Knitting Honor - Advanced

Arts & Crafts

Requirements

1. Have the Knitting Honor.

   Answer: You need to have completed the Knitting Honor (basic level) before starting Knitting - Advanced. The basic one teaches fundamental stitches (purl, knit, jersey), the use of needles, reading simple patterns and producing beginner pieces such as scarves or dish towels. — The Knitting → Advanced Knitting progression ensures mastery of the basic stitches before learning the double decrease, complex increases/decreases and shaped pieces such as shoes and sweaters. Without the basics, the student cannot keep up with advanced techniques that require safe handling of the needles.

2. Know how to do the following stitches and mention their abbreviations: a. Two stitches knitted together b. Vertical double decrease c. Left double decrease d. Right double decrease

   Answer: Two stitches knitted together: k2tog. Vertical double decrease: slip 2 without knitting, knit 1, pass the 2 over. Left double decrease: ssk2 or s1-k2tog-psso. Right double decrease: k3tog. — Double decreases create slanted lines in designs. The vertical one is symmetrical (a central stitch). The right one slants to the right; the left one to the left. Abbreviations vary by country: Brazil uses 2pjt, the US uses k2tog. International patterns require conversion. Decreases look better with medium stitches under tension.

3. Know how to do the following:
   • Increase (stitches)
   • Decrease (stitches)
   • Bind off (cast off)
   • Invisible seam
   • Join yarns with simple knots and knots with overlapping yarn

   Answer: Increase: knit 1 stitch into the bar between 2 stitches. Decrease: k2tog (knit 2 stitches together). Bind off: pass one stitch over the next until the last, cut and tie off. — Increasing widens (sleeves, necklines). Decreasing narrows (hats, collars). Binding off closes the work. Invisible seaming gives a professional finish. An overlapping knot is best because strands worked as one do not come undone with washing. Practicing at the start saves rework on the final piece.

4. Know how to join 3 knitted pieces.

   Answer: Place the 3 pieces with the right sides facing down. Use the three-needle bind off technique: knit 1 stitch from each piece together, forming a single one, and bind off the contour. — The three-needle bind off is a classic technique for joining the shoulders of sweaters. The mattress stitch is invisible, ideal for vertical seams. Always start from the center and work toward the sides to avoid uneven tension. The join needs to look like a natural part of the knit — invisible and firm.

5. Knit a pair of adult shoes, with the two pieces being made simultaneously on the same pair of needles.

   Answer: Use 2 separate balls of yarn and knit both shoes at the same time on the same pair of needles. Start with the sole, work up the sides, make the upper, and bind off. — The two-at-a-time technique prevents one shoe from coming out different from the other (a common problem). Each ball of yarn knits one foot. Turn the needles to alternate between the 2. The Magic Loop method is efficient for this. Adult shoes have an average size of 36-44 — adjust the stitches accordingly.

6. Make 2 of the following pieces:
   • Baby cardigan
   • Shawl or poncho
   • Adult sweater
   • Dress
   • Coat

   Answer: Choose 2 pieces and knit each one. Use an appropriate pattern (Pinterest, Yarnspirations, books). Baby cardigan: 50-100g of yarn, 4-6h. Shawl/poncho: 150-300g, 8-12h. Adult sweater: 400-600g, 30-50h. — Patterns have predefined sizes. 100% wool yarn is more expensive but durable; blends are affordable. The total time varies greatly by the knitter's skill. Start with the smaller piece (cardigan or shawl) to gain confidence. Use stitch markers so as not to lose your place in a complex pattern.

7. Make a knitted piece using at least 3 different colors of yarn.

   Answer: Knit a piece (scarf, beanie or dish towel) using 3 colors of yarn. It can be done in horizontal stripes (alternate colors every N rows), Fair Isle (mixing colors in the same stretch) or jacquard. — Horizontal stripes are the simplest. Fair Isle requires carrying the unused strands behind. Jacquard uses cross-stitch-type diagrams. Combining colors: contrasts (black+white+red) or analogous tones (blue+light blue+turquoise). Careful washing so the combinations do not fade.

8. Make a knitted piece of your choice that contains a cable or leaf motif.

   Answer: Choose a piece (scarf, beanie, top) and include a cable or leaf motif. Cables use an auxiliary needle to cross stitches (aran type). Leaves use strategic increases and decreases to form the outlines. — Aran cables are traditionally Irish and create a 3D effect. 2x2 or 3x3 cables are common. Leaves require the technique of increasing (yarn over) and decreasing (k2tog/ssk) in sync. Knitting charts use symbols: P for purl, K for knit, /\ for decrease directions.

9. Demonstrate skill in working with one of the following instruments:
   • Loom
   • Circular needle

   Answer: Choose a loom (a manual or peg loom) or a circular needle. Loom: weaves with crossed strands in a frame. Circular needle: 2 needles connected by a flexible cable, ideal for tubular pieces (beanies, sleeves) or wide seamless fabrics. — A peg loom is simple and childlike. A frame loom makes flat fabrics. A circular needle eliminates seaming in tubular pieces — hats come out whole without seams. Cables come in various sizes (40, 60, 80, 100cm). The Magic Loop cable allows even very small pieces with a large needle.