Why you should take Tanis Gray's Classes

Last week I posted the Classes Tanis Gray will be teaching here next month. Can I just say how lucky we are to have this incredibly talented knitwear designer relatively local to us. Tanis is a true force in the knitting world, and whether you’re familiar with her work or this is your first time hearing her name, I promise you won’t want to miss this opportunity, because Tanis is amazing.

Who is Tanis Gray?

A graduate of RISD (Rhode Island School of Design) with an impressive creative background, Tanis has worked with Vogue Knitting, Martha Stewart Living, HBO, Warner Brothers, and Lucasfilm. She’s been featured on PBS, published over 700 knitting designs, and authored numerous books, including the Star Wars book Knitting the Galaxy and her most recent book Gilmore Girls - The Official Knitting Book. But you know, even with all that talent, experience, and fame, she is one of the warmest and most down-to-earth people I know. It is always a pleasure to have her at Crazy for Ewe, and I am so excited she’s back to in-person teaching.

What really sets Tanis apart is her passion for teaching. She has a natural gift for breaking down complex techniques in a way that makes them accessible, and she’s dedicated to helping knitters achieve their goals—whether that’s mastering colorwork, learning new techniques, or just becoming more confident in their knitting. Sharing RuPaul’s philosophy that "Life is about using the whole box of crayons," her classes are fun, colorful, and full of inspiration.

Color Can Be Intimidating, But Tanis Takes All the Fear Out of It

In her Friday night lecture, Tanis will delve into how we perceive color, the history of important color discoveries, and how to make thoughtful color choices in your knitting. You’ll gain a deeper understanding of how to use color successfully in your projects, whether you’re knitting something bold and bright or soft and subtle. You’ll come away from this talk feeling empowered and confident when it comes to choosing colors for your projects.

Learn Estonian Inlay

Tanis will also be teaching a hands-on workshop on the beautiful Estonian Inlay technique (also known as Roosimine). This traditional technique blends elements of stranded colorwork, intarsia, and embroidery to create gorgeous patterns with texture and color. In this workshop, you’ll make a stunning hat and learn to add this unique skill to your knitting toolkit.

Even if you’re not specifically drawn to Roosimine or this particular project, this class is about more than just learning a new technique. Working with an instructor like Tanis means you’ll gain insights into colorwork, pattern construction, and finishing techniques that you can use in countless other projects. Plus, learning new techniques challenges your brain and expands your skillset which improves your overall knitting ability, often in unexpected ways—who knows where this new technique might lead you?

Why Take These Classes?

If you’re thinking, “I don’t need a class on color,” or “I’m not jazzed about Estonian inlay,” put those thoughts aside because here’s the thing: taking a class with an instructor of Tanis Gray’s caliber is about more than just the topic at hand. You’ll gain new skills, of course, but you’ll also learn tips, tricks, and best practices that come from decades of experience and design insight.

Invest in yourself and your knitting, because you deserve it. Whether you’re attending for the technique or the general knowledge, you’ll be learning from one of the best, and that experience is priceless.

Registration is limited, and the class is filling up fast.