Designer's Workshop: Crochet Boleros & Sweaters

If you would like to be notified when we schedule this class again, please click here to send us a request.

This workshop is a focused masterclass for experienced crocheters working toward increasing their design skills and experience, while also making up a fun garment from the sleeves up (literally)! 

Over three weeks of classes, participants will learn how to design their dream bolero using a combination of classic and creative crochet techniques, with focused instruction and hands-on assistance from Cleo, an experienced pattern designer and long-time crocheter. Students will also be given advice on how to write, grade, and format a pattern to sell.

INSTRUCTOR
Cleo (they/she)

PATTERN
Customizable pattern & instruction sheet will be provided in the first session.

SKILL LEVEL
Advanced. If you know all of the required techniques listed below you know enough to take this class! Read about how we determine skill levels here.

REQUIRED EXPERIENCE
To take this class you must already be quite comfortable with the chain stitch, single crochet, half double crochet, double crochet, working in the round, simple increases (working two stitches into one), and some understanding of how gauge affects a project. Having some design experience and knowing advanced decreases (sc2tog or dc2tog) is helpful but not required. 

WHAT YOU WILL LEARN 
Choosing the right yarn & needles for your desired fabric, how gauge can change with blocking and wear over time, calculating stitch counts for desired sizing, incorporating stitch patterns into simple shapes, designing simple sleeve and neck shaping, how to measure for armhole spacing, best practices for recording your design process and writing sellable patterns, and the basics of grading patterns.

LESSON PLAN

• Session 1: Choosing yarn and stitch patterns, swatching and blocking (both optional), starting first sleeve, sleeve shaping.
• Session 2: Continue working on sleeves, trouble shooting, pattern writing and grading basics. 
• Session 3: Joining sleeves and creating chest circumference, decreasing for shoulder shaping, further pattern writing instruction.
• Session 4: Neck hem, chest edging or picking up for sweater body, finishing techniques, pattern formatting.

REQUIRED YARN - available for purchase at the shop
Students can use nearly any yarn. Suggestions on amounts & types for desired style will be given in the first session.

REQUIRED TOOLS - available for purchase at the shop
Varies depending on chosen yarn & gauge. Students should bring a range of hook sizes if they have them, or plan to test out a few and purchase one or two in the first session.