Happy Tuesday! I have been a little absent from blog-land lately; last week was a planning week for work and I was determined to get 8 weeks of all the various classes I am teaching planned. I got about two-thirds done, and I’m okay with that. C’s birthday was last week also, so we had to celebrate our 6 year old in style. This means we had a party with grandparents, aunt, uncle, cousins and some very close friends. It was a hectic day, but the birthday girl was thrilled with all the little surprises we had for her, and her excitement made it all worth the effort.
As for crochet, I have a new purse I am working on. I haven’t taken a picture yet, but I have high hopes for it. I have also been busy creating swatches for my crochet classes. Here are a few examples:
The idea, for my class, is to have each of my students make swatches of different textures. We then will mount them into a book for their reference. The theme for the class is Heavy Textures, so bobbles, popcorns, ribs and more. My first class was a success, although most of my students hadn’t crocheted for 20 + years, so we are starting from the beginning, chain stitches, single crochet and double crochet.
I can’t believe I’m getting paid to crochet, this is kind of like my life’s dream. Have you ever taught crochet? Do you have any tips for a newbie teacher?
My other new classes have been a classic’s book club that I’m starting up. We are reading The Metamorphosis, by Franz Kafka and The Stranger, by Albert Camus. These are two short stories/novels that I’m really looking forward to reading. Have you ever read these books? Any suggestions in leading a book club?
Tomorrow I am teaching a kid’s yoga and a kid’s art class. I have prepared well for these two classes. These kids are 5 – 8 years old and will not have their parents with them. Considering the littler kids have short attention spans and the older ones know the value of being parent free, if I’m not prepared they will run me over! Wish me luck!
I’m trying to catch up on all your blogs, but if you’re working on anything exciting let me know and I’ll be sure to check it out!
Happy Crocheting!
Crochet539 
Good luck for tomorrow!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Ooo check you miss crochet teacher! Good luck with your class tomorrow 😀
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks! I feel important 😉.
LikeLike
You will be great at this, and just think you are getting paid to do what you love! 😍
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks! I really am enjoying all the different classes, especially crochet 😊.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Sounds like a fun working life to me. Good luck with the kids’ class – I’m not 100% sure I envy you that 😉
LikeLiked by 1 person
Ha! These classes (especially the kids) keep me on my toes! Good thing I’m having fun too!
LikeLike
That all sounds wonderful. Don’t let those kids run roughshod over you! LOL Your swatches look great. Have fun. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks! I feel way more prepared for the kids than I was last Fall. They ran all over me!
LikeLiked by 1 person
That sounds like a lot of fun your are heading too – good luck with all your classes! I also love the idea of a reference booklet with crochet swatches – I always wanted to try several new stitches but didn’t want to just waste yarn. And finally: you are not starting easy in your book club – I am not really a fan of Kafka (especially The Metamorphosis) though Camus is great. Do you have an overall theme for your club – or maybe a monthly one (like classics for one month, romance for another and so on)? It’s so sad that you are so far away – I would hop right in (though after reading Kafka ;))
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks for the book club feedback! I wish you were closer too! Our theme is classics, but because we meet weekly we have chosen shorter books. I haven’t read Kafka or Camus, but the stories sound interesting. I’m looking forward to it!
LikeLike
How lucky to get paid for teaching crochet Brenna! I am teaching some girls this afternoon with no pay. I like your way better! I think the reference square is a good idea. No may have them do that as well:). I have read metamorphosis. It isn’t a book that you can say that you liked, but it certainly is a book that makes you think. It’s short so it is a quick read that stays in your head for a long time:)
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks for sharing! I’m finding that many of my students have learned crochet on YouTube and have trouble reading patterns, so having them read stitch patterns (and making swatches) should be helpful. I think I will read metamorphosis tonight. Many of the comments regarding the story have been similar to yours. Not sure if I’m up for something so heavy 🙂.
LikeLike
I didn’t know you were a teacher. It looks like you teach or lead a lot of different classes. Your crochet idea is pretty cool. It reminds me of how people used to keep swatches of stitch patterns in a book in the 19th century. I’ve thought about keeping a swatch book but never get around to doing one. I’ve never taught a crafting class though I’d love to try it some time.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I kind of fell into this teaching thing, and haven’t said no when a class has been offered to me. So far it has been fun! I got the idea of of a swatch book from reading about what stitchers did long ago. I’ve had a good reception for it so far😊. You totally could teach a crafting class, you just need to decide which craft!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I teach friends from time to time and run a crochet meet up where we have a large variety of abilities. I find that if my style is just not working, I supplement with a video on YouTube. It doesn’t hurt, especially with the beginning stuff. But it depends on where you’re teaching and the rules you have to follow. My friends still come to me for overall help, even though they know of the YouTube. It really only helps if they just aren’t getting my style or aren’t fully comfy with me showing them up close what I’m doing (or aren’t touchers for any reason with their hands…)
LikeLiked by 1 person
Good ideas. There are so many ways to create a stitch (holding yarn, hook grip, etc) it’s nice to have other points of reference, thanks!
LikeLike
Yeah. I find that once a newbie understands the principles of crochet, how someone else demonstrates it becomes a non-issue in person. It’s the getting to a comfortable position that’s the tough part. Some people just can’t crochet in multiple positions (like knife or pen hold, etc…)
LikeLiked by 1 person
Well said!
LikeLike
That’s awesome. I hope the other classes went brilliantly!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks! It was a good start to the session!
LikeLike
I’m so excited for you Brenna, this is amazing! those swatches look great 🙂 I’ve read ‘The stranger’ at school and I really liked it, I would be interested to know if the translated version is any good though, you’ll have to let me know 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks Emma! My first week went well, I think my students like the idea of making a swatch book. I finished the stranger last night. It was interesting. My first reaction was that I didn’t like it. But now, after a day, I’m still thinking about it, so maybe it wasn’t too bad. I’m curious to hear the other opinions in my book club.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Paid to crochet sounds like a dream! I’m certainly not experienced enough to entertain that idea, but I have been doing crochet everyday for the past few months, (taught myself a few years ago!) and there are SO many things I want to make!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I know! My “to crochet” list is a mile long. Thanks for following!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hi Brenna! I have nominated you for the sunshine blogger award in my newest post! 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you! What an honor 😊!
LikeLike
I hope it went well 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks, this new schedule is keeping me busy!
LikeLike