Last night, while I was sitting with the ladies of my local knitting group, I was thinking about short rows and how thankful I was that I had learned how to knit a sleeve from the top down using short rows for the sleeve cap. I first read about this method in the book Knitting From the Top by Barbara Walker, but I found the instructions a bit vague and confusing. While it is a great book, I really needed more information. Then I heard about Carol Feller's class on short rows on Craftsy. I had taken a class online awhile back (not on Craftsy) and was disappointed with the results, so I was a bit hesitant to try it again. But I soon found that the short rows class was free, so what did I have to lose?
I signed up and found that the Craftsy class platform is really amazing! The lessons divided into separate videos and if you stop partway through and close the page, the video will 'remember' where you were and start again in the correct place when you come back. There are printable class materials to follow along with, so that is great if you are like me and want to read it and see it at the same time. You can post questions and get answers directly from Carol and other members of the class.
Carol teaches several methods for forming the short rows and shows very clearly how to process the wraps when it comes time to knit (or purl) the wrapped stitches. This is one of the things that always confused me about short rows-- what the heck do I do with those wraps??? Her videos are very clear and easy to understand. This class really conquered my fear of short rows and wrapped stitches.
The last lesson was the most useful to me; she demonstrates how to work sleeve caps in short rows. You end up with a smoothing fitting sleeve that can be tried on as you go. No more sleeves that are too short or too long!! Right after taking this class I told one of my knitting friends about it and she signed up immediately and now knits all her sleeves using the short row method.
Here is a picture of the cardigan I am working on. It uses Knit Picks City Tweed HW in four lovely colors. Pattern will be released later this month!
I signed up and found that the Craftsy class platform is really amazing! The lessons divided into separate videos and if you stop partway through and close the page, the video will 'remember' where you were and start again in the correct place when you come back. There are printable class materials to follow along with, so that is great if you are like me and want to read it and see it at the same time. You can post questions and get answers directly from Carol and other members of the class.
Carol teaches several methods for forming the short rows and shows very clearly how to process the wraps when it comes time to knit (or purl) the wrapped stitches. This is one of the things that always confused me about short rows-- what the heck do I do with those wraps??? Her videos are very clear and easy to understand. This class really conquered my fear of short rows and wrapped stitches.
The last lesson was the most useful to me; she demonstrates how to work sleeve caps in short rows. You end up with a smoothing fitting sleeve that can be tried on as you go. No more sleeves that are too short or too long!! Right after taking this class I told one of my knitting friends about it and she signed up immediately and now knits all her sleeves using the short row method.
Here is a picture of the cardigan I am working on. It uses Knit Picks City Tweed HW in four lovely colors. Pattern will be released later this month!
After such a great experience with the short rows class I signed up for two more Craftsy classes. The first was Shoot It! A Product Photography Primer by Caro Sheridan. I'm really terrible with taking photos and Caro's class was really great for learning how to photograph your handmade items. Caro tells you flat out that you don't need a fancy camera to take great photos. I use a simple point and shoot camera (Canon Powershot) and didn't think I would be able to take professional quality photos. After this class my photos have improved vastly; I actually re-watch several of the lessons before every photo shoot just to refresh my memory.
The second class I signed up for was Sizing Knitwear Patterns by Faina Goberstein. Some work obligations made me put this class on hold for awhile, so I'm still working my way through the lessons. As a designer, this class has a lot of valuable information when it comes to grading a pattern into various sizes. Faina shows you how to make a spreadsheet (in Excel or similar programs) and use formulas to help calculate the sizing. While you can't just push a button and have the whole pattern magically graded, it is much faster than just using a calculator and piece of paper. I'm almost done with my workload so I hope to get back to this class soon.
Time to stop writing about knitting and actually go knit something. Until next time, Happy Knitting!
The second class I signed up for was Sizing Knitwear Patterns by Faina Goberstein. Some work obligations made me put this class on hold for awhile, so I'm still working my way through the lessons. As a designer, this class has a lot of valuable information when it comes to grading a pattern into various sizes. Faina shows you how to make a spreadsheet (in Excel or similar programs) and use formulas to help calculate the sizing. While you can't just push a button and have the whole pattern magically graded, it is much faster than just using a calculator and piece of paper. I'm almost done with my workload so I hope to get back to this class soon.
Time to stop writing about knitting and actually go knit something. Until next time, Happy Knitting!
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