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Next Level Knitting Conference
Schedule and Class Descriptions
We’re thrilled to announce the full schedule of classes for the Next Level Knitting Conference 2023. Below you can find the class descriptions and teachers for each time slot. Since registration includes the ability to watch any class as many times as you like for 6 months, you don’t have to tell us which class you will attend live and you can just make that decision at any point.
Note – All times are given in Central US Daylight Savings time and Coordinated Universal Time (UTC). Translate UTC to your time zone here.
Friday April 21, 2023
Arenda kicks off the conference with announcements and some prizes. (Do not need to be present to win any of the prizes. All registrants are entered to win.)
We will post Swatch videos and MHK resource videos at 10:15 am CDT so they will be available to registrants for the next six months.
We will post Swatch videos and MHK resource videos at 10:15 am CDT so they will be available to registrants for the next six months. We have everything from how to put together your notebook, what triggers a resubmission, where to find resources, and in-depth looks at each swatch.
Cascade Yarns has donated a basket of yarn to one random drawing for an attendee who is actively enrolled in the Master Hand Knitting program. Winner must have a U.S. mailing address and be a paid registrant of the NLKC23 conference. Winner does need not be present to win. Other drawings will be held for International attendees and attendees enrolled in the Professional Knitter Certification.
Creating Cables – Tonia Lyons
The Creating Cables class will introduce knitters to the textural world of cables. Students will learn how to read cable charts and abbreviations, how to work the two basic cable crossings (with and without cable needles), and learn how to use those cable crossings to create a variety of cables and fabrics.
Designing Button Bands – Donna Estin
Knitters today expect knitting patterns to provide a detailed step-by-step guide to creating a button band. You as the designer need to be able to write a pattern that correctly spaces buttonholes, uses the correct number of buttons for functionality, places buttonholes properly within the stitch pattern, and match the type of buttonhole to your project, with all of the calculations for each size done. This class will show you how to make the design decisions needed for balanced, visually appealing button bands and how set up your spreadsheet so the computer can do the calculations for you.
Drowned Fishermen, Knitting Madonnas, and More: Knitting Myths and Legends – Bonnie Franz (Pre-recorded)
For centuries, legends and myths have circulated about knitting, and we’ll take a closer look at them to separate fact from fiction! We’ll look at questions like: Were many drowned fishermen identified by their unique sweaters? Did Mary knit Jesus’s miraculous robe? Is the relationship curse real, and if so, can it be thwarted? Have knitters used knitting for espionage? Did the Vikings pillage in snowflake patterned mittens? And more…
Knit 2 Socks in 1 – Safiyyah Talley
Using the techniques from Safiyyah’s latest book, Knit 2 Socks In 1, by the end of this class you will learn turn one long knitted tube into socks effortlessly.
Creating Cables – Tonia Lyons
The Creating Cables class will introduce knitters to the textural world of cables. Students will learn how to read cable charts and abbreviations, how to work the two basic cable crossings (with and without cable needles), and learn how to use those cable crossings to create a variety of cables and fabrics.
Designing Button Bands – Donna Estin
Knitters today expect knitting patterns to provide a detailed step-by-step guide to creating a button band. You as the designer need to be able to write a pattern that correctly spaces buttonholes, uses the correct number of buttons for functionality, places buttonholes properly within the stitch pattern, and match the type of buttonhole to your project, with all of the calculations for each size done. This class will show you how to make the design decisions needed for balanced, visually appealing button bands and how set up your spreadsheet so the computer can do the calculations for you.
Drowned Fishermen, Knitting Madonnas, and More: Knitting Myths and Legends – Bonnie Franz (Pre-recorded)
For centuries, legends and myths have circulated about knitting, and we’ll take a closer look at them to separate fact from fiction! We’ll look at questions like: Were many drowned fishermen identified by their unique sweaters? Did Mary knit Jesus’s miraculous robe? Is the relationship curse real, and if so, can it be thwarted? Have knitters used knitting for espionage? Did the Vikings pillage in snowflake patterned mittens? And more…
Knit 2 Socks in 1 – Safiyyah Talley
Using the techniques from Safiyyah’s latest book, Knit 2 Socks In 1, by the end of this class you will learn turn one long knitted tube into socks effortlessly.
I’ve Got This Yarn – Amie Palmer
We’ve all got mystery yarn that we can’t identify, don’t know how much we have, and don’t know what to do with it. Learn the tips and tricks to figure out what you have and what it can do.
Knitting 911: Fixing Mistakes – Binka Schwan (Pre-recorded)
This class will demonstrate how to fix basic knitting mistakes in garter, stockinette, and seed stitch. Some advanced techniques will also be presented. We will start with basic stitch anatomy as mistakes cannot be fixed unless this is understood. Dropped stitches, dropped selvedge stitches, split stitches, twisted stitches, holes, and other knitting mistakes will be shown and how to fix the mistakes will be demonstrated.
MHK Focus on Success Level 3: Dissecting Difficult Swatches – Laurie Gibson and Leslie Gonzalez
Struggling with some of the Level 3 techniques? This session will help you conquer those sessions.
Replace Your Fast Fashion Fave – Jen Parroccini
In this class, participants learn how to use an existing garment to create a custom knitting pattern. Class material covers creating the schematic, designing your fabric, making and measuring gauge swatches, converting the schematic to stitches and rows, shaping, and finishing. The class is instructional, rather than hands-on (that is, they will leave with the knowledge to create the pattern, not the actual pattern). It’s helpful if students have already identified the garment and taken some initial measurements, so that the class has context and they can ask informed questions.
Crisscrossing the Rainbow: Color Cables – Harry Wells
One can spend a knitting lifetime exploring the various lovely twists and turns that make up regular cable combinations. Now add color to the mix! One color cable patterns against a different background color, different color cable strands meandering all over and among each other, striped cables, and bi-color rope cables are some of the combinations covered. How to convert a cable chart into a color cable schematic, utilizing graph paper and/or a charting program will be covered, so bring your colored pencils for some creative color fun and then knit up your creation!
Gauge – Arenda Holladay
This class will focus on measuring gauge for different types of stitch patterns– (how to determine what to include in the gauge swatch, how to measure the correct portion of the swatch, how to count rows/stitches) and how to calculate the gauge. Anyone would benefit from this course but it is specific to the MHK and PKC programs.
Technology for Designers – Safiyyah Talley
Ever wondered which programs / websites would help elevate your knitting? In this class we will explore different programs (mostly free and almost free!) that will help budding designers and adventurous knitters.
We will gather by Zoom for our special guest speakers. Luigi Boccia and Jared Flood, co-owners of Brooklyn Tweed, will share their philosophy on developing and manufacturing breed-specific yarns that fortify the America fiber supply chain and support textile production in the US. Join us to hear about how their yarns are made from sheep to skein. We’ll have some prizes and fun and Brooklyn Tweed prizes (need not be present to win). And every registrant to the conference will receive a 15% off discount code for Brooklyn Tweed!
Saturday April 22, 2023
Designing for Fit and Ease – Donna Estin
This class breaks down two fundamentals to designing garments that are at the core of how knitwear looks and feels when worn. We examine the various fits, what they mean, and examples of pairing fits with stitch patterns and yarn. Ease is a choice that you as the designer will make early on in the design process. This class discusses positive and negative ease, when to use each, and factors that affect ease. Using CYC standards, body measurements are addressed to uncover where ease should and should not be used and why. The class covers how ease varies across a wide range of body types and sizes.
Entrelac – Mary Beth Jacobs
Entrelac looks complicated, but once you learn it you will be addicted. Explore details of the short-row, modular knitting of entrelac. This course will focus on entrelac made with Stockinette stitch as the base fabric, focusing on traditional rectangle fabric worked flat, but branching to entrelac in the round, and entrelac done in simple shapes. Ideas and strategies for dealing with common entrelac issues such as cast on, holes at joins, color peek through, picking up stitches, and measuring gauge will also be discussed, as well as how stitch anatomy enhances that classic basketweave fabric.
Mediative Knitting – Jennifer Kent
This class will focus on the meditative and calming potential of knitting. We will explore simple, repetitive patterns to use in a stitch meditation mantra.
What’s Next – Recent MHK Graduates Talk About Their Experiences – Allison Danneels, Tonia Lyons, Debbie Wood, and facilitated by Leslie Gonzalez
Thinking about the Master Hand Knitting program but not sure what it is all about? These recent MHK graduates will talk about their experiences, why they did the program, what they learned and what is next. They will answer questions from the audience.
Color Theory for Knitters – Ann Weaver
Color trends come and go, and designers and knitters often base their color choices on personal preference. However, there are a few fundamental principles of color theory that you can apply to your knitting to ensure that your colorwork projects (whether stranded, intarsia, mosaic, brioche, or striped) are engaging and eye-catching. I’ll chat about those with examples from fine art, design, knitting, and everyday life, and you can immediately put them to use!
Fixing Mistakes in Lace – Heather Storta
It’s easy to make a mistake in lace knitting! If you can catch it before you bind off, and before too many rows have happened, you can fix it without ripping your work all the way back. Heather will demonstrate how to fix mistakes in complicated lace, as well as share some of her tips and tricks for lace repair.
MHK Focus on Success Level 1: Mitten Mastery – Joyce Jones and Claire Morson
Yes, that mitten cuff is a challenge. Joyce and Claire will walk you through how to master this project.
Shaping Shawls – Mary Beth Jacobs
An exploration on shawl shape construction, looking at different ways to achieve a desired shawl shape.
Neater Necklines – Arenda Holladay
This class discusses techniques for picking up stitches along necklines which can transform a garment from “homemade” to “handmade”. Crew neck, V-neck and square neck treatments are featured.
Brioche Rosetta Stone – Jolie Elder
It seems brioche is having a moment, especially in the work of Stephen West or Nancy Marchant. Do the directions look like Greek to you? How do I “bark” or “burp” in knitting? What does it mean to work the right-side twice without turning? What’s knitting in the stitch below? Students will leave ready to work brioche patterns regardless of how they are described.
MHK Q&A Session for All Levels – Co-Chairs
Have some questions that haven’t been covered? Here is where you can get the official answers and assistance. This session will be done in a Breakout Room so. you can speak live with co-chairs.
Portuguese Knitting – André de Castro (Pre-recorded)
Struggling with tension or ergonomic issues? Portuguese knitting is a traditional method of knitting that might work for you.
We’ll join by Zoom to enjoy a virtual Fashion Show sponsored by Purl Soho and recognize recent MHK and PKC graduates.
Any one registered for the conference can participate, even if you can’t make it Saturday night. You send in a picture and description of something you have knitted and we’ll put together a slideshow of all the entries. We’ll pick 40 to share on Saturday, but you’ll have the chance to view all of them afterwards – and all entries will be eligible for random drawings for prizes (need not be present to win). We need your entry by April 3rd to include you in the Fashion Show. We loved seeing the creativity last year and walked away with additions to our queue. We can’t wait to see this year’s show. Here are the details:
You must have registered for the Next Level Knitting Conference to enter.
You can enter ONE item by April 3, 2023, by email to: info@tkga.org.
You can enter ONE item by April 3, 2023, by email to: info@tkga.org.
The categories are hats, hands, sweaters, shawls, scarves, socks, and other.
Please title the email “NLKC Fashion Show” and include in the email:
Name of Knitter
Please title the email “NLKC Fashion Show” and include in the email:
Name of Knitter
Pronouns
City, State, Country
Category: (Hat, Hands, Sweater, Shawl, Scarf, Socks, Other)
Name of Pattern
A picture, of course: one picture under 100 KB
Designer and Yarn name, if you know it
One or two sentences about the item. (Please be sure to include this so that we have information to share during the Fashion Show!)
Please name your photo in this way so we can be sure to give you credit:
FirstnameLastname_2 letter state code, or country name spelled out_type of item
For example:
Ex: AnnaLinz_Netherlands_hat
Ex: KimSmith_VA_sweater
City, State, Country
Category: (Hat, Hands, Sweater, Shawl, Scarf, Socks, Other)
Name of Pattern
A picture, of course: one picture under 100 KB
Designer and Yarn name, if you know it
One or two sentences about the item. (Please be sure to include this so that we have information to share during the Fashion Show!)
Please name your photo in this way so we can be sure to give you credit:
FirstnameLastname_2 letter state code, or country name spelled out_type of item
For example:
Ex: AnnaLinz_Netherlands_hat
Ex: KimSmith_VA_sweater
Sunday April 23, 2023
Embellishment in Knitting – Heather Storta
Hand knit fabric can serve as a base for crochet and embroidery embellishments. We’ll learn a few different ways to use surface crochet, as well as a few embroidery stitches that look great on knitted fabric.
Essentials of Versa Lace – Jolie Elder
We love lace! We love the feminine allure of lace shawls and wraps and cowls and scarves. But we do not love the wrong sides of these garments. Phooey! What’s a knitter to do? Did you know you can convert many stockinette-based lace patterns into reversible lace patterns? No, this is not double-knitting, but you should already be comfortable with 1×1 ribbing and lace knitting. Handout includes the pattern for Juniperus ficus scarf.
Local Guild and Groups Panel – Judy Bond, Cherie Cornick, Judith Lausch, Janice Hudson and facilitated by Celia Cahill
Looking for advice and inspiration for your local knitting group or guild? A group of knitters from across the country will talk about and answer questions on how to select programs, find speakers, recruit members and officers and grow a guild or group.
Bring your questions!
Get the Fit You Want with Armhole Shaping – Celia Cahill (Pre-recorded)
The relationship between the shoulders and arms – armhole shaping – can make or break the fit of a sweater. This class will discuss the variety of armhole configurations, with greatest focus on how to properly shape armholes for set in sleeves. There will be math demonstrated, but it’ll be worth it!
Grafting Cables – Arenda Holladay
This class will discuss grafting different types of stitch patterns for cables.
MHK Focus on Success Level 2: Math for 4 Swatches – Cathy Berry and Leslie Gonzalez
Struggling with how to do the math for the patterns and swatches in Level 2? Cathy and Leslie will break this down for you. No math anxiety here.
Knitting Pedagogy: The Art and Practice of Teaching Knitting – Ann Richards
Being able to knit well is not the same as being able to teach knitting well. What are the differences? This workshop explores how the human brain learns and discusses techniques to help engage it. We’ll be considering such topics as mnemonics, repetition, vocabulary, kinesthetic stimulation, lesson planning, copyright, special needs inclusion, tone and approach. Participating teachers are encouraged to bring materials to share their favorite teaching technique and/or resources.
We’ll close out with time for questions, announcements, thanks, and prizes.
