Masters Program | TKGA

Masters Program TKGA

A Brief History
The Master Hand Knitting Program was announced in the Fall 1987 issue of Cast On as a way for members of The Knitting Guild Association (TKGA) to have their knitting evaluated using specific criteria and guidelines. It was designed as an educational process, not a competition or contest. (While it is an educational program, it is not for new knitters. If you want help learning to knit, please consider enrolling in the Learn to Knit or the Basics, Basics, Basics correspondence courses offered by TKGA.) Although the program has evolved over the years, at its core it hasn’t changed much. Knitters work through three levels, each building on techniques demonstrated in the previous level. Each level is completed independently, and evaluated by the Master Hand Knitting Committee, before the knitter goes to the next level.

This program requires you to research the technique as you work the swatches and projects. This program emphasizes independent and involved learning on the part of the knitter. You may not have some of these skills when you begin the program, but through research and practice you can acquire them. It is not enough to demonstrate that you can perform a technique. To pass a level, you must go beyond basic ability to perform techniques to a mastery of those techniques.

Experienced knitters may require less practice to master a technique while less experienced knitters may need to rework a swatch many times. Both can become Master Knitters. By the time you finish the program you should have a complete mastery of knitting techniques. You will have a knowledge of knitting-related topics such as care of knitwear, the history of knitting, and knitting traditions. You will have experience in design and writing your own patterns and instructions. But more importantly you will have the confidence in your own abilities. Where this confidence takes you is up to you.

While the Master Knitter certificate is not a professional certificate, it does enhance any knitting resume. It verifies, among other things that you:

     • Knit very well
     • Understand knitting techniques
     • Can properly prepare designs for submission
     • Can write reasonably well about knitting

Because of your proven knitting expertise, you may find yourself using the Master Knitting title to teach and knit for local shops, guilds and more; write articles or submit patterns for publication; or even work with yarn companies on original designs.

The standards of the program are very high. The swatches and written work are evaluated with very specific criteria. The instructions for each swatch and report state the criteria by which members of the Master Hand Knitting committee evaluate the work.