EYF - workshop prep

Edinburgh Yarn Festival is only a few weeks away now!

I'm teaching 3 workshops throughout the weekend, and here's the run-down for each, with a list of what you need to bring. I hope this covers everything!

Garter Stitch & Beyond - Friday Mar 18 2016, 2:00pm – 5:00pm

Participants will work through a number of different garter stitch techniques, as well as learn about garter stitch itself. Topics covered include grafting garter stitch, picking up stitches along a garter stitch edge, invisible (mattress stitch) seaming for garter stitch, RS/WS of the fabric, short rows, the magic of the square gauge, mitre squares, creating chevrons, directional knitting and creating circles and spirals.

Materials and equipment
Several small balls of up to 50g and the appropriate sized straight needles are required. Participants will also need a crochet hook, some waste yarn, and a tapestry/darning needle.

Homework
Prepare the following swatches:
2 x completed (cast off) swatches
2 x swatches left on the needles
Each swatch should measure 20 stitches by 40 rows.

Turning Sideways - Saturday Mar 19 2016, 10.00am – 1:00pm

Participants will work through a number of different techniques, including short rows, provisional cast-on and kitchener stitch (garter). We also discuss how turning our knitting through ninety degrees affects stitch patterns and increases/decreases, and learn how we can use them to our advantage. We will also discuss the maths of a circle, using garter stitch and it's gauge properties.

Materials and equipment
Several small balls of up to 50g and the appropriate sized straight needles are required. Participants will also need a crochet hook, some waste yarn, and a tapestry/darning needle.

Should participants wish to design/make themselves a sideways garter stitch beanie, then 100g of yarn and appropriate needles will also be required.

Cast on, Cast off - Saturday Mar 19 2016, 2:00pm – 5:00pm

There are multiple ways to cast on and cast off. In this hands on workshop, we will explore different cast-off and cast-on methods to determine the best ones for different types of projects. Methods include ribbed cast on (alternate cable caston) and how it works for 1x1, 2x1, 1x2 and 2x2 rib; various grafting methods, provisional cast-on, 3-needle bind-off, circular cast-on and more.

Materials and equipment
Several small balls of up to 50g and the appropriate sized straight needles are required. Participants will also need a crochet hook, some waste yarn, and a tapestry/darning needle.

Homework
Prepare the following swatches:
Cast on 40 sts. Knit in 1x1 rib for 3in, leaving work on needle.
Cast on 40 sts. Work in stocking stitch for 3in, leaving work on needle.
Cast on 40 sts. Work in garter stitch for 3in, leaving work on needle.