25, 10/9 & 10/23, 6:00-8:00pm, with Ivy
Fine Finishing (B+)
Learn how to perfect your projects with fine finishing techniques. You will learn easy invisible cast on, 3-needle bind off, kitchener stitch, and mattress stitch. Homework required. $35 + materials
Wed 8/20, 6:00-8:00pm with Ivy
Fix Your Mistakes (B)
We make mistakes all the time. Stop ripping it out over and over again. Come in to learn learn how to catch dropped stitches, twisted stitches, unknit your stitches, and more. $30 + materials
Wed 7/16, 6:00-8:00pm with Ivy
Wed 9/24, 6:00-8:00pm with Ivy
Japanese Short Row Technique (I/E)
Have you heard of W&T? Short row shaping is wonderful. We can use it on socks, bust lines, necklines, shoulder shaping and so on. Japanese short row is even easier than W&T. Best of all, it leaves no holes. We will practice it in class. Bring in your pattern so we can alter and utilize this amazing technique on a garment. (Stockinette stitch pattern for this class, no fancy stitch patterns, please!)
Note: This class is for someone who has experience knitting garments before and wants to advance her skills on shaping. $65 + materials
Wed. 7/9, 7/23 & 8/13, 6:00-8:00pm, with Ivy
One Session Project Classes
Reversible Cable Scarf (B+)
It’s fun! It’s cool! The cables show on both sides on the scarf. You will learn the secret of reversible cables, even if you are already making cables. $30 + materials
Wed 8/6, 6:00-8:00pm, with Ivy
Multiple Session Project Classes
Sock School – Cuff Down (I)
Let us show you how to control those pesky double pointed needles, turn a heel, knit gussets and graft. $65 + materials
Series B: Sun. 7/13, 1-3:30pm, (Part 1,) with Derrick
Sun. 7/20, 1-2:30pm, (Part 2), with Derrick
Sock School – Toe Up (I)
Don’t want to deal with double pointed needles? Learn to make socks on two circular needles from toe up. It’s fun and quick! $55 + materials
Wed. 9/3 & 9 /10, 6:00pm-8:00pm, with Ivy
Making Your First Sweater (B)
It is time for you to make a sweater. Learn bow to knit and purl your way to a trendy sweater. In class you will learn shaping and finishing techniques to make your sweater a reality. $65 + materials
Wed. 9/3, 9/10, 9/24 & 10/01 6: 00-7:30pm, with Ira
Lace Harebell Fichu (A)
Are you inspired by this elegant lace collar in Victorian Lace Today? Come see the sample in our shop. You will learn a lot of new terms from this project. Let’s make it together. Homework required. $65 + materials
Prerequisite: Student should have at least intermediate lace skills to sign up for this class.
Series K: Wed. 5/7, 5/28 & 6/18, 6:00pm-8:00pm, with Ivy
Series L: Wed. 7/2, 7/30 & 8/27, 6:00pm-8:00pm, with Ivy
Swirled Pearl Shawlette (I)
This beautiful shawl was presented in the fashion show of Stitches West 2008. Don’t just drool, make yourself one. We will go over the pattern and learn to add beads to your knitting. Experience with lace knitting recommended. $65+ materials
Wed. 6/4, 6/11 & 6/25 6-8pm with Ivy
Fair Isle Sweater - All you want to know about Fair Isle
Come learn how to knit a Fair Isle sweater using steeks, circular needles and working with 2 yarns in a pattern. You will learn multiple techniques of knitting with two-colored yarns. You will have 8 weeks to make a charming child's sweater. There will be breaks in-between so you have time to finish each step. $95 + materials
Series D: Thu 5/21, 5/28, 6/4, 6/11, 6/18, & 6/25, 6:00-7:30pm with Ira
Crochet Classes
Beginning Crochet (B)
Crochet is back! We will be working on learning the basic stitches in crocheting, how to read a pattern and at the same time creating a potholder. $65 + materials
Series P: Sat. 7/26, 8/2, 8/9, 10:00am-1:00pm, with Judi
Series Q: Wed. 9/10, 9/17 & 9/24, 6:00-8:00pm, with Judi
Amigurumi – Japanese toys (B)
Come and see what amigurumi is all about! Make one yourself, and you’ll be making them for all your friends. Bring a pattern and materials or an idea you have and we will create a crocheted stuffed toy. Visit http://www.squidoo.com/crocheteddolls/ for patterns. $40 + materials
Prerequisite: For crocheters with some knowledge and experience with basic crochet stitches.
Sat. 8/30, 10:00am-1:00pm, with Judi
Baby Afghan
Here is a quick baby afghan for someone special. $40 + materials
Wed. 8/30 1:30-4:30pm, with Judi
Other Classes
Color Culture (all levels) – maximum 6 people
Discovering and playing with color while learning how to view and differentiate color (tones, tints) and how color reacts with skin tones to build up to making a color coordinated shawl. Besides color, this class covers yarn textures. $60 + materials
Sat 6/7, 2:00-5:00pm, with Derrick
Sat 7/26, 2:00-5:00pm, with Derrick
Felted Accessories (B)
No need to spend hours looking for accessories and gifts. Tap your creativity and make your own matching accessories and jewelry in this fun workshop. Use hand felting to make belts, necklaces, earrings, bracelets, even buttons and much more. $75 + materials
Sun .7/27, 12-5pm, with Remy
Dyeing Fine Fibers (B)
Learn methods to dye extra fine Merino wool and silk fibers. We will learn about the dye chemistry and how it affects wool and silk fibers to create vibrant colors that will not run or bleed. Fibers created can be used in Nuno Felting. $75 + materials
Sun. 8/10, 12-5pm, with Remy
Private Lessons
If your schedule doesn't match our classes, you can sign up for a private class with Ivy on Wednesday or Thursday afternoons. Time slots are available for ½ hour or more.
Please contact the shop at 408-293-9333 to schedule some time to get individual instruction.
Meet Our Teachers
Derrick Koh is innovative and fascinated with fiber designs. He plays with color in an innovative way and is experimenting with dyeing of yarns while refining methods of knitting, crocheting, weaving, and other fiber methods to produce 3-D and 2-D artwork. He is a dedicated, passionate, understanding and caring instructor wanting to teach more people to view color in a different perspective rather than using the traditional color theory methods that yields unsatisfactory results.
Ira Dearing, the adage, Yarn-A-Holic applies to her. Yarns of all sorts became her passion at an early age. She began designing crochet dresses for 6-inch dolls before she was 10 years old. Knitting attracted her attention three years later and she was designing her own sweaters and dresses before graduating from high school. Today, she designs knit and crochet items for clients of all ages and is the owner of dear-thing.com.
Ivy Mok has been knitting for 25 years. She has taught at other yarns shops and at Los Gatos Community Center. She designs for herself and for customers, writes patterns, and loves challenging projects. Her passion of knitting and crocheting is not too far behind Yarn-A-Holic Ira.
Judi Hammond has crocheted for many years. She enjoys passing on her love for crocheting to others. You will find her classes exploring and productive.
Remy Pessah, a process engineer, has been sewing since the age of 9. Over time, she has developed an expertise not only in sewing, but in textile art. Remy has been accepted in many juried shows and is a member of the American Craft Council. Her artwear is currently on display in a select number of haute-couture boutiques in Carmel, Los Altos, Los Gatos, Palo Alto and San Francisco. She now brings her love of textile manipulation to share and inspire.
