I too have just ordered the course. I've been knitting since I was six and want to do the Masters knitting work. But, I thought that if I could improve before I start that course work it would be better for me. I hope to learn more and find out where I could improve.

I'm glad to see that others are also working towards the same goals.

Papillon,

Good for you! I am so excited for you.

I just received BBB lesson 1 this afternoon as I was leaving for a meeting.

I felt like a young man who had just purchased his first airplane model (with his own money saved from cutting grass) and told he couldn't open the model because, 1) we have to go to Sunday school, then 2) church, and 3) to grandmothers for Sunday lunch and won't be back home till 4 pm.

And it sat in the front seat all that time untouched and unopened.

I am finally home and reading away.

David

Great for you David and Papillon. I am working through lesson 1 of the basics program. I love it. I have finished the swatches, need to just put a few more things into answering the questions, tag and mail. I will do that this weekend, then I will be waiting for my comments and lesson 2. I am also doing this to prepare for the Masters program. I want to learn to be a better knitter. Glad to meet you.
Cecily

Thank you so much for your comments regarding getting the lessons and your work on the assignment. I've received the e-mail saying that the materials will be coming through the mail (looking for the mail each evening after work is getting to be a daily ritual). I'm also trying to complete my current WIP (sweater) before the lessons come!

I'll be interested in hearing how your progress goes!

I completely understand the feeling of waiting for your packet to arrive and then not being able to get to it right away when it does come. I didn't take the basics course, I dove straight into the Master's levels. I recently started Level 2, and both times when my materials came, I had to hold off most of the day before I could look at them. And I barely get the envelope open and I'm getting out the yarn and wanting to knit. But I've learned to be patient and read the packet thoroughly so I don't miss anything or do something the wrong way. You all have fun with this and feel free to ask any questions you have. Anyone here will be happy to help.

My course arrvied yesterday! I've read it cover to cover and I'll be stopping by the yarn store tonight (and the office supply store) to get the yarn (I don't have the 100% wool, light-colored yarn they request) and the binder and plastic sheet protectors. I think I should also get the envelopes for mailing the swatches.

I hope to start with my first swatch tomorrow! Then is when I might have questions!

The first lesson is complete and in the mail today. Now the waiting to find out if I did everything correctly! Will I have to re-do something? Will I get the next lesson.

I did find doing the swatches and answering the questions helpful in looking at my knitting with a different focus.

Ruby

OK, you guys are getting me all excited. I am placing my order this weekend as soon as tax refund hits my bank account. I have been following every ones progress and questions and am taking notes. I have wanted to do this for some time and for the first time I do not have blow my tax return on bills. The anticipation grows!

Ed

I, too, have finished lesson 1 and sent the packet off in the mail.

Not having any pictures of what the finished swatches are suppose to look like, I am excited, and nervous waiting for the packet to be returned with the helpful critique.

I wonder, am I going to have to knit some swatches over?

What is lesson 2 like?

I was surprised to say the least at the amount of knitting I actually did learn. Thank you to all who helped put this course together.

David

I got Lesson 1 back, and I don't have to reknit any of the swatches. I liked the helpful comments made and the suggestions for improvement.

I've started on the swatches for Lesson 2 - there are eight (8). I'm like you David - I find that I've learned more than I would have thought from the amount of knitting.

I'm planning on getting Lesson 2 in the mail early next week. Then we'll see what comes next.

Ruby

Ruby,

I too received lesson 1 back. I didn't have to redo any of the swatches either. I have read the letter sent back with the lesson several times and each time I gleen more information.

I have started lesson 2. There are several decreases I have never done. I keep on learning.

David

Congratulations Ruby and David,

Great News, no re-knitting swatches. Excellent work.

I had to re-knit some swatches at one part, I can't remember now which ones. I just read the instruction incorrectly on one, and had uneven ribbing in some areas on the other, never noticed it before in my knitting, but now I look at it all the time for these issues.

I doesn't take much to re-knit. It's just that your first emotion kicks in and you feel, what could be wrong with it. You always think what you send in is the absolute best, and usually it is, but this being a learning process, when you get a swatch back, YOU LEARN so much from it. Then you feel like a million bucks that your corrected your problem swatch.

The critiques are always helpful and generous with guidance, and very thorough.

Nice to hear your great news !

Good job Ruby and Dave.
I just got my first packet with lesson 1 yesterday and was all excited to get started but have to wait until tonight because the yarn I had set aside is a light yarn but with some heather tones in it so I need to stop by LYS and pick up something new. I have so much yarn but the problem is almost all the yarn I have was bought for a specific project. All the singles I have are dark or colorful. Good luck with lesson 2.
Ed

I want to clear something up please.

Although I was not asked to redo any swatches, I did knit swatch #5 incorrectly. To Quote Arenda:

Check the instructions again. There is suppose to be a center stitch with a yarn over on each side. I really like your swatch, however. The yarnovers (yo) are fine and the answers to the questions are correct.

As you can see I knitted swarch #5 incorrectly. I only had one yo at the center of the swatch with 10 yo up the center of the swatch.

I was passed on the swatch and asked to proceed with lesson #2.

I have redone swatch #5 and will include the "redo" in with lesson #2 when it is mailed off.

I wanted to clean that up. I didn't feel comfortable giving the impression I had knitted every swatch correctly......

David

I'm glad you passed - I've been working on the swatches for lesson 2 and quite a few times I've read and read the instructions - hoping that I've gotten them correct. I've found that having a little different names for what I've done in the past an interesting challenge. I hope to have Lesson 2 off in the mail this week. Then we'll see.

Ruby