Master Hand Knitting Vol. 14

Guess what?!?!  Here's an excerpt from the letter I received!!!

Master Hand Knitting Vol. 13

These are the resubmits for the Level 1 Master Hand Knitting Program.

The mitten gave me a bit of grief, but I am happy withe the final result and do think it will pass.  The jogless join on the stripe is much better.  Its hard to get a good photo, if I put my other hand in there, then the thumb is in the way.  There is a slight fold from blocking,  but otherwise the stripe is pretty jogless.

Swatch 7 I had to redo because somehow I cast on the wrong number of stitches.  I did think this swatch always looked bigger than the others, but do you think I checked why?!?!

Old Swatch

New Swatch

New .. New Swatch

Because somehow I managed to do it WRONG again ... and figured this out AFTER I mailed in my re submission ...

Swatch 13 needed a little tweaking on the yarn overs.  The original had a visible strand of yarn under the double yarn over at the top and the supporting stitches were loose.  I worked this one paying careful attention to avoid that.

Old Swatch

New Swatch

And swatch 15 was another DUH.  I did the cable completely wrong, I believe I skipped the last row that was on the next page in the instructions.  The worst part, there's a question about this cable and I was looking at one in a stitch dictionary and STILL didn't realize my swatch looked weird ....

Old Swatch

New Swatch

And some written work was revised and tweaked as well.  Off it goes in the mail for review ...

Master Knitting Level 1 Vol. 12

Final Submission

I've got everything printed out and ready to go.  All written work is complete, all swatches are knit and blocked and labeled.  I've checked all references (to make sure anything I cited is indeed listed as a reference).

The program required 17 swatches and a mitten.  Each swatch is accompanied by a page in the binder with cited references for the techniques, some required writing instructions or a paragraph about the technique.  One swatch required writing a pattern so that another knitter could make the swatch.

A 2-4 page report on blocking and care of hand knits with references.

22 questions answered and cited; some questions having 2-5 sub questions.

I gave myself a deadline of 6 months to complete this Level of the program.  I received my instruction packet on 6/8/14 ... and its done as of 11/28/14!!  I took two fairly large breaks where I didn't do any additional work on the program (4-6 weeks).

I did not keep up on blogging about it - mainly because I took all the photos of the swatches on the same day, LOL!

I learned a tremendous amount.  Especially about tension and different increase and decrease techniques.  I've never had any real issues with tension in my knitting, but I still learned some techniques to improve it.

Ravelry Project Page

You can see all the posts on this topic on the blog by clicking the TKGA Level 1 tag below or searching for it in the box above.

Master Knitting Level 1 Vol. 11

Level 1 Project

The Level 1 Project is the Classic Mitten with Stripes.  Looks very easy, but that cuff was a doozy!  In addition care must be taken to obtain the appropriate gauge, length of knitting as stated in the pattern and it must be blocked appropriately.

Master Knitting Level 1 Vol. 10

Swatches 14-16 Cables

These swatches required cable work.  The cables should not have over stretched stitches or ladders between the purl stitches.  They should also be blocked properly to not flatten out the cables.

Swatch 14: Single Cable Cross

Swatch 15: Horseshoe Cable

Swatch 16: Cable Swatch & Pattern

This swatch required writing a pattern and knitting the appropriate number of multiples and repeats of the provided cable stitch.

Swatch 17: Colorwork

This swatch required a mid-row color change join that avoids holes or uneven tension.  It also required changing colors in ribbing and avoiding bi-colored purl stitches.

Master Knitting Level 1 Vol 9

Swatches 11-13 Lace

These swatches include eyelets and decreases.  Swatch 13 required writing a paragraph about how the different yarn overs are worked.

Swatch 11: Simple Eyelet Pattern 1

Swatch 12: Simple Eyelet Pattern 2

Swatch 13: Yarnovers

Master Knitting Level 1 Vol. 8

Swatches 7-10 Decreases

The decreases, like the increases, are supposed to have the same tension on either side, the mirrored decreases are supposed to look as similar as possible to each other.

Some of these swatches required writing instructions for the technique.

Swatch 7: SSK & K2tog

Swatch 8: K2tog & SSK

Swatch 9: SKP & KSP

Swatch 10: SSP & P2tog

Master Knitting Level 1 Vol. 7

Swatches 4-6 Increases

These swatches are different types of increases.  Increase stitches should have the same tension on the left and right.  These were fairly easy for me, I've used these types of increases in the past on various projects.

This portion of the program includes placing increases evenly, mirrored increases, shaping and of course ... following instructions as written.

Swatch 4: Bar Increase

Swatch 5: Make 1 Increase

Swatch 6: Lifted Increase

Master Knitting Level 1 Vol. 6

I am almost done!  One more swatch to go.  I am going to break up the posts here by sections (there's a lot).  These are swatches 1, 2, 3 & 15 and they have to do with different stitch patterns and measuring gauge.  Lighting could have been a little better for the photos ... but I am not taking another 16 photos!

In order to pass, tension has to be even, ends need to be woven in unobtrusively and securely, the directions need to be followed exactly (knit ribbing for 2" means 2"), and all swatches must be blocked appropriately with no distortion of stitches (especially ribbing or cables) or pin marks.

Swatch 1: K2, P2 Ribbing and Garter Stitch

Swatch 2: K1, P1 Ribbing and Stockinette Stitch

Back of swatch 2 showing even tension on the back side.

Swatch 3: Seed Stitch

Swatch 15: Horseshoe Cable

Master Knitting Level 1 Vol. 5

I have finished knitting the Level 1 Project.  It is a mitten with some color changes and an interesting cuff.

When I started the Master Hand Knitter Program, I thought to myself "A mitten ... phew that's nothing!"

Uh huh ... said the person who had to cast on the cuff FOUR times before getting it right.  That nifty cuff is created by knitting open make 1 and k2tog tbl ... doesn't sound that hard right??  Try finding the running thread for the make 1 when its stacked on top of other make 1s and next to a twisted decrease ...

I am hoping my "jogless join" passes muster ... it doesn't look very "jogless" to me.  

Now I am taking a break from this mitten.  Then ends have to be woven in and it needs blocking, but I am so done with it for right now.

There's Halloween Self-Striping in the shop!  Get 'em before they disappear!

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.  

Master Knitting Level 1 Vol. 3

Well its been a little bit since I've worked on The Knitting Guild Association Master Hand Knitting Program Level 1.

I started reading Knitting in Plain English by Maggie Righetti.  It is a fantastic book.  She was a knitting instructor for many, many years (before the internet and Ravelry and YouTube).  This book is very much like having an experienced knitter there to answer your questions from their own personal experience and past mistakes.  Its very conversational.  I highly recommend it to new and seasoned knitters alike.

So, besides reading, what have I done ... well I finally blocked swatches 7 & 8.  I had been tossing them around the room for the last 2 months every time they got in the way.

I spent some time today answering question 10 (of 22) that relates to these swatches.  I am stuck now until I knit some more, the remaining decrease questions relate to the next 2 swatches.

I was thinking, yeah um I'm crazy not stupid, hoping I would be wrapping this up by the end of September ... well, I have 9 more swatches and 12 more questions (some questions have up to 4 parts) and a project (mittens) to knit.  Maybe by the end of the year?!?!

Master Knitting Level 1 Vol. 2

This is week 2 I've been working on The Knitting Guild Association Master Hand Knitting Program Level 1.  I've knit swatches 1-8 and answered the relevant questions.  I've blocked swatches 4, 5 and 6.

I've never used so many pins in my life.  If I were blocking a sweater, I don't think I'd use this many pins.  Getting the edges flat and not rolling in on themselves was a challenge.  Also, because of the pins I am using and the surface and thickness of the blocking mats, I can't shove them all the way down for the heads to hold down the fabric, hence the amount of pins.  

I'm thinking I should start putting my binder together now.  I have all the materials, but all my written work is in digital format at the moment.  I am guessing I should wait to put my swatches in the binder until its time to mail it - I'm thinking they'll get squished and flattened over time.

The most difficult part I am finding is answers to things I know ... but at least 2 sources have to be cited for each question and swatch.  So far I've used this as a good excuse to add some books to my library.  One that I am actually finding quite useful for the "simple" questions is The Complete Idiot's Guide to Knitting & Crocheting by Gail Diven, sounds silly, I know, but its got all the fundamentals that are PERFECT if you were just learning to knit.  Also, I want to get back into crochet, so I figured this would be a good place to start.

I am also using these books:

The Principles of Knitting by June Hemmons Hiatt

Knitting Without Tears by Elizabeth Zimmerman

And I just received my order of:

The Knitter's Book of Finishing Techniques by Nancie M. Wiseman

Sweater Design in Plain English by Maggie Righetti

Knitting in Plain English by Maggie Raghetti

I have found that I really prefer "reference" books in traditional book form ... I have The Principles of Knitting as the kindle edition and I find it very difficult to work with like that.  Although it does have an index and hyperlinks, it just doesn't feel right, I know the platform also has bookmarks, but I prefer good old sticky notes ...

Mastering Knitting Level 1 Vol. 1

You are going to see quite a few posts while I am working on The Knitting Guild Association Master Hand Knitting Program Level 1.

These are swatches 2 and 3, both I knit a second time.  The original seed stitch came out too lose, which I think weird because typically I am a VERY tight knitter, but I think I tried to knit "nicely" and not in my usual aggressive fashion where I practically cut the circulation off in my yarn tensioning finger.  Apparently you SHOULD do that for seed stitch ... this swatch is a whopping 1/2" less in width than the original.

I have also knit up swatches 4, 5 and 6 - Increases.  I haven't blocked them yet.  I only have so many pins and so much patience for blocking swatches.  Those can sit while these ones dry.

I did learn an interesting tip while doing research.  Elizabeth Zimmerman says to avoid that HUGE stitch at the end of the bind off row, knit the last two stitches together and bind then off.  Works like a charm.

I am chipping away at the questions as they relate to each swatch I knit.  I have also finished the first draft of my blocking report and done all the research, I just need to polish it up and add my insights and observations I have come to while blocking my swatches.