Curious about stranded colorwork knitting? This beginner-friendly class is the perfect way to dive in! If you’ve admired Fair Isle and stranded designs and want to try them for yourself, this class will help you get started with confidence. You’ll work on a simple colorwork cowl—no increases, no decreases, no shaping—just straightforward knitting that lets the colors do the talking. The pattern uses only two colors per round and was designed to help you build foundational skills. There is a bit of homework (casting on before class), and while you may not finish the project during the session, you'll gain muscle memory and the know-how to confidently finish on your own.

In class, you’ll get a brief history of stranded knitting and learn essential techniques like holding yarn in two hands, reading colorwork charts, adding and securing yarns, and understanding yarn dominance. By the end, you’ll have a great start on your cowl, the ability to work with two colors in one round, and a solid introduction to this fun and addictive knitting technique.

Varian Brandon began knitting at age eight, but a trip to the British Isles later rekindled her love of color and sparked a lasting interest in Fair Isle design and construction. She now designs stranded colorwork patterns for various yarn companies and her own website, with her work featured in publications such as Yarnwise, PLY, and Interweave Knits. Varian is also the author of Waiting, a collection of colorwork hat patterns. Based in Saluda, North Carolina, she has taught stranded colorwork and related techniques for over 19 years at local yarn shops, fiber festivals, and retreats—including the long-running Kanuga Knitting and Quilting Retreat.

$60 -$75

Additional Supply Fee:  None. 

Scholarship Available: No.

Level: Beginner. Students must know how to knit stitch, and be familiar with working in the round.

Minimum Number of Students: 8 by January 31, 2026

Maximum Number of Students: 15

Required Supplies:

• Yarn: DK weight yarn. Solid or tonal colors. No novelty yarns.
• Shade A: Main 260 yds/240 m
• Shade B: Contrasting Color 135 yds/125 m
• Shade C: Accent 55 yds/ 50 m
• Needles: US 2 (2.75mm) 24 in circular needle and US 4 (3.5mm) 24 in circular needle or size needed for gauge.
• Stitch markers.

Class Schedule: The class will be in person at the SEFAA Center on Saturday February 7 from 2-5 pm, 2026.