Crochet Classes for the Spring

As I mentioned in my previous post, I'm onboard as a teacher at the TACtile Textile Arts Center. The Spring 2008 schedule has been released, and I am teaching the following classes:

Beginning Crochet, $30 members ($40 non-members) + $6.00 project kit fee
Friday, March 7, 6:00-9:00PM
Saturday, March 22, 2:00-5:00PM

Intermediate Crochet, $40 members ($60 non-members) + $7.00 project kit fee
Fridays, February 22 & 29, 7:00-9:00PM
Fridays, March 14 & 21, 7:00-9:00PM

Skills Refresher Workshop, $15 members ($20 non-members)
Sunday, February 3, 2:00-3:00PM
Friday, February 15, 7:00-8:00PM
Saturday, March 8, 10:30-11:30AM

You can sign-up by emailing Dianne or by calling TACtile at 720-524-8886.

What's even more exciting (at least to me) is that I'm going to offer my project kits for general purchase in my Etsy store. This means that anyone can purchase my fabulous pattern and fiber kits in my shop, follow the instructions, and make a sweet little project. I'll also be offering a materials starter kit featuring all the notions needed to get started as a hooker!


Look for these kits in the Supplies section of my store very soon! For now, I've posted a few photos here of sample projects so you can get a feel for what's in the kits.

Eco-Friendly Trick #1: Plastic Bag Yarn

For my first trick, I will tell you how to make plastic bag yarn.

You will need:
* A measuring device of some sort (I like quilting rulers)
* A cutting device of some sort (a rotary cutter is my preference)
* A work surface of some sort (I prefer my sewing table with cutting mat on top)
* Lots of plastic bags (the standard grocery bag, known in the industry as a "t-shirt" bag, works great)
* A ton of patience

To make the yarn:
1) Flatten a bag as best as possible
2) Remove the bottom seam entirely
3) Cut the remainder of the bag into strips between 3/4" and 2" (1.9 and 5 cm)
4) Interlock the resulting loops to form a 2-ply-esque yarn

The resulting yarn will have a 2-ply look and boucle-like nubs at the joins. All that's left is to run it through a ball winder (or other ball-creating gizmo) and you're set to make an Earth-friendly shopping bag, coaster, hat, or whatever else suits your fancy.