What’s in the Masters Program - Hand Knitting - Level 1?
In this program you will research knitting techniques, knit swatches and write about knitting topics. Specifically, this level of the Master Hand Knitting Program tests your abilities to:

• Look critically at your own work
• Research different techniques
• Accurately follow directions and patterns
• Accurately measure gauge
• Understand the importance of gauge
• Knit garter, rib, stockinette, seed, and reverse stockinette stitch patterns with even tension
• Space increases evenly
• Mirror increases
• Mirror decreases
• Make yarnovers
• Knit simple cables
• Change colors
• Weave in yarn tails properly
• Write a simple pattern
• Knit a simple hat in the round
• Properly block swatches
• Discuss blocking techniques and care of knitted items

The program requires that you organize your work in a notebook containing both knitted and written work. The committee evaluates the contents of this notebook. The written work for the program is as important as the knitted work. Take time to put your notebook together. It can be an invaluable reference for you once you have completed the level.

Notebook Requirements
This section provides specific information about the required elements of the notebook. Please read this section very carefully before beginning. The Master Hand Knitting Program Level 1 requires a three-ring binder (no wider than 2") that contains the following sections:
• Cover Letter
• Program Instructions
• Swatches
• Answers to Questions
• Report
• Project
• References

A detailed discussion of the requirements of each section follows:

Cover letter
Include your name, address, phone number, and e-mail address (if applicable), and the date you received the instruction packet. Provide a brief history of your knitting experience. You may also include any additional information you would like the committee to know, for example if you are left-handed or use a particular style of knitting. (See the Special Instructions for Knitters Using Non-traditional Styles section at the end of this document.) The committee cannot tell how you knit unless you provide this information.

Instructions
Include a copy of your Level 1 instructions (in one page protector), which shows the revision date. You have one year from the date of receiving your initial instructions to complete that version of the instructions. If you have not submitted your work within a year, go online and check the password-protected Masters Program page under the "Education” link on the TKGA Web site to determine if your instructions are still current; if an updated version is available, you must obtain and complete those updated instructions instead of your original version. There is no charge for these updates. (Note that there is no time limit in which to complete a particular level.)

Swatches
Place each of the 16 required swatches in an individual, top-loading page protector (available at office supply stores or some discount stores). Each swatch should be placed in the protector along with a sheet of paper which has the specific information required by the directions for that swatch. It should be placed in the protector so that the written work can be read without removing the paper. The swatches should demonstrate your mastery of the techniques evaluated in this level. Please put as much effort into the swatches as into the projects. The following instructions apply to all swatches.

Yarn: Use only smooth, light-colored yarn of the appropriate weight. Heathered, tweed, speckled, variegated, fluffy, nubby, fuzzy or any type of novelty yarns is NOT ACCEPTED. Use the weight of yarn specified in the swatch instructions. Level 1 submissions use only Medium–4 (worsted weight). Yarns are identified by the categories in the Standard Yarn Weight system of the Craft Yarn Council of America. If you do not have a current copy of the Craft Yarn Council of America’s "Standards and Guidelines for Crocheting and Knitting” for reference, you can download a copy at http://www.yarnstandards.com/.

Cast On/Bind Off Technique: Please use the long tail cast on and the basic bind off techniques for all swatches.

Selvedges: Swatches are to be knit in the pattern stitch indicated without additional borders or selvedge edges. Many knitters slip the first stitch of each row, which provides a neater selvedge. This is not acceptable for the Master’s swatches. Special selvedge treatments can disguise tension problems.

Stitch Pattern: Always work the TRADITIONAL form of the pattern stitches indicated in the swatch instructions. Unless specified otherwise, twisted forms of the stitch are not accepted.

Measurements: The instructions for each swatch specify its measurements. Do not include the cast on and bind off edges or selvedge stitches in the measurements. When you are measuring your work, do not include the stitches on the needle. Accurate measurements in the swatches are as important as they are in any knitting project.

Tension: Good, consistent tension is an important goal for all knitters. It is one of the things evaluated closely in Level 1. There are several possible areas of concern in these swatches. Look carefully at your swatches as you work them and ask yourself the following questions. Is your stockinette stitch even, with all stitches the same size and shape? Are there gutters between the rows on reverse stockinette? Are the edge stitches the same size as the stitches next to them? Are the knit stitches in ribbing distorted and/or oversized? Is the seed stitch a dense fabric with no holes? Check your cable swatches. Are the transitional knit stitches to the right of the cable the same size as those on the left? Are the sizes of increase and decrease stitches the same size as those around them? Even tension is expected in all of the swatches.

Yarn Tails: Weave in all yarn tails unless otherwise instructed. Yarn tails should not pull through to or be visible on the right side of the work, nor should they restrict the elasticity of the piece when stretched. Do not work the tails into the cast on or bind off edges. The duplicate stitch method is recommended. If you go to the Members Only section of the TKGA website, you can access archived "On Your Way to the Masters” articles. There is one on weaving in yarn tails. You can also find this information in the Fall 2006 issue of Knitty.com. The address for this article is: www.knitty.com/ISSUEfall04/FEATfall04TT.html. Blocking: All swatches must be hand-knit and clean. Each swatch should be blocked flat with no curled edges using the appropriate technique for the yarn. The swatches should be "squared off”. This means that each side should be the same length. Do not overblock the swatches. The stitches should not be flattened. Do not block your swatches until after you have completed the Blocking Report. This helps assure that you have researched the proper way to block your swatches.

Labels: Attach tie-on tags (no pins or safety pins please) to the bind off row in the upper left-hand corner of each swatch. This enables the committee members to see if you can "read” your knitting (tell the difference between the cast on and bind off edges). One side of the tag should include your name, address, phone number, and e-mail address (if applicable). The other side of the tag should include the swatch name and number.

Swatch Information Sheet: Each swatch, should be accompanied by a sheet of paper in the page protector which provides the following information for the swatch:

• Yarn used for the swatch (include fiber content from the yarn band)
• Needle size–US and metric sizes
• Reference(s) for the technique demonstrated in the swatch. Since the notebook includes a complete
• bibliography of your sources, you can abbreviate this reference.
• Any other applicable information you wish the committee members to have while reviewing the swatch.
• This is not required.
• Some swatches require you to write instructions for the technique the swatch demonstrates. Another knitter
• should be able to use the instructions to perform the technique. The instructions should be on the Swatch
• Information Sheet.

The following is a sample of the type of information to include on the sheet:

Swatch #4
Yarn: Cascade 220 (100% Peruvian Highland Wool)
Needle Size: US 7 (4.50 mm)
Technique: Bar Increase. Stanley, pg. 112.
Note: I struggled with making the increases and not creating a small hole at the bottom of the increase. I tried working the increases on the needle tips, which reduced the size of the hole. I did not know this increase before the program

A pattern replaces the Swatch Information Sheet for Swatch 15. The instructions for this swatch provide the requirements for the pattern.

Providing Your Answers to Level 1 Questions
Provide just the answers and references for your answer. The reference can be abbreviated but page numbers should be provided. Answers should provide complete information about the topic but they should be in your own words. This enables the committee members to see if you understand a topic. Copying information doesn’t guarantee understanding. Some questions require your opinion of a specific technique. References are not needed for questions of this type.

You do not need to repeat the questions. Do not place each answer on a separate sheet. The answers should be in page protectors and positioned back-to-back so they do not need to be removed from the page protector to be read.

Please check for spelling and typographical errors. A spell check program is not enough. It would accept "pearl” for "purl.” You may want to have another knitter review your written work.

Report
The report should be long enough to adequately cover the topic. It should not exceed 4 pages. Do not double space or use a font larger than 14pt. Likewise, do not use a font smaller than 12pt. Provide references. As with the answers to questions, use your own words rather than copy information from sources. Again, please check for spelling and typographical errors.

Reference Section
It is expected that you will research all techniques covered in the materials. Even if you are familiar with a topic, you may find out additional information through research, which improves your skills. This section of the notebook should provide a standard bibliography of the references you used. Books, magazines, videos, classes, and websites are all acceptable sources. Complete information is expected. A sample of a suggested format follows:

Books:
Author’s Last Name, First Name. Book Title. City of Publication: Publishing Company, publication date.
Stanley, Montse. Reader's Digest Knitter's Handbook. Pleasantville, N.Y.: Reader's Digest Association, 2001.

Magazine Articles:
Authors’s Last Name, First Name, "Article Title.” Periodical Title vol # and Date: inclusive pages.
Marchant, Nancy. "Brioche Stitch.” Interweave Knits Spring 2005: 80-85.

Websites:
Author’s Last Name, First Name (if available). "Title of Work.” Title of Site, Project or Database. Editor (if available). Electronic publication information (Date of publication or of the latest update, and name of any sponsoring institution or organization). Date you accessed the site < full URL >.

If you cannot find some of the information, use what is available.

Becker, Paula. "Knitting for Victory -- World War II." HistoryLink.Org. 19 Aug. 2004. History Ink. 9 Jan. 2007
< http://www.historylink.org/index.cfm? DisplayPage=output.cfm&File_Id=5721 >.

Pattern:
Designer Last Name, First Name. "Pattern Name.” Pattern Book Name. City of Publication:
Publishing Company, Date of publication.

Drysdale, Rosemary. "Golden Age Pullover.” Book Smart. Tweed Collection 3rd ed. Fall/Winter Collection. Ridgewood, NY: Tahki Stacy Charles, Inc., 2009

Class:
Instructor’s Last Name, First Name. "Name of the Class.” Sponsoring Organization. Location of the Class (include Venue, City and State). Date of the class.

Fisher, Margaret. "Advanced Finishing.” The Knit & Crochet Show. Radisson Hotel,Manchester, NH. July 8, 2010.

Correspondence:

email:
Sender’s Last Name, First Name. "Email title”. Message to Your Name. Date email was received. E-mail.

Holladay, Arenda. "Level 3 Doily." Message to Mary Smith. 8 July 2008. E-mail.

Letter:
Sender’s Last Name, First Name. "Title of letter.” Letter to Your Name. Date of letter.

Holladay, Arenda. "Level 3 Doily." Letter to Mary Smith. 8 July 2008.

Project
The project for Level 1 is a hat (pattern provided). If the hat fits into the page protector, you may include it in the notebook. If not, place it in a zip lock bag or tissue paper. Include a page in this section that provides information about the yarn and needle size you used to complete the project. Also indicate the hat size made.

Packaging & Mailing
When you have finished the requirements, complete the Checklist included with the materials. Package everything in an appropriately sized box that does not exceed 18" x 12" x 14". Try to keep the weight under 5 lbs. Do not use a bubble wrap envelope. These requirements are important since your submission will be sent around the country to various committee members for review. The packaging must be adequately strong and the cost needs to be as low as possible.

Submit everything to:
The Knitting Guild Association
1100-H Brandywine Blvd, Zanesville, OH 43701-7303
740-452-4541

Submissions and resubmissions are accepted at any time. All materials will be returned to the owner after completion of the committee reviews. Allow 6 to 8 weeks for the Level 1 reviews.

Insurance for Valuables
TKGA and those involved with the program will take all reasonable care with your submission items while they are in our possession; please note, however, that because the items are shipped many times, there is occasion for loss or damage. Items are usually shipped via UPS Ground or Priority Mail with Delivery Confirmation. In most cases, because of the nature of the items and the difficulty of properly valuing them, items are not insured for shipping by TKGA or by the committee members reviewing them. If you have concern regarding any valuable(s) you submit, we greatly encourage you to take out personal insurance on these items, against loss or damage.

Special Instructions for Non-United States Knitters
The US Customary System is the measurement system used in the instructions. The metric system may be used instead for your gauge calculations. If Medium–4 weight of yarn is not easily available where you live, you may substitute Light–3 (DK) for your swatches. All program correspondence must be in English.

Special Instructions for Knitters Using Non-traditional Styles
With the increased popularity of knitting and the simultaneous shrinking of the knitting world due to the Internet and other factors, more and more people are learning to knit using a style other than the "standard” right-to-left, leading leg sits in front of needle (western) method. If you prefer a different style of knitting–knitting from left to right, or back and forth, or combined, or eastern–you are welcome to continue using that technique for the program, with one large caveat: your swatches should look no different than swatches knit by a western-style knitter. This will require you to intelligently interpret the directions. For example, if you knit backwards instead of purling back, and you are working a swatch that calls for increases every right side row, you should only work the increases every other right side row. If the instructions call for a C4F but your C4F looks like a western C4B, you would work a different cable to get the appropriate results. The many photos of swatches submitted by users on Ravelry.com may be of help to you if you are unsure what a given swatch should look like. Be aware that not all the photos show correctly-worked swatches, however! The link for this site is:
(http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/tkga-master-hand-level-i)

The patterns should be written so that a western-style knitter could knit them with no changes and achieve your results. Questions about decreases and increases should be answered with a western-style knitter in mind, but you may also comment on how the answer would be different with your knitting style. Noting your knitting style in the cover letter will allow the committee to more intelligently comment on your knitting.

Level II Vest Example

 

Here is the Master Level Two "Snowflake Eyelet Vest" submitted by Suzanne Bryan. The Vest pattern appears in Cast On
Aug-Oct 2009 page 50.

There is no time limit for participation at any level in the Masters Programs.
But if your instructions are more than a year old, you must order (at no additional cost) the most current instruction version for your level. Your completed lessons must comply with that current version.

Are you ready to begin?
Are you ready to begin? See the TKGA Catalog for a description of the program and go to Shop TKGA to place your order.