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.

Next Pattern:

I know knitting a dress sounds like a major time commitment. And that’s before I even tell you that this particular dress, the Sixth Ave Skater Dress by Briana Luppino, is worked in light fingering weight yarn.

But would you just take a moment to look at it and tell me if it doesn’t look like it would be worth all the time you would spend knitting it? And it’s miles of stockinette stitch so it’s actually beginner friendly and a great semi-mindless knit you can take with you on your travels this summer and wear when it is done.

The dress is worked from the top down with tank straps, a scoop neck, waist shaping and a flowy skirt for a fun and comfortable fit.

The pattern has 10 sizes, with finished bust measurements ranging from 28 to 64 inches, or 71.5 to 163 cm. The sample shown was worked with 4 inches/10 cm of negative ease at the bust, and the designer says most people like between 2 and 6 inches/5 to 15 cm of negative ease in the bust and around 10 inches/25.4 cm positive ease in the hips.

(To refresh your memory, negative ease means the measurement of the garment is smaller than your actual body measurement, while positive ease is bigger than your body.)

To pick a size you’d work from the bust measurement because you can always add more or fewer decreases as you need to get your desired fit at the waist and hips. And because it’s worked from the top down you can try it on as often as you like to make sure it’s the perfect fit.

The I-cord edgings give the dress a super casual feel, and I think this would be a great one to add to your summer rotation. (Yes, even with a wool blend yarn.)

You can see lots of cute finished versions and grab a copy of the pattern for yourself on Ravelry.

[Photo: Briana Luppino]

Book Review – Knitted Tanks and Tunics

How to Knit a Simple Sweater Dress

Next Pattern:

Have you read?