Library Makerspace: Needlecraft Lessons

Crochet is an endlessly versatile technique for making hats, scarves and sweaters, not to mention sculpture and rugs. And all you need is some yarn and a crochet hook. In this workshop Cal will explain and demonstrate the foundation crochet stitches and finishing off. You can create reference swatches of each stitch, or alternate them to create a stitch sampler.

Now that you know the basic crochet stitches, Cal will show you how to use and combine them to create different shapes, textures, and patterns. You'll learn how to increase and decrease in each type of stitch, work into the "bump" of the chain for a nicer edge, as well as how to add spaces or holes between your stitches, and combine stitches to make textured effects like bobbles and shells.

Whether this is the month you finally learn to crochet, or it’s time for you to add new stitches to your arsenal, expert crocheter Twinkie Chan will show you how. Begin with learning basic crochet stitches and their written abbreviations, then work toward crocheting small, friendly swatches with more decorative stitches. Once you’ve spent the month immersed in Twinkie’s wonderful world of crochet, you’ll end up with a beautiful collection of square swatches that you can use as coasters or seam up to make a super cute and colorful stitch sampler to hang on the wall. Build the skills - and the confidence - to crochet almost anything with just yarn and a hook.

Learn how to make a traditional crocheted rag rug with Cal Patch. Rag rugs are a great opportunity to use up recycled fabrics like old bed sheets and T-shirts. In this class, Cal shares expert tips on how to shred the fabric intro strips and connect them to make one continuous “yarn” for crocheting. Once you’ve learned the chain stitch and single crochet stitch, you’ll work in spirals to create a round or oval rug.

Using basic crochet stitches, Cal Patch shows you how to work in the round and make a hat in any size you like. This customizable hat is the perfect way to practice new skills, like increasing and slipstitching. With this one formula, you can go on to crochet hats in different sizes, yarn weights and colors for all of your loved ones.

Single crochet is one of the most common stitches you’ll use when making crochet projects. Edie Eckman shows you how to work this popular stitch into a foundation chain, both back and forth as rows and joined together in the round. After you watch this quick class, you’ll be ready to tackle most beginner crochet projects.

Learn how to work double crochet back and forth in rows with Edie Eckman. This stitch is a building block of many different crochet patterns, and is a key stitch to have in your crochet vocabulary.

Learn how to work the treble crochet stitch back and forth in rows with crochet pro, Edie Eckman. These tall post stitches require a lot of yarnovers, but they work up quickly once you get the hang of the maneuver.

Once you know how to knit and purl, you can combine these stitches in an almost endless combination of stitch patterns. Debbie teaches you the most common patterns, from garter and stockinette stitch to ribbing, stripes and many more.

Once your piece is done, you need to get it off your needles so you can start using it and show off your creation. Debbie shows you a couple different ways to bind off and secure your stitches to finish your project.

When you're brand new to knitting and only know the knit stitch, larger projects can feel daunting. Knitter and crafter Faith Hale shows you how to make bite-sized, joy-filled projects using just a few simple stitches. Learn to create a sweet garter-stitch butterfly, a wiggly I-cord worm, a coiled snail, and a charming dragonfly that combines both garter stitch and I-cord techniques.

o knit, you really only need needles and yarn. But there are whole worlds of options within those two categories. Debbie shows you different kinds of needles (straight, circular and double pointed). She also reviews different kinds of yarn fibers, weights and how to read yarn labels. Finally, she shows you what’s in her knitting tool kit.

Want some help when it comes to learning your way around a machine? Liesl points out the main components of a sewing machine as well as how to thread the machine and wind a bobbin so you will be ready to dive into the sewing process with confidence.

Before you start a sewing machine project, it's important to make sure you're using the right needle and thread. Liesl briefly explains the range of thread options available for different purposes, and talks through your needle and pin choices, too.

Gunked-up machines can ruin any sewing experience. Learn how to properly maintain your machine with Jaime from Fancy Tiger Crafts. She demonstrates how to clean and oil a sewing machine, change the light bulb, and troubleshoot problems – she even demonstrates how to adjust tension if your stitches are too loose or too tight.

Whether you aspire to make more of your own clothes or just want to fix a hem – you’ll never regret learning how to use a sewing machine. In this class, Cal will introduce you to the basics – including how to use your machine and sew a humble seam.

Whether you’d like to make a gift for a loved one, sew an heirloom to pass down, or craft a cozy moment for yourself, making a quilt is a wonderful way to express your creativity and hone your skills. The reasons for learning to quilt are many, but the basics are straightforward, and you’ll learn them all in this class from quilter and designer Justin of Keaton Quilts.

The quilting tools aisle can be awfully daunting to newer quilters. With her no-nonsense approach, Liza tells you what you need, and what you don't need to launch into quilting.