Thursday 25 September at 5:30pm - 7:30pm in Ginger Twist Studio afterhours. Join Irene Wagenner for an evening of interesting sock knitting techniques, Prosecco and nibbles at Ginger Twist Studio.
In this class, you will learn how to make socks with any type of yarn and any needle size using sock-knitting techniques from Morocco's High Atlas Mountains. The socks are knit from the toe up and are knit both in-the-round and flat. The techniques you will learn include:
- a unique way to start from the toe
- how to knit the Tqasher Jadeed (New Sock) heel
- how to knit the Tqasher Qadeem (Old Sock) heel
- how to measure against your own foot
In order to participate, you should be able to knit and purl both in the round and flat with double-pointed needles. You will also need to complete a small homework assignment before class. First-time sock knitters are welcome to join.
You will need:
- 7, double-pointed needles (recommended size 2.75 - 3.5 mm)
- Approximately 300 meters of yarn (recommended types: DK, Light Worsted, Worsted. Note: a thicker yarn will knit up faster for the class.)
About Your Teacher Irene Waggener
From 2018 to 2020, Irene Waggener worked with knitters in Morocco's High Atlas Mountains to document the knitting patterns that once played a key role in helping them survive the region's harsh winters. This collaborative work resulted in the book, Keepers of the Sheep: Knitting in Morocco's High Atlas and Beyond. With the dominance of fast fashion today, people no longer rely on these hand-knit items, and few young people are learning how to make them. Irene teaches this class with encouragement from her teacher, Hussein Mardi, who hopes that we can all help to keep this knowledge alive for future generations.