What you need to know about the online machine knitting workshops
Yes, the workshops will only be available to you once you have created an account- you will be prompted during the checkout process.
I pride myself on my passion in continuing the craft of machine knitting. I've spent the last 17 years practising, thinking out of the box and creating exciting fabrics and clothing with knitting machines and I love sharing my knowledge. I've had many 5 star reviews and fantastic feedback from workshop attendees, both in person and online. My workshops really focus on teaching you the foundations (rather than specific samples) which I believe sets you in better stead to find your own unique voice and to make learning machine knitting as enjoyable as possible.
I think my passion for design and what these machines can do is infectious and I hope to inspire others to have fun, experiment and play themselves!
Yes! I've taught a huge number of complete beginners over the years. The machine knitting for beginners workshop takes you through all the basics you'll need to get going with the knitting machine in a simple and concise manner. And will hopefully inspire you with lots of ideas for fabrics you can create with the knitting machine.
Yes! I've taught complete beginners, to those who knit years ago and wanted to refresh their knowledge. Everyone has slightly different ways of teaching , so there might be some techniques and samples that make you think differently.
For digital downloads, they are yours to keep forever, representing huge value for money. Please download them to a safe location as soon as possible. Over the next year I will be looking at pricing the workshops differently, to accurately reflect the value that they hold.
I always recommend getting a second hand vintage machine. Brother and Silver Reed made (and Silver Reed still make) fantastic machines. The vintage ones are built incredibly well and will last for a good long while yet. Spare parts are usually easy to acquire on Ebay. My own knitting machines are at least 40 years old and work perfectly!
I teach all of the workshops on vintage Brother knitting machines- models KH890 & ribber KR850.
Most other brands and models of machine are compatible with the workshops. The points of difference will be button layout on the carriages if using Silver Reeds or Singers. The manual for your machine will help show the different lever functions.
The other point of difference may be the punchcard system. Some machines don't have a punchcard system (like the new Silver Reed LK150) or have an electronic system. This will mean the punchcard section of the beginner machine knitting workshop and the double bed jacquard section of the ribber workshop won't apply to your machine. They may still be of interest to you though!
Ebay/facebook marketplace and charity shops are brilliant places to buy second hand machines. If you're not sure which model to get, Brother and Silver Reed vintage machines are very reliable. Look out for whether they have everything with them, if they have been serviced and whether the seller knows it is working. There are still people around the country who service knitting machines, so if a real bargain comes up it might be worth risking it.
There are also businesses selling refurbished machines, which may feel like the safest way to go if you're a complete beginner.
To start with, it's not an essential bit of kit. But if you're thinking about making garments further down the line, I would always recommend getting one. They really open up what you can achieve with the machine, including professional looking trims and finishings, as well as really exciting fabrics. If you're buying second hand, and a package comes up with the ribber I would always recommend getting one. Start learning the basics and then add the ribber in as you get more confident.
I rarely have to help with technical issues or content from the workshops. But if you have an issue please do get in touch, I want to help!
Please feel free to share any work on social media that you create after taking any of my workshops. It would be amazing if you could tag me @amberhards when you do share them- it helps others find my workshops which allows me to continue making a living from being an artist and to develop new workshops.
Please do not copy, share or distribute any workshop content. These samples are my on work and the intellectual property of Amber Hards. They serve as inspiration, not to be copied or sold.
Many of the samples and the way I teach included in my courses have taken me years to develop. I hope that they will provide you with everything you need to spark your own ideas and creativity. These workshops are for your personal use only and your purchase ensures that I can continue creating, developing and teaching.
No, these workshops and patterns are my own intellectual property and have taken many years of training, practice and time to put together.
If you would like to book me to teach workshops/demonstrate/lead creative crits please get in touch studio@amberhards.co.uk
Absolutely! Please email studio@amberhards.co.uk and I will get back to you as soon as I can.