CarlaK's knitting skills are half self-taught and half taught-by-the-best knitters around. She has been teaching in the Pittsburgh area for 4 1/2 years and has built a loyal following.

Although CarlaK has been knitting for only 7 years she has a long history in other needle arts. As far back as 1990 she was selling her original crochet afghan patterns to Herrschner's Corp. But knitting is what she was meant to do her whole life.

She currently offers a huge list classes, and has several more in the works for the future. Her high-energy, lots-of-fun, learn-more-than-you-thought-possible classes are something you don't want to miss.

Don’t see a class on something you want to learn?  Get in touch with Carla and she will try to work it up into a class.

Contact CarlaK

Experience Level-Advanced Beginner

This is a real classic and such fun to knit. We'll use Elizabeth's original pattern with some up to date yarns and colors that make it super fun. Make it cropped or long. Whatever fits your style. This is your chance to learn to knit the EZ way!

Experience Level-Intermediate

A crash course in sock making. We will work on an adorable baby sock using worsted weight yarn. You will learn all the techniques you will need to start making socks with fingering weight yarn for everyone in your family. Learn it all in just 3 hours or less. There is nothing like wearing hand knit socks. Allow yourself the luxury!

Experience Level-Advanced Beginner

Why call it the B-4 bag? Cause it has bobbles, beads, bumps, and buttons. This bag designed by Trish Bloom of Once In A Bloomoon Creations is really fun to knit. Learn all the techniques you need to make this fun and quirky felted bag.

Experience Level-Advanced Beginner

This is a real classic and such fun to knit. We'll use Elizabeth's original pattern with some up to date additions that make it super fun. This is your chance to learn to knit the EZ way!

You might have seen folks around the shop knitting with beads lately so I thought it would be fun to make a class out of the technique. It is only slightly harder than plain knitting and you don’t have to pre string all those beads. They are added as you work.

Learn to make a beautiful pair of lacy, beaded gauntlets that will be the hit of any gift exchange or make them for yourself and WOW the crowd!

Experience working lace and small circumferences in the round by any method is necessary.

Experience Level-Advanced Beginner

Learn to knit with beads. And no stringing endless numbers of beads before you start knitting! Come and take this fun class to take your knitting to a new level and end up with a beautiful beaded scarf! You can even make one is Steeler colors!

Experience Level- No experience to basic knowledge

Always wanted to learn to knit but never took the time? Or learned many years ago and need a refresher course? Maybe you know how to knit scarves but are ready to move on.

Whatever your skill level from total new knitter to someone who just knows the basics I will take you from your current skill level and move you on from there.

Love the look of cables but have no clue how to make them? Or have you tried cables and looked on in horror as your needles fell out and stitches dropped? Come take my Cables Untwisted class and learn how to make them the quick and easy way. Note: This is not a cabling without a cable needle class.

To this class I have added the owls cable. Stop by the shop to see the infant owls vest (pattern available on request). Or go to Patterns on Ravelry and type ‘owls’ into the search box. You will find lots of patterns using this darling little cable. In class you will learn to incorporate these little cuties in lots of fun and different ways. We will also discuss up or down sizing a sweater to make it fit your size. I’ll even tell you how I made my owl eyes for my adult sweater. They are a bit different.

Experience Level-Advanced Beginner

Did you know that you don't have to use double pointed needles to knit small circumferences? This fun and easy method takes all the fuss out of knitting small circumferences.

Experience Level: Intermediate

Sounds like a mess, right? But this is an often requested class. Learn many cast Ons and bind Offs and when to use them. You will also learn the best way to pick up stitches. (Ever had to pick up stitches on the wrong side of your work and just couldn't figure out how to do it? You'll learn how here.) We will also talk about using dropped stitches as a pattern feature instead of a disaster.

Experience Level-Advanced Beginner

Looks dramatic. Appears very complex. Shows colors like no other technique. You won't believe how easy it is to knit. But beware. I have been told it is addicting! And you can take my word for it-it’s true!

Experience Level-Intermediate

Learn to knit with one color in each hand to create beautiful colorwork garments.
The technique is much easier than it sounds. We'll get you started on a beautiful hat and then you can take off from there

Experience Level-Advanced

This ever popular pattern from Fiber Trends can have it's tricky moments. This class will guide you through of all the scary parts. And these clogs last forever! Make slippers for the whole family!

Experience Level-Intermediate

This beautiful shawl is much easier to knit than it first appears. Its scalloped edges give it eye popping pizzazz. An original pattern by CarlaK it's lacy, feminine and altogether WOW! Great for a first lace project. Do it in Mohair, worsted weight, fingering weight or anything in between!

Experience Level: Advanced Beginner

In this class I will lead you through learning to make I Cord and many amazing uses for this very simple technique. Bobbles don't have to be hard to do. Once you understand the basics you will be using them everywhere. Tips and tricks are things I have picked up along my knitting journey and am happy to share with you. These are things you may have never heard of that will making your knitting a whole lot easier and more productive.

Experience Level: Advanced Beginner

Illusion (or Shadow) Knitting is a bit hard to explain. An illusion is something that fools the senses and Illusion Knitting sure does that. When you look at a piece of Illusion Knitting straight on all you see is stripes of color. But when you turn it on an angle a pattern appears that you simply couldn’t see before. Very David Copperfield, wouldn’t you agree?

But for all it’s trickery Illusion Knitting is fairly simple once you are in on its secrets. And I can teach you those secrets in a simple 2 hour class. If you still aren’t sure what this type of knitting is all about stop in at the shop and we can show you samples of it. Or go to your favorite search engine and type in ‘Illusion Knitting’ or ‘Shadow Knitting’. You will find lots of great examples that I am sure will make you want to enter the realm of this magical technique.

Experience Level-Intermediate

This class will teach you the basics of color knitting to knit pictures or words into your finished piece. It is great fun and easier than it looks. Steeler logo, anyone?

Experience Level-Intermediate

We all cry when we see holes in our knitting that aren't supposed to be there. Making holes on purpose is certainly less traumatic. Lace knitting is so much fun and so beautiful. It can be very complex or simple according to your skill level. Learn the basic techniques for knitting beautiful lace garments in this class.

Experience Level-Advanced Beginner

Learn to knit (Yes! Knit! I have figured out a way to do it.) the coolest fashion accessory yet. Use buttons from your own sewing box or buy new ones (we can tell you where to find them). And no pre-stringing of the buttons-we add them as we go. Basic knitting skills are all you need.

Experience Level-Intermediate

Learn to knit a Kippa. I know you have seen crocheted ones but this one is knit. You'll learn the short-rowing technique and create an heirloom for someone you love. Male, female, adult or child-everyone will love them.

Experience Level Required - Advanced Intermediate Lace Knitter

This class will delve into advanced lace techniques. A few of the topics covered will be mirror imagining lace patterns, increasing and decreasing while maintaining pattern, alternate ways for beginning and ending, and pattern and chart reading.

Experience Level-Intermediate

Learn to knit a fabulous mitered bag and how to felt it, too. (We don’t do the felting in class but I will tell you all you need to know.) This one is great fun. You'll learn lots of tips and tricks and have a great felted bag to show for it. And you will receive a copy of an original CarlaK Creations pattern that hasn't been released to the public yet!

Learn to make these awesome mittens for the whole family. Child through adult sizes are just the beginning. Choice of yarn can give you a whole different look. From super cute for the kids to nicely subdued for the men you your life.

You can work using double points, magic loop, or 2 circular needles. Your choice. (You must be able to work small circumferences in the round by at least one of the above methods)

We will cover all the basics of making mittens including talking about (and getting patterns for) making flip-top mittens. What a great gift to give everyone in the family matching mittens to keep them warm.

Experience working small circumferences in the round by any method is necessary.

Experience Level-Intermediate

This is a very intriguing technique. Based on a mathematical shape you will learn to create beautiful garments that conform to the shape of the human body with an impeccable drape. The shape has only 1 surface but you get a very wearable garment. Confused? I was, too, until I learned the secrets. More information on this technique can be found in the books A Treasury of Magical Knitting and A Second Treasury of Magical Knitting by Cat Bordhi or at her site http://www.catbordhi.com.

Experience Level-Intermediate

Modular (or mitered) knitting is all the rage. You make simple shapes by picking up stitches and knitting your pieces together as you go. No sewing together at the end. I will teach you the basics so you will be able to follow any pattern. Or create patterns of your own!

Experience Level-Intermediate

This is a method of color knitting where you are only using one color at a time. Produces a wonderfully thick and warm garment. Stretch your knitting muscles-learn a new technique!

Experience Level-Intermediate

Take your knitting to the next level with this in depth look at reading, using, and understanding patterns, charts and schematics. Not having these simple skills could be holding you back on your road to knitting nirvana. This is a discussion class so not much knitting will be done in class. Feel free to bring a pattern or chart with you that has you stumped and we will sort it out.

Experience Level: Advanced Beginner

Make the cutest sweater ever and learn new techniques while you do it. (Ever added a totally seamless sleeve to a sweater? You will be able to after this class.) This is a must see sweater. Come in and see the sample and you'll want to make it for someone you love or even better-for yourself!). When you take this class you will receive a pattern for an adult and a child version.

Experience Level – must have completed at least 2 pairs of socks using any method

Been knitting one sock at a time and battling "Second Sock Syndrome"? Then this class is for you. You will learn to make 2 socks at one time on either 2 circular needles or with the Magic Loop method. We will also work them top down and toe up. This way when you are finished, you are finished with the pair and don't have to start all over again to make the other sock. Bye, bye Second Sock Syndrome! We will also discuss alternate heel and toe methods.

Please note: This is not a 'Learn to Knit Socks' class. It is for those who have knit at least 2 pairs of socks by any method already and want to move on to knitting socks 2 at one time.

Experience Level-Advanced Beginner

If you have never worn hand knit socks you don't know what you are missing. Warm and comfortable and made to fit you perfectly. The perfect take-along project. This class walks you through all the techniques to create your own hand knit socks on 2 Circular Needles. We will also discuss yarns and how to make your socks last longer.

Experience Level-Advanced

This class is for students who already know how to knit socks either with 2 circular needles or with double points. (Knowledge of the 2 circular needle method a definite plus).

The 'other' methods we will learn include:

• Toe Up on 2 circs
• Toe Up-2 socks on 2 circs
• Top Down-on 2 circs
• Top Down-2 socks on 2 circs
• Magic Loop Method 1 sock at a time-toe up
• Magic Loop Method-2 socks at a time-toe up
• Magic Loop Method 1 sock at a time-top down
• Magic Loop Method-2 socks at a time-top down
  

Student must already be able to knits socks. This class is to extend skills to alternative methods rather to than teach how to make socks. We will be learning the methods for all techniques-not making whole socks. If students want to save the socks they start they should bring stitch holders or yarn to put started projects on. We will be learning on worsted weight yarn-not sock weight.

Experience Level-Beginner through Highly Advanced

For this class the student has control over what we do. This is where you can bring a stalled project to get help, get help with finishing, get started on a new project, basically anything want. You can also take any of my other 2 hour classes if the times they are scheduled don’t fit your life or aren’t currently scheduled. Come in and pick my brain.

Have you seen the Superior Scarf at the shop? The light green one that looks as if it’s knitted with spider webs? It is so beautiful. Light and airy but warm as toast. The fiber is cashmere and silk - what could be more glamorous? This class is to teach you to make that scarf.

Believe it or not the lace pattern used is very easy. If you have never knit lace before this one could easily be a beginning lace pattern. And you will learn about working with this fabulous yarn. It is much easier to handle than you might think. And because you get 10% off on all class materials you get a break on the price of the yarn. What more could you ask for?

Get started soon for holiday gift giving.

Experience Level-Advanced Beginner

There is homework for this class that you MUST have prepared before class.

Dislike having to put all those pieces together before you can wear your new hand knit sweater? Need to learn about gauge so the garments you make fit? This is the class for you. You will learn more about making garments fit than you believe possible and create a sweater in any size, at any gauge, with any yarn! Give it a try!