MATERIALS Yarn 2 skeins of Valley Yarns Northampton in a light color (white, beige, yellow, pale pink, etc.); this will be main color (MC) for projects and swatches. 1 skein of contrasting color (CC) yarn in same weight; stash yarn can be used for this. Avoid very dark colors as they are hard to “read.” Small amount (few yards) of sock weight yarn in MC for steeks Small amount (few yards) sock weight cotton yarn for provisional CO. Needles Double pointed knitting needles: US 6 (must be 8”) Circular knitting needles: Two US 7 (16 inch length is fine) 32” US 6 circular needle for picking up stitches with the Knitpicker Optional: US 7 14” straight needles You may use either straight or circular needles for the pieces that are worked back and forth but you will need circulars for parts of each project. Notions Darning /seaming needles Scissors (sharp pointed will work for steeking as well as general cutting) Crochet hook size E or F Stitch markers Your Knitters Tool kit Sewing thread in color to coordinate with steek project yarn color. 7” separating zipper and Knit Picker are made available to students and the fee can be paid to the instructor (usually $15). Books Required: Cast On, Bind Off by Leslie Ann Bestor Suggested: Principles of Knitting by June Hemmons Hyatt Finishing School: A Master Class for Knitters by Deborah Newton Knitting Workshop by Elizabeth Zimmermann Big Book of Knitting by Katarina Buss (out of print, but a treasure if you find it) PRIOR TO FIRST CLASS: Make Project 1 (Instructions below) PROJECT 1 You will be using two colors: A (main color--MC) and B (contrasting color--CC). Pattern: Main body: Stockinette Stitch (SS) in the Round. This swatch has two steeks. There will be two bridge sections that remain in Stockinette stitch for the whole project. During the color work section the steek stiches are worked in vertical stripes of color. The pattern is written in inches instead of rounds so that your piece will fit your 7- inch zipper. 1. With MC and US 7 circular needles cast on (CO) 102 stitches. Join to knit in the round. 2. Place marker (PM) for beginning of round. Knit 5, then purl 2- knit 2 rib across 42 stitches, knit 9, then work purl 2, knit 2 rib across 42 stitches, knit 4. Work as established for 1.5 inches. (This set up places the beginning of round in the center of one steek.) 3. Switch to Stockinette Stitch (SS) and work for 3.5 inches from cast on edge. 4. Using a different color marker than the one that marks beginning of the round PM for steeks as follows: PM 4 stitches AFTER the beginning of round, knit 44 stiches, PM, knit 7, PM, knit 44, PM. 5. Start color chart where X=CC. Knit chart across 44 stitches, knit 7 bridge stitches in vertical stripes beginning with CC, knit chart across 44 stitches, knit 7 bridge stitches in vertical stripes beginning with CC (see picture, below). 6. Work chart 3 times. 7. Switch back to only MC color and SS and work until piece measures 5.5 inches from cast on edge. 8. Work Ribbing maintaining bridge sections as follows: Knit 5, then purl 2-knit 2 rib across 42 stitches, knit 9, then work purl 2-knit 2 rib across 42 stitches, knit 4. Work as established for 1.5 inches or until piece measures 7 inches from cast on edge. 9. Bind off all stitches. Two-Color Chart Knit all stitches Legend Blank square is Main color X is Contrast color x x 4 x x 3 x x 2 x x 1 4 3 2 1 Vertical Steek Stripes .