Sylvia is a UK designer who loves bold patterns and striking colours. She learned to knit at the age of 8 years old and is a prolific knitter, using her African heritage as well as her Scottish upbringing for inspiration in her knitting. Sylvia was a runner up in the Channel 4 TV programme, Kirstie’s Handmade Christmas Jumper in 2018, with her African inspired Christmas sweater and has patterns published in Knit-Now and Pompom Quarterly. Her most recognisable pattern to date is the Nubian Queen jumper which went viral on social media in early 2019. A qualified teacher, Sylvia is using her interpersonal skills in teaching knitting techniques.
Cast on Cast off
Most of us tend to rely on one or two methods that we first learned for casting on and casting off despite the fact that there are many different techniques which produce different types of edges (e.g. basic, stretchy, decorative). Choosing the right technique can really enhance the look of your project. In this workshop, you will learn and practise a variety of casting-on and casting-off techniques step by step and discuss when to use each one. Prerequisites: Students should know how to knit and purl and do basic cast ons.
Materials: Participants need to bring the following:
- 50g DK weight yarn
- 2 pairs of straight and circular needles in addition to those on the homework samples
- Tapestry needle
- Crochet hook (3.5mm or 3.75 mm)
Homework: prepare and bring the following swatches:
- Swatch 1: With DK yarn and 4mm needles, cast on 32 sts and knit 1×1 rib (k1, p1) for 2.5cm. Leave sts and yarn on your needles ready to cast off.
- Swatch 2: With DK yarn and 4mm needles, cast on 32 sts and knit in stocking stitch (RS: knit all sts, WS: purl all sts) for 5cm. Leave sts and yarn on your needles ready to cast off.
Fun with Colour in Knitting
Enjoy creating artwork in your knitting with the Intarsia technique. The workshop will provide you with the opportunity to learn the basics so that you can begin using colour in Intarsia patterns or creating your own charts.
Participants will have the opportunity to practice intarsia knitting with a pattern or a test swatch. We will use only stockinette stitch (knit 1 row; purl 1 row).
Prerequisites: able to cast on, use knit and purl stitches and cast off with confidence.
Materials: Participants need to bring the following:
- Yarn (DK; 4 x 50g different shades plus scraps)
- Knitting needles (appropriate size for yarn, 4mm suggested) – circular or straight
- Tapestry needle
- Colouring pencils
Instagram @withcherriesontoptoo
The Knit-Tea Retreat 