Stunt Knitting Safety Lines class

You've seen the stunt knitters' projects — grafting 500 stitches in pattern, hidden cast-ons, smooth pick-ups, perfect seams. It is time to learn their savvy tricks. No, they aren't smarter than you. And they haven't been knitting for 50 years. They know how to use waste yarn to hold stitches, provisionally cast-on, make openings, or set-up guidelines for grafting and seaming and picking up along a selvedge. Now, you can know these secrets, too!

Skill level is intermediate.
Prerequisite: Students should already understand the basic architecture of a knitted stitch.

Maximum 20 students.

½ day workshop

Students receive a handout in booklet form.

No materials fee.

Homework swatch for hem/provisional:
Using contrasting waste yarn and needle one size smaller than what you would normally choose, cast on 20 stitches.
Work 4-6 rows stockinette.
WS: Work a wrong-side row using a second slippery contrasting waste yarn such as crochet cotton or dental floss.
Join project yarn. RS: knit. WS: purl.
RS: knit. WS: knit (to create turning line).
Change to normal-size needle — RS: knit. WS: purl.
RS: knit.
Project fabric should be equal length from turning line.
Leave live on needles.

Homework swatch for grafting in pattern:
Using waste yarn in size similar to project yarn, cast on 12 stitches.
Knit back and forth in 2×2 rib for about an inch.
Work one row in slippery waste yarn in pattern — use crochet cotton or dental floss.
Slide to other end of needle, tie on project yarn, and work in 2×2 rib for several inches. Swatch should be long enough to wrap around so you can graft the end to the beginning as if making a bracelet.
Leave live on needles. 

Pictures and directions for homework swatches can be found here.

Supplies:

• homework swatches still on the needles
• class yarn (smooth, non-splitting, light or bright or medium color)
• range of needles for working that yarn including needles one size smaller
  
• small-size non-slippery double-pointed needles
• circular needles or interchangeable needle cables (optional, helpful)
  
• assorted waste yarn (slippery mercerized cotton is good)
• blunt tapestry needle

No special needs for the room set up. A whiteboard or flip chart is nice to have but not need to have. I have a projector if the facilities can accommodate it. Room set-up should be tables and chairs either facing forward or in a U-shape.

This class has been taught at
Southeastern Animal Fiber Fair 2015, Fletcher NC;
South Carolina Knit Inn 2020, Greenville SC.
On the schedule for South Carolina Knit Inn 2026.