Oct 20, 2015
As the sailing season ends….
I return to Master Knitter corrections.
Miki hat top view
Next up: the revised fair isle hat. My first pattern had errors, for sure. The reviewers did not feel that my pattern reflected traditional fair isle motifs and was too snug of a fit.
Miki fair isle watch cap
This time, I’m citing peeries from Michael Pearson’s Traditional Knitting and making the hat in 2 sizes (for those of us who prefer a snug fit while shoveling).
All was well with the Mikidue pattern until I ran out of orange yarn with merely 6 stitches left in the peerie. Ack.
Of course, this particular shade of Cascade 200 Superwash is discontinued. Where would we be without the internet? The up side is that I can work one last tiny peerie of orange for the crown.
The orange yarn will hopefully arrive this week. Perhaps these corrections may be posted before Thanksgiving? I’d better get knitting!
Apr 24, 2013
Word has it that there’s still room in the April 29, 2013 Fair Isle Knitting class that I’m teaching in Melrose. I’ll show your three different ways to try knitting with 2 colors in the same row, show you how to read charts, get you thinking about color choices and details that will improve your workmanship and finishing for Fair Isle knitting. It’s just one night, so we practice on a small sample (pictured above).
Bring along 3 contrasting colors of worsted weight yarn and appropriate needles. If you’re happy to work on double pointed needles or with the magic loop method, great! If not, we’ll work with straight needles and sew up your sample. Cast on 36 stitches and work 2 rows in purl stitch before class. This way, you can concentrate on the fair isle while we’re together.
To register, go to the Melrose Adult Education. Need yarn? Sit and Knit in Melrose will give you a 10% discount on class supplies with your registration confirmation. If you have any questions, email me at tactile @ mac dot com.
Mar 28, 2013
The Melrose Adult Education program list is growing by leaps and bounds this spring! There’s opportunities to learn about painting, acting, business skills, interior design and craft. Yours truly will lead two sessions on basic knitting skills, a lecture on how to make a duct tape mannequin and fair isle (stranded) knitting skills. To register, go the Melrose Adult Education Office for the full schedule and registration forms. Here’s class summaries for the sessions I’m leading:
- Basic Knitting Skills: Learn 2 ways to cast on, to knit, to purl, and how to bind off. Understand some of the most common abbreviations in knitting patterns and get ready to work on a basic knitting project! Bring light colored, smooth (no novelty yarns, please) worsted or bulky weight yarn and appropriate size of knitting needle. With your MCAE registration confirmation Sit ‘n Knit Melrose offers 10% discount on your class supplies. 7 – 8:30 p.m. Offered on Mondays April 1 & 8 and May 6 & 13, 2013. COST: $25.00
- Make Your Own Duct Tape Mannequin: A dressmaker’s mannequin is a helpful tool for sewists, knitters and crocheters. Ideally, it fits your body and your pocketbook! For many hobby garment makers, a duct tape mannequin is the perfect solution. This power point presentation and demonstration helps you and a couple of friends create your own duct tape mannequins. Handouts will help remind you of the steps when you try this at home. Monday, April 22, 2013 Time: 7:00 – 8:30, COST: $10.00
- Fair Isle Knitting: Knitting with more than one color at a time creates classic or contemporary accents in your projects. Learn Fair Isle (also known as stranded) knitting techniques using English and Continental methods and read charts. Bright 3 contrasting colors of worsted weight yarns and appropriate sized knitting needles (if you’re comfortable working with double pointed or the “Magic Loop” circular knitting, fantastic! If not, you can learn with straight needles (Monday, April 29, 2013) Time: 7:00 – 8:30 p.m. COST: $25.00
All classes are held at the Milano Senior Center in Melrose, 201 West Foster St. I hear that you’ll soon be able to register online, and I’ll keep you updated.
