Classes

CLICK HERE for rates and info on scheduling a workshop

After successful careers as both a costumer in the entertainment arena in NYC, and an antiques dealer specializing in nineteenth- and twentieth-century textiles and decoratives, Mary Beth Temple is now a full time author/designer of both knitting and crochet patterns. Her work appears frequently in knitting and crochet magazines including Knit Simple, Vogue Knitting Crochet, Interweave Crochet, The Knitter (UK) and Inside Crochet (UK). She is the owner and lead designer for the pattern line Hooked for Life, which is available both online and in independent yarn stores, and is a popular teacher both online and at several live events per year.

KNITTING


Introduction to Knitted Color work

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Looking to expand your knitting skills? This class offers a taste of three types of color work – slip stitch knitting, mosaic knitting, and intarsia. All of these techniques offer beautiful, multi-color stitching, and each is simple to do after a little practice!

Skill level: Advanced beginner and up – must be comfortable with knitting basics
Time: Three hours
Materials needed/Homework: Three colors of smooth DK or worsted weight yarn, appropriate sized knitting needles. No Homework.
Techniques taught/reviewed: Slip stitch patterns, mosaic patterns, basic intarsia.
Handout: Tip sheet with notes, and charts for the latter two.


The Crochet Hook is the Perfect Tool for Knitters! (Knitting)

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Bring your knitting, bring a crochet hook, and learn all the clever things having a crochet hook in your tool bag will let you do. Students will learn the crochet cast on both as a permanent and a provisional cast on, the crochet cast-off (perfect when you need to use up every scrap of yarn to finish your piece!), and how to pick up a dropped stitch quickly and easily with a crochet hook, in both stockinette stitch and garter stitch.

Skill level: Beginner and up
Time: One hour or two hours
Materials needed/Homework: Smooth yarn in two contrasting colors, appropriate knitting needles and crochet hook.


Arm and Finger Knitting

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Whether you can knit or crochet or are a yarn craft newbie, you can be making chunky cowls and shawls or fun, finger knit accessories in a matter of minutes! These are terrific techniques for crafters of all ages.

Skill level: No previous yarn craft experience required.
Time: 2 hours or 3 hours
Materials needed/Homework: Minimum 4 skeins of yarn – the bulkier the better – but any pile of color coordinated yarns will work. Feel free to bring beads or other embellishments if desired. Tapestry needle. No Homework.
Techniques Taught/Reviewed: Arm knitting and finger knitting techniques including beginning and ending a project; arm knitting has several stitches.
Handout: A basic handout will be provided but arrangements can also be made in advance for students to receive discounted copies of Arm Knitting or Finger Knitting books my Mary Beth Temple.

BUSINESS FOR DESIGNERS


Independent Pattern Publishing(Knitters and Crocheters)

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The business landscape for independent design has been growing and changing rapidly -do you really need to work with traditional publishers anymore? Maybe not – but you do need to put some serious thought as well as hard work into your pattern business if you want to earn money at it.  It’s great to be your own boss and to retain creative and legal control over your designs, which can be gratifying from both an artistic and a financial standpoint.

Independent Pattern Publishing will talk students through getting their first pattern ready to launch. We will cover all of the variables for producing single patterns and collections – including production, pricing, online distribution and promotion, and wholesale.

Time: Three hours or six hours
Materials needed/Homework: Pen and paper for notes, an open mind! No homework, although if a student has already laid out a pattern or begun their business plan, they may wish to bring it.
Handout: Notes from class.


Teaching for $$$

Teaching is a terrific addition to your business plan – in addition to adding income, teaching gigs can also increase traffic to your digital properties, and sales of supporting materials like books and patterns. But it’s hard to get started! In this class we will talk about the ins and outs of teaching locally and at regional and national conferences, including class prep, proposals, and pricing models.

Skill level: All Skill Levels

Time: Three hours
Student maximum: 16


Book Publishing 101 – is Becoming an Author Right For You?

Is writing a book the right decision for your business and career? If so, you may be asking what kind of book, how should I publish, and can you show me the money? Mary Beth Temple has written more than a dozen books and has experience with publishers small and large. In this class you’ll go through the steps to decide if a book is right for your brand, what kind of book that might be, and what you can expect while writing it, publishing it, and marketing it.

Skill level: All Skill Levels

Time: Three hours
Student maximum: 50

TUNISIAN CROCHET


Tunisian Crochet Basics

Join me as we explore the basics of the Tunisian technique, including Tunisian Simple Stitch, Tunisian Knit and Purl, increasing, decreasing, and full row color work.

Skill level: Beginner and up
Time: Two hours or three hours
Materials needed/Homework: Two colors of smooth, light colored worsted weight yarn, appropriate Tunisian crochet hooks. No homework
Techniques taught/reviewed: Basics of the Tunisian technique, including Tunisian Simple Stitch, Tunisian Knit and Purl, increasing, decreasing, and full row color work.
Handout: Tip sheet.


Tunisian Crochet Lace

You know the basics of Tunisian Crochet – now what? Take your Tunisian to the next level by learning about more intricate lace stitches, and how to read both Tunisian symbol charts and patterns.

Skill level: Intermediate – must know Tunisian Simple, Knit and Purl stitches.
Time: Two Hours or Three Hours
Materials needed/Homework: Two colors of smooth DK or worsted weight yarn, selection of Tunisian hooks, especially larger sizes. No Homework.
Techniques taught/reviewed: Tunisian basics review, lace stitches, chart and pattern reading taught.
Handout: Tip sheet


Tunisian Crochet Cables

Tunisian Class Photo

For those stitchers looking for a beautiful textured fabric, look no further than cable stitching in Tunisian crochet!  You will learn cable terminology and how to work cables both on the edges of your fabric or in the interior of your piece.

Skill level: Intermediate – must know Tunisian Simple, Knit and Purl stitches.
Time: Two Hours or Three Hours
Materials needed/Homework: Two colors of smooth DK or worsted weight yarn, selection of Tunisian hooks, especially larger sizes, cable needle. No Homework.
Techniques taught/reviewed: Tunisian basics review, Tunisian cables taught.
Handout: Tip sheet


Tunisian Crochet- Entrelac

All the fun of knit or single crochet Entrelac, but in Tunisian crochet! Learn several layouts to plan your projects – and no Tunisian hook is required because you are working on a limited number of stitches at a time.

Skill level: Must know basic Tunisian crochet stitches.
Time: 2 hours or 3 hours
Materials needed/Homework: Three colors of smooth DK or worsted weight yarn, appropriate sized hook. No Homework.
Techniques Taught/Reviewed: Three different layout/orientations of Tunisian Entrelac, a fourth one if time permits.
Handout: Instruction sheet

CROCHET


Crocheting on Fabric

Projects combining fabric and crochet are popping up all over the internet – as squares, edgings, and garments. In this class we will take a look at the math formulas to achieve a perfect mix, as well as experiment with different combinations of fabric, fiber, and stitches
so each student can create a range of samples to take home to plan their own perfect pairing.

Skill level: Must be a confident crocheter, and comfortable with working at your
own pace
Time: 3 hours
Student maximum:  26
Materials needed:  Ruler is preferable to a tape measure.  Yarn and hook used in homework.
Any variety of yarns/threads/fabrics you want input on.


Mad for Plaid!

While planned pooling may be all the rage, there is not a lot of wiggle room in the outcome there for stitchers who want to control their own crochet destiny! In this class we will talk about the math and visual skills involved in creating your own plaid patterns to crochet. This is NOT a class on weaving chains through mesh. That is a style of plaid creation and we will discuss it, but not solely what this class is about!

Skill level: Intermediate – Confident with basic crochet skills
Time: 3 hours
Student maximum:  26
Materials needed:  Four or more coordinating colors of DK or Worsted yarn. There
should be some contrast between them, and at least one light neutral
(white, beige, gray, etc). Appropriate size crochet hooks, tapestry
needle, stitch markers. Colored pencils – graph paper will be supplied.


Interlocking Crochet

Interlocking crochet is a technique in which two different colors of filet mesh are worked at the same time. By manipulating how/where the stitches are worked, you will create a densely textured fabric that is 100% reversible – sometimes as a mirror image, and sometimes with a different design on each side! After you’ve learned the basics
the possibilities are endless.

Skill level: Intermediate – Confident with basic crochet skills
Time: 3 hours
Student maximum:  26
Materials needed: Two contrasting colors of yarn in any weight with appropriate hook
sizes. 3 locking stitch markers.


Bruges Crochet

Bruges Crochet is based on antique Bruges lace, a type of bobbin lace made in Flanders/Belgium during the lace-making heyday of the mid-17th century and beyond. Learn to recreate the delicate ribbons and flowing lines of traditional Bruges lace in crochet. Students can work in any weight thread or yarn they wish to learn the techniques, so if you aren’t a thread person you can still enroll in this class!

Skill level: Intermediate/confident in basic stitches
Time: 2 hours or 3 hours
Materials needed/Homework: Smooth, light-colored thread or yarn in any weight with appropriate crochet hook. No homework.
Techniques Taught/Reviewed: Basic Bruges concepts, 3 Bruges braids, creating Bruges curves 2 different ways, 3-hour class will also do a Bruges motif.
Handout: Instruction sheet with charts.


Creating with Crocodile Stitch

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Crocodile (or Petal) Stitch adds depth to any project, and is a terrific technique to have in your bag of tricks!  In this class you will learn the basic construction of the scale, as well as how to begin and continue a triangular, square, or rectangular project, and ways to combine this stitch with traditional crochet techniques.

Skill level: Intermediate/confident in basic stitches
Time: 3 hours
Materials needed/Homework: Smooth, light-colored or long repeat multi yarn in any weight with appropriate crochet hook. No homework
Techniques Taught/Reviewed: Crocodile Stitch variations
Handout: Instruction sheet


Two Color Crochet, One Color at a Time!

Don’t let color work scare you – there are many different types of stitches you can crochet while working with only one color of yarn at a time, and without leaving any ugly floats. In this class you will learn several colorful stitches, including those utilizing post stitches, surface chains, and reversible patterns.

Skill level: Intermediate/confident in basic stitches
Time: 3 hours
Materials needed/Homework: 3 colors of smooth, light-colored DK or worsted weight with appropriate crochet hook. No homework.
Techniques Taught/Reviewed: Post stitches, shell stitches, surface chains, enclosed stitches.
Handout: Instruction sheet with stitch diagrams.


Bobbles and Popcorns and Clusters, Oh My!

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There are many stitches that can add depth and texture to your crochet. This class will tell you all about them; how to make each, and how to tell them apart.

Skill level: Intermediate/confident in basic stitches
Time: 3 hours
Materials needed/Homework: Smooth, light-colored DK or worsted weight with appropriate crochet hook. No homework.
Techniques Taught/Reviewed: Popcorn stitches, bobble stitches, cluster stitches, puff stitches.
Handout: Instruction sheet with stitch diagrams.


Grannies Outside of the Box

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Think you know everything there is to know about grannies? How about making them in triangle, rectangle, or other polygonal shapes! Learn the basics of creating shaped motifs, then all the tips and tricks you’ll need to create your own center-out motifs in any shape.

Skill level: Intermediate/confident in basic stitches
Time: 3 hours
Materials needed/Homework: Smooth, light-colored DK or worsted weight with appropriate crochet hook. No homework.
Techniques Taught/Reviewed: Polygonal center-out motif design.
Handout: Instruction sheet with stitch diagrams.


Wiggle Crochet

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While our grandmothers may have used Wiggle (or Wiggly) crochet techniques to make hot pads and trivets, today’s stitchers can use the technique for beautiful, three-dimensional home décor items and accessories like purses and garment embellishments.

Skill level: Intermediate, with a confident grasp of basic crochet
Time: 2 hours or 3 hours
Materials needed/Homework: This class can be done in any weight thread or yarn with an appropriate hook, please bring two or more colors. There is homework for this class, instructions will be provided when class is booked.
Techniques Taught/Reviewed: Wiggle bases and 3-D stitches will be discussed, in the longer class students will be encouraged to chart out their own design.
Handout: Instruction sheet and graph paper for longer class.


Geo-Metrics for Crochet

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This class consolidates many math formulas for making basic shapes including squares and rectangles, triangles, polygons, and circles and crescents, whether center-out, top-down, or bottom up. Learn how to incorporate stitch patterns into this basic geometry to design your own shawls and motifs in a snap.

Skill level: Intermediate with a firm grasp of the basic crochet stitches, plus increasing and decreasing.
Time: 3 hours or 6 hours
Materials needed/Homework: A wide variety of yarns in any weight with appropriate hooks, to make several swatches. Great use of scraps and partial skeins! Stitch dictionaries or notes on favorite stitch patterns for six hour class. No homework.
Techniques taught/reviewed: Using math formulas instead of guesswork to make geometric shapes. The six hour class includes instruction on incorporating fancier stitches into the math formulas learned in the three hour class.


Crochet Entrelac

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If you love the look of knitted Entrelac but are a die-hard crocheter, this class is for you! Learn to stack blocks of stitches either straight on or on the diagonal to use a wide range of colors, or get the most out of a long-repeat yarn.

Skill level: Beginner and up
Time: Two hours or three hours
Materials needed/Homework: Three colors of smooth DK or worsted weight yarn, appropriate sized hook. No Homework.
Techniques taught/reviewed: Entrelac stitches either straight or on the diagonal, three hour class will also address Tunisian entrelac, but no extra hook is required.
Handout: Tip sheet


Crocheted Mitered Squares

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Knitters are not the only ones to have fun with mitered squares! Crocheted mitered squares are simple to learn with a little help, and can be used with any yarn weight and appropriate hook to make anything from scarves to afghans to garments.

Skill level: Beginner up. Must be able to chain and single crochet, some familiarity with decreases helpful but not mandatory.
Time: Three hours
Materials needed: A variety of worsted weight yarns and appropriate hook.
Techniques taught/reviewed: The foundation square, plus three other mitered square attachments, project planning.
Handout: Tip sheet and instructions


No-Stress Motif Joining

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So many people hate to join crocheted motifs, yet so many crocheters make motif-based projects! In this class we will practice and compare four to five different methods of joining motifs, so you can make informed finishing decisions based on the ease, speed, and appearance of each method. Then pick the best method for each project on a case by case basis.

Skill level: Beginner and up
Time: Two hours or three hours
Materials needed/Homework: Homework is six (or more) square motifs in any pattern, edged with single crochet. Materials should include smooth yarn in a contrasting color to the motifs, appropriate hook, tapestry needle, scissors.
Techniques taught/reviewed:Joining motifs with whip stitch and single crochet in various forms, longer class includes decorative chain stitch joins.
Handout: Tip sheet


Broomstick Lace Basics(Crochet)

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Join me as we explore the basics of the broomstick lace technique, including beginning, increasing, decreasing, and incorporating other stitches. Broomstick lace is one of the extended techniques that both crocheters and knitters seem to be more and more interested in, and it’s a lot more versatile than most people suspect.

Skill level: Beginner and up
Time: Two hours or three hours
Materials needed/Homework: Smooth, light colored worsted weight yarn, appropriate crochet hooks, broomstick lace needle (size can vary but at least 15mm). No homework
Techniques taught/reviewed: Basics of the broomstick lace technique, including beginning, increasing, decreasing, longer class time includes incorporating other crochet stitches.
Handout: Tip sheet

For rates and info on scheduling a workshop click here

Online CLASSES



Crochet Foundations
Five Easy Crochet Edgings

Crochet Your Own Half-Granny Shawl
Textured Crochet Washcloths
Crochet Your First Hat

Crochet Market Bags