. . . dvds and videos from Schoolhouse Press . . .

Schoolhouse Press DVDs

(Beneath our DVD listings, you will find your old favorites still on video-prices reduced-, as stock remains.)

We are pleased to offer a wide range of instructional knitting media by Elizabeth Zimmermann and Meg Swansen. Cully (Elizabeth's grandson) has been hard at work transferring our video titles to DVD format, as well as editing and augmenting some of them with new information. In the past two years, he has filmed new footage for the Knitting Glossary, with Meg, adding 30 new techniques to the original 100 and updated a number of our videos to DVD; we can't say enough about how DVD menus have improved a knitter's ability to utilize instructional media. Additionally, Meg and Cully have been filming new DVDs. His latest focus has been the filming and production of The Ribwarmer. Brand new titles are The Baby Surprise Jacket, Knitting Lace with Meg Swansen and The Ribwarmer.

Bohus Knitting DVD

From Relief Work to World Success

A Swedish film company has just released a new DVD: Bohus Knitting - From Relief Work to World Success. It is devoted to the history of the halcyon 30-year period in the annals of hand knitting when women in Sweden's Bohuslän banded together to form a cottage industry and ended up producing world famous works of knitted art in the form of sweaters, hats, gloves, mittens and scarves. The DVD is beautifully done (with an English voice-over and sub-titles). I found it very moving to learn about individual women who had worked so hard to help their families, and to see the extraordinarily beautiful knitting they produced.

58 minutes, $25.00

After you've been inspired by the DVD, you can turn to Wendy Keele's, Poems of Color: Knitting in the Bohus Tradition for detailed instructions and charts for many of the traditional and historic garments. For anyone interested in knitting tradition and history, the book and the DVD are, indeed, a gift. Order both together (at left) for a 20% discount.

The Saddle Sleeve Jacket and Twisted Stitch Hat DVD

with Meg Swansen

Cully has produced a DVD from Meg's original Saddle-Sleeve Jacket video, editing it and adding a new segment with Meg instructing on how to knit a Bavarian Twisted Stitch hat. The Saddle Sleeve sweater is Bavarian Twisted Stitch as well (see cover at left) but the DVD also includes instruction for a plain Unspun Icelandic version from Meg Swansen's Knitting book. approx. 90 min. $25.00

Round the Bend Jacket and Puzzle Pillow DVD

with Meg Swansen

Cully has produced a DVD from Meg's original Round the Bend Jacket video, adding the ever useful menu options for ease in reviewing techniques as you knit along. Also included is the footage for the Puzzle Pillow Blanket which uses techniques similar to those in the Round the Bend Jacket. Full instruction for both Jacket and Blanket with DVD menus. $25

Elizabeth Zimmermann's Ribwarmer DVD

with Meg Swansen

This design of EZ's is as classic as her Baby Surprise Jacket. The DVD will show you numerous variations including a Child's Ribwarmer, Meg's Knee-Length Ribwarmer and EZ's Butterfly Jacket (featured in Wool Gathering; pictured at left), from 1956 McCall's. The classic ribwarmer is a utilitarian and attractive garment (Meg wears hers almost daily in winter), the knee length version is a warm, long over-layer and the butterfly is sleek and graceful. Techniques shown include: Invisible cast on, increasing, short rows, garter-stitch weaving, after-thought pockets, EZ's applied Icord, 3-Needle I-Cord Cast Off, Reversible Phoney Seams, Sport-Jacket Vent. $25

If you purchase both the DVD and the kit we'll discount $5 when we receive your order. Ribwarmer Kit

The Shawl Collared Vest DVD

with Meg Swansen

The Shawl Collared Vest is knitted completely in the round and then cut. Casting on, twisted rib, backward loop increase, L and R cable (with and without a cable needle), cable trick, steeks, Phoney Seams, V-Neck Shaping, Reversible Phoney Seam, Finishing a Cut Edge, and I-Cord Tab Buttonholes. Kit Available. 60 minutes. $20

If you purchase both the DVD and the kit we'll discount $5 when we receive your order. Shawl Collared Vest Kit

Knitting Around DVD

The ever popular Knitting Around, companion media to Elizabeth's Knitting Around book, will soon be available on DVD. Contains Twelve lessons including: The Moccasin Sock, Fair Isle Yoke Sweater, Knitted Dickeys (useful samplers for learning to knit short row garter-stitch corners, a technique that can be used for larger garments), the original Knitted Moebius, The Bog Jacket, The Pie Are Square Shawl, A Norwegian Pullover, A Mittful of Mittens and An Aran Coat (two lessons.) Cully has also added a voice segment of Elizabeth reading her digressions (written in Knitting Around), along with a slideshow of over 400 EZ photographs & watercolors, many of them not previously in print.

Approx 6 hrs. $48

Order the Knitting Around DVD with its companion book, Knitting Around, for a 10% discount, $68.40.

The Knitting Around Book includes written instruction for all of the DVD chapters listed above, as well as Elizabeth's digressions and many photos & watercolors illustrating her life.

Knitting Lace DVD

with Meg Swansen

Knit three lovely shawls along with Meg: The Mananita, a lace poncho, knitted in the round from center to crocheted edging, a long graceful reversible Stole with perpendicular border (originally featured in Vogue Knitting), and a small Neck-Scarf version of a traditional Faroese Shawl. Approx 2 hrs. $28

The Russian Prime DVD

with Meg Swansen

This striking all-over pattern is enhanced by the impressive continuity of motif from cuff to cuff. Meg guides you through the knitting of this circularly-constructed garment, showing techniques including long tail cast on, side panels, increasing in a pattern, steeks at armholes and neck, knitting up in pattern, I-cord shoulder seam, top of sleeve decreasing, corrugated rib, Casting-On, Casting-Off, Applied I-cord, plus centering a color-pattern and two-color knitting excerpts from A Knitting Glossary DVD. approx. 60 min. $20.00

A Guernsey Pullover DVD

with Meg Swansen

A few months ago, Cully found the raw footage Chris and I had taped in Oregon in 1992, which documented knitting this child's guernsey (modeled on the cover by Eli Swansen). I had thought the film was lost, as Chris had never found time to complete this project, but now Cully has edited all the material, added Chris's music and produced a "new" (never previously released) DVD. Filmed along the spectacular Oregon coast, this Knitting Vacation takes you step by step through the Guernsey construction. Knitted in the round to the underarms, then worked flat to the shoulders-eliminating the need to cut-this is a great project for both beginning and experienced knitters. Insert instructions include numbers for a child's and an adult's size.

You will see Channel Island cast on, split lower garter-sttich welt, Indian Corn stitch, gussets, texture patterns, horizontal, shaped shoulder straps, garter-stitch weaving, knitting-up around armholes, decreasting to cuffs, and EZ's sewn cast off. approx. 60 min. $20.00

Elizabeth Zimmermann's Baby Surprise Jacket DVD

with Meg Swansen

— from the book Elizabeth Zimmermann's Knitting Workshop

One of the most unique & ingenius of all of EZ’s designs, the BSJ was  introduced in 1968, and has grown in popularity ever since.  Meg takes you step by step through the jacket construction, including:long tail cast on, double decreasing / increasing, adding colors, baby buttonholes, casting off in purl, sewing a seam / darning in ends.

Bonus material includes :addition of collar, “continuous line” throughout the jacket, matching bonnet, knitting small circumferences on 2 circular needles, invisible cast on, and I-cord techniques. approx. 1 hr 20 mins. $18.00

Some reactions from knitters:

“I enjoy knitting this little sweater as it is truly fun.  I’ve made
more than 50 in the last 3 years.”
“This sweater is an engineering marvel.”
“I’ve been making little people sweaters for at least 40 years and
haven’t found an easier pattern yet; LOVE the BSJ.”

A Fair Isle Vest DVD

A Fair Isle Vest is knitted in Heather, Natural Black, Honey, Oatmeal, Moorit, and Ghillie Green. From corrugated rib to armhole steeks, V-neck shaping to shoulder weaving, borders, and blocking, plus a two-color knitting demo. Visit to Washington Island. Kit Available. 90 minutes. $25.00

A Knitting Glossary DVD

with Elizabeth Zimmermann and Meg Swansen

A Knitting Glossary from with a complete jump-to index for easy access to the techniques you wish to view or re-view! Meg has added over 30 new techniques to the original 100 and the Glossary now includes 13 ways to Cast On, 7 ways to Cast Off, 15 I-Cord variations, Two-color techniques, Entrelac, Bavarian Twisted Stitch, Buttonholes, Two-End Knitting, Steeks (crocheted or machine stitched), Weaving, Afterthought Pockets, Armenian Knitting, Double-Knitting, Jogless knitting, Trapping, Elizabeth's Percentage System (EPS) and much more. 4 hours. $40

Knitting Workshop DVD with Elizabeth Zimmermann

The lessons originally aired on PBS, from beginnings (casting on, increasing, decreasing and color work) to Master classes (aran and fair isle sweaters, shoulder shapings, steeks and more) edited by Cully Swansen with additional commentary from Meg about EZ. $48

Elizabeth Zimmermann's Knitting Workshop book provides drawings, charts, techniques and instructions for a number of garments shown in this series. 10% discount for ordering the book and dvd together. $59.40

Spiral Yoke DVD

— from the book Handknitting with Meg Swansen

This circular seamless pullover, based on Elizabeth Zimmermann's Percentage System (EPS), is elegant in appearance and a pleasure to knit. You may choose either a Travelling Stitch motif used in the adult version, or a two-color yoke shown in the child's model.

Along with the garment construction, you will see: two kinds of cast on, phoney seams, hems, short rows & wrapping, knitting back backwards, mirror-image increases, travelling stitch, weaving, and sewn casting off. Kit Available. 60 minutes. DVD. $20

Mimbres Vest DVD

— from the book Meg Swansen's Knitting

This all-over patterned vest is worked on circular needles from the lower edge to wanted length to underarm, where a pair of steeks are established. Continue to the base of the scooped neck, insert another steek, then onward to wanted shoulder height. Shoulders are united and the steeks are machine-stitched and cut. I- Cord borders are knitted directly onto the edges of the armholes and all around the periphery of the vest .

Techniques include: Long Tail casting on; following the chart; trapping the carried color; kangaroo pouches; steeks; machine stitching and cutting; 3-needle I-Cord cast off; EZ's Applied I-Cord; neatening the cut edges; blocking. Filmed on location in New Mexico and Arizona.

Kit Available. 60 minutes. DVD $20

Cardigan Details DVD

— from the book Meg Swansen's Knitting

Filmed on location along the spectacular Oregon coast, Cardigan Details concentrates on knitting a circular Norwegian style dropped-shoulder, scooped neck cardigan. The body is knitted in the round from lower edge to shoulder, with a steek up the center front. The sleeves are knitted from the cuffs, and there is a gentle Norwegian color-pattern at the tops of the sleeves and body. The armholes and center-front are cut open, sleeves sewn in and the border knitted on. Techniques shown include: casting on and k1b, p1 rib, increasing, short rows and wrapping, knitting-back backward, steeks, color pattern knitting, machine stitching, cutting, attaching sleeves and all aspects of knitting the garter-stitch cardigan border directly onto the garment in one continuous piece (no sewing): knit-up ratio, mitered corners, neck shaping, one-row buttonholes, two-stitch I-Cord Cast Off and finishing the cut edge. Kit Available. 90 minutes. $25

Swedish Dubbelmössa and Scarf DVD

— from the book Handknitting with Meg Swansen

This versatile Swedish hat can be worn in a variety of ways and provides an excellent opportunity to practice color-pattern knitting. Traditionally, it is folded in upon itself to form four thicknesses over the ears. The lightweight Unspun Icelandic tubular scarf offers a choice of end-treatments: a giant sock-toe or an I-Cord fringe. Both scarf and hat are knitted in the round, which simplifies construction.

You will see Invisible Cast On (2 methods); basic construction; charting; Jogless jogs; top decreasing; tassle; Sock-Toe ending;decreasing; splicing wool; weaving, and I-Cord fringe. Kit Available. 60 minutes. $20

Schoolhouse Press Videos

While supplies last, the titles below are available in VHS format. Be sure to check above to see if a DVD is available for the title of your choice. Or, take advantage of the deep discounts for videos below (only videos already transferred to DVD are discounted).

Dubbelmössa Scarf/Hat Video

— from the book Handknitting with Meg Swansen

This versatile Swedish hat can be worn in a variety of ways and provides an excellent opportunity to practice color-pattern knitting. Traditionally, it is folded in upon itself to form four thicknesses over the ears. The lightweight Unspun Icelandic tubular scarf offers a choice of end-treatments: a giant sock-toe or an I-Cord fringe. Both scarf and hat are knitted in the round, which simplifies construction.

You will see Invisible Cast On (2 methods); basic construction; charting; Jogless jogs; top decreasing; tassle; Sock-Toe ending;decreasing; splicing wool; weaving, and I-Cord fringe.

Kit Available. VHS (NTSC) or PAL formats; 60 minutes.$10

Puzzle-Pillow Blanket Video

— from the book Handknitting with Meg Swansen

The mysterious blanket-that-folds-up-into-its-own-attached-pillow-cover. Garter-stitch corners, "sew-as-you-go" and 3-needle I-Cord cast off. Kit Available. VHS format; 30 minutes. $10

Cardigan Details Video

— from the book Meg Swansen's Knitting

Filmed on location along the spectacular Oregon coast, Cardigan Details concentrates on knitting a circular Norwegian style dropped-shoulder, scooped neck cardigan. The body is knitted in the round from lower edge to shoulder, with a steek up the center front. The sleeves are knitted from the cuffs, and there is a gentle Norwegian color-pattern at the tops of the sleeves and body. The armholes and center-front are cut open, sleeves sewn in and the border knitted on. Techniques shown include: casting on and k1b, p1 rib, increasing, short rows and wrapping, knitting-back backward, steeks, color pattern knitting, machine stitching, cutting, attaching sleeves and all aspects of knitting the garter-stitch cardigan border directly onto the garment in one continuous piece (no sewing): knit-up ratio, mitered corners, neck shaping, one-row buttonholes, two-stitch I-Cord Cast Off and finishing the cut edge.Kit Available. VHS (NTSC) or PAL formats; 90 minutes. $10