Alpaca Direct News and Perspectives

Summer Knitting Classes - Sign Up Now!

NEW SUMMER CLASSES AT ALPACA DIRECT

All classes will be taught on Thursday evenings from 7-9PM.
Our store is located at 144 Continente Ave, Suite 170, Brentwood, Ca 94513, PH-925-237-2575

Knit 101
Skill level: Novice
Fee:  $20, supplies additional
Date:  July 15, 2010

This one-session class is for new and beginning knitters. New knitters will learn to knit, purl, cast on and bind off. Beginning knitters will learn how knit and purl stitches work together to create interesting patterns. Your instructor will provide instructions and pattern to create a  Scarf for your first project. No experience required.  This class is just the basics.
Registered students will receive 10% off class materials.

Knit 102
Skill level: Beginner
Fee:  $20, supplies additional
Date:  July 22, 2010

This one-session class is for knitters who know the basics (cast on, knit, purl, cast off) and who are ready for their first project. In this class, you learn increases, decreases, fixing twisted and dropped stitches, reading a pattern and start a project of your choice. This is the recommended next class after Knit 101. Bring light colored yarn and appropriate needles. If you want to use the yarn and needles you purchased for Knit 101, Alpaca Direct staff can help you find an appropriate pattern and yarn.
Registered students will receive 10% off class materials.



Crochet 101
Skill Level: Novice
Fee: $20, supplies additional
Date:  July 29 2010

Crochet is fast and fun.  During this one-session class students will learn all the basic stitches of crochet (single, half-double, double and treble crochet), joining new yarn, increasing and decreasing.  
Registered students will receive 10% off class materials.

Crochet 102
Skill Level:  Beginner
Fee: $20, supplies additional
Date:  August 5, 2010

This class is for those who know the crochet basics (chain, single, half-double, double and treble crochet).  In this class, you learn increases, decreases and how to read a pattern.  You will start a project of your choice.  Alpaca Direct staff can help you find an appropriate pattern and yarn for your project.
Registered students will receive 10% off class materials.


Neck Warmer Hat
Skill Level:  Intermediate
Fee:  $20, supplies additional
Date:  August 12, 2010

This is a fun and easy class that will use your knit and purl skills, then finish off with an I-cord.
Sample made with Suri Merino Paint yarn. Circular needle size US 5.  We will be using the pattern from Knitted Gifts by Ann Budd.
Registered students will receive 10% off class materials.


Disclaimer: Enroll early as class size is limited.  Although we anticipate full registration for all classes, we reserve the right to cancel a class due to poor enrollment.  In this circumstance your fee will be refunded in full.  If you are not able to make your class, we will need 24 hours notice for a full refund.  Fewer than 24 hours notice or No Show = no refund.  Fees listed are for the complete class, including all sessions and unless noted do not include materials or patterns. Missed classes may be made up at a later session. Please bring basic accessories to all classes:  scissors, stitch markers, yarn needles, etc

New Knit and Crochet Classes For Spring 2010

Socks 101

April 29th   7pm to 9pm

Skill level: Beginner

Fee:  $35, supplies additional

 

You will learn to make an Adult basic sock in this class.  This is a 2 hour class (1 session).  Students must be able to cast-on, knit, purl, work ribbing and decrease using ssk or k2tog.

 

Supplies needed before class:  Size 3 needle (can be double pointed or circular), Worsted Weight Yarn

Registered students will receive 10% off class materials.

 

 

2 Socks At A Time On 1 Circular Needle

May 6th & May 13th  7pm to 9pm

Skill Level: Intermediate

Fee: $45, supplies additional

 

In this class you will learn how to make 2 baby socks at once using 1 circular needle.  This is a 4 hour class (2 sessions of 2 hours each)

 

Supplies needed:  40”-47” inch circular needle, stitch markers, tapestry needle

 

Registered students will receive 10% off class materials.

 

Knit 101

May 20th & May 27th  7pm to 9pm

http://www.catalinayarns.com/pages/patternsupport/freepatterns/november05free.pdf

Skill level: Novice

Fee:  $45, supplies additional

 

This two-session class is for new and beginning knitters. New knitters will learn to knit, purl, cast on and bind off. Beginning knitters will learn how knit and purl stitches work together to create interesting patterns. Your instructor will provide instructions and pattern to create a Jute Rope Scarf for your first project. No experience required.

 

This class is just the basics. Supplies: size 10 needles and 2 skeins of bulky weight yarn.

 

Registered students will receive 10% off class materials.

 

 

Free Workshop

June 3rd    7pm to 9pm

Ribbon of Hope Scarf

http://www.cascadeyarns.com/patternsFree/W201_DolceCancerScarf.pdf

Skill Level:  Beginner

 

In this class we will make a Ribbon of Hope scarf to donate to Women’s Breast Cancer Patients.

 

Supplies Needed:  US 8 needle, Cascade Dolce Yarn in Pink (150g – 1 skein)

 

 

 

Beginning Cables

June 10th  7pm to 9pm

Skill Level:  Beginner

Fee: $40, supplies additional

 

In this class 2 hour session class, we will learn to make some basic cables.  Students should know how to cast on, knit, purl and bind off.

 

Supplies needed:  scrap yarn, needle to go with yarn, cable needle

 

Registered students will receive 10% off class materials.

 

Cabled Fingerless Gloves

http://www.mistialpaca.com/media/downloads/patterns/MistiAlpaca_FREE_907_CabledThumbMitts.pdf

 June 17th & June 24th   7pm to 9pm

Skill Level: Advanced Beginner

Fee: $45, supplies additional

 

This is a 4 hour class (2 sessions of 2 hours each).  In this class we will make Cables Fingerless gloves.

These gloves make a wonderful gift and are fast and easy to make.

 

Supplies Needed:  Worsted Weight yarn, cable needle, stitch marker, stitch holder, tapestry needle

US 5 double pointed needles for making S/M sized gloves

US 6 double pointed needles for making M/L sized gloves

 

Registered students will receive 10% off class materials.

 

 

Disclaimer:

Enroll early as class size is limited.  Although we anticipate full registration for all classes, we reserve the right to cancel a class due to poor enrollment.  In this circumstance your fee will be refunded in full.  If you are not able to make your class, we will need 24 hours notice for a full refund.  Fewer than 24 hours notice or No Show = no refund.  Fees listed are for the compete class, including all sessions and unless noted do not include materials or patterns. Missed classes may be made up at a later session. Please bring basic accessories to all classes:  scissors, stitch markers, yarn needles, etc.

Your cheap cashmere sweater's real cost

Read this very informative article in the Chicago Tribune  about the true cost of the Big Box Cashmere sweaters and their impact on the environment and pollution now affecting America.  See our brief summary on Alpaca vs. Cashmere for the quick overview. 

 

Beginning Lace Knitting Class June 5th and 12th, 2010

Beginning Lace 101

June 5th and 12th, 2010  10am - 12pm

Both classes on Saturdays

Skill Level: Intermediate

Fee: $45, supplies additional

Instructor: Sultana Charania

In this class you will learn how to read a lace pattern and chart.  Learn the difference between knitted lace and lace knitting.  Learn the lace vocabulary.   Get an early start on lace techniques that can turn into beautiful gifts. 

You will practice 3 basic lace patterns.

This is a 4 hour class - 2 sessions, 2 hours each. 

Supplies needed:  Size 7 needle, 1 skein fingering weight yarn.  Registered students will receive 10% off class materials.

Spring Yarns are in full swing

We're excited to see the new spring yarns arriving in our shop.  We have several news yarns from Arucania in Chile to use on your spring and summer projects.  A very soft and luxurious Ruca made of sugarcane is great for delicate spring scarves and shawls.  Our Aysen yarns are luxurious bland of Alpaca, Merino and Silk.  Come stop by our store or visit our website at www.AlpacaDirect.com and "Spring into Knitting" with these and many other new yarns.  Here's a coupon to save some money and try our our new yarns!

Come see us this week at Stitches West in Booth 815 & 817. We have a double booth again filled with tons of luxury Alpaca and Merino yarns plus we're giving away eco-friendly knitting bags with orders over $35! Sept 25th - 28th - Santa Clara Convention Center!

Winter Knitting Classes at Alpaca Direct

Current Knitting Classes - Instructor Led

Classes are held Thursday Eves - 7-9pm 

Knit 101
Skill level: Novice
Fee: $35, supplies additional
Dates: Jan 14th & Jan 21st

This two-session class is for new and beginning knitters. New knitters will learn to knit, purl, cast on and bind off. Beginning knitters will learn how knit and purl stitches work together to create interesting patterns. Your instructor will provide instructions and pattern to create a Jute Rope Scarf for your first project. No experience required.
This class is just the basics. Supplies: size 10 needles and 2 skeins of chunky weight yarn.
Registered students will receive 10% off class materials.


Crochet 101
Skill Level: Novice
Fee: $35, supplies additional
Jan 28th & Feb 4th

Crochet is fast and fun. During this two-session class students learn all the basic stitches of crochet (single, half-double, double and treble crochet), joining new yarn, increasing and decreasing. In this class you will learn how to Chain, single, double and triple crochet.
Registered students will receive 10% off class materials.

Knit 102
Skill level: Beginner
Fee: $35, supplies additional
Dates: Feb 11th & 18th

This two-session class is for knitters who know the basics (cast on, knit, purl, cast off) and who are ready for their first project. In this class, you learn increases, decreases, fixing twisted and dropped stitches, reading a pattern and start a project of your choice. This is the recommended next class after Knit 101. Bring light colored yarn and appropriate needles. If you want to use the yarn and needles you purchased for Knit 101, Alpaca Direct staff can help you find an appropriate pattern and yarn.
Registered students will receive 10% off class materials.



Crochet 102
Skill Level: Beginner
Fee: $35, supplies additional
Mar 4th & Mar 11th

This class if for those who know the crochet basics (chain, single, half-double, double and treble crochet). In this class, you learn increases, decreases and how to read a pattern. You will start a project of your choice. Alpaca Direct staff can help you find an appropriate pattern and yarn for your project.
Registered students will receive 10% off class materials.


Moebius Cowl
Skill Level: Intermediate
Fee: $30, supplies additional
March 18th

This is a fun and quick project where you'll learn how to do simple lace and the moebius cast-on. Knitting a moebius scarf is like magic. You need only to know how to knit, purl and cast-off. Shop sample: Seafoam moebius made with Catalina Baby Alpaca (#213). Supplies Needed: Size 10 (6mm) circular needle that is 40-47” in length.

How to sign up?  

Email us at info@alpacadirect.com   

Call our Shop - 10am - 5pm Mon-Sat. 925-237-2575 x6 ask for Patricia

Disclaimer:

Enroll early as class size is limited. Although we anticipate full registration for all classes, we reserve the right to cancel a class. In this circumstance your fee will be refunded in full. If you are not able to make your class, we will need 24 hours notice for a full refund. Fewer than 24 hours notice or No Show = no refund. Fees listed are for the complete class, including all sessions and unless noted do not include materials or patterns. Missed classes may be made up at a later session. Please bring basic accessories to all classes: scissors, stitch markers, yarn needles, etc.

If you need to purchase supplies you may purchase them at our shop the day of the class for a 10% discount. 

Local News Coverage On Our Store

The Brentwood Press came by last week and wrote up a nice article about our store.  It's been great growing our online business to over 35,000 customers.  Now we're able to really service the local community and we're thrilled that people are coming from "Over the Hill" in Concord, Walnut Creek, Alamo, etc to shop with us. Thanks to everyone for all the great local support!

CBS - Channel 5 Is Coming To Our Shop on Oct 24th!

Please come and join us to welcome CBS Channel 5 as they highlight local businesses and will be at Alpaca Direct from 10am - 12pm on Saturday, October 24th.   We'll have a few of our baby alpacas in front of the store so bring the kids and have fun petting the Alpacas and telling the News Crew at CBS 5 why you like shopping Local at Alpaca Direct!  

Sign up for Fall Classes at Alpaca Direct

We're offering a nice array of knitting, crochet, spinning and felting classes this fall.  All classes will be taught on Thursday evenings from 7-9pm.   

Alpaca Direct Class Schedule

Classes are Thursday evenings 7-9pm  

Felting with Artfelt -  $25 - Thursday Oct 8th  (Sign up for this class)

Class will include a kit containing all the supplies you'll need to create a felted scarf project.

Learn to spin fiber with a drop spindle $25 - Oct 15th  (Sign up for this class)

Learn the basics of the drop spindle and now to spin your own yarn.

Materials needed: Drop spindle, 1 or more oz of fiber

Learn to knit $30 - Oct 22nd  (Sign up for this class)

Learn step by step how to cast on, the knit stitch, the purl stitch, bind off. Create the beginning of your own knitted scarf.

Materials needed:  1 Skein of chunky weight yarn,  #10 knitting needles

Learn to crochet $30 - Oct 29th (Sign up for this class)

Take your crochet skills up a notch as you learn 4 versatile pattern stitches that will bring pizzazz to your afghans, fashions, and other projects. Learn the chain stitch, single, double and treble stitches.

Materials needed: 1 skein of worsted weight yarn, One large G or H crochet hook

Knit a Scarf $30 - Nov 5th  (Sign up for this class)

Learn to knit a cool patterned scarf 

Materials needed: 2 skeins of yarn, 1 set #10 needles

Knit a  Hat $30 - Nov 12th (Sign up for this class)

Here's a fun project to knit a fun winter hat or tam to match the scarf from the prior lesson.  

Materials needed: 1 Skein of chunky weight yarn,  #10 knitting needles

Knit Socks on Circular Needles $30  - Nov 19th (Sign up for this class)

Learn how to knit socks on a set of circular needles. This class is designed for knitters who are familiar with circular needles, increases and decreases. We will cover the heel and gusset.

Materials needed:  1 Skein of worsted weight yarn,  1 set of #10 circular knitting needles 

Class Location:

Our Store is located at 144 Continente Ave, Suite 170, Brentwood, CA 94513  PH:925-237-2575

Supplies are available at our store.  10% discount on items purchased the day of the class!