Knitting is the new black! Yes really! Following along after a boom in other ‘home crafts,’ knitting and crochet are enjoying a renaissance. It's not just about the doilies and toilet-roll holders of our grandmothers and great-grandmothers generation either. Increasingly, the designers of today are publishing interesting, fashionable patterns for everything from purses to sweaters.

This is evident in the increased amount of literature and courses on the subject, as thousands of people are becoming ‘hooked’. The benefits are varied including sheer enjoyment, gift creation, an outlet for creative juices, and even as a great stress reliever.

During this course, you will gain knowledge of basic stitches, patterns, skills, yarns, equipment and pattern reading. It is a rare opportunity to learn how to make one's own items and seek individuality. Course tutor Shirley's philosophy is: why buy something when you could make it a lot better? Creating your own garments means they can be made exactly the right colour and length for you!

The course is aimed at both absolute beginners and more experienced students, with tips and tricks tailored to each student's own experience. Starting with the basics, we will progress at a comfortable speed to more complex manipulations of stitches.

The course includes:

• basic equipment and holding the needles
• knitting basics – from knit and purl, to ribbing, casting on and off, holes, increase, decrease
• knitting further skills – colour, cables, double pointed needles, buttonholes, short rows and others
• crochet basics – chain, double and treble, increase, decrease
• crochet further skills – circles and motifs, filet, granny squares, Tunisian and others
• improving pattern reading skills and explaining jargon, abbreviations and terms - emphasis on pattern reading will be significant throughout
• increasing knowledge and experience through interaction with fellow students

Materials list: if possible please bring the followiing (although I have a few):

• crochet hook – e.g. medium size, 4mm or slightly smaller
• pair of knitting needles e.g. medium size, 4mm or thereabouts
• yarn, e.g. double knit, pastel colour if possible – not multi-coloured
• any other related materials (patterns, books, equipment): we can then perform any stitch samples or investigations necessary

more on knitting & crochet

a good chunky hand-knitted Aran cable pattern on a jumper

course tutor Shirley helps a student get started

using double-pointed needles to make a red beret