knitting 201

4 sessions, 2 hrs each

Prequisite Skills:
cast on, knit, purl, 1 increase, 1 decrease, bind off

Smorgasbord! Pile a few cables, a little lace, and some buttonholes on your plate, squirt on some stripes and fair-isle sauce for color, and knit! Sample some of the major knitting techniques and decide what you like!

This class is designed to introduce students to some of the major types of knitting (color, cables, lace) and how they are communicated in patterns (reading stitch patterns, charts). Make small sections in each technique, decide which ones you like, and connect them to make a sampler scarf.

Topics: stitch mount, reading stitch patterns, understanding charts, picking up stitches, yarnovers, cables and bobbles, slip-stitch color, stranded color knitting

Materials:

• 250-400 yards worsted (5 st/inch) or heavy worsted (4 st/inch) yarn in 2 or more colors
  
  
• needles in appropriate size for yarn, may be either straight or circular (24" at least)
  
  

We will be working in square and rectangular shapes which you may choose to join into a scarf.

• stitch markers (split rings or safety pins)
  
  
• stitch holders
  
  
• darning/tapestry needle
  
  
• cable needle (any shape)
  
  

Homework: None before first class.

round up!

2 2-hr sessions OR 1 3-hr session

Prequisite Skills:
cast on, knit, purl, bind off

Topics: joining without a twist, working stitch patterns in the round, working small diameter projects, using double-pointed needles, working the 2-circular method, the Magic Loop

Materials:

• 125 yards of bulky weight (3.5 stitchs/inch) yarn in light or bright color
  
  
• needles in size recommended for yarn in following types:
  
  
  • set of 4-5 double-pointed needles
    
    
  • 16" circular
    
    
  • 24"" circular
    
    
  • 36" or longer circular
    
    
• ring markers
  
  
• tapestry needle for ends

Homework: none

round and round sweater workshop

2 2-hr sessions.

Prerequisites: basic understanding of gauge, percentage systems, simple knitting calculations, knitting in the round, basic familiarity with increases and decreases

This class builds on the Round and Round and Round Sweater class; students are expected to have taken it or otherwise made a percentage-system sweater. You should be generally familiar with gauge, a fit percentage system (eg, Elizabeth Zimmerman's EPS, Jacqueline Fee's The Sweater Workshop, Priscilla Gibson-Roberts' Knitting in the Old Way), simple knitting calculations, comfortable knitting in the round for large and small circumferences (eg, on dpns or other method), and somewhat familiar with paired increases and decreases.

Topics: Plan adult versions, add texture & color patterns, play with sleeve shapes, raglan shaping, get a refresher on joining sleeves and body, or grafting underarms, or working the neck.

Materials: Bring what you want help with! If you want help planning a sweater, you will need the following measurements of the person for whom you are knitting (Tip: get them from an an existing favorite sweater with a similar style, then you won't have to guess how much ease to add!):

• chest measurement
  
  
• hip measurement if hips wider than chest (optional)
  
  
• depth from where sweater will hit waist/hips to underarm
  
  
• arm length from underarm to wrist
  

The chart below will help you figure out how much yarn to buy if you are planning to start a sweater.

Yarn weight (st/in):	5.0	4.5	4.0	3.5	3.0
18-20"	500-600	450-550	400-450	350-400	300-350
22-24"	700-800	600-700	550-650	500-600	400-450
26-28"	900-1000	800-900	750-850	700-800	550-600
30-32"	1100-1200	1000-1100	900-1000	850-900	650-700
36-40"	1300-1500	1200-1400	1100-1200	1000-1100	900-1000
44-48"	1600-1800	1600-1700	1300-1400	1200-1300	1100-1200
52-56"	1900-2100	1800-2000	1600-1700	1500-1600	1300-1500

Base your needle size on recommendations on the yarn's ball band, or consult your local yarn store.

• 1 pair 24" or 29" circular needles for body
  
  
• 1 set double-pointed needles in body size for sleeves
  
  
• 1 16" circular needle in body size for neck/sleeves
  

optional (for close-fitting cuffs and sweater bottoms):

• 1 pair 24 or 29" circular needles two sizes smaller than body for ribbing
  
  
• 1 pair double-pointed needles two sizes smaller than body for cuff
  

Other materials: Calculator, pen/pencil, scissors, ring markers, tapestry needle.

Homework: Depends on where you need help! If planning a sweater, make some flat swatches playing with needle size, color and/or pattern. Which needles give you nice pliable fabric? How do the colors/patterns look in the chosen yarn? If you've made these decisions (needles, pattern), proceed to getting sts per inch, so start a swatch cap! If you need help with a method or technique, knit to that point.

finish it!

2 sessions, 2 hrs each OR 1 3-hr session

Prequisite Skills:
cast on, knit, purl, bind off, 1 increase, 1 decrease

Topics: invisible horizontal seaming, paired decreases, three-needle bind-off, invisible weaving for side seams, picking up stitches on a straight edge, picking up stitches on a curved edge, invisible vertical to horizontal seam, basic buttonholes, blocking and pinning, tips and tricks.

Materials:

• tapestry needle
  
  
• stitch holders
  
  
• split ring markers or small safety pins
  
  
• scrap yarn and appropriate size needles (same as used in homework)
  
  
• third needle of similar size to needles used in homework (can be a double point or straight)

Homework: Knit the following six "squares" with light-colored scrap yarn, worsted weight or bulkier.

Square A and Square B: Cast on 20 stitches. Work in stockinette stitch (knit a row, purl a row) till square measures approximately 4 inches. Bind off.

Square P: Cast on 20 stitches. Work in stockinette stitch (knit a row, purl a row) till square measures approximately 4 inches. On next knit (right-side) row, bind off 8 stitches, work to end; purl next row. Bind off 6 stitches, work to end; purl back. Bind off remaining 6 stitches.

Square Q: Cast on 20 stitches. Work in stockinette stitch (knit a row, purl a row) till square measures approximately 4 inches. On next purl (wrong-side) row, bind off 8 stitches, work to end; knit next row. Bind off 6 stitches, work to end; knit back. Bind off remaining 6 stitches.

Square Y: Cast on 20 stitches. Work in stockinette stitch (knit a row, purl a row) till square measures approximately 4 inches. On next knit (right-side) row, bind off 6 stitches, work to end; purl back. Bind off 2 stitches, work to end; purl back. Bind off 2 stitches, work to end; purl back. You should now have 10 stitches on the needle. Put these 10 stitches on a holder.

Square Z: Cast on 20 stitches. Work in stockinette stitch (knit a row, purl a row) till square measures approximately 4 inches. On next purl (wrong-side) row, bind off 6 stitches, work to end; knit back. Bind off 2 stitches, work to end; knit back. Bind off 2 stitches, work to end; knit back. You should now have 10 stitches on the needle. Put these 10 stitches on a holder.

hats hats hats!

2 sessions, 2 hours each

Prequisite Skills:
cast on, knit, purl, bind off, 1 increase, 1 decrease

Go beyond basic hat skills and delve into more complicated constructions. Create your own custom hat by combining shape and color with measurements!

Topics: making hats fit, how increases and decreases create different hat shapes

Materials:

• 150 to 200 yds of heavy worsted or bulky weight yarn in one or more colors
  
  
• 16" circular needle in size appropriate for yarn
  
  
• double-pointed needles in same size (or needles for whatever other method you use to work small circumferences)
  
  
• ring markers
  
  
• calculator
  
  

Homework: Make a flat swatch with your chosen yarn in Stockinette Stitch (knit 1 row, purl 1 row) to find out if the needles and yarn give you a fabric appropriate for a hat, not stiff but not holey. Change needles and keep swatching to you get fabric you like.