The much anticipated Felted Clog class started on Friday this week. I had seven eager students spread out over two days.
This was a class for new techniques and lots of counting. The pattern is the popular one from Fiber Trends. Since I knit this pattern, I have simplified the reading of the inner sole, the first six rows. This part of the pattern has so many twists and turns it is easier to read it across a line instead of the way it is written in paragraph form.
So I took the time and developed a checklist page, one each per size so you can follow it easier and do a check mark over each section as you complete it. This coupled with the strategic usage of a split ring stitch marker takes out most of the frustration.
The new techniques learned in the class is the M1 - aka Make 1 Front - which is an awkward increase at best until you get the hang of it. Fortunately, it is on used in the inner sole.
The W&T - aka wrap and turn - is used only in row one of the inner sole and is very simple once you get the hang of it.
Once you have the hang of those two new techniques the rest is easy with usage of the SSK and P2tog decreases and a three-needle bind off. The finished product is lots of fun to wear. We will be finishing the first clog next week at the second part of the class and discuss fulling/felting, sizing and adding safety features to the bottoms.
With this pattern I can make a great case for using interchangeable circulars like Denise's. You can knit the first part of the clog, use the caps to put it on hold. Take those needle tips to another cable length and start the second clog. It helps the project go faster compared to using the locked version of circulars where you have to wait until you do the bind off on the cuff to move onto the next clog (unless you own lots of needles that size and length).
This was a class for new techniques and lots of counting. The pattern is the popular one from Fiber Trends. Since I knit this pattern, I have simplified the reading of the inner sole, the first six rows. This part of the pattern has so many twists and turns it is easier to read it across a line instead of the way it is written in paragraph form.
So I took the time and developed a checklist page, one each per size so you can follow it easier and do a check mark over each section as you complete it. This coupled with the strategic usage of a split ring stitch marker takes out most of the frustration.
The new techniques learned in the class is the M1 - aka Make 1 Front - which is an awkward increase at best until you get the hang of it. Fortunately, it is on used in the inner sole.
The W&T - aka wrap and turn - is used only in row one of the inner sole and is very simple once you get the hang of it.
Once you have the hang of those two new techniques the rest is easy with usage of the SSK and P2tog decreases and a three-needle bind off. The finished product is lots of fun to wear. We will be finishing the first clog next week at the second part of the class and discuss fulling/felting, sizing and adding safety features to the bottoms.
With this pattern I can make a great case for using interchangeable circulars like Denise's. You can knit the first part of the clog, use the caps to put it on hold. Take those needle tips to another cable length and start the second clog. It helps the project go faster compared to using the locked version of circulars where you have to wait until you do the bind off on the cuff to move onto the next clog (unless you own lots of needles that size and length).
As an added bonus and much needed giggle fest, we took a break after the daunting first six rows as I demonstrated the "spit join". The class participation was wonderful.
I expect the finished products to be a wonderful collection of colors and sizes.
I hope everyone has found fun new projects to try!
Note: Thanks to my mom for taking the top picture in the post with her new Sony Cybershot.
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