Knitting - Sev[en]circle neckpiece
Learn how to make a stunning neckpiece with designer Kirsten Johnstone's expert assistance.
Teacher: Kirsten Johnstone
Description: This class is the best of both worlds. The class will provide you with an opportunity to create your own “Sev[en]circle” neckpiece with one of Australia's best knitwear designers. And it is a technique based class where you will have time to practice techniques such as a cast-on, backward loop cast-on, knitting in the round, bind off, weaving in ends.
This class has a lot of flexibility. Kirsten will take you through options– you might make a bracelet; a 3 or 4 or 5 ring neckpiece, etc. You might consider the use of different yarns, embellishments (ie beads, buttons, etc.) to create something personal and unique.
Knitting discussion will include the use of circular needles, backward loop cast-on, and knitting in the round technique.
Materials: Bring yarn of your choice. The pattern suggests 170m of Laceweight (2 ply) or 370m of Sport Weight (5 ply). Any yarn, any colour, any weight may be used. Consider it a design suitable for using up remnants or exploring unusual fibres. (Tip: thicker yarn will yield a quick result suitable to finish in the allotted class time – consider DK/8ply or larger.)
You will also need circular needles (40-60cm length), gauge to suit your yarn choice, as well as 1 stitch markers and a tapestry needle. Feel free to bring embellishments may include beads, buttons, fibres, special yarns etc.
Takeaway: Your own handmade neckpiece.
Level: Beginner / Intermediate Knitter – must be able to Cast On + Bind Off, perform Knit and Purl stitches competently in a piece of knitting.
Helpful skills to understand prior to class include Backward Loop Cast-on + Knitting In The Round with Circular Needles.
Workshop Length: Half day
So I wrote last week a post asking “Is my making fast fashion?”. And then I did a video on Instagram discussing similar topics in a slightly different way. And as always, you lovely humans have helped me clarify some of my thinking with your thoughtful, clever commentary.
And while I think there is so much more to discuss, here are four key possibly-more-meta ideas that have come up for me out of those conversations.
In using the quote last week that suggested that there was no single answer, and suggesting that this was freeing, I really did mean that we should sit in the grey. Not that the lack of “an” answer to this question should mean we get to ignore the question but rather that the lack of “an” answer means that we need to keep asking bigger more beautiful questions. And keep asking them.
Is my making fast fashion?
Am I living my values or merely thinking them?
And how can I make those two things a little more aligned in this moment?
These are my big beautiful questions.
Yours might be different.
And importantly this leads to point 2.