Knitting as Protest is the second of three workshops Aneesa Shami will be conducting during her studio residency at the Helms Design Center. These workshops will highlight weaving, knitting, and quilting as three major facets of textile and fiber techniques. Each session will dive into a brief, introductory history of each technique, followed by hands-on instruction and experimentation. Participants are encouraged to play, make, learn, and connect with fiber materials and techniques in new ways.

Knitting As Protest
Saturday, August 25
10am - 1pm
$75 + $15 materials fee (paid directly to instructor)

Introduction will begin with a brief history of knitting and its relation to weaving’s history, with a focus on how knitting has evolved in modern and contemporary society. Aneesa will briefly cover knitting as craftivism, specifically knitting’s historical presence in U.S. protests and the more recent Pussyhat project. The hands-on workshop will include needles and yarn for participants to create a classic garter-stitch scarf. No previous knitting experience is necessary. Techniques covered will include long-tail cast on, knit stitch, how to hold your yarn, and how to bind off and finish your ends. Students are also encouraged to bring their own yarn, fabric, or anything else that has large quantities of yardage.

Materials*
- US 8, 13" straight knitting needles
- Worsted weight yarn (at least 1 ball)

**All materials will be provided in the materials fee. If you have some of these materials, feel free to bring them to use in addition/as supplement to those provided!