Discover the Best Crochet Classes Near Me
Crochet is a type of needlework similar to knitting that involves using yarn to create garments and accessories such as mittens, hats, scarves, blankets, dishcloths, hand towels, etc. Unlike knitting, however, crocheting requires making loops with a single hook to make the necessary crochet stitches, for instance, the single, double, and treble stitches, which ultimately resemble a chain of small knots. It's important to consider the size of the hook you choose for your projects as the higher the weight of the yarn (for items such as sweaters, rugs, and afghans), the bigger the hook you will likely need. Crocheting can be great for beginner fiber craft enthusiasts since it requires minimal supplies and you can create beautiful pieces with just basic stitches and beginner-friendly patterns. As your skills increase, you can move on to more difficult patterns and challenging stitchwork.
Why You Should Learn Crochet
If you are looking for a fun, stress-reducing hobby, crochet is a great option for all skill levels. Fiber artists and crafters have found the repetitive act of hand stitching to be quite soothing and mind-relaxing, even an effective form of meditation or therapy. Likely a better stress-relieving option than scrolling endlessly through social media or watching T.V., fiber crafts such as crocheting can calm racing thoughts and provide focus. Crocheting is a hobby that involves creating something beautiful from scratch, which can be very self-fulfilling. Also, friends, family, and neighbors will appreciate gifts you crochet for them since it takes more time and effort than purchasing something. Many crocheters have even found ways to profit from their creations by selling items on Etsy or Amazon Handmade, for example. If you find the right niche, you could make a decent side hustle or more by selling your crocheted items. For instance, crocheted stuffed animals or toy animals are among the bestsellers for crocheted items on Etsy.
In addition to being a fun, relaxing activity, learning to crochet will plug you into a larger community of fiber artists and craft enthusiasts. You may be able to find a crocheting group in your area through your local library or Facebook Groups. These groups usually consist of crochet enthusiasts gathering together to crochet as a form of bonding and an opportunity to share tips and tricks. Also, there are other types of crochet clubs found online that provide access to pattern libraries or subscription boxes users can purchase with all the materials needed to complete a project, typically sent on a monthly basis.
The Crochet Guild of America is a national non-profit organization that provides members the opportunity to learn more about crochet, to have access to unique designs and patterns, and to connect with other crocheters. Local chapters provide members the opportunity to connect with crocheters in their area by attending informative meetings and workshops. Connecting with a local chapter also provides members with the chance to donate crocheted afghans and clothing to local or national charities, as well as participate in local craft fairs.
5 Ways to Learn Crochet
There are several ways to learn to crochet, including, taking classes in person, attending live online classes, watching on-demand classes, learning from family or friends, or teaching yourself by reading tutorials. While each way has its perks, taking formal crochet classes taught by a professional is likely the best option for becoming a master at your craft. In-person classes consist of attending a specific location to learn from an expert, which often includes spaces like a library, craft store, fiber arts studio, workshop, or community center. Meanwhile, live online classes can be taken from anywhere and are taught in real-time by a professional or expert, allowing you the ability to ask questions during class if needed. In-person and live online classes are a great way to learn from someone who likely has extensive experience crocheting and can assist you during your projects by answering any questions you may have, thus providing a more personalized approach to learning.
Another way of learning crochet is to watch on-demand videos on a platform such as YouTube. The benefits of learning this way are that there are a seemingly endless amount of YouTube videos on how to crochet and they can be viewed for free. However, as with all things posted online, you may have to wade through some less useful videos to find the ones that are truly helpful and created by crochet experts. If you don't want to learn online, you can try finding a friend or family member who knows how to crochet to teach you. Finally, you can try to teach yourself by reading tutorials or books that teach you step-by-step how to crochet, often with the aid of pictures. While these last two ways are great for helping you get started, you likely will need a more formal class option if you want to advance your skills.
In-Person Crochet Classes
In-person crochet classes are an effective and fun way for individuals of all skill levels to learn how to crochet and/or new techniques to boost their projects. If you are in the Los Angeles area you can attend classes at The Knitting Tree. Located in Inglewood, The Knitting Tree is a fiber arts supply store and workshop that provides a variety of classes taught by skilled fiber artists. Their classes are for beginners who want to learn a new skill, as well as advanced fiber artists who want to expand their creativity.
The Knitting Tree offers classes for beginners who want to learn to crochet: Beginning Crochet Wednesdays and Beginning Crochet Sundays (the classes are the same, you choose the day that fits your schedule). In these two-hour classes, conducted in four sessions, individuals ages 13 and older learn how to crochet three projects: a scarf, a shawl, and a hat. Students will learn techniques such as how to create a chain, complete basic stitches, read a pattern, and how to understand what's on a yarn label. The Knitting Tree is confident that you will be able to move on to more advanced projects after taking this course. All materials for the class must be purchased by the attendee but you can receive a 10% discount for items purchased at The Knitting Tree.
If you are on the opposite coast in NYC, you can check out the class Tabletop Accessories at 92nd Street Y in Manhattan. While not a traditional crochet class, this class uses crochet techniques to create accessories including wire crocheted and beaded napkin rings. This could be a useful class for crocheters who are looking to expand their project repertoire. Students will also create jewelry and accessories without crocheting, such as wine glass charms, jeweled pens, and decorative boxes. Materials must be purchased by the attendee; a supply list will be provided after registration. A proudly Jewish organization, 92Y welcomes people from all backgrounds to join in their mission and values, including learning, community, and family. The organization provides a diverse range of classes, events, and programs led by talented professionals.
In the Chicago area, individuals can attend Intro to Crochet and Intro to Crochet II at the Discovery Center in Lakeview, an adult education center offering fun and interesting lifelong learning through classes taught by well-qualified instructors and experts. Intro to Crochet is for beginners (ages 16 and older) with no previous knowledge of crochet to learn five basic stitches, how to start and finish a project, and how to apply their new skills to crochet projects at home. During the class, students will be provided with visual aids and individualized assistance while completing their crochet project. There is a $25 material fee for this two-hour class. Intro to Crochet II is for individuals who have taken a beginner's crochet class and would like to advance their skills as they learn to read patterns and make a granny square. Students will also learn how to combine multiple skeins of yarn to extend the length of their project, how to switch colors, and how to add adornments like fringe, pompoms, and borders.
For a different type of fibercraft, individuals in the Nashville area can attend Applique Adventure at Craft South, a fiber arts supply store and workshop. In this beginner class, students ages 21 and older will learn applique techniques, with a focus on creating unique and personalized designs. Applique is a needlework technique that involves sewing pieces of fabric onto a larger background to create patterns. General sewing supplies, irons, and sewing machines are provided in this class, however, the class focuses on handwork. A full list of materials will be provided about two weeks in advance. As an added bonus, snacks and beverages are provided throughout the six-hour class. Craft South hosts a variety of creative classes for students of all ages and also sells handcrafted items.
If you are in the Washington D.C. area, another fun fiber arts course is the Octopus Sea Garden class offered by Artistic Artifacts, a supply store and workshop in Alexandra, Virginia. This class is for students ages 18 and older of all skill levels to learn more about embroidery, a type of needlework that involves using needle and thread to create beautiful designs on fabric. In this six-hour course, students will learn how to apply stumpwork, or 3-D embroidery, as they embroider whimsical undersea creatures and designs onto a small quilt. A full supply list can be found in the course description.
Virtual Crochet Classes
While attending in-person classes often involves traveling to a craft store, workshop, or community center, virtual classes can be taken from anywhere as long as you have a computer and an Internet connection. Also, you may have more options with virtual classes since you are not limited to your location like you are with in-person classes. Eliminating the commute and being able to work from the comfort of your own home are some of the benefits of virtual classes. Moreover, many are conducted live online which means students can ask questions and receive immediate feedback.
For online crochet classes, 92nd Street Y offers Crochet for Beginners, where individuals learn the basic skills needed to crochet items such as scarves, hats, blankets, and bags. There is also Beginning Crochet offered by School Products Yarn, teaching beginners basic crochet techniques such as the cross stitch, single stitch, and double stitch. In this class, you will crochet either a scarf with granny squares or a V-Stitch neck warmer. Brooklyn Craft Company offers the Virtual Workshop: Crochet Hexagon Motifs for students to learn how to crochet in a round to create geometric shapes, similar to granny squares but in a hexagon. This is a fun project for crochet beginners to hone their skills.
