Lil ' Pumpkin Crochet Workshop!

I love crocheting! I don't think that will be much of a surprise to a lot of you...  I learned to crochet when I was around 8 or 9 and remember the day. We were sitting on my Grammie's boat, it was a nice day, not too hot out on the lake in that quint essential New England woodsy spot.  The sky was a little cloudy, but still bright. I am so glad that I remember that moment, and that I have kept with it all these years.

Now when I do workshops, I share this little story, and it feels good to share a skill that was shared with me, to pass on a tradition and a true craft. I taught this lil' pumpkin workshop at the amazing ArtSpark Creative Studio! They are creating an amazing creative community there.

The pumpkin workshop was well timed - I have several test pumpkins at home to give away during Thanksgiving, and their cuteness will no doubt be admired. Everyone in class was happy with their final product - and that was a big part of why I like this project. So many times people start with a scarf and get bored, or it starts to loose it's shape. This pumpkin project was very forgiving and a quick project. It didn't require perfection on your first try, and the final product, no matter how technically imperfect, was either undetectable or embraced and became part of the pumpkin's finished look. 

I hope everyone will take their new skill with them, and keep going with it. It does take practice much like anything else. The most difficult thing to learn (from what I have experienced in teaching) is the gauge and keeping the working yarn not too tight. Letting it slide through your fingers as you use your hook to pull loops through loops. 

This comes down to mastering grip and finagling the yarn and hook in such a way that doesn't keep tension on the working yarn*, and maneuvering the hook more so that pulling on the working yarn to keep it on the hook. It's always more about the hook than the yarn... With every workshop I teach, I learn something new too. I've been thinking about how "creativity creates community" and I just really dig that idea... It's not a one sided exchange when we share creative techniques or skills or ideas, it's a community of creativity. 

Creativity I think is a cornerstone of our human existence! Do you agree? What roll does creativity play in your life? Could you incorporate more creativity? And, what is your most favorite thing you've learned from a creative class? Share in the comments! I would love to hear from you! 

With all the radiance,

-Erin : )

*Working Yarn = The string of yarn that is coming from the ball that you're making loops with to continue the work you've already finished.