Fiona Ellis is back in the County to teach us how to make sure every garment we knit is always the perfect size!

Saturday April 1st, 2023 - Jackson's Falls Country Inn, 1768 County Road 17, Milford, Ontario

9 am to 12 pm: MEET YOUR NEW FRIENDS - SWATCH & GAUGE

It’s a fabulous feeling when a pattern reveals itself during a knit project, and when the garment has the perfect fit. Let’s learn how to capture the experience of having that wonderful feeling every time we knit - by spending time with our friends Swatch and Gauge!

Beginning by looking at the all-important aspect of how and why to make a gauge swatch. Drawing on this information, we will examine using gauge swatches: how to adjust a pattern to match our gauge and achieve the perfect fit, how to adjust a sleeve for style and fit and how to add a cable panel.

We will then move on to explore the creative buzz and ideas that can emanate from the practise of making a swatch. We will look at how to reap information from our swatches, taping into our knitting creativity taking it to spectacular levels. We will learn how our swatches can reveal much more than gauge, such as auditioning yarn, getting a sneak peek at new stich pattern, and an intimate look at our colour palettes.

What to Bring: Swatch from homework, tape measure, gauge swatch measuring tool.

Homework: Using a light-coloured medium weight (DK or Worsted weight) yarn and appropriate needles; cast on 24 sts.
Set-up Row (RS): (K1, p1) to end.
Set-up Row (WS): (P1, k1) to end.
Beginning with a knit row, work 20 rows in St st.
Est Cable pattern
Row 1 (RS): P4, k6, p4, knit to end.
Row 2 (WS): P10, k4, p6, k4.
Rows 3 & 4: Rep rows 1 & 2.
Row 5: P4, C6B, p4, knit to end.
Row 6: Rep row 2.
Rep rows 1-6 for pattern. Work a further 2 reps of pattern (18 rows total). Bind off all stiches. Wash & block your swatch.

Fiona Ellis is an uncurable creative. From early lessons in creating knits with her grandmother, on to studying for a bachelor-of-arts degree in fashion knitwear design, and throughout almost three decades of work as a professional designer, her river of creative ideas just flows and flows. She has shared her creative concepts and designs through her books, her on-line lessons, her live workshops and in person. Fiona has developed a mindful approach to her work and teaching, rippling out of her experiences as a yoga instructor. She loves to share her passion with her students - let Fiona change your world by drawing out your own inner uncurable creative!

Fiona is the author of the books Inspired Cable Knits, Knitspiration Journal and Inspired Fair Isle Knits & is also an instructor at Craftsy.

She is also a qualified Yoga instructor.

You can find out what she is currently doing at www.fionaellisonline.com also see all of her extensive design portfolio on Ravelry: http://www.ravelry.com/designers/fiona-ellis