Today is a rotten day weather wise. I have to go out in it tonight because I am taking a continuing education course which only takes place one weekend a month. So I've been busy today doing my readings and getting prepared for tonight's class. Not much time to do much else, plus it has been so cold in my apartment I've spent most of the day buried under blankets and kitties.
I've written about my course before. I am doing my final project on knitting because I didn't really have anything else to do it on. Not like I'm complaining. I'm not the only person in the course whose topic is on their extra-curricular activities. I'm self-taught knitter but I know some people have taken knitting or crochet courses at their local yarn store, community group, college or craft school. So I thought I might try a little discussion about one-on-one or group knitting and crochet instruction.
Question: If you've taken a knitting or crochet class in the past, what worked and what didn't work about the class?
I learned the most from my stitch and *itch group, even though some of the members don't actually knit. For them, it's a social thing and a break from the usual. There is also one woman in particular who can knit and watch tv at the same time (I can't wait until I get that good!), and she's my coach. I find it tough with my schedule right now to have a regular class I have to attend, but a drop in class works well for me.
ReplyDeleteGorgeous cats and blankies! I did a great finishing course - it's made such a difference to my knits!
ReplyDeleteI actually learned to knit from a friend and have never taken a really class. I've taught a couple, though, and what I quickly figured out was probably obvious to most people but not necessarily to me going into it: people aren't there to listen to the teacher talk. Really, the talking at people should be kept to a minimum. In my experience things went best when the students just got started knitting and I helped them along the way.
ReplyDeleteWhat worked: Hands-on experience via demonstration in a small group setting; a patient instructor who had metaphors or similes for certain hand positions; open instructor who didn't mind you coming by during the week before the next class for some one on one help; handouts laid out step x step; and diagrams.
ReplyDeleteWhat didn't work: Absent instructor = no class which you found out after driving to class and searching for a parking space.