Summer School

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Summer

SCHOOL

LK’s editorial team learn some skills from the experts

W

ith the abundance of knitting workshops available, the editorial team of Let’s Knit decided it was high time we all learnt something new. Sarah, our editor, decided to take a professional finishing workshop at Twist. Deputy Editor Adrienne set her sights on extreme knitting with Barley Massey at Fabrications. Naida and Kerry, our editorial assistants, learnt how to crochet with Hoopla yarn at Make, Do and Mend, and create knitted jewellery with Suraya Hossain of Mahliqa, respectively.

SARAH’S FINISHING SCHOOL

Two years ago Karen Moggridge opened her dream shop, a boutique yarn store called Twist in the picturesque market town of Woodbridge, Suffolk. As well as stocking many beautiful yarns including over 100 colours of Jamieson’s Shetland Spindrift (swoons!), the shop regularly hosts workshops in a large and airy back room overlooking a leafy churchyard. It was here I chose to tackle my biggest knitting bugbear – the dreaded making up!

Until now, unless I could cajole my nan into sewing up my projects for me (Hi Nan! She’s a reader…) I would consistently ruin them with jagged necklines, lumpy seams and gaping buttonholes. Jane Crowfoot’s Finishing Techniques workshop sounded like the ideal solution, and so it proved to be.

The day began with teas, coffees and introductions, and before long we were being gently guided through various techniques, from knitting a perfect neckline to grafting a perfect shoulder join. Jane would begin by giving us an easy-to-follow demonstration, and then it would be our turn to gather up some luscious Rowan yarn and try for ourselves. I must admit in most cases it took more than one go to get it right, and that’s the beauty of a workshop – having someone on hand to spot your error and set you on the right path. Jane was the most clear and patient of tutors, carefully demystifying each skill so that we all felt comfortable with it. She certainly knows her stuff and is author of several acclaimed books including

Finishing Techniques For Handknitters (£9.99, Search Press). Even brave sole Sian who had been knitting for only four weeks felt able to tackle most of the tasks.

My favourite part was the demonstration of mattress stitch; I knew the principle of course – the grafting of two edges together, done flat with both right sides facing up – but I’d never troubled to learn how to do it properly. Jane showed us how to carefully select the right ‘ladder’ to sew into, and then, having laced the two panels loosely together, the moment when she pulled the stitches closed to create the most conceivably perfect invisible join caused a ripple of wonder through the room. That be magic, surely!

At the end of a day that was characterised by much jovial chatter and delicious homemade cakes I felt not only that I knew the secrets behind professional finishing but also that none of it was beyond me.

Workshops are undoubtedly one of the best ways to learn; you have an expert at your shoulder, showing you the right way to do it and helping you out when things go wrong, and there is also the encouragement and camaraderie of fellow knitters. The experience is far more fun and memorable than hours spent squinting at YouTube will ever be. And if the surroundings are as lovely as they are at Twist then what more could you ask for?

“I felt not only that I knew the secrets behind professional finishing but also that none of it was beyond me”

Twist is at 1 Market Hill, Woodbridge, Suffolk. To receive the Twist newsletter featuring details of their upcoming workshops send an email to info@twistshop.co.uk

ADRIENNE’S GIANT LESSON As the hands behind LK’s knitting and crochet tutorials, I have learnt many different techniques during my time here and was seeking something more unusual.

I first encountered Fabrications at last year’s Knitting and Stitching Show at Alexandra Palace, where I got the chance to play with a pair of super-sized needles.

When I saw that the London-based store was running a Macro Knitting workshop, I jumped at the chance to give it another go!

I arrived early in Broadway Market, Hackney, and decided to explore the vibrant Saturday market. Fabrications fits perfectly with the creative vibe of the area.

Founded by upcycling expert Barley Massey, it is not your typical LYS. You won’t find many offerings from major spinners here, but rather homewares knitted from recycled fabrics and inner tubes of bicycles, yarns made from T-shirt material, and super chunky fibres already cast on to giant knitting needles waiting to

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Feature NAIDA’S HOOPLA SHOWDOWN Based in Chelmsford, Essex, Make, Do & Mend began its existence as a small knitting group founded by Hannah Elgie that gradually expanded into a haven of creative crafting, hosting workshops ranging from knitting and crochet right through to curtain and rug making. Since starting the initiative, Hannah has also co-written 500 Crochet Blocks with Kath Eastoe, and even appeared on Channel 4’s Superscrimpers. Allured by its vintagechic-design website, I scoured the many workshop options for something that tickled my fancy when lo-and-behold, I came across a Hoopla Yarn crochet session. Being vaguely familiar with the yarn but having yet

“Afterwards all I wanted to do was head straight back to my own stash of yarns and fabrics” be used. It’s a place that immediately gets you considering the possibilities.

Workshops are held below the main shop in an area known as ‘The Imaginerium’. Barley’s own macro knitted creations decorate the stairway and tools and yarns are laid out in readiness. I was joined in the workshop by six other keen crafters. The class requires you to be familiar with the basics of knitting. Barley explained to us that macro knitting is more about the effect created by the large needles, rather than the stitch patterns used.

She began by bringing out a box of interesting-looking materials wound into balls – it’s yarn, but not as we know it! Some were made of recycled T-shirts, or off-cuts from weaving mills, others were felted wool blankets cut into strips. Barley then showed us how to transform a T-shirt into yarn, giving the longest continuous lengths possible.

When she had finished, only the elasticated neck was remaining. I had a go myself and, after one false start, came up with several balls of my own T-shirt yarn – and more than a slightly smug smile! A different look can be created using multiple strands of thinner yarns, plied together. I picked my colours before heading over to a ball winder. A short while later I came back with my exclusive chunky yarn.

We used 30mm needles in half size (70cm) and full size (135cm) lengths, made by Sue Russell of Wool ‘n’ Dance. The ends of the full sized needles sit on the floor and I found it helped to stand up and use a rocking motion to manoeuvre them – it’s easy to get into a rhythm and is a great arm workout! The important thing is to keep your tension loose, because many of the materials used don’t have any give. I’m naturally more of a tight

to make anything from it, I couldn’t wait to have a go at making a little basket.

On arrival I received a lovely warm greeting and was given free rein to pick my colour of choice (the yarn and hook are provided). With so many options I instinctively picked the shade I was drawn to most, although I could have easily been there all day with the dozens of options on offer! As a group of my soon-to-be fellow workshoppers arrived I was pleasantly surprised to hear the topic of conversation – none other than LK’s very own Sidney the Owl! We were soon welcomed through the shop front section of the venue to the workshop area – spacious and light, lined with fabrics, sewing machines and various crafty tools. After some introductions with our tutor, Jo, over tea, coffee and biscuits, it was time to get down to some serious basket making.

The workshop was aimed at those who have at least a little experience of crochet, although having said that, there were a couple of novices who managed to master the stitches needed in no time. Working in the round with this recycled cotton yarn meant the basket grew extremely quickly,

“I plan to make a selection of homewares for my new house soon, starting with a bathroom rug” which is perfect if you’re impatient like me!

The basket involved a combination of chains and double crochet stitches, which left room to concentrate on getting to grips with the yarn. Being recycled cotton it’s tougher than regular yarn, and gives your hands a bit of a work-out! It can also be difficult to keep your tension uniform as the strand varies in width, but for the type of projects it’s suitable for that isn’t really an issue. Jo talked us through the advantages of using Hoopla – its resilience and durability, coupled with the vast variety of shades available, make it particularly appealing, and I plan to make a selection of homewares for my new house soon, starting with a bathroom rug.

Overall it was really impressive to have a knitter so found this quite tricky to get the hang of.

Barley’s unbridled creativity really sparks your imagination and afterwards all I wanted to do was head straight back to my own stash of yarns and fabrics.

While this workshop utilises existing knitting skills, it gets you thinking in a new way and encourages you to experiment with unusual materials and try something completely different.

KEEP READING ON P42

Visit www.fabrications1.co.uk to find more of Barley’s creations and the crafty workshops on offer.

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finished object at the end of the two-hour session and Make, Do and Mend has a real community feel about it. Passion for crafting is evident everywhere, from the warmth and enthusiasm of the tutors down to the hand-made creations adorning the walls.

Make, Do and Mend will be at the Knitting and Stitching Show this autumn, as well as hosting a weekly Knit and Natter group every Wednesday evening from 7 to 9pm, and also on the first and third Saturday of the month from 10am to 12 noon. It also hosts a weekly Sew and Natter club, where people can use sewing machines and get advice from other members.

To find out more, visit www.makedomend.com

KERRY’S BEJEWELLED COURSE I like to think of my workshop choice as the wild-card of this feature. I enjoy pushing the boundaries and trying something new, and what better way than to try knitting with something other than yarn? Cue Suraya Hossain from Mahliqa and her Knitted Jewellery workshop at Fringe in Muswell Hill, London. Knitting with wire may sound like a crazy idea, but when you see the exquisite jewellery that can be created from knitting in garter stitch and adding some Swarovski crystals you’ll no doubt be converted as I was.

I arrived at Fringe with plenty of time to rummage through the beautifully laid out shop. It was evident that Judith’s background is architecture as the shop and workshop space were light and airy, with a rustic feel emanating from the reclaimed timber furniture that was our workshop station. The perfect location to learn something new. Suraya, the designer and creator of Mahliqa arrived shortly after me, along with my fellow counterparts.

Once our workstations were set up, and each student had chosen which colour bracelet to make, Suraya began explaining the process. Simply enough, the

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instructions were similar to any standard knitting pattern, casting on ten stitches and knitting in garter stitch. We then had to follow a simple chart showing where to place one of our pre-threaded Swarovski crystals whilst knitting the rows of the bracelet. Soon enough our bracelets were taking shape, and we were all clearly enjoying the process as we were so quiet you could’ve heard a pin drop! There was intermittent chatter that you find when working around other people but I felt the silence must have been down to the concentration from knitting with an unfamiliar material that wasn’t as forgiving as yarn is when creating stitches.

Watching Suraya deftly knitting with wire

“I would definitely recommend trying knitting with wire – it’s definitely got me thinking about what else I can knit with” from a distance, anyone would be mistaken to think she was knitting with pliable yarn. It was quite therapeutic watching her create the bracelet herself. I, on the other hand, managed to break my wire midway through.

People who know me would not be at all surprised at this happening! It turned out to be a blessing in disguise as it allowed Suraya to teach us how to overcome this little hiccup.

Learning how to join in new

wire and to hide the ends within the work was a very worthwhile lesson.

Our final half hour was spent learning how to sew in the clasp of the bracelet, again a simple enough process. I think once you’ve gotten past the whole idea of knitting with a material so far removed from yarn, it’s quite easy to begin creating little trinkets of your very own. My only advice would be, if you’re a perfectionist like me, work on your tension as the stitch you knit is the stitch that remains. No abundance of manipulation will turn your messy stitch into a neat and tidy one; you will be more inclined to break the wire! On the whole, I would definitely recommend trying knitting with wire – it’s got me thinking about what else I can knit with!

Call 0208 883 9478 or visit www.studio108.org for the latest workshops at Fringe. Mahliqa will also be at this autumn’s Knitting and Stitching show. To purchase finished jewellery and kits, commission bespoke jewellery, or find local stockists, visit www.mahliqa.co.uk