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.
Oh this is so great. i just started to take up knitting. How are you these days??
If you go to one of these things let me know. I’d like to check it out with someone. I took up crocheting again. Right now I’m working on two oddly shaped scarves.
Thanks for rooting these out and posting them. I’m ready to upgrade from knitting scarves and square objects!
Oh I will. I need to go to one b/c I need the lesson!! I’m so bad. Have you been to the R Bar. I’m finally going to check it out . Also you goinng to any Paper parties this week?
Crizzle, do you live on the Westside, too? If so let me know, maybe we can get our own group to go..or start our own knitting/crocheting circle.
Yolie007, I think I’m going to check out the Westwood meet at Borders on Thursday. You in?
Sure. This may be a stupid question, but I don’t see it in your article. You are talking about knittinng
Oh sorry. Yeah, I had to sign up for the Stitch n Bitch Yahoo! group and they sent out a message about it. It’s at the Westwood Borders upstairs in the cafe from 6 to 10 on Thursday. And they welcome newbies as well as crocheters.
Oh i can’t go. I have to watch my friends kids while she goes to a writing work shop. But I did sign up and will be there next week. So you going to any of those parties thrown by Paper Magazine
No, I’m going out of town this weekend. Lonnng weekend!
Oh I forgot. Holidays come and go when you work at home. I can’t wait till my vacation In Jan. I’m going to London. Maybe i will see you at the next meeting next week
Aww, color me jealous. I love London. As for next week’s meeting, I won’t be able to make it as there are two events I want to check out. But one of these days we should coordinate.
Me to. I use to live there. Ok that would be cool. What events are you going to?
who says knitting is so 1999! i’ve been loving it for 5 years now and still don’t understand the stigma and all the grandma jokes. if anything it’s getting more and more popular (and expensive).
OK, so I went to that knitting group last night and no one was there! I waited for about a half hour and then I left.
Yayunicorns (love your name btw), yeah, usually my guy friends say that and I just shrug that off. I think they’re just jealous.
Oooh, I am late on replying to this. For some reason I had to re-register for your site and had to use the name “Crizzle” in lieu of using Chris.
I live in Echo Park but I’m not opposed to the west side, as long as it works with my schedule. I would love to go to a knitting group.
Chris, that’s weird cuz I took out the requirement that says you have to register and sign in to leave a comment. Now you just have to put your name and email address to leave a comment. Hmm.
Anyway, I want to give that Westwood group another chance. It’s close to where I live. I also want to check out that group that meets at a cafe every Tuesday.
Well shoot me an email next time you’re thinking about heading over there and I’ll try to meet up with you! I actually learned to knit from that book “Stitch n Bitch.”
Definitely. Turns out I got the date wrong and showed up a day after. Ooops! But I’m thinking of checking it out the Wednesday after Thanksgiving week. I’ll remind you tho.