Module 3 of the course has been marked and returned and aside from my dippy mistake of joining my slip stitch seaming sample the wrong way up the rest was ok. Here is a summary of the work I presented.
Activity 1: Shaping in Knitting
This activity called for a number of samples to demonstrate different methods of increasing and decreasing.
Increase samples (left to right)
- Yarn Over Increase (eyelet)
- Make 1 Increase (M1)
- Bar Increase
- Row below increase
Decrease samples (left to right)
- Knit decrease (ssk & k2tog)
- Slip decrease
- Knit 2 together through back loop (K2tog-tbl)
- Bias decrease
Double Decrease samples (left to right)
- K3tog
- SS1-K2tog-psso (Slip 1, knit 2 together, pass slipped stitch over)
- S2tog-k1-psso (Slip 2 together, knit 1, pass slipped stitches over)
Activity 2 – Joining Seams
Sample 1 – 3 needle cast off (front and back)
Sample 2 – Mattress Stitch (selvedge to selvedge)
Sample 3 – Mattress Stitch (top edge to top edge)#
Sample 4 – Backstitch
Sample 5 – Grafting
I struggled to get to grips with this one and need to practice it a bit more. You can see on the back on the sample where I went a bit wrong, although it didn’t show on the front.
Sample 6 – 3 needle i-cord bind off
(Not sure why the photos make it look like 2 completely different colours!)
Activity 3 – Knit & Purl Patterns
Knit and Purl samples (left to right)
- Broken Rib pattern
- Ridged rib pattern
- Checkerboard
- Inverness Diamonds
- Oblique Rib
- 1 x 1 Rib
- 2 x 2 rib
- Coloured stripes
- Moss diamonds
- Mistake rib
- Garter / reverse stockinette stitch
- Moss st / stockinette stitch
Activity 4 – Crossed / Travelling Stitch Patterns
The first sample I worked was taken from the ‘Tree of Life Afghan’ by Nicky Epstein
The second was a traditional lattice pattern.
Activity 5 – Cables
I do love a good cable!
Samples (clockwise)
- Honeycomb
- Triple twist cable
- Ornamental cable
Activity 6 – Raised & Embossed Patterns
Raised Pattern Samples (clockwise)
- Popcorn
- Diagonal bobble
- Nosegay
Embossed Patterns (top to bottom)
- Puff stitch
- Leaf pattern
Activity 7 – Yarn File Continued
Following from module 1 this activity explored some of the more unusual yarns available. Samples and information on how the fibre is produced, properties, care etc were required.
Sample 1 – Alpaca
Sample 2 – Angora (responsibly sourced of course)
Sample 3 – Cashmere
Sample 4 – Camel
Sample 5 – Yak
Sample 6 – Possum
I found it impossible to get 100% possum fibre. The yarn I used was 60% merino, 40% possum.
Activity 8 – Designer Makers
Again, continuing on the underpinning knowledge started in module 1, this activity was to research another designer maker and write a report including samples of their work. I chose to write my report on Kate Davies, one of my favourite designers.
Activity 9 – Storage, Care and Use of Knitting Resources
The final activity was to imagine setting up a knitwear design studio and image what kind of requirements and equipment you would need.
So that was module 3! Now to get cracking on with module 4…
