KDO Hand Knit Design Certificate Course Modules

This course is for confident knitters keen to extend their skills and develop their personal creativity.

The Student Handbook gives an introduction to the course aims, what is expected from students, required standards and suggestions on mounting & labelling samples.

There is a private student blog, with images of student work, inspiration and information on knit & design related things.

Meetings/visits to V&A, British Museum, Fashion & Textile Museum (London), Oxford Museums, etc. (several offered each year)

On successful completion of the coursework/assignments students will be awarded a certificate of achievement, as proof of their level of skill and knowledge.

Module 1

Casting on & off
Selvedges
Basic stitch structures
Texture in yarn and stitch
Ribbing
Basic edgings & hems
Blocking
Tension, 'feels right' factor & how to measure
Start fibre/yarn project (Wool study)
Texture in design: Frottage/texture rubbing
Sourcing inspiration for stitch patterns

Module 2

Colour theory basics
Inspiration for colour scheming - start a colour sourcebook
Four seasons inspired colour schemes
Yarn wraps for colour matching & trying proportions
Striped knitting (using inspiration & colour theory)
Slip stitch technique
Joining in yarns
Animal fibres study (mohair, angora, alpaca, cashmere)

Module 3

Shaping: methods of Increasing & Decreasing
Stitch techniques using inc/dec (bobbles, Trinity, Embossed Leaf, mitres, bias, ruching)
V edgings
Silk study
Simple mark-making (use of different media) techniques for design use
Using sketchbooks

Module 4

Aran (crossed/twisted sts, cables, travelling sts)
I-cords & applique
Embroidery (mark-making on knitting)
Body shape & style suitability
Linen study

Module 5

Intarsia (picture knitting)
Swiss Darning
Jaquard (stranding) & Fair Isle (weave)
Using stitch related graph paper & charting
Altering Fairisle pattern stitch & row repeats
Circular/in-the-round knitting
Basic pattern writing, for a cushion
Cotton study
Grids used to design for Intarsia
Designing simple motif pattern repeats for Fairisle

Module 6

Inspiration for stitch
Short row shaping, functional & decorative
Devising & using design briefs
Working & schematic drawings
Pattern calculating/writing
Estimating yarn quantities
Making up techniques & grafting
Buttons & buttonholes
The design process explained & illustrated
Own design cushion assignment
Man-made yarns study

Module 7

Openwork knitting ladder sts, elongated sts, eyelets, faggoting & lace
Knitting with beads
Tubular & reversible knitting
Fringes & pom-poms
Folded & cut paper designing
Scarf or wrap assignment

Module 8

Picking up stitches (vertical, curved, diagonal)
Necklines & collars
Pockets
Designing for garments
Style suitability/body types
Body measurements (how to take, ease)
Set-in-sleeve body block drafting - assignment
Toiles
Sample sweater pattern writing exercises
Pattern calculating for set in sleeves, raglans & circular yokes
Knitting sideways garments
Saddle shoulders
Sweater or cardigan assignment