Showing posts with label crochet lesson. Show all posts
Showing posts with label crochet lesson. Show all posts

Saturday, June 27, 2015

Summer Knitting and crocheting, aka Getting Ready for the Holidays

Summer knitting and crocheting

Once the flip flops and beach apparel have been created, it’s still too hot to knit or crochet large items.   It's also probably too hot to think too hard for patterns.  Quick and simple to complete projects are great.  Now is the time to think of what you might want to gift to co workers for the upcoming holidays.  Now is the time to think of what you might want to craft for your decorations.

I offer the following ideas.  All are small and won’t make you much hotter.
1.       Decorations for a specific holiday or year round appeal.
          a.      Crochet wreaths
          b.      Snowflakes
          c.      Holly leaves, knit or crochet
          d.      Nativity figures
          e.      Mini mittens, hats, sweaters, socks
          f.       Ice skates
               g.      Easter Eggs
          h.      Butterflies
          I.       Acorns
          j.        Pinecones
          k.       Autumn leaves
          l.        flowers
2.       Amigurumi Christmas animals and people
3.       Hats mittens, cowls, mitts, socks
4.       mug rugs, mug hugs (keeps a  hot cup hot longer or cold drinks cold longer, depending.  The rug will also keep the sweat from running down to stain the tables or the heat from leaving a mark.)

All of the above ideas are available in knit or crochet ideas.  Patterns are available all over the internet.  Search for the item, either knit or crochet and free pattern.  You will be amazed at what you find.

I wrote this before the summer was much of a thought.  Summer was a hope at the end of the winter that never seemed to want to end.  At I type this update, today's high temperature was 80.  Yesterday it didn't make it above 74.  This is the end of June.  For the past 30 years or so, it gets HOT, as in 90+, and is very dry at this time of year.  So far we have had a very wet late spring and early summer.  I'm not minding the larger projects yet.  But be assured, these ideas will be needed soon.  I think.

Thursday, June 5, 2014

New Classes!!! New Schedule!!! SALE!!!

There's a sale!!!  Classes are on sale!!!  
Here are the details.  They will look a bit familiar.  Any class that is $25 or more is now on sale for $20 on June 7 only.  Sign up online here or in the store.  For those who come into the store, there is a $20 voucher good for class supplies!!  Please take some time out from the Good Samaritan Hospital Street Fair to come to the store to sign up.  The sale is good all day.

Now onto the new classes.  Some classes are retired.  Some classes are new.  Please note, most classes (Wilton may be the exception and need more.  I don't know.) will need 2 paying students.  Consider bringing a friend if you want to be sure of a class.

These are the new crochet offerings.  Small enough to not make you hot just thinking about yarn in summer but large enough to be useful and fun.

Child's Purse


Crochet Basket

Tunisian tablet cover

Colorful  Creatures
 These are the new knit class offerings.  Again small enough to not make you too hot in summer with yarn but some useful and fashionable things.
Simple Knit Scarf

Jersey Pillow

Twisted Headband

Baby Hat
 We also have a new pompom class.  This would be a nice, decorative item to decorate a dorm room in the fall for the grad who is heading off to college or for any teen's room in school colors or their favorite team.
Pompom Wreath
 We haven't forgotten the children either.  New for the kids is weaving with weaving sticks.  This is a very old technique but still has some modern and fashionable and fun applications.
Monsters

Monster Scarf 
Headband with bow


Now for the new schedules.


Beginner Crochet Classes

All Classes are Mondays 6pm – 8:30pm
Crochet Beginner 1 – Skinny Scarf or Phone Cover                     June 16
Crochet Beginner 2 – Pillow or Scarf                                             June 18
Crochet Advanced Beginner – Cloche or Scarf                             June 9  retired after this date but if you started it and need more help, let me know or come to a yarn night.
 
New Classes
Tunisian Crochet Table Cover                 July 2                   September 3        
    Crochet Child’s Purse                               July 23        September 15           
    Crochet Colorful Creatures                      August 4     September 29

     Crochet Basket                                                    August 18

Advanced Crochet Classes

All Classes are Wednesdays 6pm – 8:30pm, unless noted otherwise
Discover Time to Crochet Classes

Crocodile Stitch June 11
Ornaments for Summer and Winter August 20
Hairpin Lace Sept. 3
Broomstick Lace September 17
Filet Crochet    October 1      
 Last Chance for these classes
       Discover Crochet – Coasters                                             June 4
         Discover Crochet – Flower Scarf                                          June 24
         Discover Crochet – Flower Beanie                                        June 23
         Discover Crochet -  Spring Bunny                                            June 25

NEW ** Pom Pom Wreath Class               July 26 9:30am – 12 pm  **  NEW

Beginner Knit Classes

All Classes are Thursdays 6 – 8:30 pm
Knit Beginner 1 – Hat or Wristwarmers       June 19
Knit Beginner 2 – Neckwarmer or Tassel Hat      June 20
Knit Advanced Beginner – Cable Scarf or Fingerless Gloves            June 12 retired after this date
 
New Classes
Simple Scarf                 July 3                   September 4
Jersey Pillow                  July 24        September 18
Baby Hat                                          August 7
Twisted Headband with Bow                           August 21      

Arm Knitting                August 8    6 – 7 pm

Advanced Knit Classes

  All Classes are Fridays 6 – 8:30 pm, unless otherwise noted
Discover Time to Knit Classes
Intarsia            June 13
Socks              July 25            
Entrelac  August 22               
Ornaments September 5         
Fair Isle September 19
 
Last Chance for these Classes
Discover Knit – Head Wrap            June 26
Discover Knit -   Phone Cover                   June 27      
          Discover Knit - PomPom Hat           June 6
          Discover Knit – Scarf                          June 30
                   
PomPom Wreath           July 26  9:30am – 12pm
 
Arm Knitting                  August 8  6 – 7pm

KIDS CLASSES

Discover Kids Classes
All crochet classes are Saturday mornings 9:30 – 11AM unless noted
Discover Kids Crochet 1 (Necklace and Bracelet) 
August 9
September 20
Discover Kids Crochet 2 (Zipper Pull)
August 23
Discover Kids Crochet 3 (Monsters)
September 6

****NEW FOR KIDS****WEAVING****
     All weaving classes are Saturdays 11 – 12:30 unless noted
                    Discover Kids Weaving (Monster Scarf)
                          August 9          September 20
                       Discover Kids Weaving (Monsters)     August 23
                     Discover Kids Weaving (Headband and bow)       September 6

The extras -- Here are the dates for the yarn nights and when I will start Warm Up America joining parties again.  I know you will all join me in a sigh of relief that there won't be any in the summer.  I can't think of anything to make me feel hotter than an afghan in my lap.

 Yarn Nights are times for you to get a question answered about a stitch, yarn or pattern question that doesn’t require a full class.  You can also sit and stitch with me at this time.  Time is 1pm – 4 pm unless noted.

June 14          June 21        July 5 (1-2) July 26        August 9     August 23   September 6                   September 20
 
Warm Up America Joining Parties are times to help join afghans blocks to help the homeless here in Lebanon with the donation of warm afghans.
Joining party time is 2pm - 5pm unless noted.
                                                            September 21

Saturday, March 2, 2013

Simple Shapes

I've been giving a lot of thought to simple shapes.  You know the kind, square, rectangle, triangle, circle.  There has been some small controversy over some projects offered for demos and classes and the like.  Some things are boring.  This could be true.  But then again, it might not.

As I've been going about my daily routines, my mind has been free to think on this.  The basic drop shoulder sweater is 4 rectangles (front, back, and both sleeves).  Kitchen linens are rectangles or squares.  Bath linens are rectangles or squares.  Basic fingerless mitts are rectangles.  Scarves are really really long rectangles or a series of squares or small rectangles.  Simple hats can be wide and short rectangles.  Long stocking caps are very long, thin triangles.  Coasters can be any shape to protect your furniture or floors.  Socks in their most basic profile are two rectangles with a square.  Skirts are usually rectangles but could be squares, depending on length.  Purses, bags and most other mundane things are rectangles or squares.  Circles can be almost anything but hats (tams) and skirts (circle with a hole in the middle) come to mind first with purses a close third.  Trapezoids, or triangles with one point cut off straight across, are great for A-line skirts and more importantly sleeves.

The purpose for these is making straight sides and ends, or if your aesthetic is asymmetrical, a straight slant that is consistent (but that is not a simple shape).  The real artistry lies in the patterns you choose to execute, the stitch pattern you choose to use once you have the basics and the embellishments you add to your projects.  Everyone starts with the same basics when learning to knit, crochet, quilt, sew.  It just needs broken down no matter what skill we are learning.  Sewing requires accurate cutting, straight seams and even hems to avoid the homemade look as opposed to a handmade look.  Quilting needs consistent seaming and straight cuts.  Knitting and crochet work need to have straight lines so you know that you are not increasing in unexpected places or a "perfect" circle so you know you are consistently increasing.

 How many shapes that are simple can you see in your life?

Wednesday, May 9, 2012

New Classes Scheduled


Well, Lent and Easter are over.  I hope everyone had a nice holiday vacation.  I know I did.  Even though I cooked for the family like I do every year, I got to spend a lot of time with my husband and son that I don't normally have due to work conflicts.
Festival season will be starting soon.  I co-chair my church's festival each year.  During that time for set up, festival week, and clean up, I will not be running classes.  You will notice a gap in the class line up from the middle of June until the end of July.  This is why there is a gap.  I look forward to doing more blogging in the future.
Here is a schedule of my beginner knit classes.  Below you can find the advanced knit classes and both beginner and advanced crochet classes.  I look forward to each one of these classes.
Discover Knit Stitch Class

May 24  6 – 8:30 pm
July 26  6 – 8:30 pm
August 23  6 – 8:30 pm


Discover Purl Stitch Class

May 31  6 – 8:30 pm
August 2  6 – 8:30 pm
August 30  6 – 8:30 pm


Discover Pattern Stitches Class


May 10  6 – 8:30 pm
June 7  6 – 8:30 pm
August 9  6 – 8:30 pm



Discover Cables Class

June 14 6 – 8:30 pm
August 16  6 – 8:30 pm


Discover Single Crochet
May 21  6 – 8:30 pm
July 23  6 – 8:30 pm
August 20  6 – 8:30 pm

Discover the Tall Stitches of Crochet
May 29  6 – 8:30 pm
July 30  6 – 8:30 pm
August 27  6 – 8:30 pm
Discover Textured Stitches
June 4  6 – 8:30 pm
August 6  6 – 8:30 pm

Discover Granny Squares
June 11 6 – 8:30 pm
August 27  6 – 8:30 pm

Discover Baby Knits Class
May 25  6 – 8:30 pm
July 31  6 – 8:30 pm

Discover Mitered Knitting Class
June 1  6 – 8:30 pm
July 27 6 – 8:30 pm

Discover Fair Isle Class
June 8  6 – 8:30 pm

Discover Advanced Knitting Classes
May 11 6-8:30 pm Intarsia
June 15 6-8:30 pm  Beaded Knitting
August 3 6 – 8:30 pm  Socks Pt. 1 – Example sock
August 10 6 – 8:30 pm Socks Pt. 2 – Cuff, Leg and Heel
August 17 6 – 8:30 pm Socks Pt. 3 – Foot, Toe and Graft of Toe 
Discover Baby Crochet Class
May 23  6 – 8:30 pm
July 25  6 – 8:30 pm
August 22  6 – 8:30 pm

Discover Throws and Wraps in Crochet Class
May 30  6 – 8:30 pm
August 29 6 – 8:30 pm

Discover Crochet Gifts Class
June 6  6 – 8:30 pm
Discover Advanced Crochet Classes
June 13 6-8:30 pm Beaded Crochet

Friday, February 24, 2012

Getting Ready for Open House!

Open House is a little more than a week away.  I'm getting things ready to show off and hopefully inspire people to create and maybe even want to take some lessons.

In response to a class I recently taught on granny squares, I have been adding to that portion of my curriculum.  I have added advanced granny squares and now a sweater of grannies.  All I have left on the sweater is button bands, collar and cuffs.  Baby clothes are a wonderful way to play with techniques and patterns to see if you will get the desired effect before committing to a lot of time and money in yarn if you won't like the finished article.

I have also been working on my samples for classes.  There are some really interesting things in the advanced beginner classes.  The baby rattle is my favorite so far. 

Pictures will be forthcoming of finished items.  I just have to find my camera cords.  They disappeared at Christmastime and have not resurfaced.  I could use my cell phone's camera feature, but the pictures from there are not the best quality for seeing detail.

Remember to tell a friend, classes are all on sale on March 3.  Wilton's classes are a different percentage off than the rest.  Knit, Crochet, Bead, Knack, Scrapbooking, and the fine painting are off 25%.  Class schedules should be available and paperwork in the book.  Come join us for the fun!

March's Discover Time for Crochet class will be Tunisian Crochet.  I will be starting off with learning the basic afghan stitch and moving forward from there.  April's Class will be Hairpin Lace.  There is more to this lace pattern than meets the eye.

March's Discover Time for Knit class will be double knitting.  This is a wonderful technique that can have so many applications.  April's Class will be all about learning some of the more advanced techniques that you use in knitting that don't get explained too well in written instructions.  These techniques also have many uses, some of which I will go over.  None of these techniques are involved enough to need an entire class but are still worth learning.  Some covered will be short rows, Kitchener, and i-cord.

Thursday, February 2, 2012

February Class Schedule

February 2012
Sun
Mon
Tue
Wed
Thu
Fri
Sat



1
2
Discover Knit

3
Discover Baby Knit
4
5
6
Discover Tall Stitches
7

8
Discover Throws & Wraps
Crochet
9
Discover Purl
10
Discover Throws & Wraps
Knit
11
Demo
11 - 1

12

13
Discover Texture Stitches
14
Happy Valentine’s Day
15
Discover Gifts Crochet
16
Discover Pattern Stitches
17
Discover Gifts Knit
18

19
20
Discover Granny Squares
21
22
Discover Time to Crochet
Filet Crochet
23
Discover Cables
24
Discover Time to Knit Socks Pt. 2 Toes
25

26
27
Discover Single Crochet
28
29