I am working at the swatches for lesson 1, just finished swatch 2 and will be starting 3 tonight.
Swatch 1 turned out so nice that I hardly had to block it. Swatch 2 needed very little as well.
I will say one thing for this course, if you really want to take a close look at your knitting and perfect your technique, as well as learn something new, then this is the way to do it. I never was as critical of a cast on edge as I am knitting these little swatches.
I am very happy that I decided to do the Basics before embarking onto the Masters. I would recommend this course to any knitter.

Ed

Good for you! Happy knitting, Ed!

I agree with you Ed. Some of the things (like casting on) that I've done for years and really didn't think about before, are getting a lot of close (really, really close) scrutiny! I've learned to look at my knitting and think about it in a different way.

I also like the way that the swatches compare and contrast the different elements (I'm currently working on Lesson 2 with the decreases) and whether they slant one direction or the other.

I plan on going on to the Master Knitter class and I agree that this is a great class to take first.

Ruby

Thanks Peggy.
That is the same thing I noticed Ruby, especially with the lifted increase, I seriously had never done that increase before and now after using it for the swatches, I can not imagine using anything else! I can not wait to get lesson 2. I am taking my time, with the lessons, mainly because I do not like to work on the swatches when I am tired so I have only worked on them over the weekend, not to mention my other projects I am trying to finish as well as spinning, there just is not enough hours in the day!
Ed

The strangest thing happened when I went to block my last swatch. I have a steamer that I go over the piece with and always have good luck, however this time my stitches flattened out. I have never had that happen before. So I am going to try washing it, but have already CO to re-do the swatch. Any one else ever had this happen?

Ed

You're braver than me--I never steam. I wet-block, if anything.

It is possible that for this particular episode the steam came out WETTER than normal and weighed down the piece or stitch pattern.
I also wet my swatches, but lightly on the edges, and then steam the entire swatch so the stitches don't become distorted. I don't touch it again unless thoroughly dry. This works for me and the material I use. I don't like to recommend this, because others may disagree entirely with this method, or, depending on the fabric you are using, this method may fail you altogether. Just letting you know what works for me and my projects.

Did you by chance use a different fiber than you have in the past, OR, maybe use a superwash vs regular yarn.

Sorry that happened, but I am curious to know why this happened. If you do figure it out, let us know please.

Good Luck to you.

Greetings:

For my swatches for lesson 1, I wet all of them. Here is how I blocked my swatches.

I will have to find the book I read with this procedure to include the reference.

I submerged the swatches in very hot water and let them sit for 15 minutes. I emptied the water and gently squeezed and then pressed the swatches against the side of the basin to expel water. Gently is the watch word here.

Then I wrapped the swatches in a cotton terry cloth bath towel and rolled them up to get even more water out of them.

I then gently transferred the swatches to the small craft ironing board and pinned them down to air dry. I left them there for 24 hours.

I tagged then and sent them off........

David

I prefer to use tepid water and a little dishwashing liquid (this has a wetting agent, so the wool gets thoroughly wetted), and then a rinse in water of the same temperature.

I am not sure what happened with the steam unless like you suggested more steam came out than normal. I use a hand held steamer, not an iron. I am using 100% wool and it is the same wool I used with the other swatches, but I think I am going to use something different for lesson 2. The re-knit swatch turned out better after blocking but as you stated, I am too am curious about what happened here. Better to happen on a swatch than a completed knitted piece. I am going to try washing the swatch and see if it will plump up. BTW, the yarn was Plymouth Galway which I have used before with no issues. Maybe I am being overly picky because this work is going to be critiqued. Thanks for the input Unicornr.

Thanks David and Peggy,
I have used both techniques before, but like to steam smaller items especially if they do not need much blocking. As I said earlier I am going to wash the swatch. I am off work today, had a run in with some bad Chinese food last night! So today will be spent working on finishing lesson 1 and getting it ready to send off as well as trying to finish up some yarn I have been spinning for some felted cat toys. Hope everyone is having a great day and enjoying the sunshine if you have it where you live.
Ed

No sunshine here, unfortunately.

I've mostly used Galway for the TKGA programs, too, and for the most part it's been just fine.

Sun is shining here today!

I have finally finished my swatches for lesson 2. The swatches are drying and being blocked.

I will write up the questions and mail on Saturday.

These swatches were more difficult than lesson one and took me longer.

I am relieved these are over.

David