The Knitting Academy with Jenna

What is the Knitting Academy? It is a program developed to help you take your knitting to the next level. You will learn new skills; ways to perfect your technique and finished objects; build your confidence to tackle more challenging projects or simply get your knit-spiration on.

In the Knitting Academy, we will cover topics that will improve and enrich your knitting.

Your Academy professor is Jenna. With almost 40 years knitting experience she loves to encourage others to be creative with fiber. Her goal is to release more fearless knitters into the world.

How it works: each session in The Knitting Academy is intended to be a standalone session so if every session is not for you, just pick and choose the ones that interest you the most. If a session requires supplies and/or pre-class work, it will be mentioned in the session description below.

Each session is held on the dates listed below from 11:30 am to 12:30 pm. (Dates and times, particularly those farther out, are subject to change)

Cast Ons (10/5/25). There’s more than one way to get your stitches on the needles! In this class, you’ll learn a variety of cast-on methods, along with the why and when for each. Start your projects with confidence—and the perfect edge every time.

Supplies needed: Several yards of a worsted weight yarn and needles that match the yarn weight (e.g. US 7 or US 8). Great time to break out the scrap yarn. We will work on about 4 different kinds of cast ons. If you would like to keep each one then please bring several needles.

Bind Offs (10/19/25). Every project deserves a great finish! In this class, we’ll explore a variety of bind-off techniques—from sturdy to stretchy—and learn when to use each one. Many of these bind-offs connect directly to the cast-ons covered in our earlier session, giving your projects a polished, start-to-finish edge.

Pre-session work: Using a light colored yarn in a worsted, aran or light bulky, and using needles that complement the yarn selected, please cast on approx. 40 sts and work about 4 rows of Stockinette Stitch (knit a row, purl a row; repeat these 2 rows). Keep the stitches on the needle and ready to bind off in class. If you bring locking stitch markers then you can mark where you transition to a different bind off.

Ravelry (10/19/25 at 1 pm). Chances are you’ve heard of Ravelry—but are you using it to its full potential? In this class, we’ll explore why knitters love it and how you can make the most of this amazing tool for patterns, project tracking, and community. Together we’ll dig into its best features, discover tips for finding patterns and tracking projects, and learn how to make this incredible resource work for you.

Fixing Flukes and Flubs (11/9/25). Even the most careful knitter encounters a mischievous stitch now and then. In this session, you’ll learn essential skills like frogging, tinking, and rescuing dropped stitches—everything you need to handle knitting mishaps with ease and confidence. In addition to the pre-session work and supplies listed below, you’re welcome to bring along any current flukes or flubs on your needles. As time allows, we’ll look at these together for some hands-on fixes.

Pre-session work: Using a light colored yarn in a worsted, aran or light bulky, and using needles that complement the yarn selected, you will need two swatches. For the first, please cast on approx. 20 st, work 4 rows in garter (knit all 4 rows), and for the second, cast on 20 sts and work in Stockinette Stitch (knit 1 row, purl one row; repeat these 2 rows 3 times) for a total of 6 rows.  Keep stitches on needles and have some working yarn left – doesn’t need to be a lot but enough to knit a few rows. 

Please also bring the following supplies: locking stitch markers, an extra circular needle in any size smaller than what you used for your swatch (the smaller the better!) and a crochet hook and/or "fix it" tool.  

Tips & Tricks (11/16/25). Knitting doesn’t have to be complicated! Jenna has spent lots (and lots) of time thinking about ways to make your stitches neater, your projects smoother, and your knitting time more enjoyable. By the end of this session, you’ll feel more confident and ready to polish off your projects with ease.

Pre-session work: Using a light colored yarn in a worsted, aran or light bulky, and using needles that complement the yarn selected, please cast on approx. 40 sts and work about 4 rows of Stockinette Stitch (knit a row, purl a row; repeat these 2 rows). Keep the stitches on the needle and ready to bind off in class.

Project Selection, Inspiration and what patterns do not tell you (11/16 at 1 pm). What comes first, the pattern or the yarn? In this class we will cover a variety of topics, some of which include finding inspiration, boosting creativity and become a fearless knitter! In addition, we will cover a lot of elements typically left out of patterns or assumed by the pattern designer.

Knitting in the Round/Magic Loop (1/11/26). Whether you knit socks or hats or anything in between, you could probably benefit from knitting in the round and/or using magic loop. Would you like to knit both socks at the same time, or both sleeves? Stop changing needle lengths when the number of stitches changes.

Pre-session work: For this session, you will need to have 2 circular needles, a 16” OR 24” AND a 40”, with stitches cast on as follows using either DK, worsted or aran weight yarn in a light color (recommended):

On the 16” OR 24" needles, please cast on enough stitches to cover the needle from tip to tip. Depending on the size of the yarn, it could be close to 100 stitches (sorry!). On the 40" needle please cast on 60 stitches. 

Short Rows (2/1/26). Short rows can create dynamic results, not just in design but also in fit. There are many ways to work short rows, and it is not necessarily a one size fits all situation. In this class we will cover several short row methods, and when best to apply them.

            Pre-session work: Using a light colored yarn in a worsted, aran or light bulky, and using needles that complement the yarn selected, please cast on approx. 25 sts and work about 4 rows of Stockinette Stitch (knit a row, purl a row; then work 1 more knit row). Keep the stitches on the needle. Please bring with you several stitch markers.

Blocking and Students choice (2/8/26). The grand finale! In our last Knitting Academy session, we’ll cover the magic of blocking—how it evens, smooths, and perfects your knitting. Plus, as time allows, you can bring in any project for personalized help, quick fixes, and all those “I’ve always wondered…” questions.

Chart Reading/Cables (3/1/26). Charts and cables might look intimidating, but once you know the tricks, they’re downright fun! In this session, we’ll cover reading charts, crossing cables, spotting stitches, and simple fixes to keep your knitting on track.

            Pre-session work: Using a light colored yarn in a worsted, aran or light bulky, and using needles that complement the yarn selected, please cast on approx. 25 sts and work about 4 rows of Stockinette Stitch (knit a row, purl a row; then work 1 more knit row). Keep the stitches on the needle. Please bring with you a cable needle.