Hooked on books
A training course in crochet can take your making, pattern-writing and design skills to a whole new level. We talk to a few people in the know...
Whether you’re an adventurous crocheter or you’ve only just picked up some hooks, you may be surprised to hear that there are ways to further your crochet education in the form of dedicated courses. Yep, hooksters are going back to the books in the name of developing their crochet skills – and so could you. These courses help you to gain more technical knowledge, hone your skills and even provide you with recognised qualifications. We’ve spoken to the crochet industry’s top educators, as well as a designer who completed a course, on the benefits of pursuing a crochet education.
A GOOD FOUNDATION
One of the most highly sought-after qualifications in the field is the International Diploma. It covers all aspects of crochet, basing the techniques on traditional methods, but also incorporating new ideas and techniques. It’s a fantastic undertaking, whether you just want crochet to be your hobby or you are looking at making it your career as a professional designer or teacher.
But what exactly does the course involve? Pauline Turner, the crochet educator and pioneer who launched the Crochet Diploma in the UK, explains: “The first part of the course provides technical knowledge one very type of crochet and a grasp of producing crochet to a professional standard. The aim of this part of the Diploma is for students to be able to teach, should that be their wish.
“The second part specialises in guiding students to build on their knowledge in a creative way, as it covers how to write their original design in different ways in order for them to be published. It also explores advanced techniques and elaborates on texture, colour and embellishment. The aim of this is to make it possible for students to have their crochet patterns published, should that be their desire.
“The third and final part of the course focuses on the creative: artistic crochet and mixed media, including haute couture fashion. The practical submissions always have a theme, which varies each year. Students are also required to prepare and present a dissertation in an area of crochet that they’ve found personally interesting.”
HITTING THE BOOKS
Another option is the School of Stitched Textiles (SOFST) with distance-learning Skill Stages 2 and 3 City & Guilds accredited courses. SOFST’s Dr Gail Cowley, Head of Centre, and Sally Hart, crochet course tutor, tell us more: “Skill Stage 2 is delivered over four modules within a year or 150-hour timeframe, and is aimed at those who have a very basic crochet knowledge. It includes evolving your own designs and by the end of the stage you’ll have produced a sample folio and completed item.
“Skill Stage 3 is for those who have either completed Stage 2 or have a more advanced skill set. It’s delivered over 12 modules and a two-year or 360-hour time frame. You’ ll produce both contemporary and traditional samples based on your own designs and undertake three completed items and some professional practice skills.”
The school offers excerpts of materials and a quiz to help prospective students decide which course suits them best. And as for
“Hooksters are going back to the books to further their crochet skills”
distance learning, Sally assures students that while it is certainly different to studying in class, it’s no less effective. “We use a number of interactive methods within our course materials, such as technique videos and online galleries of previous student work, to provide effective tuition as well as practical inspiration for students.”
EXPANDING HORIZONS
If you already know how to crochet or are developing your skills with patterns from Simply Crochet, Ravelry and Instagram, you might wonder why would you need to take a course. However, those who have taken the step are impressed by how the extra study has improved their knowledge and skill set.
Designer and blogger Eleonora Tully completed Part 1 of the International Diploma in Crochet course. She is currently on her way to completing Part 2. “I wanted to take my crochet to the next level,” she tells us. “I could already crochet, but was I using the best techniques? The standards of crochet tutorials and patterns being shared online varied enormously and there seemed to be so many different ways that people were writing patterns and approaching crochet. I wanted to do it the ‘right’ way and had a desire to write patterns of a professional quality and standard, but I didn’t know where to start. I searched online for courses in crochet and came across the Diploma. I liked that it was a correspondence course so I could fit it into my busy life and do a lot of the coursework in the evenings.”
Upon completion of the course, Eleonora had the confidence to publish her own designs. “I have now achieved my aim of writing patterns professionally. The course introduced me to so many skills and techniques beyond basic crochet stitches, including shaping, combinations of stitches and yarns, and specialist techniques, such as broomstick crochet, Tunisian crochet, filet crochet, surface crochet and hairpin lace. The projects I did needed to incorporate a variety of these techniques, which pushed me to create designs that I may otherwise not have been inclined to consider.”
EXPERT INPUT
There are also courses specifically tailored to certain areas of crochet or to the specific needs of the crocheter. Cara Medus, designer, teacher and technical advisor for Simply Crochet, developed a technical course after realising there was a high demand for one. “During my time as a technical editor, it became clear that there was a demand for people who could technically understand and improve a pattern, making it accessible to crocheters of all levels. I developed contacts in the industry who asked me if I could provide some training. I also came across designers who wanted support with their pattern writing, and it made sense to spend time helping them to improve their writing, rather than spending a lot of time tech editing! I’m a trained teacher too, and I enjoy spending time with people, and finding clear ways to communicate and help them develop their skills.”
The format of Cara’s course is e-course learning material supplemented by some 1-1 time for individual support. “I deliver the course through a learning management system, so you can go through the material in your own time, but also have direct contact with me for questions. There are video presentations, question and answer sections for review and graded assignments for personal feedback. I’ve developed two tracks, one for designers who are interested in improving their pattern writing and one for would-be or improving technical editors. There is an initial questionnaire to help us both determine which track would be most suitable, then each track is divided into course units, which are then charged to students individually.”
DECISIONS, DECISIONS!
Making the call on whether to do a course and which one to choose may seem like a big choice, but Pauline puts it in simple terms. “The course you choose should primarily expand on your current knowledge of crochet techniques,” she advises. “Plus, look for a course with the flexibility to fit around your life – then life will fit around the course!” Written by Colette Earley