Photo by: Ana Schechter/Lion Brand Yarn

This year give someone special the gift of a brand new skill! Many of you may recognize our sponsor Lion Brand Yarn as the maker of multitudes of beautifully hued yarns, but did you know that Lion Brand has a store front right here in Manhattan? The Lion Brand Yarn Studio located at 34 West 15th St. not only offers a wonderful selection of yarns, but, in keeping with its mission of Education - Innovation - Inspiration, it has further expanded its already impressive selection of courses and master classes.

In addition to its roster of knitting and crochet classes that teach you fundamental yarn skills, the Studio also offers master classes, not For masters but With masters, and workshops in a variety of specialties. For example, you can discover the simplicity of cable knitting, or learn how to crochet motifs. For those interested in one-of-a-kind yarns, the studio offers a workshop on dyeing self-striping yarn. Non-yarncrafters seeking to take a first easy step into the yarncrafting world can try their hand at learning how to use the Martha Stewart Crafts Knit & Weave Loom Kit from Lion Brand. You can find a full listing of their schedule here.

One class in a series of the upcoming master classes should be of particular interest to online sellers. Renowned photographer, author, and knitter Franklin Habit will share some of his photography skills at the Photographing your Fiber master class on December 2. He then returns on December 4 to teach two classes; one on working with antique patterns and another on lace knitting.

If you just want to test the waters and mingle with fellow knitters and crocheters before committing to a paid workshop, check out one of the Studio's free special events and yarn crafting groups. On the first Thursday of the month drop by the open yarn crafting night, or join the amigurumi group on every third Wednesday. The next special event will be a presentation by Franklin Habit on December 1 when he presents his discoveries on Impractical Magic: Oddities and Curiosities of Nineteenth-Century Handwork.

So this year, stop by the Lion Brand Yarn Studio and pick up a new skill for yourself or a friend.