Course: Knitting a pair of socks – from the toe up

Limited to 6 participants

If you have never knitted socks before or would like to try a different way, this class is for you.

Tutor: Justine Stewart

Dates: Thursday 8th Oct 7 – 8pm, and Sun 18th Oct 10am – 1pm.

Cost: $100 (non-Guild members) and $80 (Guild members).

Venue: The Guild rooms

Information: If you have never knitted socks before or would like to try a different way, this class is for you. In the class you will learn how to knit a pair of socks, starting at the toe and working up, with no picking up or grafting of stitches. Not only that, you will also be knitting two socks at the same time!

Prior knowledge required: how to knit, how to use a magic loop circular technique.

Suitable for people who already have basic knitting skills, the class will cover casting on and knitting in the round, turning the heel using a German short row technique, measuring to ensure a great fit, and using the Magic Loop method with circular needles.

What you need to bring:

Yarn: 100g of yarn either 4 ply (fingering weight yarn) or 8 ply (DK). If you are a slow knitter, maybe start with 8-ply as it will take less time to knit up the foot. There is a lot of sock yarn around, which has a small percentage of nylon in it for durability. Alternatively, you can use a plastic free yarn, but bear in mind that it will need to be a strong yarn, with a high twist, otherwise your socks will wear thin and develop holes pretty quickly.

Needles: 80-100cm circular needles

For the lighter 4 ply / fingering weight yarn, you will need 2.25 or 2.5 mm needles. For the 8 ply / DK weight yarn you will need 3-3.5 mm needles.

Other: A measuring tape, a fine tapestry needle, a pair of scissors and some fine stitch markers.

In the class:

The course will run over two lessons – the first to start you with your toe cast on, and the second to turn the heel. During the time between lessons you will need to have some time at home to knit the foot part of two socks.

 Lesson 1 (one hour): How to cast on two socks from the toe using Judy’s magic cast on. How to knit two socks in the round on one circular needle. Homework: continue working in rounds to complete the foot part of the sock up to the heel turning point.

 Lesson 2 (three hours): How to turn the heel using the German short row technique.

Course: Weaving a Patterned Scarf on a Four-shaft Loom with Lenie

November Class - if you missed out last time, now is your chance!

Limited to six participants

An introduction to weaving a patterned scarf on a four-shaft loom, suitable for beginners.

Tutor: Lenie Besseling

Lenie started weaving in the Netherlands and has been weaving, spinning and dyeing yarn ever since. Her preference is to weave with finer, natural yarns to create items that can be worn, such as scarves, tops, jackets and hats. Lenie loves the whole process and action of weaving: the colours, techniques and the patterns you can achieve. 

Dates: 14th and 15th November, 2026

 Time: 10am-3pm

 Cost: $300 for non-Guild members or $250 for Guild members

 Venue: Guild rooms, Nicholson Park, Mt Eden (behind Nicholson Park tennis courts).

 In the class:

The class will run over two days. On the first day you will learn how to calculate the yarn needed for the size of the warp; wind the warp and set it up on the loom. Lenie will also talk about the patterns you can use on four-shaft looms. On the second day you will weave your scarf, finish it off and remove it from the loom.

Equipment required: 

Participants who have their own loom, please bring: 

• A four-shaft loom

• A warping board 

• A reed hook

• A heddle threader

• Warp sticks or corrugated cardboard 

Participants who do not have a loom:

Guild looms will be provided for you. Please advise us in your enrolment form if you wish to use a Guild loom for this class.

• All other equipment will be provided

What you need to bring:

• 200g good quality 4ply (or thicker) wool yarn, in at least two colours.

Lenie would like you to make sure you buy strong woollen yarn, suitable for weaving. The type of cheaper yarn sold for knitting in places like Spotlight is often quite stretchy and this would not work for your scarf. Please don't buy yarn thinner than 4 ply as this would take too much time to set up any width. 

Please make sure the yarn is balled and not in a skein. You can ask the yarn store to do this for you at a small extra cost or use a handy chair turned up side down. 

Please note: If you decide to use cotton, you will need to take into account the meterage as you will need more than if you used wool.

• Measuring tape, scissors.

• Pen, notepad or digital device to make notes or video.

• Your lunch. Tea and coffee will be provided.

Scroll to the bottom of the page to register for classes