I hope that you all know by now that I am a knitting and crochet teacher. I travel the country going to events like Stitches to teach fiber lovers new techniques for knitting and crochet. Along with teaching at live events I teach online through my YouTube channel and through the books that I have had published. Let’s chat about the pros and cons of each method and let me know how you like to learn to crochet best.
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I have not forgotten about you knitters out there, the conversation today is about crochet for a reason. Over the past years I have noticed that knitters DEVOUR classes at events like Stitches while the numbers in my crochet classes are just average. When it comes to teaching at events or online classes there are a lot of logistics that go into the process. Not only do I need to figure out about being away from my family but it is also lost time for working on my blog and business. In this post I will share my perspective on learning from these different methods and I hope that you can join in the conversation and help me learn from you to make the learning experience worth your time.
Learning to Crochet Online:
Looking to learn online? With so many options and avenues of learning this way it can sometimes seem overwhelming. You can learn through a platform like Craftsy, creativebug or Annie’s where you purchase a class or a subscription to their services for all the classes you want each month. This is a great option for when you are traveling because you can access your class from anywhere just using your phone or other device.
The downside to learning through one of these platforms is that you don’t have the interaction with your instructor or classmates in the same way you would in a live setting. Yes, in most cases you are able to ask your instructor questions and they will get back to you but it isn’t always immediate. Then you are there waiting for the answer before you can move on. One of the great things about this method of learning is that you can watch the lesson over and over again. When you go to a live class you can ask the instructor to show you how to do skill again and again but only until the class time is over.
Along with learning through an official platform you can use the wonderful tool of YouTube to learn LOTS of things. Although you will find a plethora of free content on YouTube it can be hard to determine which videos are the best for your needs. You may spend time watching many videos only to find that they didn’t answer you questions and you have to watch another. Unlike the paid platforms there is no regulating the format of videos or the quality of videos or knowledge, but it is FREE.
Learning to Crochet from Books:
Learning in books is great because you will have the photos with you. The downfall to books is that the information in them could be dated. Although this isn’t much of the case for knitting and crochet it can be frustrating to see new editions of your book come out that you have to purchase again. Another downfall to this is that you have to carry the book around with you. It isn’t as portable, unless using an ebook version, to take with you on trips.
Learning to Crochet in Person:
I won’t say that this is the best way to learn because if I have learned anything from having three kids it is that everyone learns in a slightly different way. The reason I love in person classes is so much is for the interaction of working with students. Getting to meet you all that attend my classes is the highlight of my teaching. When you tell me how much you have learned from me it makes my heart swell with happiness and really fuels my fire to keep going.
Learning in person is great because not only do you get to tap into the knowledge of the teacher but you also get to work with the other students in the class. The downfall to having other students is that typically the teacher is trying to accommodate all skill levels which can be hard. This holds back some students who could have been done in an hour while there will be others there that need the full three hours just to learn step one,
Which is the best:
Sorry to say but I can’t answer this question for you. As I said before we all learn a different way. That is one of the things that can hurt us in a classroom setting through school where teachers are so regulated. If you are learning online and the teacher doesn’t speak to you in a way that you understand I can assure you that you will be able to find at least one other teacher that teaches the same thing but in a different way. It only takes hearing it once in the language that you understand for that lightbulb to turn on. Don’t be afraid of trying multiple teachers until you find the best one for you and how you learn.
Teaching at Stitches:
This year at Midwest I will be teaching ONLY crochet classes. The Stitches crew selected a great collection of classes this year. What I want to know is why you make the choice to come to an event or not. Do you find the classes to hard or too easy? Do they not have the fresh ideas that you are interested in? Do you want beginner classes or advanced classes? Why would you or wouldn’t you pay to go to a class?
Giveaway:
When you come to one of my classes at Stitches I am lucky enough that Red Heart sponsors the class and you all get the yarn that you need to complete the class. I know that some of you are not able to get to an event, or at least to the Midwest event, for classes. I am offering you the chance to win the yarn for each of my Midwest classes. Take a look at my class offerings through the list below. Comment on this blog post with which class you would like to win yarn for.
Please only one comment per person. Giveaway is open to US and Canada residents only. The giveaway will run through midnight MST on July 13th. You must enter your name and email address into the Raffelcopter form so that we can contact the winner. We will not sell your email address and you will not automatically be put on our mailing list. Should you want to be on the mailing list please use the link below in the Follow Marly section.
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I really enjoy your crochet videos!
I wish I could attend the class 10 SECRETS TO CROCHET PERFECT PLANNED POOLING !
I wish I could attend the class on the Crocodile stitch
I wish I could take your class in person. I have always wanted to make a log cabin blanket so I would love to win the yarn from Build a Log Cabin Blanket class.
The Midwest is too far for me to travel right now due to recent surgery. But the Quick & Easy Crochet Corner to Corner technique sounds like a good class.
Probably the crocheting with beads class, because that is one I have not done yet.
I would love to take the beaded crochet class!
For me getting out to an event would be a huge production, not just finance-wise but also making sure my little ones are looked after.
I think just like you said here there are so many options that are either free or paid and mobile that most people can find the answer they are looking for fairly easily. If it was me paying for a class I would want it to be a bit more advanced to have the benefit of being able to ask any questions to a real live person and get to see the technique demonstrated up close.
I am a lefty which makes learning in person difficult. Classes are not geared to the minority. Therefore I prefer written material first. Being able to ask questions or watch a video for clarification afterwards is great.
I would love to attend one of your classes some day. How to build a log cabin blanket would be amazing to learn in person from you!
I would love to attend several of your classes but cant attend Stitches Midwest this year. I think Single-crochet Entrelac with Marly Bird would be my first choice.
I would kill to be able to take the Planned Pooling class. Even though I have your book and of course all your great videos I have not been brave enough to try it. Fingers crossed it’s offered by the time Stitches West rolls around again.
It would be amazing to take the Planned Pooling class. Ever since I attempted the Argyle poncho, I’ve been obsessed with mastering planned pooling and making larger projects that don’t require multiple skeins of yarn all at once to achieve a beautiful colorwork piece. It would be amazing if I could win the yarn for that class.
I have crocheted for many years, being taught by my grandmother. So hands on being able to ask and be shown how it should be done is a great way to learn. Over the years I’ve learned how to read patterns with much ripping out but I was limited because there was no one to ask and no YouTube to watch, so this would have been a great time to have the opportunity to ask questions and take a class. Now that there are the options such as Creativebug, Craftsy, Annie’s we can find classes and watch at our leisure. Good teachers seem to answer question as they teach. This makes learning a new pattern design easier then just a pattern alone. Now the cost of taking a class can be prohibitive for some. We’re going to and event where there will all sorts of squishy lovely products in The marketplace and we have a budget. Three in person classes could cost over $225. So that makes for a very hard decision.
I can only speak for myself. I want to learn a new skill set; how to crochet, knit, dye yarn, spin yarn, weave. This is where I really want and need an instructor. This is when attending a class verse a book or pattern is important. The simple things how to hold your yarn, put tension on your yarn, wrap you yarn on your needle, read your stitches. A class where these things are shown/taught, kinda like having grandma there wrapping the yarn on you fingers. So I guess that would be the basic skills but expanded to explain why somethings just don’t work because you count your chains wrong.
I plan to go to stitches So.Cal., and was really looking forward to taking a class with you to strengthen my knitting skills and was greatly disappointed that all your classes were crochet. Could this be what’s happening at Mid-West. You have such a strong following!
Please feel free to contact me.
Warmest regards,
I would love to take the Single Crochet Entralac. I do much better with learning new techniques in person classes. I love this, I didn’t know you could do this w/ crocheting!!!
I would take your entrelac class!
Would love to tale the crocheting with beads class
Argyle planned pooling. I’ve never been able to do this right. In fact the knly time I did do something was by mistake.
Crocheting with beads sounds like it should be interesting. Beads can really enhance a project but getting them on can be a challenge, I’d love to learn how to do that properly!
I think the log cabin class looks fun! ImI sure it would involve lots of pretty colors of Red Heart!
I really can’t decide between entrelac and the log cabin!! Both would be new skills for me and I love learning new things in knitting and crochet!! I’d definitely take an in person class with you if I can ever manage to travel to one of the big events you teach at!
In person but in lieu of that videos are amazing methods to learn crafting!
I like the class Build a Log Cabin Blanket.
I would love to take the planned pooling class but unfortunately it’s offered on Thursday and I won’t be arriving until late Friday. I’ll be at the PJ Party Friday night though
I really wish I could attend Stitches Midwest this but unfortunately I can’t do I would love to win yarn for the single crochet entrelac class since that is what I would attend if I could go!!
I would love to attend the entrelac class. This has always intrigued me.
I would take the Build a Log Cabin Blanket class.
I would love to take the Log Cabin Blanket class if I were there!
Entrelac class is definitely one I would take. If I could learn to make something beautiful like the piece in the picture, it would be awesome!
I would love your Build A Log Cabin Blanket.
My favorite class and yarn would be to Build a Log Cabin Blanket.
Crocheting with beads class would be fun to take with you teaching!
I would love to learn single crochet entrelac 🙂
Entrelac stitch
I would love to take your Entrelac class. As far as learning, my Daddy taught me the basics of crochet and my Grandma taught be knitting. After that self taught by books. Now and then when not sure of something I look on the internet.
I would love to win the yarn for planned pooling! I’ve never attempted it and its kind of intimidating to me!
Several of the classes really interest me but I would probably go to the Planned Pooling class as it’s something I’d really like to learn to do well.
The Log Cabin Blanket sounds neat. I would love to win the yarn for that one. I’ve seen the quilted versions so it would be so interesting if I could actually be there and take the class. One year I will hopefully be able to attend. Money and mental health make it pretty impossible currently :<
Build a Log Cabin blanket.
I always wanted to learn the crocodile stitch. That would be a good place for me to start, Thanks for the chance!
I would like to learn the entrelac technique!
I learned first from a printed book, in about 1974. It was from the Red Heart “how-to” booklet.
Finally, I guess, about 3 years ago, now, I discovered MarlyBird on YouTube!!!! That’s when I realized that I loved the idea of learning thru Video!!
However, I think, with crochet, I actually like the printed version to follow.
I would really like to win the yarn for the planned pooling!!!!
That’s one type of yarn which is unavailable (other than online ordering) where I live.
Thank you for being a great teacher, Marly!!!