[2014 Symposium registration opens June 23 at 10am.]

2014 Maiwa Textile Symposium

Workshop Knitted Möbius

Sivia Harding

$250. includes 50 lab fee

October 14,15  - Class Limit 15

Maiwa Loft: Above the Net Loft, Granville Is. Vancouver BC

After many enthusiastic requests, Sivia has combined her two short classes into a single course. Here she describes it in her own words:

Möbius knitting has had a special place in my heart ever since I learned the basic technique from Cat Bordhi several years ago. Now (with her blessing), I teach Cat’s cast-on along with my particular enhancements of this simple yet endlessly fascinating form.

On day one of this class, we start by casting on for my Harmonia’s Rings Cowl. As I guide you through the twists and turns of the cowl, you experience firsthand how the mysterious and fascinating shape evolves. My cowl design goes a little further as we create shaping within the Möbius form to create a beautiful garment that is modifiable for a wide range of body types. A tunic and a sweater based on the cowl pattern are also shown.

On day two, we begin to explore what really makes the knitted Möbius tick. I share all of my tricks of designing for this half-twisted, one-edged shape that truly has no inside or outside. We learn what stitches best interact with the structure, in which, amazingly, patterns are displayed in both mirror-imaged and upside down fashion on either side of the cast-on. Which stitches will produce symmetry? There are some guidelines but also ways to bend the rules and produce stitch patterns, not all symmetrical, that are interesting and beautiful. As we work a sampler in worsted weight yarn, I guarantee that students will have many “aha” moments as we see stitch patterns develop in amazing and sometimes unpredictable ways. Many Möbius garments are shown as inspiration. 

Students need to know how to knit and purl and perform basic increases and decreases and will have successfully worked a knitting project in the round.

Instructor Bio

Sivia Harding says knitted lace is her first and enduring love. As a teacher, Sivia appeals to the creative spirit, and few can remain untouched by her verve and passion for her subjects. In her classes, technique, though important, is a means to an end, which is always the delight of following the joyful knitting muse wherever it may lead.

Sivia’s classes and workshops are often built around making a particular project, but only as a jumping off place for discussions on all sorts of related knitterly things. Students will often find themselves inspired to experiment outside the realm of the original project, sometimes coming up with highly original designs of their own as a result.