It’s that time of year again, when the chill of autumn is in the air, the days are shorter and the holidays are just around the corner. Just something about it makes me want to knit and/or crochet. And I know, knitting is so 1999 and crocheting is “for little old ladies,” but I don’t care. Truth be told, my ideal Friday night is spent watching The Dog Whisperer and working on a scarf. But that’s just between us.
Anyway, I’ve been wanting to move out of the scarf genre but since I can never figure out the instructions of any pattern, scarves are all I ever make. Fortunately, there are a bunch of yarn stores on the Westside that offer classes for beginners and those stuck in needlecraft limbo, with prices ranging from free to not so free. There’s even a knitting/crocheting group that gets together once a week — great for meeting like minds. And who said Westsiders weren’t crafty?
Compatto Yarn Salon’s Knitting and Crocheting Classes
This isn’t just a yarn store, it’s a yarn salon, thank you very much. And it offers both knitting and crocheting classes for FREE! Every Saturday between noon and 5pm, learn knitting. Every Sunday between noon and 5pm? Crochet. Just bring yourself and they’ll provide the sample tools and yarn to play with. The great part is if you hit a problem area in your work, the staff will help you out.
- 12pm-5pm, Saturdays for knitting and Sundays for crocheting
Wildfiber’s Beginners Knitting Class
Learn how to knit, purl and cast off at your own pace in two 3-hour sessions from the knowledgeable staff at this Santa Monica yarn store. The class costs $60 and you get two skeins of yarn of your choice, a pair of knitting needles, a tape measure and scissors. Unfortunately there are only eight spaces available so sign up asap.
- 10am-1pm, Saturdays, November 10 and 17
A Mano Yarn Center’s Beginning Knitting Class
This Mar Vista store not only teaches the basics of knitting but about the different types of yarn, deciphering labels and how to read patterns. You’ll also learn how to make a scarf (blah!), a hat and a shawl. It’s $80 for four 2-hour sessions.
- 9:30am-11:30am; Saturdays, November 17, 24 and December 1 and 8
Every Tuesday night from 7 to 10pm at the Talking Stick Coffee Lounge in Santa Monica, knitting group, Stitch n Bitch Los Angeles, congregates to share stories, shoot the shit and get crafty. Don’t be shy or intimidated, all levels of knitters and crocheters are welcome to join in. I joined such a group once and it was really great way to learn new stitches and make new friends.