Elizabeth Zimmermann Knitting Workshop – Learning to Knit with EZ
Learning to knit can be a lot of fun with Elizabeth Zimmermann’s Knitting Workshop book. Can you knit a little? Are you a bit unstable on how to pitch? No matter. If you follow his lessons in this book, you may be delighted to discover that you are a master weaver by the end of the twelfth lesson. How is this possible?
First knit a hat.
When knitting a hat, you learn how to hand wind a ball of yarn thrown in the center, how to use the cast-on long tail, and how to rib on a circular needle. Elizabeth’s drawings illustrate a few points. Other times we see a photo of her hands working alongside her description.
Next, you will learn your favorite method of increasing a stitch: MAKE1 or M1. After you knit a couple of inches, you learn about GAUGE. Gauge is the most crucial factor for knitting after learning the knitting stitch. With this mastered, you will be the boss of your fabric from day one.
Now she hits you with a surprise. Color work! She says you’re ready, so she grabs another ball of yarn. Pretty designs will appear like magic on your hat.
It then teaches you how to decrease stitches in three different ways. Choose which one you like to finish your hat in style. After blocking it with some steam to make the stitches smooth, wear it like a crown and smile. You are on your way to mastering knitting.
Up Next: Knit Two Sweaters!
You’ll learn the Elizabeth Percentage System (EPS) as you create your first bottoms-up raglan sweater in whatever yarn you like. All you need is your gauge and the chest, sleeve and side measurements of your favorite sweater. You’ll master short rows, yoke shape, more color patterns, and neck shape, as well as Elizabeth’s sewn top, Kitchener’s stitch, and knitting.
Sweater number two features dropped shoulders and solid colors. In addition to the impressive color work, you’ll be doing heart-stopping steeks to insert the sleeves. If you want, you can tilt the front for a cardigan. Then in finishing techniques, various necklines and Elizabeth’s single-row buttonhole. Phew!
Final Section: Master Classes
Here we learn seven seamless shoulder shapes: yoke, raglan, saddle shoulder, hybrid, shirt yoke, set-in sleeve, and buttock cousin.
Then we played with Elizabeth’s favorite garter stitch. She teaches us the magical properties of garter stitch as we knit her classic one-of-a-kind constructions: a square baby blanket, pelerine cape, doublet, rorschach sweater, surprise jacket, tomten and rib warmer.
Some of them will be decorated with rib trim and button loops. I-cord makes a great finish for a pocket last minute.
We are gaining skills like crazy. So why not dive into seven lace shawls? These include their famous Pi Shawl, Stonington, Spoke and others.
Last but not least come Arans, Guernseys and Fair Isles. She says that the latter are “NOT EASY to knit, but MUCH EASIER than they seem to be if you keep your head and make your own decisions.” She was good at it. Are you? She experiments with tams and you will see.
That’s it: you are a master weaver in twelve lessons. But is that it?
Elizabeth feels that you have only opened the door to a lifetime of possibilities by learning to knit at the Knitting Workshop. She wishes you “good tissue” at the end. Man, I need to get myself some wool and the accompanying DVD so I can watch and hear it while I knit. And you?
