Edie delights in teaching students of all ages and skill levels. She is happy to talk to guild representatives, shop owners and conference organizers about customizing class selections to fit specific needs. Information including teaching fees and a complete listing of current classes will be emailed upon request.
All classes are 3 hours, unless otherwise stated. Some classes require homework.
Browse this selection and see what interests you. If you don’t see something you like, just ask; there may be a new class in the works.
Please email Edie with any questions, or for a complete list in printable format.
Around the Corner Crochet Borders
Crochet (3 hours)
Add punch to an afghan or make those plain sweaters into something special with a unique crocheted border! Discover the secrets to make crocheted edgings continue around square corners, incorporating the edging design into the corner shaping for an unbroken pattern. We’ll practice a number of fun and unique crocheted edgings, including 3-dimensional borders, ruffles and unique crocheted fringe. (Need to be familiar with the basic crochet stitches: ch, sc, hdc, dc.) Return to top…
Beyond-the-Square Crochet Motifs
Crochet (3 hours)
Crocheted motifs are fun, portable and quick to stitch, but granny squares are so passe. Using basic crochet stitches, we’ll explore less common shapes and techniques while making a variety of contemporary designs. See how three-dimensional stitches, unusual colorways and yarns can combine to create eye-catching designs, and learn techniques to improve the look of your motif. Return to top…
Button It Up! (was Crochet: Buttonbands and Buttonholes)
Crochet (3 hours)Crocheted buttonbands are more than just functional–they can be fun and beautiful as well, incorporating buttonholes into the overall design elements. From the simplest openings to more challenging and complex edgings, you’ll see how decorative edgings can include a custom buttonholes for any button–and if you can’t find the perfect button, you’ll learn a variety of methods to make your own. This class is for both crocheters AND knitters who want to create beautiful buttonbands. Return to top…
By The Numbers — Math for Crocheters
Crochet (3 hours)
Ever wonder how designers know how many stitches to start with? How does shaping work? Where do they get those numbers? This class will take the mystery the math. Find out how to know if you have enough yarn for your project, how to work with stitch multiples, figure rates of increase and decrease, and lots of other useful information. Return to top…
Crochet for Knitters
Knit (3 hours)
Knitters can appreciate the use of basic crochet techniques for edgings and finishing details. This is a basic how-to class for those who have little or no crochet experience. Learn basic crochet stitches and quickly review pattern reading. Return to top…
Crochet Stitch Workshop
Crochet (3 hours)
See how crochet uses cables, lace, texture and openwork to create beautiful fabric. Try your hand at a variety of stitch families. Play with color and texture while learning to read crochet text and charts. Return to top…
DIY Symbol Crochet
Crochet (3 hours)
Many crocheters love symbol crochet–the universal crochet “language” that makes it easy to understand patterns from any country. In this class for all skill levels, spend some time becoming familiar with working basic and three-dimensional charts, then move on to drawing your own charts. We’ll discuss ways to handle some of the common challenges in creating crochet charts, and watch a demonstration of chart creation in Adobe Illustrator.
Double-Stuff Grannies
Knit (3 hours)
Crocheted motifs don’t have to be two-dimensional. In this hands-on class, you’ll practice different ways of layering and intermeshing crocheted motifs for decorative and useful placemats, hotpads, rugs, and scarves. Return to top…
Easy Stitches for Impatient Knitters
Knit (3 hours)
Bored with stockinette stitch, but too busy for something difficult? Learn these quick-and-easy stitch patterns to keep your interest–and allow you to watch the ball game at the same time! Return to top…
Explore Crochet
Crochet (12 hours)
Crochet is hot! We’ll spend two days exploring all the ways crochet can be used on its own and in combination with knitting. Depending on your individual needs and interests, there will be a variety of projects to choose from to hone your skills. If you’ve never crocheted before, we’ll start with the stitching and pattern-reading basics while you make a small bag to get your feet wet. You’ll be moving on in no time! More experienced crocheters can jump right in with an exercise on gauge, shaping and stitch patterning. Everyone will have the opportunity to learn new stitches (including Tunisian), practice a variety of crocheted borders, explore free-form, learn a couple of crocheted cast-ons and how to crochet a button, incorporating each element into a finished bag, hat, pillow, or other item. We’ll see how crochet can be used to solve fit and design problems in knitted garments, how to read a pattern, and anything else that’s on your mind. This class is for anyone who wants to expand their crochet techniques. Return to top…
Fringes & Furbelows
Knit/Crochet (3 hours)
Jazz up your projects with some new ideas! We’ll practice fringes, tassels, braids, pompons, monk’s cord and curlicues in this hands-on class. See how fancy finishes can make a ho-hum project something special. Knowledge of crochet helpful but not necessary. For knitters OR crocheters. Return to top…
Go Bi-Textural: Combine Knitting and Crochet
Knit/Crochet (3 hours)
Break out of your knitting rut by blending techniques. We’ll combine the best properties of knitting with the best properties of crochet to get designs that wow and knits that fit! See how to use crochet techniques to make your knits fit better, create the perfect buttonhole, insert a crocheted motif into a knitting fabric, and other tips. Return to top…
How to Say It: Technical Writing for Knitters and Crocheters (was Pattern Writing 101)
Knit/Crochet (3 or 6 hours)
If you have a design you’d like to get published, or even if you just want to share your design with other knitters or crocheters, you need to be able to write it so others can read it. Learn how to craft a well-written pattern, avoiding typical mistakes along the way. Explore the joys and pitfalls of describing instructions for a number of different sizes, and pick up tips for getting your designs accepted for publication. Go home with a pattern template you can use for writing your own patterns. For knitters AND crocheters. (In the longer version of class, practice writing your own sweater pattern.) Return to top…
Intarsia Without Fear
Knit (3 hours, can be expanded to 6 hours)
Many knitters avoid patterns requiring blocks of color work, fearing that the many different looks that can be achieved with this technique are too difficult. Not so! Intarsia and its baby cousin, duplicate stitch, will be conquered in this hands-on class. We will learn when to choose the intarsia method vs. fair-isle, how to avoid holes, how to handle multiple colors in a row, and what to do with all those ends. Return to top…
It’s Not Over ’til It’s Finished
Knit (3 hours, can be expanded to 6 hours)
If you are unhappy with the results of your finished garments, this is the class for you! You’ll learn steps to take — from the moment you pick up the needles until the sweater is worn — to make your garment look “hand crafted”, not “home made”. We’ll tackle planning ahead, picking up stitches, blocking, sewing seams, weaving in ends, and other helpful hints. Return to top…
Join Together: Six Join-as-you-go Crochet Methods
Crochet (3 hours)
Join-as-you-go (JAYGo) methods may be the easiest way to put your crocheted motifs together, but which method is best for which situations? How do you maintain maximum portability while adding more and more motifs? What’s the best way to join different shapes? How do you minimize the number of ends? What do seven bridges in Königsberg have to do with crochet? Learn the answers to these and many other questions in this fun hands-on class. You’ll be amazed at how many fast-and-fun ways there are to connect those shapes! Return to top…
Knitting Disasters & Other Opportunities
Knit (3 hours)
Almost everyone has at least one UFO (unfinished object) languishing in a closet because of problems with technique, pattern, fit, color, or yarn. Many times, these “disasters” can be turned into opportunities to create something special. Learn to avoid/correct the most common mistakes, deal with yarn shortages or dye lot problems, repair holes and recycle yarn. Bring the worst of your problems to class and – drawing on my years of experience with personal knitting disasters – we will brainstorm solutions. Return to top…
Lace Basics
Knit (3 hours)
Discover what so many knitters know—lace is fun! Get started on lace knitting with this class for beginning and intermediate knitters. Learn to read lace charts as well as text instructions. Learn strategies for avoiding mistakes and get tips on fixing the most common errors. Return to top…
Math for Knitters (or: Where Do They Get Those Numbers?)
Knit (3 hours)
This class will take the mystery out of those pesky math calculations you have to do when designing or altering a sweater. Math-phobics are welcome, and you don’t have to raise your hand in class. We will draft a basic sweater and discuss calculating yarn amounts, V-neck shaping, rates of increase/decrease, stitch pattern placement. It will NOT cover sleeve cap shaping. Return to top...
MORE Math for Knitters: Pattern Drafting
Knit (6 or 3 hours)
You’ve refined your concept and made the perfect swatch. Now it’s time to translate that information into numbers. Using a calculator and some brain power, we’ll take the ingredients of gauge, sloper and ease, mix them together, and come up with the stitches, rows and shaping you need to knit a set-in-sleeve sweater with waist shaping. As time allows, we’ll cover additional shaping and design options. We’ll be working class examples together, but feel free to bring your own measurements to use if you like. (NOTE: The 3-hr class is an abbreviated version of the 6-hr class and does not go into as much detail.) Return to top…
Reading Charts & Schematics
Knit (3 hours)
More and more published patterns are making use of charts and schematics to impart information, but knitters may shy away from these patterns because they are more comfortable with the written word. Learn how easy it is to understand this graphic representation, and gain experience in following charts for knitter’s choice of knit/purl patterns, cables or lace. Students should have some experience in working stitch patterns. Get practice creating your own charts from written patterns. Return to top…
Set-In Sleeve Cap Shaping from Bottom to Top
Knit (3 or 6 hours)
Sleeve cap shaping doesn’t have to be a shot in the dark. There are several methods you can use to calculate sleeve cap shaping mathematically, without having to experiment or draw caps on graph paper. We’ll explore real-life sleeve cap scenarios in different sizes. (In the 6 hour class, gain hands-on practice with shaping a sleeve cap from armpit to shoulder.) Return to top…
Swatching for Fun & Profit (was Watch that Swatch!)
Knit/Crochet (3 hours)
Swatching is about gauge, of course, but it’s so much more! Even if you “always” knit/crochet to gauge, a properly worked swatch can give crucial information about the project you are about to start. Save time and avoid costly mistakes by learning from your swatches. Learn how to accurately measure your gauge. Learn the benefits of doing a larger-than-usual swatch, and find out what to do with the swatch when you have finished. Return to top.
Symbol Crochet Today
Crochet (3 hours)
More and more crochet patterns are using international crochet symbols. With symbol crochet, you can see what your stitch pattern is supposed to look like and see the relationship of stitches to one another. Many crocheters find this way of presenting patterns easier to follow than written-out instructions, allowing them to avoid mistakes before they happen! Learn the fundamentals of symbol crochet and see how this universal crochet “language” makes it easy to read patterns from any country. We’ll also talk about and see a demonstration of ways to create your own crochet diagrams. Return to top…
The Well-Rounded Designer
Knit/Crochet (3 hours)
How many times have you had a great idea but couldn’t actually stitch it? How often have you created something but then not been able to re-create it for yourself or others? Concept, Execution and Communication are all vital parts of design, and each aspect requires a certain skill set. Successful designers understand how these pare are interconnected and the subtly different ways of thinking that are required for each. This overview will help you identify the skills you need to take your idea from thoughts to action, and then on to sharing it with others. Please note that this is not a design-your-own sweater class, but rather a way of thinking about the design process which should make you a more efficient and well-rounded designer. Return to top…
Top Ten Tips
Knit (6 hours)
In this survey of useful techniques, learn a variety of knitting and finishing techniques for beautiful sweaters. While knitting a sweater for an 18” doll, practice provisional cast-on, short rowing, kitchener stitch, mattress stitch, duplicate stitch, three-needle bind-off, braiding, applied I-cord, and picking up stitches. If you’ve been wondering how to improve your finishing skills, take this class! Return to top…
Un-Learn to Knit
Knit (3 hours)
You learned the rules: Put your needle in this way, wrap your yarn that way. Now unlearn those rules to gain control of your knitting. No matter how long you’ve been knitting or what your knitting style, understanding the structure of the knitted fabric and how the stitches are related to one another is the key to becoming an expert knitter. We’ll have fun exploring what it really means to take a length of string and turn it into a fabric. You’ll leave class with the confidence and ability to fix mistakes, take shortcuts, and be the master of your stitches. Return to top…
Hello Edie:
I am interested in taking 2 of your workshops: Symbol Crochet Today; and DIY Symbol Crochet. Please advise cost of the workshops and when I may be able to take them from you.
Hi Joan-
I don’t have either of those workshops scheduled at the moment, but check my website from time to time to see what I’m teaching at upcoming gigs. I am also considering teaching some online classes through Crochetville after the first of the year. “Like” me on Facebook and/or follow my Twitter feed for upcoming announcements of when, where and what I’ll be teaching.
Thanks for your interest!