Project Support (Fix Your Mistakes) Crochet Class at Knit1 in Chicago

If you are anything like me, then you make a lot of mistakes when it comes to textiles. A class specifically focused on your learning how to get it right was necessary for me to be able to move ahead at all. This is where Knit1 in Chicago came in. They have a project support class. I call it a “fix your mistakes” class because that is what keeps happening when I show up there.

It has been part crochet/part therapy. I shared with them that my maternal great grandmother was a master at crochet. Sniffle. I shared that I was deeply disappointed that I had not inherited the crochet gene and could never wrap my head around it, so to speak. I looked away, barely able to hide my discontent. I just knew I would walk away with the same problems I had when I walked through the door. There wasn’t anything anyone could do for me.

The staff at Knit1 insisted there would be none of that.

They taught me a simply beginner granny square pattern and that was it! I was off to the races! No more crying about what I didn’t get from the familial textiles gene pool! I focused and built only on what I could master and control, which was the beginning granny square! And this is the purpose of fiber arts therapy!

Thank you Knit1!

It got addictive! I was supposed to be doing this for stress relief and to continue a family tradition. I got some red yarn for Juneteenth and started to crochet some beginning granny squares. Even my mother commented, “That is beautiful!” My family is like that. They may have dementia, but when they see me making a project they like, they will say they like it and ask for it. I made up in my mind that once I’d made enough granny squares with red yarn, I would put them in an afghan and give them to my mother as a present.

Fiber and Fabric Craft Festival by h +h Americas at Donald E. Stevens Convention Center Crack the Color Code by MJ Kinman

This was one of the most useful and helpful classes I ever had in color theory! I have taken painting color theory classes. I’ve read color theory books. I took a color theory fiber arts/yarn class. I’ve taken color theory classes online. This class took color theory to another level. We spent more time hands on with fabric rather than speculating what might look good.

I’m working on a number of projects where my color theory lessons have to show up in order to make a statement. MJ Kinman’s color theory class greatly helped.

It also helped that I was sitting next to a former superintendent who also attended Northeastern Illinois University and was wearing the most wonderful quilted jacket! We exchanged information and have been talking about quilting, fabric and education ever since. There’s nothing like being around like minded people who love your enthusiasm about textiles.

I absolutely loved the Straphangers Lounge! A fiber arts subway station! Who knew?!!? I showed pictures to everyone I knew who loved fiber and fabric and they loved it as well!