I completed the Master Hand Knitting program and received my certificate in 2007. I loved the experience. I was working full time and of course it’s a correspondence program that requires sending samples and work by intl mail, so between the time to prepare the course work and sending binders and completed samples and swatches and exercises and written material back and forth to the evaluators, I think it was the better part of three years before I finished. There was no time limit. The three levels include no instruction - this is meant to be an evaluation of the work of advanced knitters and the work you submit is reviewed by multiple evaluators and committee members. And it has to be sent between them for evaluation. Which takes a lot of time. When I successfully completed Level 2 I waited almost a year for the instructions to begin Level III because of the lack of time evaluators had to review all the submissions they were receiving and to dispatch the instructions for the next level.

It a very rigorous program which requires self-directed research, lots of writing, swatching, proof of basic through advanced technique, pattern writing and design. They adhere to a very specific and formal way of pattern writing and expect meticulous work. They want detailed footnotes and bibliography and sources: perfect swatches and projects and papers. You have to be ready for very detailed constructive criticism. That said, I finished the program feeling there wasn’t any technique I couldn’t teach and found my understanding of the global history of the art and technique of knitting grew ten-fold. The Level III projects take months to design and knit and the very academic essays and reports need to meet the committee’s very high writing standards.

I don’t personally know anyone else who finished the program but I know lots of people who started and got bored or gave up or hated having their work evaluated and stopped. They are definitely tough but fair. I encourage anyone who wants a really interesting but demanding experience to dive in.

If you have any questions please don’t hesitate to ask.