Master Knitting Level 1 Vol. 4

That's a whole lotta swatches ... 15 to be exact.  I am using Lion Brand Fishermen's Wool.  One skein down, that's 465 yards I have knit.  I was pleasantly surprised by this yarn.  I choose it because of the yardage vs. price.  Its really not a yarn I would typically knit with.  Its a tiny bit stiff and scratchy out of the skein, but it blocks beautifully and plumps up and turns super soft.

I spent a lot of time last week finishing up the swatches.  I went back to review some of the earlier ones and found that I had not measured correctly.  So I knit them again.  Part of the criteria is that you follow instructions, if it says to knit the garter stitch section until its 4 1/2" that means 4 1/2" not 4" or 4 1/4".    

The reject pile - mostly rejects because of measurements.

The gauge swatches.  There are four different stitch patterns that gauge measurements are performed on.  The program does gauge a little differently than other methods, but it is considered a more accurate method.

Then there are increases and decreases.

And some different stitch techniques, lace and cables.

And finally some color work (which leads into some of the techniques needed for the project).

 I have one more swatch to go and the project.  The last swatch is a cable swatch that requires the knitter to balance a stitch pattern and write up a pattern with a chart.  The Level 1 Project is a color work mitten.

In addition there was a hefty amount of written work.  I have a few questions left to research and answer that relate to the last few swatches.  I have four single spaced pages of references that have been cited on the swatches and written work.

I've learned a lot of things that I just would never give much thought to and I'm finally utilizing all those books that I have that in the past I've looked up one or two techniques in and that's it.  Currently I am reading through the fascinating tomb of The Principles of Knitting by June Hemmons Hiatt.  It is REALLY the Knitter's Bible.