Rope Basket Workshop

Is your new year's resolution to get creative? Join us Thursday January 11th at 7p for our Rope Basket Workshop. Get in on the over-sized knitting trend with Cara Corey, our in house knitting expert. Learn a basic garter stitch using giant needles and soft cotton rope. Then assemble your knitted swatch into a sturdy basket that is perfect for storing books, toys, and more. No knitting experience is required and all participants will leave with a completed basket (about 9x9 inch) and a set of knitting needles for future projects. Class also includes wine and snacks and a discount on merchandise in the store that night.

Rope Basket Workshop : $75

Thursday January 11th 7p-9p

gather- 541 Octavia St., San Francisco, CA

Space is Limited - Register now!

Knit a Chunky Scarf Workshop

Join us Tuesday December 12th, 2017 at 7p for our new Knit a Chunky Scarf Workshop with Cara Corey of Mary Marie Knits. Whether you're new to knitting or you once started a knitting project and never finished, you will love this quick scarf that's perfect for beginners (or a great holiday gift)! Knit and crochet designer Cara Corey will teach you how to get started knitting using soft chunky yarn and big knitting needles. You will learn a basic garter stitch, which is all you need to create a cozy scarf. You may even complete the scarf during the class. Cara will also show you how to seam the scarf so you can turn it into a cowl. 

All yarn from small-batch maker Coffee and Blankets and a set of knitting needles are included.

Color options: latte froth, pearl gray, pure white

This two hour class also includes wine and snacks and a discount on merchandise in the store that night. 

Knit a Chunky Scarf Workshop : $65

Tuesday December 12th 7p-9p

gather- 541 Octavia St., San Francisco, CA

Space is Limited - Register now!

Meet the Maker: Mary Marie Knits

Richmond-based knitter Cara Corey has been selling her hand knit hats, scarves and rope baskets in the shop since we first opened. Now she regularly teaches workshops, including our popular hand crochet blanket class, rope basket making, and our new knit a chunky scarf workshop. O and you probably recognize her face because she even works at the store once a week!

Cara describes her line, Mary Marie Knits, as simple and modern, and she gravitates toward chunky yarns and large-scale knitting. "I try to pick styles that are timeless, so you can wear them year after year," she says. 

Get to know Cara with our Q&A below. 

The seed stitch cowl comes in two lengths: single and double loop 

Where do you draw inspiration? Or who inspires you?

I draw a lot of inspiration from Scandinavian design. It has always been easy to find chunky wool yarns in Europe. Only recently have they become popular and easy to find here. I will try knitting with anything, including rope and my own felted wool cord. 

I am also inspired by the handiwork of my grandmother, Mary Marie Mason. She passed her love of crafting on to my mom, sister, and I. So I intend to pass it on to my kids. 

Crowns are available in child and adult sizes. 

If you could eat at any food truck, what would it be? And what would you get?

My husband and I frequent the old-school taco truck that's parked outside of the Hotsy Totsy Club in El Cerrito. I usually get tacos al pastor. 

What do you like most about the maker community?

Most of us did not come from a business background (I started out as a journalist.) So I think there is a spirit of community and helping each other succeed that doesn't exist in other fields. Every time I attend a maker event, I meet more amazing people, and I have been blown away by how kind, accepting and supportive they have been. 

Where is your favorite place to travel?

That's a tough one. I don't travel as much now that I have little kids and I miss it! I have a sweet spot for Boulder, Colorado, where I used to live. A few years ago my best friend and I took a Mediterranean cruise. I would love to go back to just about any of the places we stopped in Greece, Italy, France and Spain. I would also LOVE to go to Australia someday. 

What do you want for your next birthday?

A shopping spree at gather! Seriously, I have about 50 items on my wish-list right now. 

What does your work space look like? 

I have a little cottage behind my house that was just a dirty garage when we moved in. My husband and his dad decided to finish the walls and make it into a studio for me. It was a dramatic transformation and I feel so lucky to have a place for my many, many yarns. 

Rope Basket Workshop Recap

Talk about a fun workshop! We were so excited for our new Rope Basket Workshop but were totally blown away with how amazing it was. Cara Corey was the most patient instructor and all the students were able to turn a huge pile of rope into a home decor magazine worthy basket! Here are a few pictures from the night if you are interested. Missed the fun? Be sure to sign up for our email newsletter at the bottom of the page to be the first to hear about all our workshops!

Rope Basket Workshop

Join us Thursday August 3rd at 7p at gather for our new Rope Basket Workshop. If you've ever wanted to try your hand at the over-sized knitting trend, here's your chance! Cara Corey of Mary Marie Knits will teach you how to knit a basic garter stitch using giant needles and soft cotton rope. Then you will assemble your knitted swatch into a sturdy basket that is perfect for storing books, craft supplies, toys, or other household items. No knitting experience is required. This workshop includes a set of knitting needles for you to keep and enough rope to make a medium-sized basket (about 9x9 inch). You will also receive a free link to Cara's rope basket video class on Skillshare to refer back to after the class.

This two hour class also includes wine and snacks and a discount on merchandise in the store that night. 

Rope Basket Workshop : $75

Thursday August 3rd 7p-9p

gather- 541 Octavia St., San Francisco, CA

Space is Limited - Register now!

Our Hand Crocheted Blanket Workshop is back!

***Update - This workshop is SOLD OUT! To learn about upcoming workshops early sign up for our newsletter at the bottom of this page***

We received so many requests for our Hand Crocheted Blanket Workshop we decided to host it again! Join us next week on Tuesday April 25th at 7p and learn to this technique from Marie Marie Knits that uses only your fingers to make the loops — no crochet hook or crochet experience required! —  and a super soft and chunky yarn that works up very quickly. You will leave the class with a finished throw that is perfect for your couch, bed, or to gift as a baby or birthday present. Enjoy wine, snacks, and a discount on all merchandise in the shop that night too! Hurry this class has already filled up fast...just a few spots left! Register now!

Hand Crocheted Blanket Workshop
gather - 541 Octavia St, San Francisco
Tuesday April 25th at 7p

Hand Crocheted Blanket Workshop Recap

Thanks so much to everyone who attended our Hand Crocheted Blanket Workshop this past Thursday! Cara Corey of Marie Marie Knits was a fabulous instructor and was able make something complicated totally do-able and even addictive! Here are some snaps from the night. Missed the fun? Please sign up for our newsletter at the bottom of this page to hear about future workshops.

Arm Knitting Workshop: a recap

We had so much fun at the arm knitting workshop - thank you to all who came and made it a great evening! Cara Corey (of Mary Marie Knits) was a wonderful instructor; explaining everything so well and making sure everyone was picking it up. We left clutching our handmade cowls, generally feeling like knitting superstars.

Based in Richmond, CA, Cara is one of gather's favorite local artists. Pop by and check out her awesome handiwork! We've got some cowls in gorgeous jewel tones, comfortable slouchy hats, and new baskets and poufs for the home. 

Thanks for a great workshop, Cara! Stay tuned for more gather workshops coming soon.