The Sweatshop of Lovers Blog

Sunday morning I was walking to Sweater Club in tiny shoes with no socks. I didn’t have a coat on and was rocking my Madison Cowl and Hand Warmers. Sure, I was a little chilly, but it was worth it! Just think of the days ahead when we’ll be warm enough in just our hand knit accessories while frolicking down the streets of Chicago.

Knit and wear my Bow Headband and Stefanie Fail’s Ruffled Bib Necklace without needing to pile on more clothes over them!

The Sweatshop of YELP! Have you taken a Sweatshop class and want to leave some feedback about your experience?! We are now rocking Yelp.com! Thanks to everyone contributing to the page and saying such super nice things about me and my Sweatshop! Haven’t gotten around to sharing? Do it to it here.

And be sure to order a The Sweatshop of Love’s Knit Kits before the Madison Cowl and Madison Hand Warmers classes so you can take those classes for only $10!

Email me if you have any questions about these classes or if you want to sign up. I look forward to hearing from you!

See you soon,

Allyson

Winter Classes:

~~~

Ruffled Crocheted Bib Necklace Workshop: Ok the crocheting is out of control this season! Put this whole Stefanie Fail of A Common Thread Ruffled Bib Necklace together by the end of this three hour workshop! Saturday March 20, 1-4pm. $40 with materials

~~~

Madison Cowl: A little daintier than the my Cabled Cowl, this cowl is great for staying warm during the Chicago thaw and unbuttoning for some stylish warmth inside. The Madison Lace pattern is fun and intuitive, and the buttons add a fun pop! And don’t forget to knit up some matching hand warmers! Wednesdays April 7 and 14, 7-9pm. $40 And buy the Madison Cowl Kit here and get the class for $10!

~~~

Madison Hand Warmers: No more mittens! Quick to knit, a great introduction to lace pattern-work, and the perfect last minute gift. Wait, what am I saying?! WE AREN’T KNITTING GIFTS! You know you want a pair of these cute hand warmers for yourself to match the Madison Cowl you just knit yourself. Thursday April 15, 7-9pm. $20 And buy the Madison Hand Warmers Kit here and get the class for $10!

~~~

Beginner Knitting: Did you get on this mailing list in the hopes that eventually you will have the time to learn? Sign up for this beginner knitting class and learn how to cast on, bind off, and knit and purl. Monday April 12, 7-9pm, $25

Beginner Crochet: This is a great opportunity to learn the basics of crocheting! In this class we will learn to make a chain, single, half double, double, and treble crochet stitches, and how to crochet in the round. Use these mad skillz for Ruffled Crocheted Bib Necklace, Granny Square Workshop, and Granny Square Slippers. Tuesday April 13, 7-9pm, $25

Group Knitting and Crocheting: Come get help starting a project, finishing a project, picking a project, picking materials, or learning something new! 2 hours, $15

Knitting Book Club: Our next book club meet up will be this Monday, April 5th at 7pm. We are reading The Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao by Junot Diaz! If you are interested in joining the book club, send me an email. Please don’t come with knitting questions as I won’t be teaching anything (so the book club can be free of course), just come to knit and chat about our book!

Bow Headband: Quick, easy, and adorable, this double moss stitch Bow Headband is the perfect way to start working hand knits into your wardrobe! This is a great project for beginner (and knits up ridiculously quick if you’ve got some experience under your belt!). Monday March 15, 7-9pm. 2 hours, $20

~~~

Ruffled Crocheted Bib Necklace Workshop: Ok the crocheting is out of control this season! Put this whole Stefanie Fail of A Common Thread Ruffled Bib Necklace together by the end of this three hour workshop! Saturday March 20, 1-4pm. $40 with materials

Madison Cowl: A little daintier than the my Cabled Cowl, this cowl is great for staying warm during the Chicago thaw and unbuttoning for some stylish warmth inside. The Madison Lace pattern is fun and intuitive, and the buttons add a fun pop! And don’t forget to knit up some matching hand warmers! Wednesdays April 7 and 14, 7-9pm. $40 And buy the Madison Cowl Kit here and get the class for $10!

~~~

Madison Hand Warmers: No more mittens! Quick to knit, a great introduction to lace pattern-work, and the perfect last minute gift. Wait, what am I saying?! WE AREN’T KNITTING GIFTS! You know you want a pair of these cute hand warmers for yourself to match the Madison Cowl you just knit yourself. Thursday April 15, 7-9pm. $20 And buy the Madison Hand Warmers Kit here and get the class for $10!

~~~

Beginner Knitting: Did you get on this mailing list in the hopes that eventually you will have the time to learn? Sign up for this beginner knitting class and learn how to cast on, bind off, and knit and purl. Monday April 12, 7-9pm, $25

Beginner Crochet: This is a great opportunity to learn the basics of crocheting! In this class we will learn to make a chain, single, half double, double, and treble crochet stitches, and how to crochet in the round. Use these mad skillz for Ruffled Crocheted Bib Necklace, Granny Square Workshop, and Granny Square Slippers. Tuesday April 13, 7-9pm, $25

Group Knitting and Crocheting: Come get help starting a project, finishing a project, picking a project, picking materials, or learning something new! 2 hours, $15

Knitting Book Club: Our next book club meet up will be this Monday, April 5th at 7pm. We are reading The Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao by Junot Diaz! If you are interested in joining the book club, send me an email. Please don’t come with knitting questions as I won’t be teaching anything (so the book club can be free of course), just come to knit and chat about our book!

Bow Headband: Quick, easy, and adorable, this double moss stitch Bow Headband is the perfect way to start working hand knits into your wardrobe! This is a great project for beginner (and knits up ridiculously quick if you’ve got some experience under your belt!). Monday March 15, 7-9pm. 2 hours, $20

Ruffled Crocheted Bib Necklace Workshop: Ok the crocheting is out of control this season! Put this whole Stefanie Fail of A Common Thread Ruffled Bib Necklace together by the end of this three hour workshop! Saturday March 20, 1-4pm. $40 with materials

~~~

Beginner Knitting: Did you get on this mailing list in the hopes that eventually you will have the time to learn? Sign up for this beginner knitting class and learn how to cast on, bind off, and knit and purl. Monday April 12, 7-9pm, $25

Beginner Crochet: This is a great opportunity to learn the basics of crocheting! In this class we will learn to make a chain, single, half double, double, and treble crochet stitches, and how to crochet in the round. Use these mad skillz for Ruffled Crocheted Bib Necklace, Granny Square Workshop, and Granny Square Slippers. Tuesday April 13, 7-9pm, $25

Group Knitting and Crocheting: Come get help starting a project, finishing a project, picking a project, picking materials, or learning something new! 2 hours, $15

Knitting Book Club: Our next book club meet up will be this Monday, March 1st at 7pm. We are reading When We Were Orphans by Kazuo Ishiguro! If you are interested in joining the book club, send me an email. Please don’t come with knitting questions as I won’t be teaching anything (so the book club can be free of course), just come to knit and chat about our book!

Granny squares are great stash busters, are fun to make, and can be turned into practically anything! I myself am getting ready to seam them together into an adult sized pair of footie pajamas.

There are still spaces left in my Granny Square Workshop this Saturday, February 20th from 1-4pm! I’ll have a ton of fun yarn available for you to turn into granny squares of all shapes and sizes, then turn those squares into anything! Blankets, skirts, sweaters, coasters, pot holders, and even… slippers! Learn the skillz in Granny Square Workshop and use those skillz in with Purl Bee’s fun Granny Square Slippers!

I’m always accused of loving on knitting way more than I love on crocheting (and it’s completely true), but not these next few weeks! Hurray for crochet!

Be sure to check out my The Sweatshop of Love’s Knit Kits!

Email me if you have any questions about these classes or if you want to sign up. I look forward to hearing from you!

See you soon,

Allyson

Winter Classes:

Granny Square Workshop: Another way to use crochet! Granny squares are fun stash busters that you can’t mess up because they are supposed to be ugly, these little guys can be used for anything. Bags. Coasters. Blankets. Change purses. Granny Square Slippers. Saturday February 20, 1-4pm. $40 with materials

~~~

Granny Square Slippers: Know how to crochet granny squares and want a fun way to use them? Did you take my Granny Square Workshop and want to use all the knowledge I dropped on you? Crochet up some of these fun Purl Bee Granny Square Slippers. Part one is granny squares, part two is assembly. Tuesdays March 9 and 16, 7-9pm. $40

Bow Headband: Quick, easy, and adorable, this double moss stitch Bow Headband is the perfect way to start working hand knits into your wardrobe! This is a great project for beginner (and knits up ridiculously quick if you’ve got some experience under your belt!). Monday March 15, 7-9pm. 2 hours, $20

~~~

Ruffled Crocheted Bib Necklace Workshop: Ok the crocheting is out of control this season! Put this whole Stefanie Fail of A Common Thread Ruffled Bib Necklace together by the end of this three hour workshop! Saturday March 20, 1-4pm. $40 with materials

Madison Cowl: A little daintier than the my Cabled Cowl, this cowl is great for staying warm during the Chicago thaw and unbuttoning for some stylish warmth inside. The Madison Lace pattern is fun and intuitive, and the buttons add a fun pop! And don’t forget to knit up some matching hand warmers! Wednesdays April 7 and 14, 7-9pm. $40 And buy the Madison Cowl Kit here and get the class for $10!

~~~

Madison Hand Warmers: No more mittens! Quick to knit, a great introduction to lace pattern-work, and the perfect last minute gift. Wait, what am I saying?! WE AREN’T KNITTING GIFTS! You know you want a pair of these cute hand warmers for yourself to match the Madison Cowl you just knit yourself. Thursday April 15, 7-9pm. $20 And buy the Madison Hand Warmers Kit here and get the class for $10!

~~~

Beginner Knitting: Did you get on this mailing list in the hopes that eventually you will have the time to learn? Sign up for this beginner knitting class and learn how to cast on, bind off, and knit and purl. Monday April 12, 7-9pm, $25

Beginner Crochet: This is a great opportunity to learn the basics of crocheting! In this class we will learn to make a chain, single, half double, double, and treble crochet stitches, and how to crochet in the round. Use these mad skillz for Ruffled Crocheted Bib Necklace, Granny Square Workshop, and Granny Square Slippers. Tuesday April 13, 7-9pm, $25

Group Knitting and Crocheting: Come get help starting a project, finishing a project, picking a project, picking materials, or learning something new! 2 hours, $15

Knitting Book Club: Our next book club meet up will be Monday, March 1st at 7pm. We are reading When We Were Orphans by Kazuo Ishiguro! If you are interested in joining the book club, send me an email. Please don’t come with knitting questions as I won’t be teaching anything (so the book club can be free of course), just come to knit and chat about our book!

So what’s up next?! Crocheting! Know how to crochet but don’t know what to do with it? Take my Granny Square Workshop on Saturday, February 20th from 1-4pm and learn now to make these funny crocheting staples. Turn them into anything! Blankets, skirts, sweaters, coasters, pot holders, and even… slippers! Learn the skillz in Granny Square Workshop and use those skillz in with Purl Bee’s fun Granny Square Slippers!

I’m always accused of loving on knitting way more than I love on crocheting (and it’s completely true), but not these next few weeks! Hurray for crochet!

Be sure to email me if you have any questions about these classes or if you want to sign up. I look forward to hearing from you!

See you soon,

Allyson

Winter Classes:

Granny Square Workshop: Another way to use crochet! Granny squares are fun stash busters that you can’t mess up because they are supposed to be ugly, these little guys can be used for anything. Bags. Coasters. Blankets. Change purses. Granny Square Slippers. Saturday February 20, 1-4pm. $40 with materials

~~~

Granny Square Slippers: Know how to crochet granny squares and want a fun way to use them? Did you take my Granny Square Workshop and want to use all the knowledge I dropped on you? Crochet up some of these fun Purl Bee Granny Square Slippers. Part one is granny squares, part two is assembly. Tuesdays March 9 and 16, 7-9pm. $40

Bow Headband: Quick, easy, and adorable, this double moss stitch Bow Headband is the perfect way to start working hand knits into your wardrobe! This is a great project for beginner (and knits up ridiculously quick if you’ve got some experience under your belt!). Monday March 15, 7-9pm. 2 hours, $20

~~~

Ruffled Crocheted Bib Necklace Workshop: Ok the crocheting is out of control this season! Put this whole Stefanie Fail of A Common Thread Ruffled Bib Necklace together by the end of this three hour workshop! Saturday March 20, 1-4pm. $40 with materials

Madison Cowl: A little daintier than the my Cabled Cowl, this cowl is great for staying warm during the Chicago thaw and unbuttoning for some stylish warmth inside. The Madison Lace pattern is fun and intuitive, and the buttons add a fun pop! And don’t forget to knit up some matching hand warmers! Wednesdays April 7 and 14, 7-9pm. $40 And buy the Madison Cowl Kit here and get the class for $10!

~~~

Madison Hand Warmers: No more mittens! Quick to knit, a great introduction to lace pattern-work, and the perfect last minute gift. Wait, what am I saying?! WE AREN’T KNITTING GIFTS! You know you want a pair of these cute hand warmers for yourself to match the Madison Cowl you just knit yourself. Thursday April 15, 7-9pm. $20 And buy the Madison Hand Warmers Kit here and get the class for $10!

~~~

Beginner Knitting: Did you get on this mailing list in the hopes that eventually you will have the time to learn? Sign up for this beginner knitting class and learn how to cast on, bind off, and knit and purl. Monday April 12, 7-9pm, $25

Beginner Crochet: This is a great opportunity to learn the basics of crocheting! In this class we will learn to make a chain, single, half double, double, and treble crochet stitches, and how to crochet in the round. Use these mad skillz for Ruffled Crocheted Bib Necklace, Granny Square Workshop, and Granny Square Slippers. Tuesday April 13, 7-9pm, $25

Group Knitting and Crocheting: Come get help starting a project, finishing a project, picking a project, picking materials, or learning something new! 2 hours, $15

Knitting Book Club: Our next book club meet up will be Monday, March 1st at 7pm. We are reading When We Were Orphans by Kazuo Ishiguro! If you are interested in joining the book club, send me an email. Please don’t come with knitting questions as I won’t be teaching anything (so the book club can be free of course), just come to knit and chat about our book!

The Sweatshop of Love Introduces Knit Kits!

Madison Cowl and Hand Warmers!

I could not be more excited to launch The Sweatshop of Love’s Knit Kits! This is a project I’ve wanted to do for years, and with the help of Miss Tara Shade Sweatshop Knit Kits are a reality! Take a peek at our Etsy page for details about the Madison Cowl Kit and the Madison Hand Warmers Kit.

And if you are thinking of taking my Madison Cowl and/or Madison Hand Warmers classes, buy a kit and get the class for $10!

AND be sure to check out the Sweatshop Blog tomorrow for a chance to win a Madison Cowl and Madison Hand Warmers kit!

Sign up for these classes now! Spots are filling up faster than they ever have before. Tonight’s Beginner Crochet class, Sweater Club Thursdays, and Toe Up Socks are all full! Sweater Club Sundays starts February 7th and only has two spots left!

Be sure to email me if you have any questions about these classes or if you want to sign up. I look forward to hearing from you!

See you soon,

Allyson

Winter Classes:

Sweater Club: *Thursdays are full! Only two spots left for Sundays!* All hail the return of Sweater Club! Signing up for this class gets you one or two classes per week over the course of eight weeks. The goal is to finish your sweater by the end of the class. If you are with me on my knit a sweater a month quest, knit two sweaters in class with me! Winter session of Sweater Club starts Thursday, February 4th and/or Sunday, February 7th. Sweater Club continues every Thursday night 7-9 and Sunday morning 10-12 until Thursday April 1st and/or Sunday, April 4th. There will be a one week Sweater Club Break the week of February 25/28 for some knitting catch up. The one class per week option for eight weeks costs $75, the two classes per week option for eight weeks costs $120. Email me at allyson@thesweatshopoflove.com if you have any questions or to sign up for this class!

~~~

Toe Up Socks: *FULL! Keep an eye on future emails for the next Toe Up Sock Class* Once you knit a sock you can knit anything. One ball of sock yarn makes one tall knee sock. With the toe-up sock you just knit until you run out of yarn! Part One is the toe, Part 2 is the heel. Mondays February 8 and 15, 7-9pm. $40

~~~

Knitting Needle Knitting Bag: I’ve knit a couple of these for other knitters and they love them. They are intended to be for your knitting projects, but I’m using mine as a purse! Pam Allen’s Knitting Needle Knitting Bag is the perfect project to help show off your knitter status. Part one is the berry stitch body of the bag, part two is assembly. Please note the classes are two weeks apart so you have time to finish the body of your bag! Wednesdays February 10 and 24, 7-9pm. $40

~~~

Granny Square Workshop: Another way to use crochet! Granny squares are fun stash busters that you can’t mess up because they are supposed to be ugly, these little guys can be used for anything. Bags. Coasters. Blankets. Change purses. Granny Square Slippers. Saturday February 20, 1-4pm. $40 with materials

~~~

Granny Square Slippers: Know how to crochet granny squares and want a fun way to use them? Did you take my Granny Square Workshop and want to use all the knowledge I dropped on you? Crochet up some of these fun Purl Bee Granny Square Slippers. Part one is granny squares, part two is assembly. Tuesdays March 9 and 16, 7-9pm. $40

Bow Headband: Quick, easy, and adorable, this double moss stitch Bow Headband is the perfect way to start working hand knits into your wardrobe! This is a great project for beginner (and knits up ridiculously quick if you’ve got some experience under your belt!). Monday March 15, 7-9pm. 2 hours, $20

~~~

Ruffled Crocheted Bib Necklace Workshop: Ok the crocheting is out of control this season! Put this whole Stefanie Fail of A Common Thread Ruffled Bib Necklace together by the end of this three hour workshop! Saturday March 20, 1-4pm. $40 with materials

~~~

Madison Cowl: A little daintier than the my Cabled Cowl, this cowl is great for staying warm during the Chicago thaw and unbuttoning for some stylish warmth inside. The Madison Lace pattern is fun and intuitive, and the buttons add a fun pop! And don’t forget to knit up some matching hand warmers! Wednesdays April 7 and 14, 7-9pm. $40 And buy the Madison Cowl Kit here and get the class for $10!

~~~

Madison Hand Warmers: No more mittens! Quick to knit, a great introduction to lace pattern-work, and the perfect last minute gift. Wait, what am I saying?! WE AREN’T KNITTING GIFTS! You know you want a pair of these cute hand warmers for yourself to match the Madison Cowl you just knit yourself. Thursday April 15, 7-9pm. $20 And buy the Madison Hand Warmers Kit here and get the class for $10!

~~~

Beginner Knitting: Did you get on this mailing list in the hopes that eventually you will have the time to learn? Sign up for this beginner knitting class and learn how to cast on, bind off, and knit and purl. Monday April 12, 7-9pm, $25

Beginner Crochet: *Tonight’s class is FULL! Sign up now for Tuesday, April 13th’s Class!* This is a great opportunity to learn the basics of crocheting! In this class we will learn to make a chain, single, half double, double, and treble crochet stitches, and how to crochet in the round. Use these mad skillz for Ruffled Crocheted Bib Necklace, Granny Square Workshop, and Granny Square Slippers. Tuesday April 13, 7-9pm, $25

Group Knitting and Crocheting: Come get help starting a project, finishing a project, picking a project, picking materials, or learning something new! 2 hours, $15

Knitting Book Club: Our next book club meet up will be Monday, March 1st at 7pm. We are reading When We Were Orphans by Kazuo Ishiguro! If you are interested in joining the book club, send me an email. Please don’t come with knitting questions as I won’t be teaching anything (so the book club can be free of course), just come to knit and chat about our book

Beginner Knitting: *One spot left for Tuesday February 2nd’s class!* Did you get on this mailing list in the hopes that eventually you will have the time to learn? Sign up for this beginner knitting class and learn how to cast on, bind off, and knit and purl. Tuesday February 2, 7-9pm and Monday April 12, 7-9pm, $25

~~~

Toe Up Socks: *Two spots left!* Once you knit a sock you can knit anything. One ball of sock yarn makes one tall knee sock. With the toe-up sock you just knit until you run out of yarn! Part One is the toe, Part 2 is the heel. Mondays February 8 and 15, 7-9pm. $40

~~~

Beginner Crochet: This is a great opportunity to learn the basics of crocheting! In this class we will learn to make a chain, single, half double, double, and treble crochet stitches, and how to crochet in the round. Use these mad skillz for Ruffled Crocheted Bib Necklace, Granny Square Workshop, and Granny Square Slippers. Wednesday February 3rd, 7-9pm and Tuesday April 13, 7-9pm, $25

~~~

Knitting Needle Knitting Bag: I’ve knit a couple of these for other knitters and they love them. They are intended to be for your knitting projects, but I’m using mine as a purse! Pam Allen’s Knitting Needle Knitting Bag is the perfect project to help show off your knitter status. Part one is the berry stitch body of the bag, part two is assembly. Please note the classes are two weeks apart so you have time to finish the body of your bag! Wednesdays February 10 and 24, 7-9pm. $40

~~~

Granny Square Workshop: Another way to use crochet! Granny squares are fun stash busters that you can’t mess up because they are supposed to be ugly, these little guys can be used for anything. Bags. Coasters. Blankets. Change purses. Granny Square Slippers. Saturday February 20, 1-4pm. $40 with materials

~~~

Granny Square Slippers: Know how to crochet granny squares and want a fun way to use them? Did you take my Granny Square Workshop and want to use all the knowledge I dropped on you? Crochet up some of these fun Purl Bee Granny Square Slippers. Part one is granny squares, part two is assembly. Tuesdays March 9 and 16, 7-9pm. $40

Bow Headband: Quick, easy, and adorable, this double moss stitch Bow Headband is the perfect way to start working hand knits into your wardrobe! This is a great project for beginner (and knits up ridiculously quick if you’ve got some experience under your belt!). Monday March 15, 7-9pm. 2 hours, $20

~~~

Ruffled Crocheted Bib Necklace Workshop: Ok the crocheting is out of control this season! Put this whole Stefanie Fail of A Common Thread Ruffled Bib Necklace together by the end of this three hour workshop! Saturday March 20, 1-4pm. $40 with materials

~~~

Madison Lace Cowl: A little daintier than the my Cabled Cowl, this cowl is great for staying warm during the Chicago thaw and unbuttoning for some stylish warmth inside. The Madison Lace pattern is fun and intuitive, and the buttons add a fun pop! And don’t forget to knit up some matching hand warmers! Wednesdays April 7 and 14, 7-9pm. $40

~~~

Madison Lace Hand Warmers: No more mittens! Quick to knit, a great introduction to lace pattern-work, and the perfect last minute gift. Wait, what am I saying?! WE AREN’T KNITTING GIFTS! You know you want a pair of these cute hand warmers for yourself to match the Madison Lace Cowl you just knit yourself. Thursday April 15, 7-9pm. $20

~~~

Group Knitting and Crocheting: Come get help starting a project, finishing a project, picking a project, picking materials, or learning something new! 2 hours, $15

Knitting Book Club: Our next book club meet up will be Monday, February 1st at 7pm. We are reading The Sister (A Novel of Emily Dickenson) by Paolo Kaufmann! If you are interested in joining the book club, send me an email. Please don’t come with knitting questions as I won’t be teaching anything (so the book club can be free of course), just come to knit and chat about our book!

Bow Headband: *January’s class is FULL!* Quick, easy, and adorable, this double moss stitch Bow Headband is the perfect way to start working hand knits into your wardrobe! This is a great project for beginner (and knits up ridiculously quick if you’ve got some experience under your belt!). Thursday January 28, 7-9pm and Monday March 15, 7-9pm. 2 hours, $20

~~~

Beginner Knitting: Did you get on this mailing list in the hopes that eventually you will have the time to learn? Sign up for this beginner knitting class and learn how to cast on, bind off, and knit and purl. Tuesday February 2, 7-9pm and Monday April 12, 7-9pm, $25

~~~

Toe Up Socks: *Two spots left!* Once you knit a sock you can knit anything. One ball of sock yarn makes one tall knee sock. With the toe-up sock you just knit until you run out of yarn! Part One is the toe, Part 2 is the heel. Mondays February 8 and 15, 7-9pm. $40

~~~

Beginner Crochet: This is a great opportunity to learn the basics of crocheting! In this class we will learn to make a chain, single, half double, double, and treble crochet stitches, and how to crochet in the round. Use these mad skillz for Ruffled Crocheted Bib Necklace, Granny Square Workshop, and Granny Square Slippers. Wednesday February 3rd, 7-9pm and Tuesday April 13, 7-9pm, $25

~~~

Knitting Needle Knitting Bag: I’ve knit a couple of these for other knitters and they love them. They are intended to be for your knitting projects, but I’m using mine as a purse! Pam Allen’s Knitting Needle Knitting Bag is the perfect project to help show off your knitter status. Part one is the berry stitch body of the bag, part two is assembly. Please note the classes are two weeks apart so you have time to finish the body of your bag! Wednesdays February 10 and 24, 7-9pm. $40

~~~

Granny Square Workshop: Another way to use crochet! Granny squares are fun stash busters that you can’t mess up because they are supposed to be ugly, these little guys can be used for anything. Bags. Coasters. Blankets. Change purses. Granny Square Slippers. Saturday February 20, 1-4pm. $40 with materials

~~~

Granny Square Slippers: Know how to crochet granny squares and want a fun way to use them? Did you take my Granny Square Workshop and want to use all the knowledge I dropped on you? Crochet up some of these fun Purl Bee Granny Square Slippers. Part one is granny squares, part two is assembly. Tuesdays March 9 and 16, 7-9pm. $40

Ruffled Crocheted Bib Necklace Workshop: Ok the crocheting is out of control this season! Put this whole Stefanie Fail of A Common Thread Ruffled Bib Necklace together by the end of this three hour workshop! Saturday March 20, 1-4pm. $40 with materials

~~~

Madison Lace Cowl: A little daintier than the my Cabled Cowl, this cowl is great for staying warm during the Chicago thaw and unbuttoning for some stylish warmth inside. The Madison Lace pattern is fun and intuitive, and the buttons add a fun pop! And don’t forget to knit up some matching hand warmers! Wednesdays April 7 and 14, 7-9pm. $40

~~~

Madison Lace Hand Warmers: No more mittens! Quick to knit, a great introduction to lace pattern-work, and the perfect last minute gift. Wait, what am I saying?! WE AREN’T KNITTING GIFTS! You know you want a pair of these cute hand warmers for yourself to match the Madison Lace Cowl you just knit yourself. Thursday April 15, 7-9pm. $20

~~~

Group Knitting and Crocheting: Come get help starting a project, finishing a project, picking a project, picking materials, or learning something new! 2 hours, $15

Knitting Book Club: Our next book club meet up will be Monday, February 1st at 7pm. We are reading The Sister (A Novel of Emily Dickenson) by Paolo Kaufmann! If you are interested in joining the book club, send me an email. Please don’t come with knitting questions as I won’t be teaching anything (so the book club can be free of course), just come to knit and chat about our book!

Bow Headband: Quick, easy, and adorable, this double moss stitch Bow Headband is the perfect way to start working hand knits into your wardrobe! This is a great project for beginner (and knits up ridiculously quick if you’ve got some experience under your belt!). Thursday January 28, 7-9pm and Monday March 15, 7-9pm. 2 hours, $20

~~~

Beginner Knitting: Did you get on this mailing list in the hopes that eventually you will have the time to learn? Sign up for this beginner knitting class and learn how to cast on, bind off, and knit and purl. Tuesday February 2, 7-9pm and Monday April 12, 7-9pm. 2 hours, $25

~~~

Toe Up Socks: *Two spots left!* Once you knit a sock you can knit anything. One ball of sock yarn makes one tall knee sock. With the toe-up sock you just knit until you run out of yarn! Part One is the toe, Part 2 is the heel. Mondays February 8 and 15, 7-9pm. $40

~~~

Beginner Crochet: This is a great opportunity to learn the basics of crocheting! In this class we will learn to make a chain, single, half double, double, and treble crochet stitches, and how to crochet in the round. Use these mad skillz for Ruffled Crocheted Bib Necklace, Granny Square Workshop, and Granny Square Slippers. Wednesday February 3rd, 7-9pm and Tuesday April 13, 7-9pm. 2 hours, $25

~~~

Knitting Needle Knitting Bag: I’ve knit a couple of these for other knitters and they love them. They are intended to be for your knitting projects, but I’m using mine as a purse! Pam Allen’s Knitting Needle Knitting Bag is the perfect project to help show off your knitter status. Part one is the berry stitch body of the bag, part two is assembly. Please note the classes are two weeks apart so you have time to finish the body of your bag! Wednesdays February 10 and 24, 7-9pm. $40

~~~

Granny Square Workshop: Another way to use crochet! Granny squares are fun stash busters that you can’t mess up because they are supposed to be ugly, these little guys can be used for anything. Bags. Coasters. Blankets. Change purses. Granny Square Slippers. Saturday February 20, 1-4pm. $40 with materials

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Granny Square Slippers: Know how to crochet granny squares and want a fun way to use them? Did you take my Granny Square Workshop and want to use all the knowledge I dropped on you? Crochet up some of these fun Purl Bee Granny Square Slippers. Part one is granny squares, part two is assembly. Tuesdays March 9 and 16, 7-9pm. $40

Ruffled Crocheted Bib Necklace Workshop: Ok the crocheting is out of control this season! Put this whole Stefanie Fail of A Common Thread Ruffled Bib Necklace together by the end of this three hour workshop! Saturday March 20, 1-4pm. $40 with materials

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Madison Lace Cowl: A little daintier than the my Cabled Cowl, this cowl is great for staying warm during the Chicago thaw and unbuttoning for some stylish warmth inside. The Madison Lace pattern is fun and intuitive, and the buttons add a fun pop! And don’t forget to knit up some matching hand warmers! Wednesdays April 7 and 14, 7-9pm. $40

~~~

Madison Lace Hand Warmers: No more mittens! Quick to knit, a great introduction to lace pattern-work, and the perfect last minute gift. Wait, what am I saying?! WE AREN’T KNITTING GIFTS! You know you want a pair of these cute hand warmers for yourself to match the Madison Lace Cowl you just knit yourself. Thursday April 15, 7-9pm. $20

~~~

Group Knitting and Crocheting: Come get help starting a project, finishing a project, picking a project, picking materials, or learning something new! 2 hours, $15

Knitting Book Club: Our next book club meet up will be Monday, February 1st at 7pm. We are reading The Sister (A Novel of Emily Dickenson) by Paolo Kaufmann! If you are interested in joining the book club, send me an email. Please don’t come with knitting questions as I won’t be teaching anything (so the book club can be free of course), just come to knit and chat about our book!

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Happy New Year!

The Sweatshop of Love is going to make some huge strides this year, starting with a new look to the newsletter thanks to Miss Tara Shade. I’m working on key business words this year, like BRANDING and MARKETING. Scary, right? Scary exciting! And I have you all to thank. The Sweatshop is entering it’s fourth year of existence. 2009 was huge and 2010 is going to be even bigger.

If you haven’t seen my barrage of blog posts and tweets then you don’t know about my Knit a Sweater a Month in 2010 Challenge! Every Tuesday I’ll have updates of the sweaters I’ll be knitting this year and highlight my fellow KaSaMC participants sweaters, too. Sound fun? Join my ravelry group and/or email me to get on my mailing list. It sounds like an impossible task, but we can do it together!

And what about my Winter Class Schedule?! It is as selfish as can be. From slippers to headbands to necklaces, you will want every single one of these projects. And now that holiday knitting is over, you can. Tell your family and friends that they are going to have to wait, pick up those needles (and that hook!) and lets knit for ourselves! Email me to sign up for any and all of these classes and to ask any questions you have.

Can’t wait to see you!

Allyson

PS – I’d like to take this moment to apologize for how many pictures of myself are in this email! The Sweatshop of Love is a one woman show, right down to the modeling.

Winter Classes:

Sweater Club: All hail the return of Sweater Club! Signing up for this class gets you one or two classes per week over the course of eight weeks. The goal is to finish your sweater by the end of the class. If you are with me on my knit a sweater a month quest, knit two sweaters in class with me! Winter session of Sweater Club starts Thursday, February 4th and/or Sunday, February 7th. Sweater Club continues every Thursday night 7-9 and Sunday morning 10-12 until Thursday April 1st and/or Sunday, April 4th. There will be a one week Sweater Club Break the week of February 25/28 for some knitting catch up. The one class per week option for eight weeks costs $75, the two classes per week option for eight weeks costs $120. Email me at allyson@thesweatshopoflove.com if you have any questions or to sign up for this class!

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Bow Headband: Quick, easy, and adorable, this double moss stitch Bow Headband is the perfect way to start working hand knits into your wardrobe! This is a great project for beginner (and knits up ridiculously quick if you’ve got some experience under your belt!). Thursday January 28, 7-9pm and Monday March 15, 7-9pm. 2 hours, $20

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Beginner Knitting: Did you get on this mailing list in the hopes that eventually you will have the time to learn? Sign up for this beginner knitting class and learn how to cast on, bind off, and knit and purl. Tuesday February 2, 7-9pm and Monday April 12, 7-9pm. 2 hours, $25

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Toe Up Socks: Once you knit a sock you can knit anything. One ball of sock yarn makes one tall knee sock. With the toe-up sock you just knit until you run out of yarn! Part One is the toe, Part 2 is the heel. Mondays February 8 and 15, 7-9pm. $40

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Beginner Crochet: This is a great opportunity to learn the basics of crocheting! In this class we will learn to make a chain, single, half double, double, and treble crochet stitches, and how to crochet in the round. Use these mad skillz for Ruffled Crocheted Bib Necklace, Granny Square Workshop, and Granny Square Slippers. Wednesday February 3rd, 7-9pm and Tuesday April 13, 7-9pm. 2 hours, $25

~~~

Knitting Needle Knitting Bag: I’ve knit a couple of these for other knitters and they love them. They are intended to be for your knitting projects, but I’m using mine as a purse! Pam Allen’s Knitting Needle Knitting Bag is the perfect project to help show off your knitter status. Part one is the berry stitch body of the bag, part two is assembly. Please note the classes are two weeks apart so you have time to finish the body of your bag! Wednesdays February 10 and 24, 7-9pm. $40

~~~

Granny Square Workshop: Another way to use crochet! Granny squares are fun stash busters that you can’t mess up because they are supposed to be ugly, these little guys can be used for anything. Bags. Coasters. Blankets. Change purses. Granny Square Slippers. Saturday February 20, 1-4pm. $40 with materials

~~~

Granny Square Slippers: Know how to crochet granny squares and want a fun way to use them? Did you take my Granny Square Workshop and want to use all the knowledge I dropped on you? Crochet up some of these fun Purl Bee Granny Square Slippers. Part one is granny squares, part two is assembly. Tuesdays March 9 and 16, 7-9pm. $40

Ruffled Crocheted Bib Necklace Workshop: Ok the crocheting is out of control this season! Put this whole Stefanie Fail of A Common Thread Ruffled Bib Necklace together by the end of this three hour workshop! Saturday March 20, 1-4pm. $40 with materials

~~~

Madison Lace Cowl: A little daintier than the my Cabled Cowl, this cowl is great for staying warm during the Chicago thaw and unbuttoning for some stylish warmth inside. The Diamond Lace pattern is fun and intuitive, and the buttons add a fun pop! And don’t forget to knit up some matching hand warmers! Wednesdays April 7 and 14, 7-9pm. $40

~~~

Madison Lace Hand Warmers: No more mittens! Quick to knit, a great introduction to lace pattern-work, and the perfect last minute gift. Wait, what am I saying?! WE AREN’T KNITTING GIFTS! You know you want a pair of these cute hand warmers for yourself to match the Diamond Lace Cowl you just knit yourself. Thursday April 15, 7-9pm. $20

~~~

Group Knitting and Crocheting: Come get help starting a project, finishing a project, picking a project, picking materials, or learning something new! 2 hours, $15

Knitting Book Club: Our next book club meet up will be Monday, February 1st at 7pm. We are reading The Sister: A Novel of Emily Dickinson by Paola Kaufmann! If you are interested in joining the book club, send me an email. Please don’t come with knitting questions as I won’t be teaching anything (so the book club can be free of course), just come to knit and chat about our book!