Elsie you will do fine sweet girl. Just trust yourself today because you are good at what you teach. I wish I was one of your students I could use the lessons from an expert. Go with the flow and know that all is going to be worth it. Prayers for you today!!

Much Love Rachel

You can do it ! Just be yourself and share what you know it will be great ! Go Elsie Go !

Thank you, sweet ladies. The class did go well. And I think a good time was had by all.

Good job Elsie! What did you teach them to sew? How many folks were in the class? Are you planning to teach other sewing classes?

It's a wonderful skill to have! That's great that you're brushing up on teaching so you can help others learn this useful skill and nice hobby.

Glad to hear the class went well!

Yay for you, Elsie! I agree...what a wonderful skill to have AND to teach to others! I have taken up crocheting and would be nowhere without youtube videos. So many different stitches to remember and learn. ugh I'd take a class, but work full-time and youtube videos are like taking a class, but at home and at my convenience. :)

Huelani, there were 6 in the class. But as our time waned on several customers came in and were impressed enough to buy the pattern. We made a little thingy called a "Sweetpea Pod. It uses a zipper in a unique way. I will be teaching a Garden Bag (read large purse) on the 30th.

Startingover, I wish we were closer I would love to teach you the art of crocheting my second passion.

Thanks everyone for the kind words.

Elsie ~ That sounds like a good sized class. How nice that you've got another class scheduled already too. I found this sewing pattern called a "Sweetpea Pod" ~ is this what you taught them to sew?

http://www.sewthankful.com/LazyGirlDesigns_SweetpeaPods.html

I wished Startingover and I both lived closer to you Elsie as I've just taken up crocheting again but I've never had a teacher. I crocheted as a teenager. I made some afghans, shawls and lace. I never was very advanced ~ I never really tried to follow a complex pattern.

With spending so much time indoors alone I was looking for a hobby so thought I'd try crocheting again. I found a super simple pattern for a cat bed. It's such an easy pattern that I can take it with me and crochet while I'm waiting for my Valley Lift ride. I just uploaded a photo to DS of one of the cat beds I made so you can see it Elsie ~ it's basically two big potholders crocheted together with a little edge.

I'm ready to tackle something more advanced but I don't know what to make. I don't really need an afghan and the weather is usually too warm here to wear sweaters. I have some nice sweaters that I didn't wear at all this winter. Do you have some ideas Elsie for something I could crochet?

The idea I had for the cat beds was that if I really got on a roll with them, I could make them as gifts for the animal shelter. I wish I could crochet hats as gifts for chemotherapy patients. Unfortunately I can't do that because I have a furry cat ~ you can't have cat or dog fur getting on the hats. I'm open to suggestions as to what I could make ~

Huelani, Yep those are the pods. They are really fun to make.

Have you thought about making small afghans (read lap robes) and taking them to the senior center or a physical rehap. The cat and dog hair does not become a problem if you wash the item before you take it. I washed the items and then put them in giant ziplock bags I got at the dollar tree. We did this with our Sunday School. And the elderly folks were so happy to receive them. And it help our children see the pleasure in giving.

Can you read a crochet pattern?

I will go look at your photos and then this chick is off to bed. The pups and kitties have already found their nightly spots....My turn!

That's a nice idea about the lap afghans Elsie! Actually the first crocheting that I did was making granny squares in Camp Fire Girls to make an afghan to give away. I can't remember who we donated it to but it might have been a senior center. I made a lap afghan for my mother when I was in high school that I got back from her and still own.

I can read a crochet pattern ~ at least I was able to read the one for the cat bed which was pretty simple. It had asterisks and repeating sections between the asterisks for the different rows, and abbreviations for the different stitches though it was mostly double crochet. I could probably figure out a more complicated pattern if it wasn't too hard.

There are some really nice lapghan patterns out there for free. I have one book that the pattern makes lapghans that double as shawls. They are really nice. If you want when I can get to my file cabinet I will get you the name of the book.


http://www.allfreecrochet.com/Lapghan-Crochet-Patterns

http://www.allfreecrochet.com/Lapghan-Crochet-Patterns/11-Crochet-Lapghan-Patterns#Crochet%20Lapghan%20Free%20Patterns

Elsie ~ Thanks so much for the links to the free crochet pattern sites! I found this pattern for a throw afghan that I like that's rated Easy. It's larger than a lapghan but I'm sure I could adjust to make it a smaller size. I just wish they would show a close-up of the pattern to see the detail.

I thought I would try to crochet a 6-inch long row and do several rows of the pattern to make sure I know what I'm doing before I buy the yarn to make it. I think the pattern does look fairly simple once I practice the Treble 3 Together stitch.

http://www.allfreecrochetafghanpatterns.com/Throw-Patterns/Magical-Mist-Crochet-Throw

Looks really pretty. The Tr2tog is relatively easy but if you get stuck let me know I think I could talk you through it. Above all else HAVE FUN!!!!

Thanks Elsie ~ it's nice to know that I've got an expert that I can ask if I need some help!

Are you doing any crocheting these days or are you mostly concentrating on sewing projects?

mostly sewing...but it's riding a bike kinda thing. I am thinking about picking up a hook for in the evenings. Crocheting is one of the most relaxing things I know of for me,