Well it took about 10 months or so, but I finally received my Knitting Certificate just before Christmas. What a super surprise.

I would like to encourage those going through this course that it shouldn't or doesn't have to take as long as that. I took several months off, (life goes on in my household), and was not rushing through at all, yet I was nervous about slacking off. With my first submission (Lesson One), I felt guilty that I was taking as long as I did. Arenda re-assured me that there wasn't a time limit, and not to worry about time, you do what you can, family of course comes first. Once I read those words, I relaxed and actually ENJOYED the learning process so much more.

There were areas I had to re-submit, one example, for some reason I did one stitch that I had just learned how to do, and I submitted it INCORRECTLY. Who knew why, I still didn't figure that one out, but I will never make the same mistake again.

The process of critique is such an eye-opener, those little pieces of orange thread to mark the areas that need correcting or improvement were a great way to see my problem areas.

I do suggest and respectfully request that any projects that are needed for submission be also supplied a picture copy of the swatch needed to be completed to be included with the packet, or maybe an example of the swatch on the Guild site showing what the knitted swatch should actually look like. In some areas, I went in BLIND and had no way of knowing if I was even close to what I should be submitting. That was the most concerning part to me. I could knit and knit, but at times wondered if I was knitting what was expected of me, not so much accuracy of the stitches to be learned as much as am I even close to what is being asked of me.

I would recommend this course to life long knitters, and newbies alike. Everyone will learn something, and be surprised that they thought they already knew the stitch.
Also learned in this course are organizational skills, and learning to look very close at the stitches you actually knit, and look at them with a critical eye. You critique your own knitting until you are satisfied the swatch is worthy of submission.

Arenda was such a big help, she examined it all with her critical eye, yet in such a gentle, kind and educational manner. I was able to see where my improvements could be, and understand why and where my knitting stitches needed correcting. Once I re-did what needed to be, I was so proud that I really learned how to do all my swatches correctly or greatly improved.
Thanks so much Arenda. I am very so appreciative.

Sincerely,

Noreen

Congratulations!
I have been working on the Masters Handknitting, and am working on Level 2 now. I also have found much gentle help and correction for what I have done. My original goal was to do one level per year and "get through it", but am finding that that isn't really going to give me the most bang for my buck. So I'm slowing down on this level and really thinking about what I'm doing. I've taken time away from the Masters to just do some fun knitting, so that I could be relaxed enough to not think of it as a chore, but the learning experience it's meant to be. The same can be said of the Basics course, or any of the correspondence courses offered by TKGA. Enjoy the process and bask in the glow of accomplishment when you're done.
Again, congratulations and happy knitting!

Thanks so much DianaD., You know full well what I am talking about. I love it, and am happy to be involved in this, but, and there is always a but, I find I have less time to do the "social knitting". I keep thinking about the swatches that need to be done, and questions to be answered. I know there are those that can get this done in a very short time, I am not one of them. I always have something else on the front burner, and the swatches wind up on the back burners. I just registered for the Level One package, so it starts all over again. I can't wait for it to arrive though.
Much luck and FUN with the next level you are now working on.
Thanks for your kind words also.
Noreen