HAVE YARN WILL TRAVEL

Bio:  My name is Lora Kinnan.

I own and operate Daisy Knits, which is located in my home in Columbia Heights, MN. Machine knitting has been fascinating me since 1987. It has been really fun teaching machine knitting to other knitters around the country as well as to anyone who walks in the door of the shop. Being a dealer has motivated me to become proficient in designing on both the PPD and the Design A Knit program.  It has allowed me to learn to use the many pieces of accessory equipment  too. Many of the patterns that I have developed like 'Craft Sale Gotchas', 'Animal Tales' and the 'Animal Kingdom Series' have been real attention grabbers and great sellers at craft sales. Other patterns that I have written such as School Sports Designs, Toasty Double Mittens and Hearty EarFlap Hats are ones that Daisy Knits and Manufacturing has used to knit for over 20 schools as well as some high end sporting goods companies. I have begun writing a line of very classy dress patterns for the manufacturing business too. Because these patterns were written for ease and simplicity in knitting techniques the non-production knitter has been enjoying them as well. This background along with my psychology degree, my supportive hubby and my two neat kids has provided an opportunity for me to pursue machine knitting, manufacturing, and teaching.

1. ISOLATING TECHNIQUES, AND FINISHING HINTS (Beginner-advanced)
   Where and when do I run an isolating thread when knitting? Should I kitchener stitch and if I should where? What is the easiest way to kitchener stitch a sweater? How do you do shoulder pads on a set in sleeve? What is a great buttonhole to use? Is there and easy way to know where to sew the buttons. What are some embellishments to dress up that sweater after it is finished. If you need the answers to any of these questions join me we'll see if any one knows.
   
   Machine: Standard main bed and ribber
    

2. DRESS PANTS-It is time you knit some great dress pants for your self.  Where do you start?  Lets start with the measurements and go from there.  We’ll cover the techniques in my new book “Classic Pants”.  We’ll look at how they are shaped, what bind offs are used and where, what transfers to make and where, how to do the pleats, and  the pockets.  Best of all you can be a novice without a ribber. These are things that you can apply to even your own pattern.
    

   Machine:  Standard main bed

    

3. SKIRTING YOUR ISSUES-We will start with measuring then move into a discussion of what pleats, pockets, and gathers at the waist do to the individual figure.  I will cover the techniques in my new, SIMPLY CHIC SKIRTS, book which contains skirts similar to the classic ones sold by an upscale fashion designer.  This class is intended to encourage you to maximize your best points and tone down others.
   
   No ribber is required.
    

4. THE BANDIT CLASS- Don't let a lack of ideas ROB you of the right band for your garment. There are many wonderful bands to KNOCK you OVER. We'll BREAK IN to the memory archives and SNATCH a peak at some Stockinette, Fairisle and Ribbed bands that just may STEAL the show. We'll TAKE a look at which bands are more specific to certain garments and which are more specific to certain fibers. Some can be done in a PINCH and some are a RIP OFF of the expensive ones you see in stores. Join me and we’ll get edgy together.
   
   Machine:  Standard machine and ribber.

    

5. BEST RIBS IN TOWN-This class is for those of you who have a ribber and would like to see it do something other than a 1x1 or 2x 2 rib.  We can do wonderful racked fabrics as well as some great pin tucks, plaited rib, pleats that don’t come out (even with washing) and many many more.

   We’ll start at the beginning and just keep working until the end of class. 
   
   Machine needed:  Main bed and ribber. 

    

6. INVEST IN VESTS-We are going to cover the techniques of making a vest that has shaped arm holes, shaped shoulder and semi slashed pockets.. This is the vest that my hubby co designed with me and we knit for a high end sporting goods company.  My sweetie was determined to have a vest that fit him nicely and had a pocket that his keys wouldn’t easily fall out of. So after much collaboration this is it.  No ribber is mandatory as you can substitute other trims where we have the ribbing.  So I will show ribbing but also tell you what else can be done.

    

7. COTTON QUERIES (Beginner- Experienced)
   Description of Demo: Why use cotton? How do I make it stretch? How can I do a nice stretchy ribbing cast on with cotton? What materials can be combined with it? What can I do to keep it from biasing? Do I always have to make a swatch? What can be done to make it classier? How do I do a cut and sew neckline? Do I steam it and wash it before putting it together or after? What are some shape patterns that work well with cotton? What are some stitch patterns that help cotton behave? How can it be dried? What do the numbers on the cotton cone stand for? This class is for the beginner as well as the experienced knitter. Some of the techniques require a ribber.
   
   Machine: Brother standard main bed and ribber
    

8. THE RIBBER MADE EASY (Beginner)
   Setting up your ribber and adjusting it properly is an essential not a luxury. You will see where to make necessary adjustments. We'll then move on to how to do a ribber cast on that looks professional, lays flat and doesn't ripple; examine how to do pleats; and then explore some bind offs to see how they look and stretch.
   
   Machine: Brother standard main bed and ribber
    

9. NECKLINE TREATMENTS (Beginner, through Experienced)
   Tired of the same ol same ol. Well talk about the cut and sew neckline and then discuss some neckline treatments for both the shaped and/or the cut and sew neckline that look smashing. Pattern handouts in class will allow you to follow along as we knit these great necklines
   
   Machine: Brother standard main bed and ribber
    

10. THE INS AN OUTS OF WEAVING-(Beginner- Experienced)
    We'll have a look at my favorite weaving technique, which is just a little different then what your book tells you. Well examine what fibers work well in weaving. We'll see how to use cotton and wool effectively in a woven garment, how to combine them with some of the "man made" fibers and not lose the breatheability of the natural fiber, what stitch patterns are great for weaving and if there's time how to do isolated surface weaving.
    
    Machine: Electronic Brother standard main bed and ribber
     

11.  FLOAT MASTERY. (Beginner, Intermediate)
    Do you find the joy of knitting those large overall designs washed away by the threat of dealing with long floats? Muster your courage matey and come on board. We'll see if we can conquer them once and for all. I'll present at least 8 different ways to deal with them other than double jacquard. You can pick and choose what will work best for you.

    
    Machine: Brother standard main bed