Name
Ready, Set, Go (NEW & EXCLUSIVE!) (Part 1 of 2) CANCELED
Date
Friday, November 9, 2018
Time
9:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Session Type:
3-Hour Class
Skill Level:
Experienced
Teacher
Catherine Lowe
Category
Tips & Techniques
Class Details:
Have you ever wished for a way to guarantee the success of your project before you’ve even cast on the first stitch? Have you ever felt that the yarn is in control of your project rather than that you’re in control of the yarn? Does casting on for a new project sometimes feel like a leap of faith? In this class, we re-focus swatching and blocking techniques to allow you to take control of the outcome of your project. You’ll learn how to ensure that the finished garment has the desired fit and shape and that the finished fabric has the texture, hand, and drape appropriate to the design. You’ll learn how to manipulate gauge as you work your project to ensure its fit, and you’ll learn how to care for the garment so that it maintains its shape and appearance throughout the course of its life. In short, using these techniques, you’ll be assured of the garment’s fit and the characteristics of the knitted fabric before you start knitting the first garment piece, and you’ll be able to cast on with confidence of the final result. Technique Requirements: Knit/purl; cast on/bind off; have knit a whole garment; have knit a few accessories; advanced finishing techniques; familiarity with various blocking techniques such as steam blocking, wet blocking, immersion blocking.
Homework:
Please prepare 3 identical swatches for the class. They should be worked with the yarn described and washed and blocked following the directions below. Use 100% wool yarn, worsted spun, that knits comfortably at the gauge indicated and produces a stockinette fabric that is neither too dense nor too loose. This will likely be a heavy sport or light DK weight. Do not use superwash or woolen spun yarns. Please use a light solid color only; and do not use tweed, variegated or handpainted yarns. All of the swatches should be knit with the same yarn in the same color. Use whatever size needle is needed to obtain the gauge. It is the gauge and the quality of the fabric rather than the size of the needle that are most important. Gauge: 6 stitches and 8 rows = 1” Knit all of the swatches at this gauge. Note that this is a knitting gauge, not a finished gauge. Work 3 identical swatches as follows. Cast on 44 stitches using your regular cast-on. If you regularly vary your cast-on depending upon the stitch pattern to be worked, use the cast-on you would normally use for stockinette stitch. Row 1: (RS) purl first stitch (to establish beginning of row selvedge stitch); knit 42; knit 1 (to establish end of row selvedge stitch). Row 2: (WS) with yarn in back of work, slip first stitch as if to knit (beginning of WS row selvedge stitch); purl 42; purl 1 (end of WS row selvedge stitch). Row 3: (RS) with yarn in front of work, slip first stitch as if to purl through back of loop (beginning of RS row selvedge stitch); knit 42; knit 1 (end of RS row selvedge stitch). Row 4: (WS) as row 2. Repeat rows 3 (RS) and 2 (WS) to work the selvedge stitch pattern along the vertical edges of the stockinette stitch. Work through row 56. Row 57: (RS) bind off all stitches knitwise. Label the swatches as #1, #2 and #3. Wash swatches #1 and #2 with a pH neutral fabric wash; do not use a non-rinsing wool wash. Do not wash swatch #3. All blocking measurements below are exclusive of cast-on, bind-off and selvedge stitches. Place swatch #1 on a blocking surface and shape the stockinette portion into a 7” x 7” square. Do not pin the swatch into shape. Place swatch #2 on a blocking surface and pin the stockinette portion into a 7” x 7” square, making sure that the corners are square and that the sides are parallel so that no bias is introduced into the knitted fabric. Use blocking wires if they are available. Allow these swatches to dry naturally. Do not unpin or remove them from the blocking surface until they are thoroughly dry. Once dry, remove the pins and allow them to rest undisturbed overnight. After they have rested, trace their outline as carefully as possible and label each with the number of the swatch. Block swatch #3 by steaming it. Do not pin it to the blocking surface either during or after the steaming, but do allow it to remain on the blocking surface overnight as for the other swatches. Trace and label the outline of this swatch as for the others. Store the swatches flat, unfolded and in a manner that will not alter their finished gauge. Bring the swatches to class along with their outlines.
Supplies for Class:
Please bring a Knit-Chek™ or other hard-edge ruler that measures an increment of 2”/4 cm and a 12” or 18” hard-edge ruler, preferably steel or wood
Day
Friday