Domestic Machine Knitting for Beginners
Program start date | Application deadline |
2024-09-01 | - |
2025-01-01 | - |
2024-08-29 | - |
2024-10-12 | - |
2025-01-25 | - |
2025-05-03 | - |
Program Overview
This intensive course provides thorough instruction on using domestic knitting machines. Participants explore creative approaches to machine knitting, developing skills in stitch manipulation, texture exploration, and color experimentation. The structured curriculum covers essential techniques, from casting on to binding off, and advanced methods like tuck stitches and punch card patterning. Led by an experienced designer and tutor, the program fosters a collaborative learning environment and equips students with the foundational knowledge and inspiration to pursue machine knitting for personal or professional purposes.
Program Outline
Degree Overview:
This course offers intensive instruction on domestic knitting machines. The course will focus on producing work with a contemporary perspective. You might be returning to machine knitting after a break, or a student/graduate looking to add machine knitting to your CV and portfolio. Anyone who is interested in textiles and crafts and considering investing in a domestic machine will be very welcome.
Outline:
What you’ll study
During this course, you will:
- Learn the basics of machine knitting, and experiment with yarns
- Receive personal attention to ensure your skills are developing
Session one:
- E-wrap cast-on
- Casting on in waste yarn and making a turned-up hem
- 2-coloured stripes
- Introducing textured stripes through changing stitch tension
- Creating stitches manually
- Creating shape by decreasing and increasing
- Partial knitting
- Binding off
Session two:
- Creating tuck stitches using the ‘Russell levers’
- Creating tuck stitches using a punch card
- Punch card patterning: Fairisle, mock lace, slip and weaving
- Lifted stitches
Teaching:
This course will be delivered in person on Nottingham Trent University City Campus.
Tutor profile:
Lauren Pinches is a fashion and knitwear designer who has worked for companies such as Sibling, Wool and The Gang and Ashley Williams. Lauren has both an undergraduate and a master’s degree in Fashion Knitwear from NTU. Her work demonstrates a creative approach to sustainable textile and garment design practice using a range of knitting technologies combined with handcrafted techniques of crochet and hand knitting. Lauren is also a technician in the Fashion Knitwear department at NTU, where she uses her skills in industrial and domestic knitting and garment manufacture to support the students in realising their projects.
Other:
- You’ll be part of a design community in our creative studio culture; one that promotes discussion and collaboration, and encourages experimentation and the constant swapping of ideas.
- With a limited class size you'll have the one-to-one attention you need to ensure you leave with the skills to continue developing your designs at home or work.
- Benefit from learning with an experienced tutor who has established links to the profession and significant experience working in varied practices.
- On successful completion of the course you will receive a certificate of attendance.