TKGA Fall Show Set for Reno

Are you a member of The Knitting Guild Association? It’s the largest association of knitters in America, with more than 10,000 members. Membership provides you with a quarterly magazine full not only of patterns but lots of information on techniques that will help you become a better knitter no matter your skill level.

I joined a few years ago because I have this dream of becoming a Master Knitter (they offer a course of study and knitting samples that is judged by experts who declare you a Master) though I’ve been a little busy writing books and having a kid to do it!

The Guild also offers conferences throughout the country through the year, and the fall event is set for Sept. 14-16 in Reno, Nev., with extra educational opportunities starting on the 12th. The show includes classes, exhibits, fashion shows and other fun events for knitters and crocheters.

New this show is a special presentation of the Certified Instructor Program. Usually only available as a class at the Fashion Institute of Technology in New York, this class will actually be before the show, on Sept. 10-11. The class is being condensed into an intense 12-hour program instead of the usual 15. It will cost $150 for non-members and $125 for members. Preregistration and homework before the course is required. This is for advanced beginners and above who want to learn how to teach others how to knit. Sounds pretty cool.

Looking for Fall patterns to Knit? Check out these Fall knitting patterns we found on Etsy.

I often get asked, or see the question online, as to what is a good project to start with when you are learning to knit.

I usually start adult knitters on a garter stitch scarf worked with bulky yarn (like the gold one shown in this post) because it gives you a lot of practice but is still relatively quick to knit.

For kids, or anyone with a shorter attention span, a smaller project is in order. I also like to start kids on worsted weight yarn because smaller needles (compared to working bulky yarn) are easier for little hands.

One great option is just to knit a little square. Cast on 12 or 15 or whatever number of stitches you like (I use knit cast on when teaching people of any age) and keep knitting until your piece is roughly square. You can test this by folding one corner up to the needle; if it makes a perfect triangle you’ve got a sqaure.

But what can you do with a square? I wrote a roundup of kids toys you can make with a square a couple of years ago, and these are all good choices. The bunny shown there is such a classic I also found that idea in a post I came across recently on How Wee Learn about knitting projects made with squares.

That post is a roundup, too, so go check it out for more ideas, but I did want to point out one of my favorites, this sweet little wall pocket. The pattern is from Wunderweib and is in German, but it’s easy enough to figure out what’s going on (it calls for a ball of Rowan Big Wool, which is a super bulky yarn, and if I can read correctly you cast on 25. This is probably technically a rectangle, as it is folded and seamed along the sides to make a pocket. You could also knit two squares, or a square and a slightly longer rectangle, to make this sweet pouch.

Either way it’s cute and easy and a great project for a beginner. If you have a favorite project for beginner knitters, I’d love to hear about it!

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