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Rated 5 out of 5 by tsumfleth from Very Informative! I have returned to knitting after a long hiatus. Most of the knitting I did was when I was very young. I have forgotten much and there were many things I hadn't learned. The Essential Techniques Course got me back on track with clear guidance and examples. As each technique is shown Sally Melville explains and demonstrates the technique as well as giving information on when, where and why the technique should be used. I have been able to complete a Fair Isle hat and I am currently working on a cardigan. Thank you very much

Date published: 2022-05-31

Rated 1 out of 5 by Emmalynn from Have not received the course. Unfortunately, I have yet to see this product. I happened to have called regarding this course yesterday because I received a statement showing the charge for it. I did not receive the kit. The person I spoke to asked that I check to see if someone had picked it up for safekeeping. No such luck. What is my next step? I’m interested in a replacement if possible. Over the years I’ve ordered several courses. This is the only time I’ve not received a course. To my knowledge I’ve never had mail stolen. But I guess that’s a possibility.

Date published: 2021-12-24

Rated 5 out of 5 by Llamama from Excellent information! I really enjoyed this series. I like that it was presented in a format consistent with the viewers already being quite familiar with knitting. The only negative thing I will say is I thought it was very weird of her to personify the knitting. When talking about the selvage edge for example she says “She does this...” or “She looks...” It was just very odd but the content was excellent.

Date published: 2020-07-24

Rated 5 out of 5 by Diane B from Gift This was purchased as a gift for someone who had continually checked it out from her local library and decided after at least five viewings that she really wanted her own copy.

Date published: 2019-03-09

Rated 5 out of 5 by Smileweaver from Terrific and useful insights! This was recommended to me by another very experienced knitter. I had originally dismissed this, as I am a male knitter, have developed my knitting skills over several years, and developed a significant knitting library for any help I feel I might need. Then I saw that this program was presented by Sally Melville, whose book sits in that library well appreciated. I had to have this program. It is really wonder-full and full of great tips. Sally is clear, very knowledgeable, and the presentation superb. The program may feature "the basics" but there are informative pointers here I think every knitter can benefit from or will at least appreciate. I hope they do sequels (hint, hint) and lots of them. One sequel I would REALLY like to see, is knitting for men, since this skill is understandably aimed at women, but there are a few of us guys who would like to be included in this fabulous skill set -- as in days gone by.

Date published: 2019-03-04

Rated 5 out of 5 by Atlantarunner1 from Interesting and Informative This is a great video for both new and experience knitters. Sally's instruction is clear and thorough. As many years as I've been knitting, I got some pointers on seams that I'll use to make my finished products better. I commend the Great Courses for making this video available in DVD form.

Date published: 2017-12-01

Rated 5 out of 5 by glojz from Great Instructor! Being a self-taught knitter, I found this course to be easy to follow with great tips and explanations of the trade, including when NOT to use shortcuts.

Date published: 2017-05-14

Overview

Learn essential knitting techniques no knitter should be without. In this course produced by Bluprint-the popular online educational site dedicated to creative projects of all types-you join knitwear designer and author Sally Melville and find out how to create perfect gauge swatches for work that fits flawlessly. Select and knit the best cast-ons and bind-offs for any project. Create invisible or eye-catching seams with different selvage stitches. Get the most professional look with the right increases and decreases for any stitch pattern. Seam row-to-row, stitch-to-stitch, and stitch-to-row for a beautiful finish. Master picking up and knitting to work wonders along row edges, V-neck pullovers, and around curves. Choose and use smart techniques for the best results in any knitting situation.

About

Sally Melville

My favorite knitting is most often from an existing, non-knit garment. I measure it, find yarn, swatch, draft, and knit. And that's what I wish for you!

In more than 50 years of knitting and 35 years of teaching, Sally Melville has taken hundreds of finished garments off her needles and taught hundreds of different classes. Today, she is the author of seven knitting books including Sally Melville Styles, The Knitting Experience series and Knitting Pattern Essentials. Her gift for making knitting simple, useful and fun has long made Sally a beloved instructor. Sally is dedicated to helping knitters make pieces they'll be proud to show the world!

By This Expert

Essential Techniques Every Knitter Should Know

Trailer

01: Introduction

Meet your instructor, designer, and author Sally Melville, and learn more about the essential techniques covered in your class. You can watch the lessons in order or skip to the ones that interest you most. Use this class as a reference whenever you want to learn or review any technique!

5 min

02: Gauge

Even if you hate math, a few simple calculations will help you achieve the correct gauge—and garment projects that actually fit. Sally shares tips on knitting a gauge swatch and what to consider when you want to use a yarn different from what the pattern specifies. If the yarn you love isn't a perfect match, you can do a little math to modify the pattern. Sally shows you how!

24 min

03: Casting On

There are myriad ways to cast on, and each has its advantages and disadvantages. Sally covers the most common—the long-tail cast-on—and shows two ways to do it, but she also encourages you to explore alternatives such as the e-wrap, cable, and crochet cast-ons, which may be more appropriate, and prettier, for your particular project.

25 min

04: Bind-Offs

The bound-off edge should complement your knitting, without being too tight, too loose, too knotty, or sloppy. Learn how to do the typical chain bind-off with a few extra steps that will make it look great. Or try the sewn bind-off for a super-stretchy finish, such as on the cuff of a toe-up sock. The three-needle bind-off also has its place, as Sally explains.

21 min

05: Selvages & Tails

The selvage of your knitting can be decorative—as the finished edge of a piece — or functional — the point where you will add a seam. Sally shows how slipped stitch, garter stitch, and stockinette selvages look in your work and discusses factors you should consider when choosing one over the other, regardless of what a pattern specifies.

29 min

06: Increases

Knitting into the front and back of a stitch is the easiest way to make an increase, but it's not always the prettiest. See how make-one and lifted increases might be a better choice for your project. Sally also shows how to use increases to make knitted bobbles that don't droop.

22 min

07: Decreases

Sally walks you through the leaning tower of decreases, with a handy trick for remembering which ones lean left and which lean right and where to use them. Need a centered double decrease? Sally shows you how to make it!

16 min

08: Seaming

Seaming is not as hard as it seems, if you follow Sally's guidance. She'll walk you through row-to-row, stitch-to-stitch, and stitch-to-row seams for a beautiful finish.

37 min

09: Picking Up & Knitting

You'll gain confidence in picking up and knitting stitches when you can see just how to do it with a close-up view. Sally demonstrates how to pick up and knit along a row edge and along a curve such as an armhole or neckline. No more fumbling and guesswork with Sally's techniques in your toolkit.

24 min