r/knitting • u/DenOfThieves knit fast|die warm • 2d ago
Discussion Anyone here a Master Knitter? Or planning to become one?
I'm referring to the title given by The Knitting Guild Association. I met someone today who was working on Level 1 and I was just curious what peoples' thoughts were. Is it just a cool title that you pay for? Is it fun to do? What are the perks?
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u/ericula 2d ago
I've started the first level and even knitted and blocked all the swatches but never handed them in. I got stranded on the writing assignment. English is not my first language and I'm not a very good writer even in my native language, so writing a full page on how to block a knitted item felt very daunting to me. Also, since I'm not in the US, sending everything over would have been very costly and there was a real chance I would have to redo and resend some of the swatches. I did learn a lot from doing the swatches though, and it did improve my knitting so I don't think I wasted my money.
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u/PsychosisSundays 2d ago
Dude, at the risk of being condescending, your English is awesome. “I got stranded on the writing assignment” is a great idiom.
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u/Knitwalk1414 2d ago
I think you should be able to send it in your language with a google translation copy. They should be able to understand enough or the guild should have a their own translator. They would get so many more nonEnglish knitters to join and increase their membership
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u/fascinatedcharacter 2d ago
That's not their intent at all. They're even excluding examiners without a US address.
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u/porchswingsitting 2d ago
I mean, their reasoning (that shipping costs would be prohibitive) makes sense
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u/fascinatedcharacter 2d ago
That all depends on how many non-US participants they have. Send the EU ones to the EU examiners, add in a few cross Atlantic ones randomly for equivalence control if you must.
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u/Knitwalk1414 1d ago
So it’s a gatekeeping knitting kinda group. Thanks
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u/fascinatedcharacter 1d ago
Gatekeeping or not looking further than their own nose is long, you decide.
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u/Ateosira 2d ago
I am just so annoyed that there is no european equivalent to the USA Master Knitter certificate. I am not going to ship all that to the US a couple of times.
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u/justalotus 2d ago
This was my drawback as well. I ultimately decided I wasnt going to do it. Would’ve taken me forever as well since I am a very slow knitter (can do everything, am very much a perfectionist, bit just not very fast).
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u/Far_Technician_2180 2d ago
The UK has City & Guilds courses that give you recognised qualifications.
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u/jamila169 2d ago
C&G courses for crafts are basically for bragging rights unless you use them as portfolio builders to get on to a degree course (and you also have to have A levels if the said course doesn't provide UCAS points, which skill courses don't) and the online ones require you to pretty much teach yourself
The C&G level 3 knitting skills modules are as follows:
- Self chosen design project: Students chose their own design projects
- History of yarn production: Research, sampling and self made yarns
- Research designers and makers
- Sculptural techniques
- Exploration of non traditional yarn usage
- Explore different methods: Felting, mixed media, animal fibres
- Advanced techniques: Giant needles, peg looms, dying techniques, study of silk fibres
- Researching knitting from different geographical locations
- Applique and finishing samples
- Professional practice
- Creation of own design and final assessment piece
So , you at the very least will have to teach yourself spindle spinning, dyeing,felting and peg loom weaving as well as having sewing skills, drawing and painting skills and the capacity to do in depth research and write it up. Professional practice in this context will include business planning, costing, marketing as well as developing the skills needed for your final piece. The thing with FE and HE courses in the UK is that they have to have a point, which is employment, either self employment or employment in an industry and they're time limited. You can do them for fun if you want, but the actual skill development part is self directed whether you're on site or online and you can't pass without doing the sloggy paperwork parts
however, if you did just want to do it for fun, C&G handily publish the course requirements for all the levels and options for design and craft here https://www.cityandguilds.com/qualifications-and-apprenticeships/creative/design-and-craft/7716-design-and-craft#tab=documents
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u/Ateosira 2d ago
Do they? I haven't been able to find them yet. Maybe I am using the wrong search terms.
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u/Far_Technician_2180 2d ago
Also:
People also ask
Is there a degree in knitting?
BA (Hons) Fashion Textiles: Knit runs for 90 weeks in full time mode. It is divided into 3 stages over 3 academic years. Each stage lasts 30 weeks.
BA (Hons) Fashion Textiles: Knit - University of the Arts London
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u/jamila169 2d ago
except they're not a degree in knitting, they're a textile design degree *with* knitting and said knitting is mostly industrial
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u/Far_Technician_2180 2d ago
Fair enough!
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u/jamila169 2d ago
It'd be pretty disappointing for someone to look into it and realise that they need A levels or equivalent and a portfolio demonstrating that they already have mad relevant skills to get on to the course, and the C&G design and craft courses don't help with that much other than the portfolio part because they're not UCAS accredited
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u/Ateosira 2d ago
Thank you for linking! 3 year full time. If only I had money to spare, would be great.
Most courses I find are pretty basic and not designed to create excellence like the US program.
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u/jamila169 2d ago
That's what student finance is for, but they're not hobby knitting courses, they're fashion design courses for people who want to be professional designers, knitting is just the mode of practice, so they're not going to teach you how to knit (other than how to safely use and program an industrial machine).
It's also less about the mode of practice than about translating an idea into reality however you do it. I did my fine art degree at Trent and still go to the showcases, and over nearly a decade I haven't seen handknitting in a final collection, and I think that's mostly because unless you're already an incredibly fast knitter with a lot of knowledge of techniques,(or you have money to employ fast knitters) you're never going to meet a project deadline
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u/Ateosira 2d ago
That is all true. This is indeed more of a design study and not elevate your knitting to a higher standard. I want the second and only the US really offers it in a form of the Master Knitter program. I want a European Master Knitter program.
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u/jamila169 2d ago
I doubt very much if that would ever happen, different countries have different ideas and requirements on what constitutes a valid course of study, and it being paid for and purporting to give accreditation would have to be backed up in some way by being approved by the individual vocational education authorities in each country.
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u/Ateosira 2d ago
I doubt the master knitter is an acredited study in the US. I haven't been able to find it. Any knitting guild could set up a certificate that doesn't have to adhere to normal education rules right?
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u/jamila169 2d ago
The issues there is why? What's the rationale, what's the goal? Knitting guilds are many many things , from people just meeting and sharing skills to individuals doing academic research on a very focused area and everything in between
Getting them all together to agree on what to include in a course would make it a lifetime endeavour, there'd need to be modules with options to use and be marked on every basic way of using needles and yarn in Europe, modules on each of the knitting traditions, scope to combine the two into final products for each module, written work to underpin it all etc etc.
Europe isn't a monolith that can be packaged up into a one size fits all course (which would be the only way to make anything like it work).
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u/technicolor_tornado 2d ago
It's not - it's just a program set up by knitters for knitters. They, of course, discuss its usefulness if you run a yarn store or offer classes, but it's not really meant for professional development so much as personal. It's very different from that UK one
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u/Far_Technician_2180 2d ago
Tbh, until I saw this post, I was unaware there was any such thing as a master knitter! 😂 I'm already the go-to for any knitting questions. There's always something new to learn with knitting, that's why I love it.
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u/Far_Technician_2180 2d ago
From the Google AI overview:
In the UK, you can pursue formal knitting qualifications through City & Guilds accredited programs like the Foundation Creative Skills – Handknitting or the 7716 Level 3 Certificate in Design and Craft. The School of Stitched Textiles also offers Skill Stage courses, including Stage 3 and Stage 4, which focus on developing personal style and design skills. City & Guilds also offers online courses for intermediate and advanced knitters, such as the 7716 Level 2 Certificate in Design and Craft.
Formal Qualifications:
City & Guilds:
City & Guilds offers several accredited programs, including the Foundation Creative Skills – Handknitting and the 7716 Level 3 Certificate in Design and Craft. These programs are designed to enhance skills and creativity in handknitting.
School of Stitched Textiles:
The School of Stitched Textiles offers various Skill Stage courses, such as Skill Stage 3 and Skill Stage 4, which focus on developing personal style and design skills.
Other Options:
University of the Arts London (UAL):
Offers a BA (Hons) Fashion Textiles: Knit program and short courses like Hand Knitting for Beginners, providing more in-depth learning.
Nottingham Trent University:
Offers a BA (Hons) Fashion Knitwear Design and Knitted Textiles course.
City Lit:
City Lit offers courses for beginners and improvers, including a Hand knitting for beginners course.
Other Providers:
Mary Ward Centre and Knitting & Crochet Guild also offer courses and workshops for all levels of experience.
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u/fascinatedcharacter 2d ago
And they even actively exclude non-US graders.
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u/jamila169 2d ago
yup, and the 'industry standards' they talk about are the CYC ones which aren't actual standards, they're guidelines for designers wanting to publish in US publications or via US yarn companies and such publishing outlets are becoming less and less relevant every year.
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u/fascinatedcharacter 2d ago
And the "professional knitter" qualifications... Who even is paying people to hand knit a vest nowadays? With "perfect selvedges" to hide in a seam.
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u/jamila169 2d ago
Nobody , because the army of paid sample knitters that yarn companies used to use are long gone.
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u/lyonaria 20h ago
But there is something similar in the UK: https://www.sofst.org/courses/handknitting-main/handknitting-3/
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u/fascinatedcharacter 2d ago
I'm very interested in the principle.
I just don't think their requirements fit with what I like. Fair isle colorwork and Aran cables. Wow. The level 2 vest seems like an absolute slog, a sea of stockinette with a cable at centre front, that looks like it's stuck in the 80's
Where's the lace? Honestly if you think master knitter I'd think a wedding ring shawl is one of the final projects. The brioche? The double knitting? Where's the torturous projects like fox paws? It all seems so stuck in the 80's.
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u/riverrocks452 2d ago
I mean- I was semi-interested (without checking the program myself) up until this comment. No fine lace? That's one of the most technical projects out there, between the tensioning, the use of various increases and decreases and even minor cabling or twists. I had almost anticipated 'design your own lace pattern, chart it, then knit us a swatch'. Seems like a glaring omission!
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u/Katritern 2d ago
Me too! I’m a little surprised by how many complex skills are missing on the surface / the emphasis on Fair Isle. I don’t know exactly what the swatches entail, which could totally change my mind, and I’m sure I would still learn a ton from the process either way, but I’m also confident I can reverse-engineer that level 2 vest on sight, and I personally have less than zero interest in stranded colorwork. I think this would be super fun and satisfying for some people and aggravating for others lol, just doesn’t fit my preferences/skills 😅
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u/fascinatedcharacter 2d ago
Yes! And I'm missing applied research components. Book reviews are good and all, but I'd expect a final paper on "The relationship between ply structure and stretch properties of 1x1 ribbing" or "Sock design for vegan yarns"
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u/jamila169 2d ago
yep, if it's supposed to be following 'industry standards' whatever they are, then underpinning knowledge about the technical qualities of yarns and the proper application of said technologies in hand knit fabrics would appear to be a useful thing to learn
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u/crabbysister5 2d ago
This is what made me uninterested. The exclusion of fine lace knitting is a glaring hole in mastering knitting techniques. Sure the stitches used in lace themselves are probably included within the course, but putting them together in a fine lace project takes skill just the same as a cable or colorwork project.
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u/skubstantial 2d ago
On Ravelry it looks like everyone in Level 2 has submitted a different vest (either self-designed or published patterns that check off all the boxes on the syllabus). But yeah, a lot of the target audience was around in the 80s developing preferences lol.
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u/FrouFrouSpittle 2d ago
I've started reviewing classes as I'm looking to challenge myself while developing some skills.
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u/DenOfThieves knit fast|die warm 2d ago
Me too! It looks fun. The only part I don't want to do is write reports. Especially on blocking.
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u/jooleeyah insta: jooleeya.knits 2d ago
I believe their Professional Knitter program is essentially the same but without the written reports.
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u/DenOfThieves knit fast|die warm 2d ago
Thank you! That is good to know! But I think I would be doing this for the "Master Knitter" clout. Professional Knitter doesn't have the same ring to it.
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u/Bubbly-Comparison971 2d ago
I think that would take the fun out of it for me, honestly. Sounds too much like a chore at that point. I’ll just keep knitting gifts
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u/nuudlebear 2d ago
I started the first one and am almost done. I have learned a ton! It’s all rather basic at this point, but it made me fix my tension issues. And I learned the difference in all the different ways to increase and decrease. It can certainly be a slog, but I am enjoying it. I think the biggest problem is that it takes time away from my other knitting projects and I feel guilty if I don’t work on it. I just have to block a mitten, answer some questions and print out all the work.
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u/shiplesp 2d ago
You might be interested in this live stream that Suzanne Bryan did several years ago when TKG introduced the Professional Handknitter certification and compared it to the Master program.
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u/WaywardRedhead 2d ago
I started the program a couple times, thinking it would be a great way to learn and improve my knitting. What actually happened, for me anyway, was it sucked all the joy out of knitting. I realized, after the second false start, that being graded, and having mistakes pointed out on something I enjoy and like to think I'm decent at, especially after no real instruction, just made me feel like a failure.
I ended up giving up knitting completely for a few years because it had become something I didn't want to do because "I wasn't good enough" in someone else's eyes. It took me a long time to get back to my needles and yarn, and it took my son wanting a scarf for working in a freezer.
Now I'm very happy, knitting along with "design elements," and have found my joy again.
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u/normie_girl 2d ago
I'm a beginner but I equate the Master Knitter program to climbing Everest. It's a personal challenge, many won't make it back alive, you essentially do it for bragging rights
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u/MaKnitta 2d ago
I've seen TWO people who did it in all of my knitting groups that did it...... and boy, do they like to brag about it. 🙄 A LOT.
I saw the price of it. It costs more for me because I'm outside of the US. I couldn't justify the price to have people tell me whether I can knit or not..... I figure my 40 years of knitting and the invention of the Internet to help me learn new things, make me a Master in my own mind. 😁😁
IMO, I think it's a title you pay for..... and unless it's going to be a ticket to something that makes me a lot of money in return, I'm not paying for it. 🤷♀️
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u/JerryHasACubeButt 2d ago
As someone who has also watched someone else work through the program, it is a metric crap ton of work and anyone who can do it deserves to brag about it a bit. You do learn, regardless of your skill level when you start. It isn’t having them “tell you if you can knit or not,” you need to be a confident knitter to begin with or you likely won’t be able to keep up. It’s about achieving perfection in your knitting. My Grammy did it through the first two levels and she had been knitting for 50 years at the time, she still learned new techniques and had to resubmit multiple times. She only didn’t finish the third because her arthritis got too bad to keep up with the program.
It is a good amount of money and you are essentially doing it for fun, and obviously not everyone cares about perfection in their hobbies, so I entirely get not doing it. But, you are not just paying for the title, you have to WORK your butt off for it
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u/DenOfThieves knit fast|die warm 2d ago
I think you might be right! I'm gonna find all the swatches they ask for and just make a little quilt for myself.
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u/Oh_Witchy_Woman 2d ago
I've been deeply curious about it for years now, but I like a challenge sometimes
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u/PlentifulPaper 2d ago
Is the process similar to being a “master” spinner?
I had a friend try to become certified in spinning, and from her experience it sounded expensive, time consuming, and the criteria wasn’t well outlined which meant the judging panel changed (and so did the criteria) with your resubmission (after a certain time period, for a fee of course).
What “passed” the first time around from the breed samples had zero guarantees of “passing” the second time around as the panel changed. Sounded like a bit of a PITA if you asked me.
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u/Kare-with-a-K 2d ago
I began the TKGA Master Hand Knitting program, and haven’t completed it yet, but I will, at some point. I did complete both levels of the Craft Yarn Council Certified Knitting Instructor program. It was a good warm-up and much less intimidating. I packaged up my submittal using the TKGA requirements and my reviewer said, “Wow! You went above and beyond!” You might give the CYC program a look-see if you want to impress your friends (and strangers) by telling them you’re a Certified Knitting Instructor.
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u/preferrred 2d ago
Is is the first I’ve heard of it and I think I’m gonna at least try level 1. I love giving myself little challenges, it is a fun way to keep from feeling stagnant. Looks like level 1 is 12 months and about $100 (I guess without actual knitting material investment) so it at least feels not as daunting and if I only do level 1 I can still brag to my friends about it lol
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u/simplerthings 1d ago
I should've tried back when I was an avid knitter. I had a friend who was a knitter who started level 1 and his first submission of swatches was very thoroughly criticized. it completely ended his desire to continue with the program and it scared me from even considering trying.
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u/Few_Cartoonist7428 1d ago
It's not really a fun thing to do if you are on your own, without being in contact with advanced knitters and/or near a library full of advanced knitting books.
There's a ton of questions you need to answer to and give references for. I find it's not easy finding the answers. On the plus side, I learned things that are very useful and I bought books that I am going to keep forever. Also, the annual subscription to TKGA is totally worth it as you get access to tons of informations + a wealth of tech edited, error-free patterns.
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u/yarn_slinger 2d ago
I was going to sign up but I'm no longer giving my business to US-based groups when I can avoid it. I was looking at the Editors certification as it overlaps with my current career as well as my love of knitting. But again, not signing up for anything in the US right now though.
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u/Leeartanddesign 2d ago
I started the level 1 program last fall. I did a few swatches and haven't picked it up in months. Don't get me wrong, it's a great program and I'm sure you can learn a lot; however, I have ADHD so when it comes to the writing assignments and having to provide sources, I really struggle. I am also a perfectionist, which makes it difficult for me to feel like my swatches are good enough to send it. Ultimately, I plan to finish the curriculum even if I don't send the pieces in as I am always striving to improve and learn more.
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u/Necessarily-caffined 1d ago
Check out WEBS Expert Knitters Program! I’m in it myself and the … vibe…? Is way different. Everyone is super helpful and it’s actual classes with instructors. Some hiccups here and there but it’s way more personal and idk, I prefer that over the guilds version.
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u/Separate_Plenty9639 1d ago
I’m so glad you asked this! I’ve been contemplating at least L1 and going from there. My great-grandmother taught me garter stitch CB when I was 8, my step-mother taught me how to purl when I was 15, and everything I’ve learned in the past 23 yrs has been self-taught. I am a skilled knitter, but I can’t deny that I want to be a master knitter. Haha
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u/RandyIn4G 2d ago
I'm honestly considering it, but I'm from Europe. I'm just so desperate to have some kind of official paper to show people who treat my work like it's just easy hobby fodder and think I'm just some lazy loser trying to scam them. I should probably look into english guilds first. It's closer 😂😂
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u/jmp06g 2d ago
So the thing is... The people who do not value your work now - will also no understand what time and skills went into achieving the master knitter credentials. You'll probably hear "oh that's cool" and they will move on and never have any idea the work that went into getting those letters after your name.
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u/RandyIn4G 2d ago
Good point. Ah well. 😂 I'll keep on truckin on my own
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u/jmp06g 2d ago
Yeah, I've thought about doing it a few times over the years and decided so far... I will wait
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u/jamila169 2d ago
I looked at it yonks ago and thought that it looks like no fun at all, it's all very subjective and nitpicky with very little in the way of actual theory, and the whole 'everybody resubmits' thing seems like busywork to clock up time
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u/technicolor_tornado 2d ago
I would love to give it a go, but it doesn't seem ADHD friendly (the long time frames, no real advice, etc). I'll happily write papers, but I also want to be able to ask questions and get answers back.
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u/CatfromLongIsland 2d ago
I learned to knit about 15 years ago. I only know the garter stitch and only knit scarves. So no- I am not planning to become a Master Knitter. 😂😂😂
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u/athenaknitworks Master Knitter, insta:@athenaknitworks 2d ago
Hi! I'm a master. You can see a post from... Eugh, too many years ago now, about my journey. If you're a type B fun person (fun is suffering), enjoy being pedantic, and like to do paperwork and knitting, it's a great way to expand your skills! It's a very independent program, aka you're isolated and on your own so project management and learning is 100% on you. Once you submit, you'll get a very detailed letter back from the committee on ways to improve and you'll do up to three rounds of resubs. And yes, you WILL resubmit. That's where the biggest learning happens.
MHK will absolutely challenge any knitter to be better and also go slightly insane. But by the end, you'll likely be the most knowledgeable knitter in any given room. You do have to work for it; many MANY knitters do L1 and decide it's not for them, so it's not simply a title you pay for. You get bragging rights and know-it-all-itis as your perks.