Beginning Knit and Crochet Classes
We offer a wide variety of classes throughout the year, and change what we offer based on the interests of our customers and teachers.
Classes that are always offered are Beginning Knitting and Crochet, Project classes and the Manos Blanket class. Manos classes are scheduled once a month. The easiest way to make sure you get current information is to sign up for our email newsletter (the form is on the right sidebar) so that you'll receive the class schedule when Allison sends it.
We don't require you to make an appointment for Beginning Knit or Crochet, or for Project Classes. In return for the VERY low price we charge, we do ask that you allow us to carry on with other work we need to do, including helping other customers, while you practice what we've shown you. Sometimes, you may need to wait a few minutes to ask your question, so we do ask that you allow some extra time when you come in, in case we're busy and can't help you right away.
Beginning Knitting or Crochet
You don't have to wait for a scheduled class to learn how to knit or crochet. We prefer to teach knitting and crochet one-on-one, at your convenience. If you buy your materials at Fibers, for $10, you can get a Beginning Knit or Crochet Pass. That enables you to come as often as you need to learn the basics.
We don't hover over you but we don't neglect you, either. We'll get you started, then let you practice until you have a question for us or you need help to fix a mistake. We'll acquaint you with the information on the yarn labels and needle packages, show you a variety of resources to help you remember what you're learning and make sure you know what to do until you come in again. You can come back as often as you need for help with the basics. Whether you're learning to knit or crochet, we make sure that you're not inadvertently increasing or decreasing, and that you are maintaining your tension and having fun.
The basics of Knitting include the knit and purl stitches, the long tail cast on and binding off. In addition, we make sure you aren't twisiting your stitches and we show you how to combine knit and purl stitches to make seed stitch, ribbing, garter stitch, stockinet stitch and more!
The basics of crochet include making a foundation chain, single crochet, double and half-double crochet, treble crochet, slip stitch, joining to make a circle and working back and forth.
Project Passes
We try hard and were devasted a while ago to realze that we're not mind-readers! We offer classes on a monthly basis but sometimes we're teaching socks when you want to learn sweaters; or maybe you need help learning to read a pattern and gain confidence so that in the future, you can do it by yourself. For times like these, we offer Project Passes.
If you buy your materials at Fibers, a Project Pass costs $10, and it entitles you to come in when you have a question and get the help you need to continue with your project. It's a great way to continue to develop your skills, so that you're not afraid to take on something more challenging than what you've done before, and so that you never feel like you can't ask for the help you need, because you've already asked so many questions.
A Project Class is like training wheels, but for knitting. Pretty soon, you'll be coasting on your own, ready to explore and conquer new projects by yourself!
Reality Check:
If you bought your yarn somewhere else, we'll still help you, but we charge more for it. But even so, how can we teach you to knit or crochet -- or help from the beginning to the end of your project for just $10? We can do it because we ask you to do your part:
- we ask you to allow yourself enough time to let us get oriented with your project each time you come in.
- you are welcome to sit and knit as long as you like, and ask questions when you need help, while we go on with other things that need to be done in the store.
- we know that you realize we may need to break away from helping you to help someone with a purchase.
- we know that you understand that one $10 charge doesn't buy you unlimited private lessons on your project.
- we ask you to call ahead to find out when I (Allison) will be at the store, if you feel that you need me and nobody else.
Project Passes are an economical way to get the help you need on a sweater, but they don't work for everyone in place of classes, and they aren't available for the same project that we offer in a scheduled class. If you're looking for the social connection that happens in a class that meets repeatedly, or for more intense instruction in a particular skill, such as lace or sock-knitting, you should consider taking one of our classes.
Club Manos
This class has become wildly popular because it's perfect for people who already know how to knit but who don't have a lot of confidence yet. Choose your palette from the entire range of Manos colors--we're one of the only shops in the area that regularly carries all 97 colors. It's a long project but by the end, you'll have acquired important skills and a cozy blanket under which you can snooze and dream about your next knitting project!