$397.00
The streamlined, straightforward approach to grading for knit and crochet patterns!
Description
Grading 101
What is Grading?
“The purpose of grading is to proportionally increase or decrease the size of a pattern, while maintaining shape, fit, balance, and scale of style details.” (Horlamus) When grading a knit or crochet pattern, we take a sample sized garment and add additional sizes to the pattern. This is done as evenly as possible, so no big jumps in sizing occur
Who is this course for?
• knit or crochet designers
• tech editors
I’m putting this course together as an entry level course into grading, so no prior grading knowledge is needed! My plan is to give you the knowledge and vocabulary you’ll need to be able grade any type of garment or accessory in the future!
What Grading 101 Provides:
• You’ll learn how to verify if a design is able to be graded.
• You’ll learn what a good sizing chart looks like.
• You’ll learn how to calculate finished goal sizes for all areas of the garment or accessory.
• You’ll learn how to take those goals and convert them into stitch and row or round numbers.
• Special care will be taken to teach knitters and crocheters about the tricky spots in grading for their unique craft. As a grader for both crochet and knitting, there are areas to use caution with, and I’ll go over those with students.
• You’ll receive a reusable spreadsheet in Excel to get you started on your grading journey.
• You’ll learn applicable tips and tricks for spreadsheet grading. Functions and formulas that you can apply to many different designs.
• Most importantly, you’ll learn the art behind grading so that you’ll be able to apply the “why” and “how” to any design!
Meet Your Instructor:
Hello! My name is Melissa, and I was taught how to crochet by my grandmother and aunt, both of whom were masters in this craft! Years later, in my college days, I taught myself how to knit with the help of a magazine article. Eventually, that led to designing, then tech editing, and finally grading patterns for other designers. I’ve graded knit and crochet patterns for a wide range of clients – from brand new designers just getting started, to designers that had published hundreds of patterns and have thousands of fans.
So why am I teaching this course?
I kept getting requests for a grading course every time I opened the doors for my editing course (Learn to Tech Edit Crochet). I love to work with beginners, whether it is teaching someone how to crochet, designing, editing, or grading! I’ve also had to turn down grading clients this past year due to a full workload, and I thought, “Why not teach them how to do what I do?” We need more great people to do this work and build this kind of career! Plus, because I can, and do, grade both knitting and crochet, I can teach you the secrets to excellent grading of whichever craft is your favorite. Or both!
What Will I Be Learning?
Module 1: Pre-grading work and choosing a sizing chart
Module 2: Goal setting for our pattern using information from Module 1
Module 3: Spreadsheet basics
Module 4: Calculating desired finished measurements
Module 5: Calculating stitch and row / round counts and calculating increases and decreases
Module 6: Calculating yarn requirements, problems with drop shoulder construction
Module 7: Grading using other size charts
Module 8: Bonus module on either set-in sleeve construction or raglan construction
How Will the Course be Operated?
Each module will be delivered via email every Monday and optional live Zoom office hours will take place every Thursday at 1 p.m. EST.
There is no homework assigned. The class will be working together through a drop-shoulder pullover design (written in both knit and crochet versions and provided to students). Students are welcome to use a pattern of their own to practice with as we work through the modules.
Frequently Asked Questions:
After the course, will I be able to properly grade all the construction types even of I haven’t knit some of them but know from theory only?
Yes! Anything that you can design or edit should be within your ability to grade. Because we are learning the theory of grading-the why and why nots-you’ll be able to apply this knowledge to all types of garment and accessory constructions.
Can I take this course if I don’t live in the United States?
Absolutely! Grading 101 welcomes students from all over the globe!
Will I be able to go on to more advanced grading courses from Grading 101?
I specifically designed this course to be a building block for other garment specific courses and workshops, taught by other instructors. I will be giving students a solid foundation for whatever their future goals for grading may be.
Can I share this course with a friend?
All content is copyright by That Metzbower Girl, LLC. The material in Grading 101 is presented in an educational context for personal use and study and should not be distributed, reproduced, shared, or sold without written permission of That Metzbower Girl, LLC.
What if I decide this course is not right for me?
Due to the digital and educational nature of this product, refunds will only be given up to 5 days after purchase. If a refund is needed, kindly email: melissa@thatmetzbowergirl.com
Works Cited
Horlamus, Terry. “Making Sense of Pattern Grading.” Threads (2002): 100. Print.
