Saturday, November 16, 2024 at 12:30 PM ET
(US and Canada Eastern Time)
9:30 AM Vancouver, 5:30 PM London, 6:30 PM Barcelona
If you love textures in knitting, racking is one great way to bring depth and complexity to a simple rib. On the first approach, some racked patterns can look daunting. But if you're an intermediate machine knitter, you already have all or most of the skills!
In the live workshop, we will:
- Dive into the principles of racking. You'll learn why racked stitches have that unique look. Racking can be accomplished on any flat knitting machine with two needle beds, so long as the machine has racking capabilities. (This workshop is primarily for knitters who use Passap, Superba, Kniterate, Dubied, and Japanese-style machines with a ribber. Contact me, if unsure.)
- Work through the four categories of racking samples that demonstrate the core principles of racked stitch patterns.
- Explore how to modify these structures.
You will gain the knowledge and confidence to develop your own creative racked designs.
The Racking Workshop is not a sweater-making course. When you finish the workshop and work through the samples, you'll have an understanding of how racking affects the yarn path in machine knitting and how racked textures are built when combined with the standard knitting operations.
If you prefer to follow knitting patterns and are not interested in the technical elements of this technique, The Racking Workshop may not be for you. Though charts and files for stitch patterns are provided, the focus is on the core principles of racking, so you learn to develop your own creative stitch patterns. Strategies for stitch size, tension, and takedown or weights are presented, and yarn choice will be discussed.
A follow-up session or video will be presented a few weeks after the first session to answer questions and provide additional or clarifying information.
The class is not recommended for beginners. You must be comfortable with your machine and know how to set the basic operations on each bed. Please read the prerequisites below.
Prerequisites
To get the most from this workshop, you must:
- Be able to do a double bed cast-on.
- Know how to transfer stitches after cast-on (with transfer tools, a transfer carriage, or programming). I'll provide the stitch arrangements and a strategy for setup; you need to know how to move the stitches. (This, when necessary, is the only hand manipulation required on the hand machines.)
- Know how to knit, tuck, and miss (slip) needles on each bed. Know which button to press, lever to flip, dial to turn, or symbol to select for each operation on your machine.
- Be able to select needles on at least one bed using a punchcard, pushers, high- and low-butt needles, or programming.
Yarns
To complete the workshop assignments you must have yarns of average weight for full needle rib (knitting all front and rear bed needles) on your machine.
Wool is best when you're getting started because most wool is a little stretchy. When you're comfortable with the technique, cotton, silk, and linen will be amazing! Yarn properties and variety will be discussed in the workshop.
Relatively smooth yarns are preferred as opposed to fluffy yarns, like mohair, where the racking may not be as visible.
Introducing
The Racking Workshop (pilot)
Your questions and feedback will help determine the future version of this course.
Your Questions Answered
I can't attend the workshop. Will there be a recording?
Yes, everyone who enrolls will have access to the recording and access to the follow-up recording, whether they can attend or not. If you enroll now, you will also be enrolled in all future updates to the workshop.
How long will I have access to the recordings and study guide?
Enrolling now gives you course access for the life of the program. This offering is not a membership, so there is no monthly fee. Return to the lessons at any time and review them as needed. This workshop may be offered in a different format at a higher price in the future, but you will continue to have access.
What if I'm unhappy with the workshop?
Since this workshop is offered live, I cannot offer a refund if the workshop is not what you were looking for. If you are unsure about being ready for this intermediate course, please review the prerequisites above. Feel free to reach out if you have any questions about readiness or other details.
Is this the same as the "Fun with Racking" class you taught at Vogue Virtual Knitting Live?
No, this workshop is different, though a couple of the basic racking designs are the same. This workshop also presents more advanced racking patterns and more detailed explanations of the techniques.