The Finishing Series

The Finishing Series

Anne Hanson

Sunday All Day

The Finishing Series provides the knitter with discussion and demonstration of various tools and techniques for finishing projects with polished, professional results; focus is on finishing seamed garments. The series is comprised of three segments focusing on the following areas:
Blocking: for knitted garments/accessories and preparing garment pieces for final construction, including blocking, sizing and care of hand-knit fabric and fibers.
Joining: covers myriad aspects of seaming, grafting, and finished openings, as well as planning the right methods for individual projects.
Embellishments: discusses add-ons such as buttonholes and bands, buttons, pockets, and edgings for knitted garments as well as picking up stitches.

Skill Level: Intermediate knitting skills required, including knowledge of common knitting terminology, ease in using tools and handling fabric.

Material fee: None

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Student Supplies: Current finishing projects or swatches (see list below under homework), blocking tools (see list below), tapestry needles, a variety of knitting needles to practice techniques, 100 yards of practice yarn, spare project yarn if using actual project pieces for class, and pattern documentation/schematic for project if applicable.
Students are also encouraged to bring the tools listed below if it is convenient, to do hands-on blocking and work in small groups. However, there is no need to purchase tools just for the class.
Towels (1-2 large, 2-3 hand size), iron, pins, blocking squares or board, ruler, spray bottle. Access to water needed for blocking; portable tubs/large bowls work well if a sink is not available. Instructor will provide one set of tools for demonstration use.

Homework: Finishing projects may include sweater pieces, mitts, scarf, socks, or cowl to block and seam in class; please bring pattern schematic for sweater projects. No need to block in advance; the more variety, the better.
Participants should prepare:
4 swatches that are 3-4 inches square, worked in stockinette stitch without borders (any weight yarn is fine) in order to practice seaming techniques and applied borders.
4 swatches that are 21 sts wide by 1 inch deep, with live sts on a holder to practice shoulder seams and 3-needle bind off.