When There Aren’t Enough Crochet Classes
One thing I know from all my years as a crocheter myself and as a designer and instructor for the last 26 years is that crocheters are life-long learners. However, my followers and students in my live classes always seem concerned about crochet classes’ availability. Not all local shops offer them. Many large events have a token few crochet classes, but usually, they are on the beginner spectrum.
As an instructor, I have this concern too! May times I will apply to an event only to be told that my classes are too advanced for a beginner, or that they will not have crochet classes this particular year. Another comment I get from events is that they have offered crochet classes in the past, but had to cancel them.
Local yarn shops will tell me they don’t have enough interest in crochet classes to offer them.
What’s a crocheter to do?
I know how disheartening it can be to get a negative answer from your favorite shops and events. My heart sinks every time I look at an event schedule and see only basic classes or even NO CLASSES.
But what I am finding is that you need to push the issue a little bit. (But be nice about it) We crocheters need to tell events and shops what we want. And here are some ways you can do that.
CROCHET CLASSES AT LARGE EVENTS
- Use the contact form on the event’s website. Tell them that you are a crocheter and are saddened to see the lack of classes for crocheters/experienced crocheters/(you fill in the type of crocheter you are).
- When writing to them include the name of instructors or types of classes you are looking for. For example
- ”I would like to see Karen Whooley’s Cuff Down Sock Class on your schedule next year”. Or
- “I would like to take classes at your event from Karen Whooley/(name your favorite instructors).”
- If you are at the event in the market or somewhere else and happen to be talking to the people putting on the event, make sure to chat with them about the types of classes and the instructors you would like to see at the event.
CROCHET CLASSES AT LOCAL SHOPS
- Talk to the shop owner. Let her know what classes you are looking for.
- Use the contact form on the shop’s website. Tell them that you are a crocheter and are saddened to see the lack of classes for crocheters/experienced crocheters/(you fill in the type of crocheter you are). See all the details above.
- BRING YOUR CROCHET FRIENDS WITH YOU TO THE SHOP The more people that show interest in classes, the better the chances are that you will see classes scheduled!
- When you buy yarn in the shop, tell them that it is for a crochet project. Show them the pattern even. You would be surprised that if more people did this how much more crochet-friendly shops start becoming!
WORKING WITH INSTRUCTORS FOR CROCHET CLASSES
- Use the contact form on their websites. Tell them about events or shops in your area that you would like them to come out to and teach.
- Ask if they will or are considering online classes.
So question.
Do you have additional ideas to plant the seeds for more crochet classes?? Make sure to share them in the comments section.
Yes! I would add one thing: When classes are offered, take them if at all possible.
Filling seats tells class organizers that crochet classes are wanted and profitable. It doesn’t help to complain about class availability then not take those classes that ARE offered.
YES! Thanks Edie! This is the truth! Getting seats filled is important! We teachers see this all the time!
This is all about DFW Fiberfest, all the yarn shops near me closed before COVID. Karen, it’s exactly as you said. Keep on nagging, er, talking with event people and ask for more advanced crochet classes, as specifically as possible. We also have a problem with vendors not bringing crochet patterns, accessories, etc. So I make the rounds asking “do you have anything crochet?” Our guild also buys an ad in their event book, to be as “out there” as possible.
And sometimes I’ll ask teachers that are there that I know are bi-stitual (is that the correct phrase) what crochet classes they have that we could as for.
Hi Jan! Yes that is the right term!! I am so glad that this post resonated with you!! 🙂
I am discouraged that Crochet Guild of America seems to have decreased its activities such as the Chain Link Conference. I had a wonderful time taking lots of classes when Chain Link came to New England, starting in 2004. There were so many interesting and useful classes that I had a hard time making up my mind as to which ones to take. I know they have (Ch Sp) Retreat 2024 coming up in late July, but unfortunately I had made previous vacation plans. Their online classes were usually too simple for me, repeating things I have already learned. But still I hope that things will improve for CGOA and crochet in general.
Marsha, I feel the same way as you do about CGOA. I have not been a member for a long time and as a former board member, this is a sad state of affairs. I do not like the direction they have headed. BUT PLEASE let me know what types of classes you would like to see! I am expanding my offerings both online and live!
My problem is typically that I’m available when no or beginner classes are offered. Or, I’m not available when I find that rare class. :/ So thankful I found you Karen!
Hi Louise! I am so glad you commented (and thanks for the kind words! I am glad to have you asa part of Team Whooleygan! Let me know what types of classes you would like to see. I am creating some new ones this year!
This is an excellent article about this topic. I am attending the Yarn Fest in Loveland and was extremely disappointed to see there were so few crochet classes and I will most certainly bring this up in my review of the event. I want to continue to learn new skills in crochet and like the community of doing it in a class setting with others!
Thanks again for this information Karen!
Hi Leta! I am so sorry that there are so few classes there this year! Last year I taught 24 hours of crochet in Loveland. Let me know what you would like to see. I am creating new classes in crochet this year, and more advanced ones too!
I work at a small dye studio that is associated with a yarn store. She regularly offers knit, crochet, and weaving classes. It doesn’t seem to matter what the crochet class is on, they are poorly attended. The knit classes are full and the weaving classes are growing. We can’t figure out why the crocheters don’t seem to show up. We ask for input and try to accommodate, but to no avail. The classes are very affordable so that is not the issue and cost doesn’t keep the knitters or weavers away. The funny thing is when she offers CALs we get a great response….go figure! I am blessed to be able to attend the majority of the classes…I have even started knitting!
Hi Sharon! and thanks for answering!
Many times I see this because classes are at a beginner level. The box store yarns have had a jump on crocheters for a lot of years on teaching them to crochet via free patterns and then free video. I don’t know what you and Karista teach at the shop, but have you brought in any teachers that are more well known? I know many teachers that do video classes for shops who cannot afford the cost of bringing in a teacher (shoot me an email and I can give you some recommendations). Sometimes that can help.
Maybe do classes on some popular patterns out there with permission from the designer. I know some of my local shops have had great success with that. Its a CAL, but they bill it as a class because they do a lot of instruction with it. I took a knitting class like that too on one of Katie Davies Sweater patterns. The owner of the shop who was the instructor actually created video of the fiddly parts that we could watch from home too on a private youtube channel.