Tonight I attended the Minnesota Knitters Guild meeting. The turn out wasn’t huge (I think everyone was baking pies), but the program was quite worth while.Â
Our Master of Ceremonies, and actual Master of Knitting, was none other than the new president of the knitters guild, Shelley Monitor. Shelley put on a one-woman show — both chairing the meeting and presenting the program.Â
Have any of you considered tackling the Master Knitter’s Program from the Knitters Guild of America? Shelley is a bonafide Master Knitter and was also asked to be one of the evaluators, so she knows the program inside and out. To get that kind of “inside information” was well worth the price of admission 😉 .
The Master Knitting program consists of three levels, each building on information from the previous level(s) and increasing in complexity and expectations. There is a knitting component in the form of multiple swatches and finished projects, knowledge of techniques, book/magazine reviews, design, pattern writing, lace, cables, fair isle, socks, etc.
Here Shelley is shown in the fair isle sweater she designed. Her other submissions are on the table:
The sweater was beautifully knit, as you can see. You also have to knit a vest, argyle sock, hat, child size mitten and a small lace doily.Â
Shelley designed the light blue cable hat as part of her Level III submission. Shelley said that she learned quite a bit going through the process and that it brought her knitting up a few notches. It has gotten rather expensive to do the program: you must be a member of TKGA and then pay for each level (~$90 each). Under 800 people have completed all of the levels combined, and I believe Shelley said that fewer than 150 have gone all the way through Level III. Don’t quote my numbers 🙂 !!
I completed Level I several years ago and actually started Level II. I got bogged down and started to wonder how best to spend my valuable knitting time: working on swatches and set assignments or on “real” knitting. I obviously opted for the latter, but after hearing Shelley tonight I might try to dig out my Level II stuff and give it another look.
Anyway, I’m not trying to “sell” the Master Knitter’s Program. But it is something that serious knitters should at least know about.
Happy Thanksgiving to all my knitting peeps!! My goal is 2-3 FOs this weekend!! Woo Hoo!!
PS — in response to Thomasean’s comment, “I would like to try the TKGA Levels program as well. The thing is, is that I would have to try to figure out how to correct myself. I don’t know how easy that would be to do.”
As a member of TKGA, you would have access to a lot of resource materials, such as previous “Cast On” articles on the Master Knitting Program. Shelley said she did not own any of the books — she had very few reference books at the time — but decided to buy most of them because of the value she saw in them after finding them in the library or knitting shop. I already own all the ones she mentioned — (I have collected beaucoup books over the years 🙂 ). Also, when you submit, they give you very specific feedback on what you need to correct. Ravelry also has a TKGA group that discusses the program. So, you would have resources to help you! And, you would learn a lot along the way.
Ooooh – I keep considering the master knitters’ programme. I know I would benefit hugely from it — but I’m not sure I have the commitment to see it through.
Happy Thanksgiving!!
Comment by Soo — November 21, 2007 @ 4:33 am
Two to three FOs in a weekend? With a turkey, two ducks and a prime rib roast roast in the fridges, a few lines would be an accomplishment for me!
Happy Thanksgiving to you & Sally, and your families.
Comment by Marina — November 21, 2007 @ 7:00 am
From Susan to Marina: My FO wannabes are almost done. Lopi Cardigan will be blocking tonight!! And I want to eat at your house — mmmmmmmmmm.
Comment by lv2knit — November 21, 2007 @ 8:42 am
I keep thinking about the Masters program and have been reading all the comments on the TKGA Ravelry group. Having that program at your guild would be priceless. Happy Thanksgiving!
Comment by Nancy — November 21, 2007 @ 9:41 am
Shelley may have told you this already, but if your Level instructions are more than a year old, you should ask TKGA if there is a newer version. I think it does not cost anything to “upgrade” to the new version if you’ve already paid. Happy Thanksgiving!
Comment by Lisa — November 21, 2007 @ 11:46 am
Happy Thanksgiving. I can’t wait to see the photo shoots as I am planning to live vicariously through your FOs.
Comment by anmiryam — November 21, 2007 @ 12:19 pm
Happy Thanksgiving! I used to read all the names listed who had finished the various levels of the Master Knitter’s Progam. Hmm. I must not get Cast Off anymore.
Comment by Carrie K — November 21, 2007 @ 5:06 pm
Darn! I had intended to go to that meeting, sounded so interesting! Totally missed it on my calendar… 🙁
Comment by Amy — November 21, 2007 @ 6:49 pm
Do you know what the pattern is for the green aran swatched vest and if it is available for purchase?
Comment by Phyl — November 21, 2007 @ 9:03 pm
Susan- I love how you casually snuck that in- 2 or 3 FO’s this weekend?
You can’t just hit and run like that!
You and Surly will always be Master Knitters in my not so humble opinion.
Enjoy your respective turkeys, girls.
Comment by Lorraine — November 21, 2007 @ 11:36 pm
I’ve had my level I materials for awhile. So long I had to send away for the totally new and revised instructions. I’m hoping after the holidays I will actually buckle down and do something with it. We shall see:) Have a wonderful Thanksgiving.
You really did sneak in those FO’s – I would have totally missed it if not for the comments. Must have scrolled to fast 🙂
Comment by michelle — November 22, 2007 @ 3:28 am
Happy holidays you guys. Thanks for all that you do for the knitting blog-o-sphere. I’m always reading along,
wishing I could knit as well as you two.
I would like to try the TKGA Levels program as well. The thing is, is that I would have to try to figure out how to correct myself. I don’t know how easy that would be to do.
Anyway, enjoy your turkey day!!!!!!!!! Knit on!!!!
Comment by Thomasean — November 22, 2007 @ 4:20 am
I wish I had gone to the Guild meeting this month so I could have heard that info. Like you, I completed Level 1 years ago, but after I finished my swatches for Level 2, I just got bogged down on the writing requirements – it seemed too much like “work” and I already worked a full day! 🙂 I wanted to knit, not research and write, so I set it aside. And now the requirements have changed a lot so I have a lot to re-do, but I’m going to pick it up again next year.
Comment by Renee — November 22, 2007 @ 11:50 am
Happy Thanksgiving! I sort of assumed you were already a master knitter. Hope it’s enjoyable!
Comment by Carol — November 23, 2007 @ 8:27 pm
28 Days Later ~snort~
Comment by Carol — November 24, 2007 @ 9:42 am