This was my mantra.  Learning to knit as a child, and crochet as a teen, followed by 40+ years of practice I thought I knew it all.  And then, I took a class and my knitting exploded.  I gained a new awareness and leaped into new projects.  What I learned has been invaluable in opening my mind and increasing my knowledge in problem solving and creative solutions, selecting and combining materials, color choices, techniques and awareness of my own style.

From Annie Modesitt, I learned that I’m a Continental Combination knitter and use a 1-4-1 long tail cast on.  Continental knitting is a method of making stitches without releasing the needles to catch the working yarn.  It’s faster than American style knitting where one needle is dropped to free one hand to pick up the working yarn and wrapping it around the other needle to make a new stitch.  Continental Combination knitting is even faster since the stitches are scooped from one needle to the next.  An added benefit of Continental Combination… purling is easier (and faster) than knitting.  (So says my students.)  Once both Continental and American style are learned, then 2 color knitting, with one color in each hand, is a natural next step.  Why not?

A 1-4-1 cast on makes a beautiful braided elastic edge, perfect for just about any sweater, scarf, sock, etc.  How is it done?  The yarn is wrapped around the needle and around the thumb and index finger of the other hand with the loose yarn ends held in the palm.  This forms a “V” with the needle at the bottom of the “V” and the thumb and index finger at the top of each side.  The wraps create 4 strings as it winds around the fingers and needle.  Each is numbered starting at the thumb.  So, a 1-4-1 cast on means the needle creates a stitch by starting at string #1, then #4, and finally #1 to complete the stitch.  1-3-1 is another popular cast on.  The difference is that the 1-3-1 cast on forms a half braid where 1-4-1 forms a full braid.

From Maggie Jackson, I learned about combining materials to achieve wonderful texture, asymmetrical designs, adding bump and ridges, knitted fringe and lots of designing tips.  These techniques appear in many of my projects.  Little additions to a pattern can truly make it your own.

From Debbie New, I learned to change needle sizes or use 2 different size needles at the same time for different effects.  She would also combine fine single ply yarn with chunky thick and thin wool to create wonderful designs.  The scarves could change shape from rectangular to square with a shake.

From Jennifer Hansen, I was reintroduced to Hairpin Lace and Tunisian crochet, both of which I had experienced and tossed to the side as ugly years ago.  Now with new materials, larger hooks and great designs, I’m loving both.  Hairpin lace uses a loom and simple single crochet to make long strips.  The strips are simple and easy, but joining the strips is where the creativity and art come into play.  Tunisian crochet uses a long crochet hook the length of a knitting needle.  The resulting stitches look different from both knitting and crochet, more woven and less bulky.  Using a large hook and several yarns held together makes a great stash buster project… purses, pillows, afghans.

Fall class schedules will be appearing in all the local yarn shops and adult educational brochures come September.  Not only is it a great way to take your craft to the next level, you’ll meet others with the same interests and get connected.  Who knows, you may meet your next bff (best friend forever). 

Write to me at cchanson@verizon.net and share your class ideas. It could be offered this winter.
Carolyn Hanson is a local knitting and crochet designer, teacher and fiber artist. She can be contacted at passionknit@verizon.net.