How confident are you when it comes to your knitting? When you see a pattern that uses an unfamiliar technique, do you dive straight in? Or do you find yourself knitting the same sorts of projects over and over again?
I’ve had the good fortune to, online and at shows, chat and make friends with knitters from around the world. And through those interactions, I’ve come to realise two things. First, knitters are often a humble bunch who underestimate their own abilities. And second, when they trust themselves and try something new, they not only have a lot of fun, but produce some really amazing knitting.
And that’s where Confident Knitting: A Third Year of Techniques comes into the picture. It’s our brand-new technique-based programme. It follows a similar format to our previous books A Year of Techniques and Boost Your Knitting, using inspiring patterns from an array of amazing designers to help you master new techniques and discover new joy in your knitting. And like AYOT and BYK, it’s completely self-contained, so you don’t need to have already worked through any of our previous publications! Confident Knitting will let you add some shiny new tools to your knitting tool kit and, in the process, give your knitting confidence a big ol’ boost so that you feel ready to tackle any knitting challenge that comes your way!
We’ve worked with talented designers around the world to bring you Confident Knitting. It’s a full year of learning (though you can, of course, dip in and out as you choose): a dozen achievable projects, featuring a dozen techniques, letting you discover something fun and new in your knitting each month! As a former teacher, I also know that people learn best in different ways. We support each project with both video and photo tutorials, so you can learn in the way that best suits you!
Over the coming days, we’ll be releasing more details about the techniques, designers and yarns that make up Confident Knitting, but here’s what I can tell you so far!
Confident Knitting will go on sale this Friday, 5th February, 2021 and the following products will be available:
Confident Knitting Print + eBook (£20.00 plus shipping): Starting on 1st March 2021 you will receive a digital photo tutorial and pattern file each month that will teach you a new skill to grow you knitting confidence. Each pattern will also be accompanied by a video tutorial published to our YouTube channel so you can fearlessly tackle new knitting techniques. Every month a knitalong to celebrate that technique will run in The Knitalong Hub, and the projects are all carefully designed to be achievable within a month. The programme will run through to February 2022, with the videos and knitalongs happening each month. Confident Knitting also includes a series of exclusive discounts (running between now and 1st September 2021) on products from our online shop. As well as all of this digital content, you will also receive a print copy of Confident Knitting, and these will be shipped in September 2021. This product must be ordered on its own without any other items.
Confident Knitting eBook only (£19.99): Same as above, but you will not receive a print book in September 2021. This is a great option if you’re concerned about shipping, import or custom costs. Please note If you choose this option, unfortunately, we are not able to upgrade you to the print copy at a later date. Please only select this option if you are certain you don’t want a print copy.
Confident Knitting Spring Kit (£70 plus shipping): This kit contains all the yarns required to complete the March, April and May projects from Confident Knitting, packaged in a handy kit bag. The price of the kit represents a discount compared with purchasing the yarns separately, particularly compared to the extra cost of shipping for all three projects separately. You can buy this kit along with anything else in our online shop, as your kit will ship immediately. There is a choice of two possible colourways. If demand is high, we may need to introduce alternative colourways in order to continue to supply kits. You will also need to purchase the Confident Knitting programme separately (see Print and eBook, or eBook only options above). We have some exciting news to share about yarn options this year, so do keep your eyes peeled over the next few days!
Ultimate Confident Knitting is no longer available.
We are working hard with all of our suppliers to have stock in hand well in advance, but given the current uncertainties around the supply chain (resulting from the pandemic and post-Brexit trade issues), there is a small possibility that despite our best efforts, some yarns may not be available to us. In that situation we will of course communicate with Ultimate customers and offer possible solutions, including refunding a portion if necessary. We very much hope this won’t be necessary, but I hope it helps to know that we have taken the 2020/21 effect into account!
Newsletter subscribers will be the first to hear that Confident Knitting + yarn kits are one sale (and will also get an exclusive discount). If you’d like to be notified, do sign up:
Phew, that was a lot to cover! If you have any questions, do ask, whether it’s in the comments, over in The Knitalong Hub or by using the Contact Us form. No question is too small or silly — chances are, if you’re thinking of it, someone else is too! And, based on previous years, here are the answers to a few commonly asked ones.
Q: Do I need to have worked through all the projects in A Year of Techniques or Boost Your Knitting before I join Confident Knitting?
A: No, absolutely not. Confident Knitting will provide you with the tutorials you require for all the projects. That said, a couple of techniques from previous books may come in handy, and we will include links to those video tutorials as it’s relevant. You could just as easily work through A Year of Techniques or Boost Your Knitting after Confident Knitting, or at the same time, or never. It’s all good!
Q: How will my digital content be delivered?
A: When you purchase Confident Knitting you will receive an email from our online shop with the subject line “Your downloads are ready”. In that email you will find a link to download your pdf file. You can also add Confident Knitting to your Ravelry library by following the links on the Order Confirmation page (which you can also access from your Order Confirmation email – keep that email safe!). Each month when the new pattern and tutorial are released, you will receive a new email from our online shop with the subject line “Update available for Confident Knitting”. This email will include a new download link. If you have added your patterns to your Ravelry account, you will also receive an update notice from that system. Please ensure that you provide us with the correct email address when you purchase Confident Knitting, and check your spam folder if your don’t receive the expected order confirmation and downloads are ready emails.
Q: Can I purchase an ebook only version of Confident Knitting?
A: Yes, but please be aware that we will not be able to upgrade you to a print copy when they arrive in September. Please only select this option if you are certain you don’t want a print copy of the book.
Q: Why does the print book come after six months instead of at the end of the year?
A: We need to deliver the product you have purchased within a reasonable time frame, and providing the book at the halfway point is a compromise between preserving the monthly knitalongs and excitement of revealing the designs, against keeping things manageable with people changing addresses and us holding your money.
Q: When can I find out which techniques you will be covering in Confident Knitting?
A: We will be revealing the techniques this Wednesday (3rd February 2021) here on the blog.
Q: Who are the designers for Confident Knitting?
A: We will be revealing the stellar list of designers we are working with when we go on sale on Friday (5th February 2021). There will be an announcement here on the blog, and the product pages in the shop will be updated too.
Q: Do I need to join right now?
A: You can join in at any time. Indeed, you can purchase the print edition of Confident Knitting at any point in the future and work through the projects. But if you want the full experience of learning alongside a supportive group of knitters and the shared endeavour of growing your skills, then it’s definitely best to jump right in at the start.
Q: Do I need to complete all the projects in Confident Knitting? Do I need to work through Confident Knitting in the correct order?
A: No. Each project is designed to be self-contained. So you can choose whether to work through all of them, or whether to pick and choose the techniques or designs that interest you the most. The photo tutorials are all there to be referred to, so you can use them as you wish.
Q: Where will the monthly knitalongs take place?
A: We’ll be hosting monthly knitalongs on our new online forum, The Knitalong Hub. If you’ve not yet signed up, it’s easy and totally free.
Q: I live in the EU. Can I still order the print book and yarn kits from Arnall-Culliford Knitwear?
A: Yes, we are actively shipping to EU countries. Just be aware that, as of 1st January 2021, EU customers placing orders over €22 may be taxed at the border and may incur a customs handling fee in the receiving country. Orders over €150 may also incur customs duties. These charges are the responsibility of the customer. The levels and thresholds vary from country to country - please contact the customs office in your country if you'd like to know more.
Q: My local yarn shop is interested in Confident Knitting, can they sell the programme?
A: Print copies of Confident Knitting will be available to purchase wholesale from our distributor, Chester Wool Company, in September 2021. Prior to that, Confident Knitting is only available as a digital programme with accompanying print book, direct from us, Arnall-Culliford Knitwear.
March 2022 Update: We are now managing whoelsale distribution in house. Our books are currently available from Purlescence (UK), Modern Daily Knitting (USA) and Strickmich (EU).