They're In!

Got a knock on the door this evening, where I found a UPS driver with an envelope for me.

My Crochet Instructors certificate and pin came in!  Whoot!!

Celebration Time!

After way too long, I finally finished part 2 of my crochet course!  The last project was finished about a week ago, but I needed to finish converting my notes into lessons, patterns, etc., print it all out and put it all together.

Finishing required commandeering the computer for the day and pretty much kicking the family out so I could work on it uninterrupted.  Good gosh!  I just looked at the time.  I've been working on this for almost 8 hours straight!



Mind you, I did have some interruptions.  I set up a small table beside the computer chair to spread my binders and stuff out.  That required closing the drawer we usually have our older cat's bed set up (yes, we're sucks).  She was quite unhappy with the situation and plunked her but down right on my notes in protest.  I wasn't able to get a shot, but the other cat promptly jumped up to see what the big deal was. 



And here it is!  I've got all but two of the samples in small Ziploc bags that were hole punched to fit in my lesson binder.  The sweater and sampler pillow case are too big to fit into the binder with them.

Now I just have to find a box big enough to fit it all and mail it off.

It feels so good to finally have this finished!!

More photos here.

Almost there!

I have finally finished crocheting all the pieces for the child's sweater I am making for my course.  It is now ready for blocking and assembly!  The blocking will wait until tonight, as I have a class this evening, and then I hope to get it assembled over the weekend.  After that, it's just a matter of tidying up my notes for the written portion, printing it all off, then mailing the whole thing to my instructor.
It will feel so good to mail it all away! 

Oops!

So, I am working on the front panel of the child's sweater I an making for my final protect in my course.  It is a very basic V neck pattern that is about 40 years old, so the way the pattern is written is different. No too difficult to figure out; just the phrasing is a little confusing at times.
I reach the point where the first armhole shaping and half the V neck are shaped.  All is going well until I notice something odd about the pattern.
There is no other half.
There isn't even mention of the other half.  The instructions go straight to working the sleeves.
Which means I an going to have to wing it and mirror the first half.
Maybe it will count for extra in my evaluation. :-/

Argh!

So I have finally decided on a project for the last lesson in my course, a child size sweater. Working on my first row, I feel an odd tugging on my yarn. I look down and see our younger cat sitting between my feet, yarn dangling from his mouth, chewing!  He had already chewed completely through the yarn. The yarn I am using has graduated colours and, this early in the project, it's better to start over then join the ends.
*sigh*

Submitted!

Ah, finally.  I just submitted my teaching hours for certification.  I was afraid I wouldn't have enough; I thought I needed 30 hours for Level I in my course, then another 30 hours for Level II.  Turns out I only need 15 and 15, and I just submitted 32.5. :-D  Logging the hours was the last thing needed for my instructor certification, and I had to write to the CYC to find out where I could submit them.  Apparently, I've got a sheet to do that with my course work somewhere, but I'm glad I can do it online, instead.  Much faster that way.

I'm almost finished Level II; still need to write up some patterns and type up my notes from the lessons.  The final project is a garment that needs to be blocked after assembly.  I'm going to be doing a child sized garment so I can finish it faster. I don't have to come up with my own pattern, so I'm on the lookout for an appropriate commercial pattern.  Turns out not very many of them require blocking.

I'm quite happy with how my hairpin lace scarf turned out - I'll take some photos of the finished scarf to post later.  I made a short scarf for the sample, but I like it enough I might look into making a much longer one for actual use.  Not any time soon, though.  Too many other projects waiting to be worked on as soon as the course is finished.  The samples are small and quick to make, but some lessons require completed projects that can take a fair bit longer.  Writing out the pattern and a lesson plan to teach said project takes longer. 

The question that bugs me the most is when I'm asked to describe how I would teach a technique, list common problems and suggestions to avoid them.  How the heck do you answer that?  Students can be so very different; what one finds difficult, another might find easy.  I've also encountered challenges I simply would never have thought of until I got a student that had to deal with it.  I don't think "fly by the seat of your pants" counts as an acceptable answer in my course, but sometimes, that's exactly what I find I have to do!  Half the fun of teaching is getting to know the individual student and figuring out what works best for them.  Sure, some things are a more common challenge then others - like how to hold the working end of the yarn - but even that is often a problem for very different reasons.  It can take a bit of detective work to figure out exactly why each individual is having the issues they are, sometimes with surprising conclusions. 

Not the sort of thing that's easy to describe succinctly in my lesson, though.  I'm not too worried about it, though.  My instructor is pretty awesome. I haven't had to write to her often to clarify things for me, but the few times I've had, she's been a great help in getting me to understand exactly what they need from me.

Oh, what's that sound coming from outside?  Our co-op's accessible garden beds are being built.  Time for me to head outside and get some more photos and see how things are progressing!

Assembly

Working on a hairpin lace scarf project for my course.  The strips are ready for joining.  I'm going to call it the Voice of Fire scarf.  It might not get me millions in taxpayer dollars, but it will keep someone's neck warm. ;-)

Broomstick Lace Swatch in progress

Working on a swatch for my course while enjoying an evening with the Woolies.  Not happy with it. I expect I'll be doing a couple more before I get one good enough to send for evaluation.

Ready

The almost complete sample for my crochet course.  It is being deliberately left unfinished so that it can be mailed flat, and so my instructor can flip it inside out to check my handiwork.
I still have to write the pattern instructions out properly from my notes to send with it. After this, I have three more lessons to finish the course.

Intermediate

Working on some cable stitch for my course. I need to plan an intermediate project with Aran stitches; knurl (done), diamond (blocking) and cable. I'll be throwing some front post cables into the project as well.


update:  Hmmm... on looking at the photo on the computer, I think I posted the wrong cell phone picture.  I discovered my phone has a macro setting, which turned out better.


When I have the front panel of this project assempled (it's going to be a sampler pillow case, and the back is going to be plain) I'll get some better photos.

Stuff that's going on

Ah, life.  Always throwing things at us! LOL

So I've been pretty busy over the last while but, unfortunately, little of it has had to do with crafting.  Some of it you can read about here.  Others, I've already mentioned in a previous post.  Some I will write about in future posts or Squidoo lenses, as warrented.  Most of it involves a whole lot of running around! *L*

My biggest news is that I finally got my crochet instructor evaluation!  I sent my completed course in months ago, but my awesome instructor has had things pretty busy, too, and is still backlogged.  We spent an hour and a half on the phone, and I enjoyed every minute of it!  I'm proud to say that I passed and, once the paperwork is processed, I will officially be a certified instructor with the Craft Yarn Council.  Now I need to get my butt in gear and finish Level 2.  Once I pass that, I will be officially listed as a professional crocheter.  How cool is that?

Meanwhile, Easter is coming and it's time to prepare.  I normally would have started a new Easter craft by now, but just haven't had the time to do it.  I've been distracted by other things!  We're also preparing to welcome the friend of one of my daughters into our home again for several months while he takes a course locally.  We're pretty excited for him!  Looking forward to it.

Which means I have just a little while left to do my Easter craft for this year, and I don't even know what I'm going to do! 

Any suggestions?

Class update

I have fallen woefully behind in my blog updates of late.  It never fails that when I have something to write about, I am no where near the computer.  Then when I`m at the computer, I can`t remember what I was going to write about! Thanks to some educational funding we have access to, I have been able to get a tablet.  Nothing particularly high end, but it will work for a variety of things I found myself needing to do, and being able to use it for this is just bonus.

Meanwhile, I have been teaching crochet classes on Fridays.  Though I have taught before, last week was my first official class with multiple students.  It`s been so much fun! I have been really enjoying teaching, and it seems like my students are having fun, too. I have evaluation forms for them to fill out that will be going to my course instructor and the Craft Yarn Council, and I am humbled by how high they have rated me as an instructor.

Tomorrow I am back to do my monthly demo.  It will be different, in that I was able to make it a drop in.  I will be available to help out anyone who swings by with something they need help with, whether it is a stitch, a technique, help reading a pattern or whatever.  If you are in Edmonton and need help with a crochet project, bring it along with you to the Clareview Michaels between 1:30 and 3:30 in the afternoon and I will be more than happy to help you figure it out.

I look forward to seeing you there!

Space

Well, I finally had to break down and do it.  I had to do some furniture rearranging and partial dismantling and set myself up a work space for my crochet.  Upstairs.  Due to permanent damage to my knees and feet, I tend to avoid the stairs as much as possible, but I really needed to get a dedicated space set up.  There's just too much noise and traffic downstairs.

This meant clearing out the old computer desk, including what used to be the girls' computer.  There had been some problems with it that we've never got around to trying to figure out how to fix. I don't think anyone has touched it in at least 6 months.  After all that time sitting and collecting dust, I finally moved it out.  There's a space at the end of our hallway between the wall to one bedroom and a support pillar. The desk was always too wide to fit into that space, since it had a small shelf on one side to hold a tower.  With no computer to put there, I simply took the shelf off, and now it fits perfectly.  There was a bunch of other stuff to move as well, and a while bunch of dusting. 

There's still a bit of work to do in the area, but I took the time to set up and work on a project to make sure the space was suitable.  I think it'll work out fine.  I will be able to bring up more of my supplies later, it's a good height to work at, I have good light to work under, and I have some space I can take photos in, too.  Lighting for photography isn't very good, but I can work that out in time.  The chair isn't the most comfortable, but it'll do for now.

The most important thing is that I now have a space I can keep my course and various projects on the go and not have to tuck things aside or worry about them getting knocked about.  Unless the cats jump unto the desk, of course.  They both seem to like the new space, too.  While setting it up, I kept having to move the younger one out of way, and she kept climbing into the lower shelves.  When I was working, I found both cats hanging around, keeping me company.  They like being nearby while I work. 

I'll be having more photos to post soon.  I'm working on a display that will be used to promote my classes, and I'll be doing a step-by-step of the process. 

So far, I'm liking how it's working out. 

My husband is awesome.

I am just a lucky woman!  I have such a sweetheart for a husband.

In working with the new rosewood needles he bought for himself, he discovered that... well, his hands sweat.  When they start sweating, that affects the wood.  So he decided to get himself a second set of needles so that he could switch between them, letting one pair dry while working with the second pair.

So off we went today to River City Yarns to see what they had.  At first he didn't see the rosewood needles and he was going to get a birch pair, but when he found the size he was after in rosewood, he got those instead.  They're quite a bit longer than his first pair, but that's okay.  As long as they're the same size (he's using 5.50mm).  I think the birch would have been lovely, too.  He did 10 inches of scarf yesterday and is now at 20 inches.  He's really loving the wooden needles.  Much nicer to work with than the plastic and metal ones we already had.  (Earlier today we were sitting in a coffee shop, him with his needles, me with my hook.  Some guy ended up sitting with us as we chatted about sharing knowledge of crafts and skills.  It was great!) 

While at River City Yarns, we looked at quite a few other things.  Including yarn that my younger daughter described as feeling like kittens.  Soooo soft!!

Looking through the tools, I was thrilled when I asked about hairpin lace tools and they actually had some!



I am now the proud owner of a Prim Universal Netting Fork.  The woman at the shop told me that hairpin lace tools are very hard to come by, so when she finds them, she takes what she can!



The packaging opens up and gives some pretty decent instructions.  This is the only tool I was missing for my course, so I'm pretty happy.  If that was all I got today, I would have been quite pleased.

Then after paying, my darling husband shooed me and our daughter away so he could buy what he was hiding behind his back.

Uh oh... ;-D

While waiting in the hall, I was actually able to guess what he bought.  You see, in the process of helping someone else, one of the staff opened up a kit that really caught my attention.  I told my husband that this was what I wanted for Christmas.  I could have happily waited that long, but he's a generous sort, and this is what he bought me.



This is a set of Denise Interchangeable Crochet Hooks.  It's got 12 heads, 7 cords, 2 extenders and 4 end buttons.

First awesome thing about this kit.  The hooks can fit on either end of the cords.   There are no duplicate hook sizes, but spares can be purchases separately.  This gives me the option for a flexible double ended hook, which is something I was wanting.  Also...



See this?  See the openings at the ends?

Yup.  I can thread cord through those and turn them into knooks!!  Though I think I could actually just use the cords in the kit, and not add an end button.

Which means that, in one kit, I now have not only several tools I was wanting - flexible Tunisian hook, flexible double ended hook and a knook - but I have them in a selection of 12 sizes.

I am so thrilled!!!!  I can't wait to get started with them.  I must resist, though.  After I'm finished my course, then I can start playing!

Though I will be able to use some of these for my course later one. :-D

Did I mention I have an awesome husband?  Let me say it again.

My husband is awesome.
:-D

Oh, and...



Cat.

Just because.

Almost there.

I have officially completed all the swatches and samples for the first level of my Crochet Instructors course. I just need to finish the written portion, then I can send it out for evaluation.

What I've been doing

It's been a while since I've posted here, so I thought I'd do an update on what I've been doing.

Swatches.

Lots and lots of swatches.



These are for the crochet instructor's course I'm working on. There are several parts that I have to work with. A Teacher's Handbook (not pictured), the course binder and the lessons, which you can just see under the yellow and pink swatches on the left. I've been trying to stick to the same type of yarn and range of colours, unless something is specified, to keep it cohesive looking. That's just my own thing. Plus, since I'm doing this as a Michael's instructor, I am sticking to yarns I get from Michaels.

Throughout the course book, there are a number for Teacher Samples to make up. Those are the ones you see on the right. Following the patterns and instructions in the book, a lot of them are quite small; about 4 inches square, maybe.

Then I have to do the same stitches for my lessons. These require re-calculating the gauge to make 5 inch swatches (though with some diamond shapes, the 5 inches refers to the widest row). With 5 inch swatches, I am them supposed to give the gauge for 1 inch, in stitches and rows. I've been able to switch up hook sizes for most of them to get a nice round number in that 1 inch, but for some patterns, it's just not possible. That shell stitch, for example, starts with a chain in multiples of 6 + 1. Counting the turning chain, the pattern always works up to an odd number of stitches in each row. I can figure out how to make it a 5 inch swatch easily enough, the total number of stitches in each row will never work out to be divisible by 5. That means the gauge works out to include fractions of stitches, no matter what. :-P If I were writing a pattern and needed to give the gauge, I would never break it down to 1", but use whatever number of stitches works out into a round number. If I were to look at a pattern for something I wanted to make and saw a gauge of "3.6 dc = 1 inch" I wouldn't buy the thing.

This is just partway into lesson three for the first level. After taking this shot, however, I discovered a mistake I made with the shell stitch swatch you can see in pink. I'd accidentally read the wrong line and used worsted weight instead of sport weight. I caught it when working on the next sample, which was the one that is supposed to be done in worsted weight. I've reworked it since.

I don't really like doing swatches. They are very important for gauge if you're doing something fitted. They are great for practising stitch patterns. They are not a step to skip. I still don't like doing them. My problem with them has more to do with my frugality. *L* They seem like so much wasted yarn! When doing swatches for a project, I'll make up the swatch, without cutting and finishing off the yarn. Then I'll figure out any adjustments I may need to do to get the right gauge, then undo the swatch and use the yarn in my project. I look at my pile of watches and, while I'm quite pleased with how they look, I can't help but wince. I tell myself that they will remain useful as references later, so it's not really wasted yarn. Especially the teaching aids.

Eventually, I'll believe myself. ;-)