Textiles
Hand knitting for beginners
A practical beginner course covering core hand-knitting stitches, pattern reading, shaping and sample-making through demonstrations and individual practice.
Choose a date before booking
Upcoming classes
1 class
About this course
The course introduces hand-knitting techniques including casting on and off, knit and purl stitches, rib variations, stripes, increasing and decreasing. Participants will make practice swatches to record and compare techniques, and will learn how to sew knitted pieces together. Teaching combines group demonstrations with individual guidance as needed. Sessions also cover knitting terminology, pattern abbreviations and reading instructions, with encouragement to start a project from a pattern. Learners are advised to practise techniques between classes and can use the course’s online classroom for handouts and resources.
What you'll learn
- Use casting-on and casting-off methods and basic knit and purl stitches
- Work rib variations, stripes, increases and decreases
- Read knitting patterns, abbreviations and related terminology
- Sew knitted pieces together
- Produce sample swatches documenting a range of hand-knitting techniques
Is this course right for you?
This course is intended for complete beginners, as no knitting knowledge is required. It also accommodates learners revisiting basic stitches after a long break. Participation involves demonstrations, individual practice and group discussion, with the ability to follow simple written and verbal instructions and make basic measurements and calculations.
- Learning alternates between group demonstrations and individual practice
- Learners should be able to follow written instructions, demonstrations and handouts
- Basic measurements and calculations form part of the course
Before you go
- Learners are asked to bring 5mm needles and a ball of cream wool suitable for that needle size.
- Basic materials and resources are available as part of the course.
- A sketchbook or folder is advisable for storing swatches, notes and handouts.
- A digital camera may be useful for recording stitches, fabrics and mark-making.
- Learners need to log in to the Google Classroom portal before sessions begin; access details are provided in advance.