10/19 – Spit ‘n Polish: From Homemade to Handmade

Description

Too many makers view finishing as drudgery. Some say that they don’t want to try sweater making because finishing is unpleasant or scary. Not true. You just have to know how to do it. Good finishing practices make the difference between homemade and handmade. So it’s also gratifying. This workshop is designed particularly for knitters and, most especially, for makers of traditionally styled sweaters (including vests, tunics, etc.) made in pieces. They are the most likely to fit well and last for more than a year. But many of the techniques can be applied to other projects and even to crocheted garments. Certain finishing techniques also improve top-down garments. We will deal (to give a few examples) with seaming, blocking, buttonholes, edging and button bands, altering garment length, adding pockets, freshening garments with embellishments, and so on.

Materials: 50 grams each of two colors in either worsted or DK-weight natural fiber yarn. Appropriate needles (DK, sizes 5-7, worsted, sizes 7-9). Metal tapestry needle. Scissors.

Homework: With worsted or DK weight natural fiber yarn and appropriate needles, make four 4-inch swatches in stockinette stitch – leave yarn attached to at least one of them.

Class limit: Minimum 2, maximum 8