Knit Together: A Beginner Knitting Lesson with fiber artist Victoria Rothenberg

Have you ever wanted to learn how to knit?
Looking for a new hobby?
In the mood to try something new in GREAT company?

Come hang out with us on Monday 3/23 from 8:30-9:30PM EST!
Join URL: https://zoom.us/j/777068622

Supply list shared below -- grab some yarn, some needles, and some fabulous women* -- and we're in for some good laughs and a new skill with fiber artist, Victoria Rothenberg!

Victoria Rothenberg has been knitting since she was 12 years old, and teaching knitting to others for 30 years. She has worked in yarn stores in New York City and San Francisco and owned the award winning store The Yarn Spot in Wheaton, MD. She has been a Jewish educator for many years and is very proud to be the librarian at the Milton Gottesman Jewish Day School of the Nation’s Capital. Victoria lives with her husband, 3 children, a crazy dog and some yarn in Silver Spring, Maryland.

SVIVAH is dependent on the generosity of those who choose to invest in a powerful community of women. If you’re so inclined, a donation to keep us gathering together would go a long way.

About Your Supplies…. From Victoria:
Hello knitting friends!
To get you started, the first step is to select and order materials. Namely, you need needles and yarn. Needles come in many varieties: straight needles (typically seen in the movies – remember Molly Weasley’s needles in the Harry Potter movies?) or circular. They can be made of wood, metal, bamboo. Have extra pointy tips, rounder more blunt tips and almost everything in between.

I highly recommend wooden needles for beginners as they are economical less slippery, feel good in your hand and are pretty to look at. I also highly recommend circular over straight as they are more versatile (you can knit more types of projects on them) and more ergonomic. Please select a size 8 needle.

In terms of yarn, well. Soooo many options. BUT, we will start with worsted weight yarn. This basically means medium thickness yarn. Please choose a light colored solid yarn as it will be easier for you to see. Wool yarns are very elastic and forgiving. Most people worry about affordability. A blend of wool and acrylic is often a first yarn that people are pleased with using. I have used Plymouth yarn’s Encore worsted for teaching for many, many years. It is a perennial favorite for a reason – excellent quality, a million colors and very affordably priced.

Some people are very worried about using wool. If this is a concern for you, I did include a good cotton option and a 100% acrylic option. If you feel you can’t use wool for various reasons, I would strongly suggest going for the acrylic option. Cotton while a lovely fiber doesn’t have the elasticity a beginner often needs.

There are many options of places to purchase your needles and yarn. As many of you know, small businesses are struggling with this crazy situation. Please consider supporting one of the yarn world’s small businesses when you choose to purchase your supplies. Fibre Space in Alexandria, VA will provide curbside pick up or ship you materials (though they don’t have the exact brands listed below, Danielle is a personal friend. If you tell her I am teaching you to knit and you need size 8 needles and a worsted pre-wound skein, she will get you set!). I also use Webs at yarn.com. They are a great store in Northampton, MA and have great prices and shipping isn’t too much for such an order. I promise you won’t be disappointed.

Yarn.com:
Needles: Knitter’s Pride Dreamz size 8 needles. Either straight or circular
https://www.yarn.com/products/knitters-pride-dreamz-single-pointed-needles-10

Yarn:
Wool and acrylic blend: highly recommend
https://www.yarn.com/products/plymouth-yarn-encore

100% acrylic:
https://www.yarn.com/products/hayfield-bonus-dk?via=5e0a35b46170700ca5011d21%2C5e0a35d361707031780a09b7%2C5e0a35e16170700ca5011d3c

Cotton:
https://www.yarn.com/products/rowan-handknit-cotton-kaffe-fassett-colours?via=5e0a35b46170700ca5011d21%2C5e0a35d361707031780a09b7%2C5e0a35f86170700ca5011d41