This week has been great!  We worked on so many different projects and had so much fun!

We had lots of finishes!  Bean bags, pin cushions and a zippered heart pouch which actually has a zipper on the back as well!  Very creative!

There was knitting, weaving, cross stitch, sewing and crochet happening!  And…

something that really makes me happy.  These sewn projects were all made by one of my students all by herself at home!  How fantastic is that?!!

Today was such a blast in class!  Students were working on all kinds of different things!

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Weaving with pick up sticks!

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These two were...

working on cross stitch projects!

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Attaching a zipper.

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Knitting - one student is starting a scarf, the other is starting a doll.

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This student is cutting out fabric for a tiered and ruffled skirt.  She altered an existing pattern in order to make it the way she wants.

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This student is cutting fabric for a patchwork binding on a blanket.  I love that I am able to have each student make whatever they wish!!

Last week was super fun!!  We had a knitting and crochet camp in the morning and a sewing camp in the afternoon.  AND of course there was weaving!

 We made lots of crochet stuffed animals!

We made clothing!

We made wrist warmers – both knit and crochet! 

A stuffed dog whose tummy was empty and had a zipper installed to become a pajama bag!  All the idea of this student!

Lots and lots of weaving!

We made bags and back packs!

Quilted items!

More!

And more!  Looking back at the week, I can’t believe how much we accomplished!!

Lots going on in class on Wednesday!So much creative goodness going on at the studio!!

These days and weeks are flying by so quickly!  Here I find that we have completed our penultimate day of knitting/crochet camp and everyone has made such great progress, I am so proud of our students!

Our first day of knitting and crochet camp was fabulous!

So many fun things being created in class!

We had a great time in knitting class!

Just wait until you see how it all turned out!

I'm always saying this, but I can't believe how much fun we have in knitting class!  For class this week, this student brought an embroidery kit that she had at home and asked for help.  Well...of course!!  All forms of fiber arts are supported here in class.

As always, we start out our knitting class with...well...our knitting!

Then we have a small break for another yarn related activity.

Game time - these student LOVE game time!

Just another fun day at knitting class!

I am continually amazed at what our students can do - and WANT to do.  I am so lucky to be able to teach to students who truly are engaged and excited about their art.  We do so much knitting and crochet (that is what this class is all about!), but we also do so many other things.

Making a small wallet.

Learning to read patterns with notations like:  K2tog and kfb - not an easy task!

It takes a long time to make a scarf.

I was inspired by an art teacher named Cassis Stephens.  She taught this circle weaving class to her students. It looked like so much fun that I decided to bring it to our students.

Aren't the bases for our circle weaving beautiful!  Just wait until they add the details and then some weaving to them.

These students really love to play hopscotch.  It appears that this is an "old time" game because while they knew some of the basics, they really didn't know how to play.  I happily taught them the rules and away they went.

Sometimes, they are having so much fun, it is hard to get them to stop playing and come back to knit or crochet.

We don't always knit with knitting needles.  This student brought her knitting loom to class to work on.

Spool knitting continues to be a huge hit.

I made these weaving boards for noon art and held back a few for knitting class.  They make perfect bookmarks after being taken off the board!  The best part?  These boards can be used over and over again and are made with recycled (cereal boxes) cardboard.

REALLY?  A 10 year old knitting on circular needles?!  Yes!

I can't wait until the bases are finished so that they can start the warping and weaving!

Last week we mixed things up a bit in knitting.  I find that sometimes, especially on warm, sunny days, the kids get restless about half way through class and need a bit of a break.  Knitting for an hour and a half is hard work!

Sorry for the blurry photo.  Sometimes it's hard to photograph someone's finished project as it is waved in front of the camera - the kids are just so excited about their creations, they can't hold still!  This student made a pom-pom last week and turned it into a smiley pom-pom this week, which promptly retained the name of "Mr. Smiley".  So cute!

About half way through class time, the students were getting a little bit restless so we took a small break and played "The Marble Game".

First, I  hand each student a paper towel tube that has been cut in half.  Then I show them a marble and explain the rules of the game.  The object of this game is to work together and keep the marble rolling from person to person without dropping it.

Once the marble has passed from your tube to the next person's tube, you run from the start of the line to the end and get ready to catch the marble again.  These students had a great time and managed the all-time record of four rounds!

Then it was back to their knitting!

Sewing was a BLAST!  We saw a huge Spot Dog come to completion.

Isn't he cute?!

I never know what the students are going to work on in class.  They have their ongoing projects and work on those very diligently, but sometimes they want to do something different to take a break.

Some students decide to pull out their spool knitters, others move from one project to another.

This student is very intent on finishing her project!  Look how much knitting she has done already!

A new project for this knitter.

No matter what they decide to work on, they have a lot of fun!

We are having a blast in knitting class!  The kids are all working on different and exciting projects.

Teaching these students to knit is such a rewarding thing to do!

Our knitting classes are in full swing!

This third grader worked hard to finish her very first project!!  Way to go!

Don't their projects look great?!

We have such a fun time in knitting class!  Our students get so much done!

This student did such a great job on her hat.  She cast on with circular needles, knit for 6 1/2", changed to double pointed needles, and then cast off and sewed the top closed.  Isn't it such a cute hat?!!

What is just so wonderful about these knitting classes is the friendships that are being made.  The students are all so supportive of each other.  They help each other with challenges and celebrate finishes together!

This session of knitting is over but the next one starts right up next week!!

It's time for another class of sewing and knitting and I haven't even posted from last week!!  So many good things to come from Let's Go Crafting.  A Halloween Workshop is being offered - I can't wait to see what each student comes up with!  American Girl Clothing workshops, Holiday Ornament workshops and more to come.But...let me get to the important stuff for now!  What went on in last week's classes?

We had a great first day of classes last Wednesday.  All the students came to class ready and excited to learn and explore!We had a fabulous time and I can't wait until tomorrow for our second class!

The new session of knitting has started and everyone is having a great time.  I just love how excited each student is about their own projects as well as those of their friends.

We meet at the picnic tables outside of the classrooms.  The fresh air is so nice!

Sometimes the tabletop is the perfect place to knit.

What shall we make now?  There is a lot of teamwork and discussion that goes along with this class.  I love how they all work together and help each other out.

This student worked so hard and his bag came out really well!

Once this student was done with is first project, he decided that he wanted to make a toy for his  cat.  He had no problem with the increase and decrease stitches that he needed to learn to complete it.  Mind you, he had never done these before and he picked it up very quickly - so quickly in fact, that he finished this in just one week!  Now he is working on a scarf - pictures to come.

This 3rd grade student is very talented in many different fiber related techniques.  She just finished a crocheted scarf and started a new one.  It's amazing to me how easy it is for these kids to learn these different crafts!

So....this 2nd grade student started out making a stuffed toy.  She knit away and then cast off.  Once she had sewn up the first side, she put it on her head and a new creation was born.

Aftern the pom poms and buttons were added, then a mouth, the decision was made!!  Her knitted project became a hat.  But, all good monsters need a nose so one had to be sewn on.  What a fabulous first project!  Next up for this 2nd grader is a knitted bear!