I want to learn...

Hi amazing knitters!

The quarter end is fast-approaching. There is only so much I can teach each week, but I can post video tutorials and further support you in class. SO, what knitting techniques would you like to learn? Please leave a comment and I will post the videos soon.

Happy knitting!

3rd Semester Agenda

Week 1: Introductions, teach new knitter how to cast on, the knit stitch, and a gauge

Week 2: Teach new knitters how to cast off; teach more experienced knitters the purl stitch

Week 3: Teach cable cast on and long tail cast on methods

Week 4: Teach knitting in the round; teach knitting and purling in the same row

Week 5: Teach knit two together decrease; teach students what to do when they want to change colors or if they run out of yarn.

Week 6: Teach yarn over increase

Week 7: Teach slip slip knit decrease

Week 8: Teach cast off

Week 9: Students suggest new knitting lessons

All of these lessons should be on the website by January 20. Feel free to ask to learn these techniques earlier or to ask to learn something else.

Happy knitting!

Yarn Selection

Picking a yarn can be more complicated than you think. My test is to touch each ball of yarn and to see if I like the feel of it in my hands. After all, you will be holding that yarn for hours, possibly months. If you don't like how the yarn feels, then your knitting experience with it will be awful. The second test I do is I put the yarn against my neck, especially if I'm working on a scarf or garment.

In addition to how the yarn feels, you want to consider the type of project you're working on. When I started knitting, I bought any yarn I liked, not thinking about the project. Now I have way too much yarn. I suggest that you only buy yarn for a specific project. It helps keep your knitting focused. If you're making a dish cloth or towel, you want the yarn to be absorbent, a cotton blend would be a good option. Here is a list of fibers:

• wool
• Angora: hair from a rabbit
• Merino: soft wool from sheep
• Peruvian Highland: a stronger wool, but can be soft
• Alpaca: from the Alpaca, which is like a llama. Soft and silky texture.
• Mohair: from the Angora goat; soft and warm
• Cashmere: from goats; very soft, fine, and strong
• Cotton: plant fiber; soft, not very elastic, absorbent 
• Linen: light-weight fiber, soft, wrinkles in garments
• Bamboo
• Acrylic: light, soft, warm, similar to wool in feel
• Nylon: very elastic; usually used in a mix
• Silk: from silk worms; soft, not slippery, strong, can shrink

Another thing to consider is yarn weight. The larger the yarn, the faster the project will knit, but it will also produce a thicker item.

Lace Weight: Difficult to categorize, but it's the lightest yarn you can find.

Fingering Weight: a good yarn to knit items for babies. There are about 6.75=8 stitches per inch.

Sport Weight: 5.75-6.5 stitches per inch. Great for socks; slightly lighter than DK weight

DK Weight: 5.25-6 stitches per inch

Worsted Weight: the most common yarn used; great for beginners and for many projects

Bulky Weight: 3-3.75 stitches per inch. It's about twice as thick as worsted weight.

Super Bulky Weight: 1.5-2.75 stitches per inch

New Techniques

Now that you know how to cast-on and knit, what would you like to learn? Here are some second-step ideas:

• purl stitch
• cast-off
• another cast-on method

Please leave a comment to let me know what you would like to learn next.

Happy knitting!

Music

Research has shown that knitting reduces stress. Once the stitches become routine, your mind may start to wander while you knit. What do you like to do when you knit? Do you listen to music? If so, what type? Do you watch TV or movies? Any suggestions?

Happy knitting!