Finishing Made Easy: The Beginner's Guide
Chris Bylsma
Class Preview
1:42
- In-depth Instruction; over 97 mins
- On-demand video access anytime
- Bonus downloadable PDF resources
- Access to class Q&A
Start Your Finishing Fearlessly
10:08
Designer Chris Bylsma loves teaching students to make knitted projects shine! Start by learning what finishing really means and see Chris' easy and effective steps to plan ahead for sleeker results. Plus, you'll get tips on preventing common problems.
Horizontal Seams: Matching Stitch to Stitch
11:02
Horizontal, or stitch-to-stitch seams, are considered the basic seams that provide stability and strength to your project. Chris shares not only how to work this seam on practice swatches, but also the incredibly easy secrets to correct mistakes such as jumped stitches in the seam.
Vertical Seams: Matching Row to Row
13:23
Move on to vertical, or row-to-row seams. You'll get detailed instructions on how to compensate while seaming pieces that might not be the same size. Chris will even help troubleshoot situations such as seaming garter and textured knitting.
Combination Seams
13:01
Combination seams do just what you might think: combine horizontal and vertical seaming along one edge. After a detailed demo, Chris will help you figure out compensating in combination seams and show you how to apply those skills on a real project: seaming a sleeve to a body.
Picking Up Stitches
15:53
After lots of seaming practice, it's time to learn to pick up stitches. Chris walks you through when and why you'd want to pick up stitches along a knitted edge, showing horizontal, vertical and combination edges. You'll learn to pick up stitches easily, without counting or frustration.
Edging Options
14:59
Learn three practical and sleek edges for the stitches you've just picked up. Garter stitch adds a simple and sturdy edge. Ribbed bands are great with flexible knits and purls. Reversed rolled edges are perfect for the neckband of a sweater.
Final Touches & Care
18:32
Master essential finishing techniques and practical tips to care for your knitted treasures. From weaving in ends (see why Chris calls the seamed edges her 'California Closet') to washing, blocking and storage, ensure that your projects stay in great shape!
Set all your future projects up for finishing success! Join instructor Chris Bylsma as she guides you step by step through the basic skills you’ll use again and again. During class, you’ll learn to work three basic but sturdy seams: vertical, horizontal and combination. Once you’re comfortable knitting seams, Chris shows you how to pick up stitches along your edges without any frustration or unnecessary counting. Want to finish your work with a special touch? You’ll conquer steps for garter-stitch, ribbed band and reverse rolled edgings. Plus, you’ll discover best practices for weaving in your ends, washing, blocking and storing your projects safely.
Chris Bylsma
Chris retired from a career in marketing communications and advertising to pursue her artistic passions, knitting and textureplay, and enjoy a little gardening with her husband, Charlie. Instead, she is having a wonderful time teaching workshops from coast to coast and beyond for TNNA, shops, guilds, cruises and conferences and has her own line of knitting patterns. She also has designed knit garments for the American Girl clothing line and has been featured in Vogue Knitting, Knit Simple, Creative Knitting and Knit n' Style. In her teaching role, Chris' reward is when knitters discover and trust their own creativity. She encourages knitters to "color outside the lines," where it's more fun! Chris firmly believes that knitting is not construction. Knitters should explore and make mistakes, feel free to change their minds and most of all, enjoy what they are doing.
Bonus materials available after purchase