For those of you who don't know, there's a program out there called Master Knitting. It's supposed to teach you many different techniques, and your work is evaluated by a committee to see if you "pass" each level.
I like the idea of the program, but have a few issues with it.
One, it's expensive. There's a program fee ($285 for all three levels, and you must be a member of TKGA, which costs $29/year), you have to pay to mail in your sample swatches and homework notebook, and there are yarn requirements for the swatches, so you may not be able to use leftover yarn you have on hand.
Two, the requirements are rigid. I know how to do stockinette stitch/ribbing/etc and don't really want to waste my time and money proving it. I also don't have much of a desire to design and make an Aran or Fair Isle sweater... it's HOT where I live and neither would be worn much.
I put it out of my mind for a long time and decided I'd just play on my own.
A lovely bitch by the name of Nellum came up with the idea for a "Mistress of Knitting" group. It's free to join (though you do have to buy your own yarn... not that any of you probably need an excuse to do that). You're allowed to demonstrate a technique in a project you're working on instead of making zillions of individual swatches. And since the challenges are more vague ("Knit a felted project" rather than "knit argyle socks"), you get more creative liberty to make things that you'll actually use.
Here's the
list of challenges. There's a suggested timetable of one challenge per month, but the deadlines aren't absolute, it's OK to finish late. If you do 10 out of the 12 challenges, you'll get a certificate at the end.
My online knitting buddy Knitting Up A Storm needs some help naming a yarn she just dyed, and is sponsoring a contest for the best name! The winner gets a free skein!
Here are the contest rules, please head on over to her blog post to suggest your colorway name! My suggestion was "Sugar Rush"--What can YOU come up with?
"I just dyed another skein, because....well, just because I'm crazy enough to do another one soo soon.
However, I was having the hardest time trying to come up with a name for this one.
Then it hit me.
I thought that it would be fun to have a colorway naming contest, since the colors are pretty funky together.
It's up to you, oh faithful commenter-friends & lurkers, to come up with the perfect (and jazzy) name for this one.
It's a hard one... what goes with lilac, sky blue, periwinkle, silver, salmon, pink & white?
The winner gets fame & glory on the winner's post....and this skein! Freebies are always good, right? Yeah, I should probably get some crackers to go with all this cheesyness.
"NAME THAT COLORWAY" RULES:
1. First, come up with the perfect colorway name. Jokesters might gain extra merit, as long as it's to good humor. Post on THIS post's comment page ONLY!! Thanks. :)
2. Post these rules on your blog & your colorway idea. That way, no one will use something like it, by mere freak accident. Who ever finds out about this contest on your blog must refer you on this comment page below, before participating in the contest. (This is kind of like Lotus' Knits contest idea. But we will use a poll too...)
-->If you see your name (or blog address) on my comment page, you can add another colorway name idea! The more referals for you, the better! Good luck to you all!
3. The top 3 best names will be put on a poll, so you all can vote!
4. Contest ends: Sunday, July 29th @ midnight!
So, the sooner you comment, the better chance you have of getting another go. lol.
Feel free to copy & paste the rules. No use in typing it all over again."
