Project Knitting @ Brooklyn General

My favorite neighborhood knitting store, Brooklyn General, is starting up its weekly Project Knitting class. The instructor Kaitlyn is fantastic and I highly recommend trying it if you are interested in learning how to knit a scarf, hat, socks or sweater.

You should know the basics (cast on, cast off, knit, purl), but if you are a little rusty, Kaitlyn will show you the way. She's very patient and the class size is small, so you get the attention you need to finish a project with confidence.

The fee for the class covers instruction; you have to purchase materials separately. I took it this fall and knitted a lovely cable stitch hat. It looks really impressive!

Brooklyn General Store
128 Union Street, Brooklyn, NY 11231
718.237.7753

Follow-up Knitting Post: Brooklyn General Store

On Sunday, my friend took me to Brooklyn General Store on Union St in Carroll Gardens. They also have a wide selection of materials and instructional courses. Although what I learned at Knit New York was invaluable, it appears that you get more bang for your buck in Brooklyn.

I also found some lovely little decorative buttons - some in great animal shapes - to incorporate into my knitting products. They also feature a "pattern of the month" online to give customers new project ideas. Here is a link to their blog.

Knitting Rocks

Learning to knit has been a line item on my to-do list for many years. I still have knitting supplies and failed projects that I purchased in Boston when I lived there more than three years ago. I learned to knit from my grandma when I was very young, but the intricacies of casting on and off have left my memory banks and I would love to move beyond the basic stitch.

I finally decided it was time to learn how to knit properly so that I could actually finish a project and cross that item off my list. So yesterday I took a "Knitting 101" class at a fantastic place called Knit New York on 14th street right off Second Avenue.

The class is small (4 people, 2 teachers) so you get 1:1 instruction and the fee includes everything you need -- supplies and instruction -- to knit a hat. It's the kind of place you want to hang out at after work and on lazy rainy days (well at least I do!). Everyone was knowledgeable, friendly and nice -- all-in-all a great vibe.

They have an expresso bar and a nice selection of beverages and penny candy for sale, with several seating areas. The walls are lined with yarn in all colors and textures, while impressive finished projects sit folded on shelves and hanging on racks -- all very inspirational.

I would love a place like this in DUMBO (and I think it would do really well), but I found that there are some great places in Brooklyn that offer knitting supplies, some with classes. But I would highly recommend Knit New York as it's a casual environment so there's no pressure!

Here's a link to a Web site that offers a round-up of NYC Knitting shops and resources.