Thursday, July 2, 2015

Tea Time with Tiffany Episode 6 - Calling all knitters and crocheters!

Yes, this is a themed week here at Life of a Catholic Librarian it seems. Lots of knitting posts! But I'm sure I'll be inspired by something new next week, and thus I'll write about that. I always aim to keep things interesting for you. ;-) But this week I thought I'd talk about my knitting and crocheting journey in the latest installment of:


How did I get started in each craft? What are my favorite types of projects to work on? Epic knitting fails? It's all here!


Items mentioned during this episode:
  • You can find learn to knit/crochet classes at your local craft store (Jo-ann, Michael's), or at your local yarn shop. Stop in and ask! You can not only learn the skills, but become a part of a supportive crafting community.
  • The infamous Navy Blue Cardigan.
  • Patron saint of artists - St. Catherine of Bologna.
  • Patron saint of weavers and wool combers - St. Blaise!
  • Find saint dolls at Saintly Silver (saint softies), and St. Luke's Brush (painted wood dolls).
  • Please write in with your crafting journey! Or let us know about someone you love who is a crafter and has made something for you. If you blog about crafting, don't forget to leave us your url!
I'm off for a 4 day weekend, so I won't talk to you all until Tuesday. But I'll be keeping you all in my thoughts and prayers, and I will absolutely be keeping my eye out for your comments! You will all receive a personal reply. :)

8 comments:

  1. I learned how to knit at Joann's! It helps that I work there so it was free. My local yarn store closed down recently, but when I was a new knitter, I frequented them whenever I had questions.

    Thanks for the shout-out! :-)

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  2. Absolutely, Stephanie! You're one of my favorite knitters. ;-) And yep, thanks for affirming both of these options. I figured these were universal, but it's nice to know specifically that others had the same experience. We have several local yarn stores here, but I think we're pretty lucky. It's a tough market out there for small businesses like that. :-\

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  3. I've used JoAnne's craft classes for jewelry making. I liked that the classes were small and the instructors were always very nice and helpful, so I am sure their needlework classes are very good, too. I would also suggest Craftsy.com for anyone who may have difficulties making class times on evenings and weekends. I have a sister-in-law who works nights, which made me think of it. You certainly give up the social aspect of live classes, but the instruction is quite good, and there are frequent sales and discounts. And in our metro area, community ed also has a lot of needlework classes, so that may be another option for some. And my parish has a knitting/crochet club, so other parishes might also.

    I sew more than anything else, and my mother sewed quite a bit when I was growing up. I sometimes think it's kind of a shame that my generation and the next younger don't have as many relatives (male and female) who make or build things as part of home-making as we are also missing out on some of the family aspect of passing down such skills. But that's just my not-too-deeply-held opinion:)

    St. Tabitha is the patron saint of tailors and seamstresses, and St. Clare of Assisi is the patron saint of needlework and lacemakers (as another saint to add to your collection of patrons of the arts).

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  4. AMY! Such awesome suggestions, thank you! Outstanding point about scheduling making live classes hard for some, so Craftsy would be a perfect solution. Community ed, also a great idea, that's where I started dance classes. And the parish associated with Henry's school has a prayer shawl ministry that meets regularly, so I'm sure other parishes have similar groups.

    And the saints...clutch, girlfriend! Thank you again! <3

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  5. I learned to knit in college. My CSA (like a RA but my school used a different term) held a learn to knit program. After college I put my knitting away for awhile but later I was inspired to pick up knitting again. I like that knitting is portable. I also sew (learned when I was a teenager) but until very recently had to take over the dining room table to sew which isn't as convenient.

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  6. Hi Melanie! Totally agree on the portability, super convenient. And year round, too! Small projects are good even in summer. I would love to learn how to sew. Right now, I'm limited to buttons & dance costume fixes. ;-)

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  7. I've always wanted to try and learn how to knit or crochet as I've always been crafty in other ways. My grandma used to crochet and I remember her trying to teach me when I was younger but i was a bit too young (I was probably in 5th or 6th grade) and I don't think she had the patience for it.

    I've also always wanted to learn how to decorate cakes with the classes they teach at Michaels.

    I didn't know that St. Blaze was the crafters saint I just knew he was the throat saint. That is very cool! I'm always learning new things in your videos.

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  8. Hi Beth Anne! You should try again with the knitting and crocheting! I had tried to learn to knit earlier in my life (back when I was exclusively crocheting) and didn't quite take to it. But then years later, knitting came easier. And I completely agree on the cake decorating classes - I've always wanted to take those! Michael's has them, and I think our JoAnn's has them here too. The fall would be a great time to take one. ;-)

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