DOWN HOME & COMPANY
150 MAIN ST
BRIDGTON, ME 04009
(207) 647-8118
downhomecompany.com
{Home}
{About Us} {Classes}
{Kromski Products}
{Louet Products}
{Contact Us}
UPCOMING CLASSES 2009
UPDATE
As always, the classes at Down Home & Company are geared not simply to make a project, but to teach a new skill or technique that the student is able to take away with him or her and repeat at home. I do my best to choose instructors who not only are artistic & creative, but who are also good teachers. Unless stated otherwise, all classes are suitable for a beginner.
Knit night for July and August is on Tuesdays from 3-6pm. Knitters, spinners & crocheters are all welcome.
As many of you know, I have been looking to retire. The store is now officially on the market. If you or anyone you know has a serious interest please give my broker, Helen Robillard of Keller Williams Realty a call @ (207) 743-1193.
Continental Style Knitting: Have you ever seen someone knit with the yarn coming off the first finger of their left hand? This is called Continental or German style knitting. It is faster than the American (or English) style knitting and when used in conjunction with American style makes color work a 'snap'. This class will show you the technique and help you to get started. Student should be able to knit and purl to take this class. This class is being offered through the Bridgton Memorial School, so please call Darlene Perry @ 647-5054 to register. Thurs, July 9th, 6-7:30.
Simple Socks: Learn to make a basic sock. Rindy O’Brien will walk you through a gentle introduction to double point knitting. Bring to class 6 oz worsted weight yarn and size 6 double point needles. Must be able to knit and purl. 3 session course. Fri, July 10, Thurs, July 16 & Fri, July 17. 6:00-7:30 pm. $35
Rug Hooking: Janet Conner is your instructor. Janet's speciality is primitives, but she is well versed in all aspects of this art. Her cheerful and easygoing attitude is infectious. Learn the basics of rug hooking with strips of wool fabric, or if you are more advanced, Janet will help you with your own project. Bring to class your rug hooking supplies/project, or purchase one of Janet’s many and varied kits from $25 - $50. There is a link to Janet's web site @ downhomecompany.com so you can see some of the available kits. Single session, Sat, July 11th, 10- 2pm. $3
Spinning 101: Our ancestors did it out of necessity, but today's spinners do it for relaxation and the pleasure of feeling the fibers flow through their fingers. Learn to make your own yarn using a spinning wheel and wool from sheep. This class is good for the rank beginner as well as the new spinner who is having difficulty making an even, continuous thread. Maximum # of students is 5. Materials fee $20. Student should bring his/her wheel if he/she has one, otherwise wheels may be rented for the course for $20. 3 week course. Wednesdays, July 22, 29 & Aug 5. 6-7:30. Rindy O'Brien, Instructor. $60
Beginner Knitting: Start your knitting career with a simple dishcloth. Student will learn to cast on, increase, decrease and bind off. This is a good class for someone who has never knit before, or someone who would like to move beyond a straight scarf. Bring to class 1 skein of worsted weight cotton yarn and size 8 needles. Thurs, July 23rd & 30th, 6 - 7:30pm. $21
Wet Felting: This course has proven to be our most popular class. Susan Mills, artist, photographer and felter extraordinaire is your instructor. Make a pair of mittens, a hat, a small purse, a vessel, or one of Susan's more spiritual "elementals" in one afternoon with no stitching and no seams! This felting class uses unspun wool, hot water & soap to form the most wonderful things. Check out some of Susan’s creations here in the store or on her web site at www.susanmills.net to get an idea of the possibilities (a link to her web site can be found @ downhomecompany.com). Materials: approx 2-6 oz of merino roving plus mohair or other fibers for embellishment (available for purchase during class if needed). Single Session. Sun, July 26, Noon-5pm. $45
Gauge: Have you ever made something that came out too small or too large? Gauge is probably the single, most important piece of knowledge needed for proper fit or to make your own designs. Learn how to measure your gauge and explore the differences that needle sizes and yarn grist make. You need to be able to knit & purl to do this class. Bring to class several yarns of different weights and types and needles in sizes 6, 8 & 11 or whatever you have (it doesn’t matter whether the needles are double point, straight, or circular). Rindy O’Brien, instructor. Single session. Thurs, Aug 6, 5:30-8:30pm. $21
Wooly Woof !! Needle Felted Dogs: Julie Yarbrough of Kick the Moon Farm will walk you through the process of needle felting a dog using unspun wool (breed specific if you like). She will bring dog breed books for inspiration, or you can bring along photos of your own furry friend. Julie's classes are always fun, interesting and creative. She was the featured artist at the Fryeburg Fair Fiber Center last year and her displays wowed us all. Julie can accommodate beginners thru advanced level needle felters. She is happy to offer expert advice on any current projects you might have. Materials fee $20, or bring your own needles, felting pad, wool & pipe cleaners. There is a link to Julie's web site @ downhomecompany.com Single session. Sat, Aug 8th, 10:30-3:30 pm. $35
Spinning: Beyond the Basics: Advance your knowledge & skill of this historic craft. Emphasis will be on learning to spin many different fibers and the different techniques used to spin them. Wheel adjustment will also be covered. Student must be comfortable spinning a continuous thread. Maximum # of students is 5. Materials fee $15. Student should bring his/her wheel if he/she has one, otherwise, wheels may be rented for the course for $20. This is a 3 Week course, Wednesdays Aug 12, 19 & 26, 6-7:30 pm. $60
Solutions: Stuck? Afraid to take the next step, or not sure how to do it? Bring in your knitting, crochet or spinning problems and we will look at them together and get things moving again. Thursday, Aug 13, 6-8pm. This class is being offered through the Community Enrichment Program at the Bridgton Memorial school, so please call Darlene Perry @ 647-5054 to register.
Tatting: Learn the basics of this nearly lost art. Sabrina Fobes will show you how to work the single and double knots, picots, how to read a pattern, and work on a small project. 2 day course, Fri & Sat Aug 14 & 15, 10 -1pm. Bring a tatting shuttle & #10 thread, or purchase materials from the instructor (about $4). $45
Picking Up Stitches: Dropped a stitch? Twisted your cable the wrong way? Now is your chance to become empowered! Learn to fix these errors without ripping out rows and rows of work. Bring two 4 inch square swatches still on the needles; one in stockinette stitch and another in garter stitch (a plain, light colored yarn is best), as well as a crochet hook. Student must know how to knit & purl. Rindy O’Brien, instructor. Thurs, Aug 20, 6-7:30 $12
Needle Felt Pumpkin: Fall is coming, and so is the 'great pumpkin'. Ellen Hedglin will explain the basics of needle felting and show you how to make a pumpkin with personality. (Ask to see Snidely Whiplash in the store) Ellen has been chosen to be the featured artist this year at the Fryeburg Fair Fiber Center. Her creativity continues to amaze. I can't wait to see what she has in store for us. Saturday, Aug 22, 10 -1pm. $25 plus materials fee.
Cast On, Bind Off & Seams: These techniques make all the difference in the look of your finished project. Learn different methods of casting on and binding off and the reason you would use one over another in certain situations. Also learn mattress stitch and at least one other method of seaming. Bring yarn, appropriately sized needles, and a yarn needle. Rindy O’Brien, instructor. Single session. Thurs, Aug 27, 5:30 - 8:30 pm. $25
Weaving: The student will have the choice of working with either a 4-harness or a rigid heddle loom. The rigid heddle loom is a simple, inexpensive (& QUIET!) loom that is useful for small projects with simple patterns, or tapestry. If you choose to work with the 4-harness loom, you will be introduced to the reading of drafts and a few patterns. In either case, you will learn to figure the amount needed for the warp, wind a warp, warp the loom, and weave - all the information you need to get you started weaving on your own. Karen Smith from Shearbrooke Farm has been teaching weaving for many years. She will walk you through your first project (a chenille scarf on the rigid heddle or mug rugs on the 4-harness) from warping the loom to the finished project. The techniques she shows you are common to all weaving, so this class is a wonderful place to start. Please let us know if you will be bringing your own loom or if you will need us to supply one. If you have color preferences tell us at time of registration and we will try to accommodate you. This is a 2-day class. Sat, Aug 29, 10-4 pm & Sun, Aug 30, 12-3 pm. $95
**Please note: Because our classes are limited in size, payment is expected at time of registration. Cancellations will be accepted up to one week prior to class. After that you can be refunded only if your slot in class can be filled. Pre-registration is strongly advised. Sometimes classes fill and have waiting lists, so don’t delay if there is a class you want to take. Some courses will not take place if there are not enough participants. We suggest a bag lunch for classes that run through noon.
An additional note: I've noticed in some of the classes that the people who don't bring their glasses have more difficulty. Please don't forget that many of the classes involve close work, and if you need glasses to read you will likely find they make your class easier and more enjoyable.
{Home} {About
Us} {Classes}
{Kromski Products}
{Louet Products}
{Contact Us}