Fling 2026

James N. Watts, Door Prizes, Raffles, and More!

Summer Fling will be a fun day of knitting, learning, chatting with friends, lunch, fabulous swag bags, door prizes, and one raffle ticket, with opportunity to purchase more before the event, for one of several lovely raffle baskets.

James N. Watts will present his program on the Modular Join-As-You-Go technique.

James N. Watts is a knitwear designer, classical musician, and jeweler in Chicago, Illinois. James’s interest in the fiber arts started in childhood when he asked his mother to teach him to crochet. James’s first hit-pattern, Best Beret, was published in 2019, and he has continued designing ever since. His design sensibility is inspired by materials, texture, technique, and color, and he specializes in size-inclusive garments and accessories for all climates and seasons. Outside of his knitting practice, James crochets, weaves, spins, and sews. All of James’s knitting patterns can be found on Ravelry and JamesNWatts.com.

Modular Join-As-You-Go is a workshop for all skill levels. The techniques in modular knitting are simple enough for beginner knitters, but exciting for any knitter. Students will learn the techniques used in James’s modular designs such as Mystic Square, Sun Gazer, and Beads of Joy. The main techniques used in this method are as simple as knitting, purling, picking up stitches, and working basic decreases, but learning this simple technique unlocks a realm of limitless creative potential. Whether students just want to master this technique enough to feel comfortable tackling one of James’s modular patterns, or if they want the confidence to envision and execute original modular designs, everyone is sure to have fun and walk away feeling artistically fulfilled. Prior knowledge needed: cast on, knit, purl, pick and knit, bind off.

In case you would like to get a head start on things, you will need: Sport to worsted color changing/gradient yarn from brands such as Spincycle and Noro, or about five different solid colors of yarn. US7 knitting needles or any size needed to get a gauge of 15 sts x 24 rows = 4″, ring stitch markers, and scissors to cut yarn.

Homework: Check for gauge and find a yarn and needle combination that works for you. Bring to class a small stockinette stitch swatch that is 12 stitches wide and 18 rows long.

As usual, our Summer Fling will be a fun day of knitting, learning, chatting with friends, lunch, fabulous swag bags, door prizes, and one raffle ticket, with opportunity to purchase more before the event, for one of several lovely raffle baskets.

The cost will be $30, and there will be a limit of 70 attendees, with first consideration given to Guild members. Non-members may sign up for this event after May 27th, so if you have a friend who would like to join us, that is an option if there are any spots left after that date.

Note: This session will include lunch. You will receive a follow-up email asking for your lunch choices.