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I am running a new beginner’s course at the Riverhouse Arts Centre in Walton-on-Thames starting at the end of October 2016.
This course is for you if :

• You have never crocheted before.
• You have crocheted in the past but are a bit rusty.
• You are self taught either from books and/or the internet and want to clarify areas that you are unsure of or worried that you might be doing incorrectly.

I use a specially developed small project to teach you how to make a solid granny square.
You will learn all the essential techniques that can be applied to most basic projects such as:

• choosing the right size hook and yarn
• how to hold your hook and yarn
• chaining
• slip stitch, single & double crochet
• how to make a square
• how to change colours
• how to join motifs using sewing and crochet
• how to make a cord
• how to finish off

The course includes:
4 x 2 hour practical classes, spread over 4 weeks.
Detailed class notes including photos to help you practise at home.
Email support during the duration of the course.

Course dates:
Saturday 29th October 2016 – Saturday 19th November 2016, 14:30 – 16:30.

Cost: £45

Booking:
Please download the booking form from here.  A deposit of £20 will be required (paid to Riverhouse Barn) to secure your spot.

Materials required:
3.5mm crochet hook.
200g of DK cotton yarn, preferably in at least two different colours. I would strongly recommond using Stylecraft Classique Cotton. Acrylic, chunky and novelty yarns are not the best choice for learning.
Wool/tapestry needle.

I can provide the materials above as a starter kit for £12 which can be purchased at the first class (please order beforehand).

This is a great way to learn a new hobby in a friendly setting where you can meet other students with similar interest!

To express and interest or for more details, please contact me.

I’m excited to announce my new 5 week course at the Riverhouse Arts Centre in Walton-on-Thames.

For this project you will create a piece of art that can be worn as a scarf as well as being beautiful enough to be displayed in a gallery!
Using small and simple motifs such as circles, squares or hexagons you will create a scarf or wrap using hand-dyed yarn by British independent dyers.
The course will cover making motifs, joining motifs as you go and working out how much yarn you’ll need or what size scarf you can make with the yarn you have.
Your tutor will  guide you through making your own, unique scarf that you can put up for sale at the exhibition, if you can bear parting with it!

As with all the Rivehouse Hookers’ courses, you’ll have class notes and printed tutorials to keep.

Skill level: 
You’ll need basic crochet skills such as chaining, US single/UK double, US double/UK treble, slip stitching.

Materials (not included): 
Hand-dyed 4ply / sock yarn (I’ll post soon with a list of suggested suppliers), minimum of 2 colours (2 x 100g) but the more you have the better the effect!
2.5mm hook
tapestry/wool needle

Dates:

1. Monday 15th February 2016
2. Monday 29th February 2016
3. Monday 7th March 2016
4. Monday 14th March 2016
5. Monday 21st March 2016

Please note there is no class on Monday 22nd February!

Time:
8-10pm

Cost:
£45 for 5 week course

Booking is essential – please email me at mezzamay at icloud dot com for a booking form.

I’ve been busy preparing for my intermediate group’s next project – Crochet Edgings Using Traditional Crochet Thread. The aim is for my students to get to grips with cotton crochet thread and smaller hooks and apply a pretty border to an item of their choosing.
Each student has a “hanky” (which I made out of cotton sheeting) so that they can practise the skills before applying to the real thing! They will learn how to prepare the fabric with either blanket stitch or back stitch as the foundation for the crochet stitches. Then they will learn how to set up the first crochet row to accommodate a simple shell motif.
Following on from this, they can then choose one of the two additional border patterns I have created or find their own pattern from a book or the internet. I will guide the students on how to make the border fit and also how to tackle problems such as corners, should they arise.

Materials needed:

• 1.75mm or 1.5mm crochet hook.
• 1 x 50g ball of cotton crochet thread between 5-20 thickness (you may need more than one ball if you’re planning on edging something large)
• 1 x sharp, large eyed needle.
• tape measure / ruler.
• tailor’s chalk (I jhave some students can borrow if they don’t want to purchase any).
• small pair of sharp scissors.
• removable stitch markers.
• plain hankie (I provide one per student, free of charge).

Course Details

Dates: Tuesdays 7:30-9:30pm, 21st April- 30th June (no class on 26th May – half term)
Venue: In the Courtyard Studio, Riverhouse Barn, Manor Road, Walton-on-Thames, Surrey
Cost: £45 for 5 weeks

Examples of things that could be edged:

The hem, cuffs of neckline of a t-shirt, vest or top.
The hem of a skirt.
Towel or flannel.
Pillow case or cushion cover.
Table cloth or napkins
The edge of a plain pashmina or shawl (that would be quite adventurous but we do have 5 weeks!)
….I’m sure there are many more and I look forward to seeing what my students decide to trim!

I have really enjoyed preparing for this course – thread crochet creates such a pretty, vintage feel.
Today I also received a lovely large box from Purple Linda Crafts containing my students hook and yarn orders. In my opinion, Linda has the best selection of hooks and threads for crochet and her service is always great too. It’s exciting to see all the things my students have chosen – can’t wait to see what they make with it!

I teach beginner and intermediate crochet at the Riverhouse Barn Arts Centre in Walton-on-Thames during term times.
I am also available to teach private groups in the privacy and convenience of your own home and I can offer one-to-one tuition in my home studio in Hersham, Surrey.
I am available for one day/half day workshops at craft fares and other events.
I can also teach for charities free of charge, as long as participants pay to cover the cost of materials.