Sock Knitting Workshop Brighton with Tom of Holland is aimed at the intermediate knitter, who already knows the basics.

Socks are a lot of fun to knit, and once you have mastered the basics, will allow for endless experimentation. They are the perfect thing to knit in summer as they are small and portable projects on the go.

Tom’s sock knitting course is aimed at the intermediate knitter, who already knows how to cast on, cast off, knit, purl, increase and decrease. Participants will be expected to knit between classes.

During this three-week course Tom will teach you how to knit in the round, and create a pair of socks, knitted from the cuff down.  Meeting on three consecutive Sundays to go through all the techniques necessary to knit well-fitting socks. These include: knitting in the round on double-pointed needles, turning the heel and finishing the toe. All liberally sprinkled with hints and tips along the way to create a well-fitting pair of socks.

By the end of the three weeks, you will have at least one sock, all the knowledge to knit sock number two, three, four, and more! Included in the price will be a comprehensive hand-out to refer back to the techniques learnt, and a project sheet to record all the necessary details for sock knitting for a specific person.

Please note: yarn and needles included in the price. You can buy your ticket HERE!

Dates: Sunday 14, 21, and 28 April 11am-1pm.

Best known for his Visible Mending Programme (VMP) Tom of Holland uses darning, patching and weaving techniques to give a new lease of life to damaged and over-loved garments in the most visually spectacular way.

From cardi’s with worn out sleeves and cuff’s to the revamping of an old favourite scarf, Tom uses a series of complimentary and traditional techniques to bring these garments back to life and bang up to date in the artisan fashion stakes! I think he often calls this magical mending addiction “fashion intervention”….. aint that the truth!

If you are familiar with Tom’s blog you will be aware of his superb taste in traditional yarns. His many projects showcase these choices brilliantly and it’s often the understated and fine detailed nature of his design that not only compliments his yarn choices but put a whole new twist on their obvious uses.

April see’s the first of a series of projects Super+Super are excited to be holding with Tom of Holland. To kick start the Tom of Holland will be running a monthly workshop aiming to explore the lost art of mending. Bring along a number of garments that have been packed away because of that annoying moth hole or unsightly worn through elbow, and fix them up in style.

A two hour workshop will teach you two classic darning techniques:

- Swiss darning, or duplicate stitching, which is ideal for strengthening thin patches and covering up stains

- Stocking darning which is the traditional darning technique for holes in socks, using a darning mushroom.

All materials will be supplied, including knitted swatches to practice on, but as mentioned earlier Students are encouraged to bring their thin elbows and holey socks for fixing!

You will also get to keep a set of darning needles (i.e. one long darning needle and one blunt tapestry needle each) and a comprehensive set of printed hand-outs outlining the techniques learnt.

£35 per person

(Tea and cake can be purchased from the Super+Super tea trolley if you are feeling peckish ! £3.50 per head)

*First class 4 Spaces only*

Visit Tom’s blog http://www.tomofholland.com/ for further inspiration

Please email Amy at supesuperhq@gmail.com or call the HQ on 01273 773910 for further info and to book your spot!

NB Please not we must take 50% deposit to confirm your place (payable by cash or cheque)

For this weeks tutorial we’ve handed over the ‘how to’ reigns to none other than Tom of Holland. As a little extra-curricular crafty activity Tom shows us how to make a leather rose brooch with this simple step-by-step tutorial. Tom will be running his Tom says Darn it! classes with us next month so be sure to sign up!

Things you need:

scraps of supple leather

pair of scissors

button twist (this is stronger than regular sewing thread)

leather needle (be careful, these are very sharp)

small brooch pins

Step 1: cut out strips of leather, approximately 6x1in, slightly tapered at each end. The exact shape is not important. Also thread your needle and make a knot in the end, so you don’t have to fumble about when you need to make a stitch.

Step 2: starting at one end of the leather strip, fold it together to make the centre of the rose.

Step 3: scrunch and fold the leather around the start. Make sure to hide the cut sides of the leather

Step 4: at the back, secure the folds with the button twist as you go along. Be careful, as the leather can be a bit difficult to pierce. You might want to use a thimble to help push through the needle. Be careful not to stab your fingers, leather needles have very sharp points!

Step 5: When the rose is finished, tie the thread at the back. Depending on how much leather you have, and the look you’re going for, you could make some more.

Usually an odd number looks best.

Step 6: cut out some leaf shapes, making sure to keep the base wide. This makes it easier to sew them in place and they won’t tear off.

Step 7: sew the brooch pin to the back of a leaf. If the leather is really thin, you can use a small square of canvas or other sturdy fabric on the other side to stabilise your stitches.

Step 8: if you have made more than one rose, sew those together first, then sew the leaves to the back. Make sure to secure some of the stitches through the holes of the brooch pin, to make it sturdy.

Step 9: voila, one finished leather rose brooch!

Some tips:

- practise the folding and scrunching technique a few times before sewing up a rose

- supple leather is easier to scrunch and sew up, but once you’ve practised a few times, a slightly stiffer leather may make more pleasing shapes

- when sourcing leather scraps, try out the fold and scrunch technique, you will soon learn which leathers are suitable

- use a leather needle to make the sewing go much easier. They have a special shaped tip for piercing leather. The needle has an even thickness from point to eye, so that it can’t get stuck when you pull it through

- use button twist instead of regular sewing thread. It is stronger so you don’t have to worry about it breaking when you tighten up stitches.

Be sure to follow Tom on Twitter and enter the competition we are running with him right now! http://supersuperhq.com/2012/03/06/giveaway-win-a-tom-of-holland-brooch/