Discover the Best Crochet Classes in Los Angeles
Crochet is a type of fiber art that, similar to knitting, involves using yarn to create textiles such as hats, mittens, scarves, blankets, dish towels, and baby items. Unlike knitting, however, which uses two large needles, crochet uses a single hook to loop stitches directly onto your fabric. Crochet hooks come in a variety of sizes and materials (plastic, wood, ergonomic, steel), just as yarn comes in various weights and types of materials (synthetic vs. natural). It's important to choose the correct size hook and yarn weight for your project; for example, larger projects such as afghans and rugs require heavier weight yarn and larger hooks, while delicate projects like lace, doilies, and baby items would require a smaller hook (wood being ideal to prevent yarn from slipping) and lighter weight yarn. Crochet patterns will guide you to what size hook and yarn to choose as well as the stitches needed for your project.
Why You Should Learn Crochet in Los Angeles
Are you looking for a fun and stress-reducing hobby? Crochet is a great activity for those who want to express their creativity through textiles, be productive in their free time, and create beautiful and functional items for themselves and others. Many people find the repetition of creating stitches to be meditative and even therapeutic. In addition to not being difficult to learn, it is also widely accessible due to the limited supplies needed to create beautiful handmade projects. While easy to learn, there is room for growth as individuals can challenge themselves with more difficult patterns and projects. Some crocheters have even found ways to turn their hobby into a lucrative side hustle by selling their items on websites like Etsy, Amazon Handmade, or Facebook Marketplace. If this doesn't appeal to you, your crocheted projects always make great gifts for many occasions and there are many organizations that accept donated crocheted items
In addition to being a fun hobby, learning to crochet will connect you to a larger community of fiber artists and crafters. You may be able to find local crochet clubs, where members gather to work on their projects and share crochet tips, through your library or Facebook Groups. Additionally, a national non-profit organization, The Crochet Guild of America (CGA) provides members the opportunity to attend crochet programs and exhibits, connect with others, and access a library of unique designs and patterns. You can also join a local chapter to connect with crocheters nearby and attend informative meetings. Your local CGA chapter can also connect you to charities that accept donated crocheted items such as afghan blankets and winter accessories.
In-Person Crochet Classes in Los Angeles
If you are looking to get started with crochet for the first time or are just beginning, The Knitting Tree has classes you can attend depending on your schedule: Beginning Crochet: Wednesdays and Beginning Crochet Sundays. In these classes, beginners will crochet a scarf, a hat, and a shawl while learning how to chain, form basic stitches, work in a round, and read a pattern and yan label. You will walk away with the knowledge to take on more advanced projects like garments and motifs. Students must purchase their own materials and will be given a 10% discount for items bought from The Knitting Tree. Located in Inglewood, The Knitting Tree is a community-focused store and workshop, offering a large variety of high-quality yarns and supplies for various fiber arts, as well as classes taught by experienced instructors.
In addition to crochet classes, The Knitting Tree offers the class Fixing Knitting Mistakes for beginners with some previous knowledge to learn how to fix their stitches when slip-ups happen. In this class, students will be guided on how to find and fix mistakes in a pre-knit swatch they are given. The class is a beginner-friendly class for students age 13 and older, but participants should be comfortable with knitting and purling. Students must provide their own supplies and can receive a 10% discount for items purchased at The Knitting Tree.
For another knitting class, individuals can attend Knitting at the Los Angeles City College in East Hollywood. This beginner-friendly class for men and women ages 18 and older introduces students to needle and string types, stitching patterns, how to cast on and cast off, and the knit and purl stitch. After five two-hour sessions, students will walk away with fun garments they have created by hand. Some materials required for the class include yarn, knitting needles, a sewing needle, and small scissors. Los Angeles City College offers lifelong learning classes for anyone in the community looking to expand their knowledge or just for a good time. Their Community Services offerings are noncredit classes taught by talented instructors with expert knowledge.
If you are interested in expanding your needlework repertoire, Los Angeles City College in East Hollywood also offers Sewing Made Easy Level 2, an intermediate class for those who have attended Sewing Made Easy. Students will start making their own garments in this class which includes a sewing machine review, learning how to read a pattern, and creating elastic waist shorts, crops, or pants in your size. Sewing machines and patterns are provided, but students must purchase their own supplies.
Fashion-oriented fiber artists can attend the class Beginning Sewing at The Workshop @ Haley Solar. In this beginner-friendly class for ages 10 and older, individuals will learn sewing basics such as how to thread and unthread your sewing machine. In the two-hour class, students will be guided from start to finish as they sew a tote bag. It is recommended to bring your own sewing machine and materials – so you can learn on your own equipment and apply your skills at home – but it is not required. The Workshop @ Haley Solar is located in the artistic neighborhood of Eagle Rock at the designer's own retail space and boutique. Haley and her design instructors teach classes with a focus on fashion, rather than crafting.
To expand on your fashion skills, you can attend Beginner Pattern Making at Lezu Studio to learn the basics of draping fabric over a dress form while paying attention to style lines, fit, and balance. In this four-session class, beginners aged 15 and older will be guided in draping and transferring muslin onto pattern paper to create a basic garment. Materials and supplies to use during class will be provided. Lezu Studio in Beverly Hills creates custom gowns for weddings and other formal occasions.
Virtual Crochet Classes
While in-person crochet classes often include attending class at a craft store, workshop, community center, or college, virtual classes can be taken from anywhere, as long as you have a computer and Internet access. Virtual classes provide more options and flexibility since eliminating the commute may make it easier to fit a class into your schedule. Also, if you are traveling, you can still attend online crochet classes. A potential drawback to taking crochet classes online is that you often have to provide your own materials and supplies.
The class Crochet for Beginners offered by 92nd Street Y is an online class for individuals to learn the basics of crochet and master the skills needed to make scarves, hats, bags, and blankets. Projects completed in this class include a cell phone pouch and a stitch sampler scarf. Beginning Crochet is another beginner-friendly virtual crochet class, offered by School Products Yarn, for students to learn basic stitches and how to read a crochet chart while creating a scarf or neck warmer. For another type of fiber arts class, individuals ages 16 and older can take The Art of Contemporary Embroidery, offered by the Evanston Art Center. This is a beginner-friendly class for students to learn how to embroider an original piece using techniques such as mending, darning, sashiko, couching, and quilt-blocking. The virtual class is conducted over five sessions and participants must supply their own materials.
Private Group Crochet Classes in Los Angeles
Are you looking for a fun team-building event for your business or organization? CourseHorse has crochet classes for private groups in Los Angeles they can deliver to you. CourseHorses' online crochet classes are a great way to build camaraderie amongst a work team or group while doing something fun and relaxing. Even if CourseHorse does not have a crochet class listed publicly, you can reach out through the contact form on their websites to learn about what is available.
There are other sewing and textile classes you can book with CourseHorse such as the Virtual Tapestry Loom Weaving class. In this two-hour class for groups of up to 500 people, participants will learn how to design and weave their own tapestry or wall hangings. The instructor will teach students how to construct their own loom from a chipboard, how to set up the thread on their loom, how to weave stitches, and how to incorporate different fiber weights and textures. All materials are mailed to each individual prior to class and are included in the class cost. No prior skills or knowledge are needed.
