Knitters in the know are aware Robin Hansen began a groundswell of interest in “roots” knitting patterns for mittens.

Author Robin Hansen is a folklorist of women's handcrafts who has written articles in numerous knitting publications, Interweave Knits, Knitter’s, Vogue Knitting, and Knitting Now .Robin  has written  four collections of traditional mitten patterns and the best-selling children's how-to knit book, Sunny's Mittens. Robin’s recent children’s book, Ice Harbor Mittens marries her deep knowledge of mitten-making with a fine-tuned sense of life in the off-season on Maine's rocky coast.

 She is a recognized authority on traditional mittens – knitted and otherwise. She has taught workshops from Texas to Surrey, England. She earned a doctorate in folklore and folk life from Boston University, based on her knitting research in eastern Canada and Maine.  

                                                        Afternoon Class: 1-4

Use the Maine winter to learn new ways of knitting: In a three-hour workshop, learn an old-fashioned Maine cast on, a simple increase and two decreases, knitting on four needles (You can do it!), and two-color knitting — and succeed.

Robin Hansen will guide you through a small bag that uses all these techniques, and you will come out refreshed and with the skills to knit your own fancy mittens.

Level: upper beginner: You should be able to knit and purl when you arrive and have finished a garment — A scarf is fine — in your lifetime. You will need 2 ounces (or 50 grams) of two contrasting colors of medium or DK weight wool yarn and one set No. 5 double-pointed needles.