Domestic Machine Knitting for Improvers
- Level(s) of Study: Short course
- Course Fee:
£365 (August 2025) or £385
- Start Date(s): 6 August 2025, 18 October 2025, 7 March 2026
- Duration: Wednesday to Friday 10 am - 4 pm, three days or Saturdays 10 am - 4 pm, three weeks
- Study Mode(s): Part-time
- Campus: City Campus
- Entry Requirements: More information
Introduction:
Course dates:
6 - 8 August 2025, Wednesday to Friday 10 am - 4 pm
18 October - 1 November 2025, Saturdays 10 am - 4 pm
7 - 21 March 2026, Saturdays 10 am - 4 pm
Design and make your very own custom machine-knitted sweater in just three sessions!
This exciting and hands-on course is designed to help you take your skills to the next level while walking away with a beautiful jumper you’ve made yourself. You’ll learn how to design a basic shape, calculate dimensions, and write instructions for your own take on this classic jumper. You’ll then work from your own instructions to bring your unique vision to life, knit all of the elements, sew them together, add a trim and then wear it home.
By the end, you’ll have a completed sweater, trimmed to perfection, and ready to wear or show off to friends and family. No experience is more satisfying than creating something you can wear with pride.
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You will work in our NTU knitting studio on either Brother, Knitmaster or Silver Reed machines. -
With a limited class size of 8 people you'll have the one-to-one attention you need to ensure you leave with the skills to continue developing your designs at home or work. -
Benefit from learning with an experienced tutor who has established links to the profession and significant experience working in varied practices. -
On successful completion of the course you will receive a certificate of attendance.
What you’ll study
You’ll work on either a Brother or Knitmaster/Silver Reed knitting machine, using single-bed structures for your main garment. You’ll have the option to use ribbing attachments to craft a polished hem and neckline. Whether you prefer a plain design or a punch-card structure like Fairisle or tuck (if you are confident working with punch cards), this course provides the flexibility to match your vision and confidence level.
Before the course begins, you’ll design your jumper using a provided template and bring along a favourite sweater for reference. Using this, you’ll calculate the required needles, rows, and shaping for your creation. With expert guidance, you’ll transform these details into knit instructions, ensuring your design is achievable and tailored to your needs.
You will learn how to turn a swatch into a finished garment, learning the following skills:
- using a tension swatch to calculate garment measurements and angles
- writing step by step knitting instructions
- work on large scale pieces of knitting (this can throw up new challenges)
- complete fully fashioned shaping techniques – widening and narrowing
- use a ribbing attachment to produce a hem and a neckline
- make up the garment using the knitting machine.
With a combination of expert demonstrations and one-on-one tuition, you’ll gain confidence and skills that will be useful for further projects.
Prior to the course, you will create a design for your jumper using the template provided and bring a long jumper that you like the fit of. From this, you will calculate the needles and rows for the width and length of your garment and the frequency of the decreases or increases for any shaping you have included.
You will translate this information into knit instructions for a basic, drop shoulder sweater; you will be given advice on this but ultimately, they should be written in a way that suits you best.
You will then knit up the pieces, and work with the ribbing attachment and shaping as necessary, all with the support of your tutor.
Here’s a breakdown of what you’ll study during the course:
Swatch, sketch, and calculate your garment’s dimensions to create a set of bespoke knitting instructions that reflect your style.
Begin knitting your sweater, focusing on the back, front, and one sleeve—bringing your design to life piece by piece.
Complete your garment by knitting the remaining elements, calculating and adding the neck trim, and sewing everything together to produce your finished jumper.
How you’re taught
This course will be delivered in person on Nottingham Trent University city campus.
Contact hours
You will receive 15 contact hours of quality tuition with an experienced tutor.
Careers and employability
On successful completion of the course you will receive a certificate of attendance, which will further enhance your CV.
Campus and facilities
You will be based in the School of Art and Design on the City Campus.
You will have access to an excellent range of facilities and equipment in the knitwear studios, with domestic knitting machines and space to work on your projects.
You’ll also have access to our library to use outside of your short course; whilst you can’t reserve or take away books, you are welcome to use them as a resource for research and referencing.
You will receive an email one week before the course starts with joining instructions on where to go for the first day.
Entry requirements
Level: Intermediate
Entry requirement: You must have completed a beginner's domestic machine knitting course either at NTU or elsewhere. You must be able to confidently use a domestic knitting machine and transfer stitches with a transfer tool.
You must be over the age of 18 in order to attend this course.
Fees and funding
The fee for this course is £365 (August 2025) or £385.
Payment is due at the time of booking - ask us if you'd prefer an invoice sent to your company.
Secure your place with a deposit - If you're booking more than two months before the course starts, we can accept a £200 deposit to secure your place, and the balance is due one month before the course starts.
Your course fees cover the cost of studies, including great benefits such as the use of our modern library and free use of the IT equipment and software on the campus during your course.
Please bring with you to the first day:
- provide your own yarn, which can be purchased from the below suppliers (or you can bring yarn that you already have, but it must be suitable for the machine you wish to use. Brother or SilverReed are provided but you can bring your own machine and manual if you prefer):
- notepad and pen
- scissors
- any images or examples of knitted fabric that inspire you, for discussion
- complete the design template for your sweater before the course, sticking to the rules we have given you (this is to ensure you can get your jumper finished during the course). You will be emailed the template in advance of the course.
You can read the terms and conditions of booking here.
Need accommodation for a week long summer course?
Accommodation can be booked separately to the course; the rooms are only a few minutes’ walk from our studios and classrooms, and cost £259 per week.
These are single rooms with a private bathroom in shared apartments in Nottingham Trent University’s city campus accommodation, which is ideal if you're looking to be based in Nottingham's lively city centre and want an economical place to stay.
Find out more and book your accommodation here.
How to apply
You can book your place via the NTU online store:
6 - 8 August 2025, Wednesday to Friday 10 am - 4 pm
18 October - 1 November 2025, Saturdays 10 am - 4 pm
7 - 21 March 2026, Saturdays 10 am - 4 pm
Browse all fashion, textiles and costume short courses.
Any questions?
Contact the short course team:
- Email: creativeshortcourses@ntu.ac.uk
- Tel: +44 (0)115 848 2813