"EZ's" A-B-C-SJ Class Begins

Good Afternoon,

What a fantastic day so far today.  First I watched the boys, JT and Mason this morning.  JT had "his" knitting box, but was lamenting about how few markers he had and so in no uncertain terms, said, "Nanny, you need to give me more markers....please."  He was totally serious.  So, I gave him four more markers for his collection.

Next, JT proceeds to take my knitting, holding up the end of the CN, and begins sliding his markers on to the needle and claimed he was knitting.  Too cute!

The first class of "EZ's" A-B-C-SJ began today at The Perfect Blend Yarn Shop in Saugerties, NY., http://yarnandteashop.com.  There were two students this afternoon, and so began the task of a gauge swatch, both were doing the baby version.  Then came the explanation of How?  What?  Really?

 Photo above courtesy of Schoolhouse Press Pattern #5

It really is confusing if you don't know how this sweater goes together.  So in terms of choosing yarn and placing color, as in the above sweater, how did the lavender stripe do that?  I want a solid at the cuff.  Do I knit some stitches in solid and some stitches in the color mix?  After a few simple explanations as to how the knitting process goes, it became much clearer to them. 

Then began the casting on and the marking of the stitches, not just sliding the markers on the needle.  The next question was about slipping the first stitch, which was a new technique, and then came the decreases.  Explaining there are four decreases in one row, it was thought directional decreases on either side of the marked stitch.  However, since this is an "upright" decrease, hence, the Sl 1, K2 toge, PSSO, or slip the first stitch, knit the next two together, then pass the slipped stitch over the stitch formed by  knitting two stitches together.  Phew!

Quite a handful to chew on and execute.  I think that they were clear on what direction they were working in and how the progress looks in terms of the pattern vs. the completed garment.  Always a good thing to remind students not to panic, follow the rows along carefully, and you should be OK.

There will be another class on Saturday this week as  well, so that was a plus.   No need to wait a full week.  Also, the Perfect Blend shop owner, Mary, will coach them if they can't wait until Saturday. 

What a Perfect day at The Perfect Blend Yarn and Tea Shop.  Happy Knitting!