Introductory machine knitting workshops for complete beginners. Whether you are just getting started or want to try it out, this is for you!

Three hour, stand alone workshops covering the essentials of machine knitting. The format is flexible and relaxed. Classes are limited to two students per session. So, you can be sure of individual attention. Complete beginners can come to one class as a taster. If you like it and want to progress then come back and pick a different project.

We will look at

how the machine makes stitches,

how to set up the machine,

methods of casting on and off,

plain knitting, increasing and decreasing

tension swatches.

There will be time to make a simple project using these techniques, in addition to the teaching samples.

All students will have access to a Silver Reed LK150 or a Brother KH836 machine plus the appropriate tools and sufficient high qualilty yarn for samples and a small project. I will email to ask you to choose a machine and a project around a week before the workshop.

The LK150 is a modern machine which knits with handknit weights of yarn but has no automatic patterning. The thicker yarn means you work with fewer needles making it an ideal machine for learing the principles of machine knitting at the very beginning.

The KH836 is a 1980s vintage machine which uses 4-ply fingering weight yarn or finer. It also uses punched cards to control patterning (colourwork and textures). If you have an older machine already it's probably more like this one.

The projects are

neckwarmer/loop scarf - best for absolute beginners

wristwarmers - lots of casting on and off

triangle scarf - lots of increasing and decreasing

simple hat - mock rib or rolled brim with gathered or folded top.

Please contact me if you have any questions about this workshop.

Description supplied by the event organiser.