Preparing classes or... do I even use coasters?

Thought processes around planning workshops and projects by a newbie, with one or two tangents along the way

I’ve been preparing some projects for a series of workshops on overlay mosaic crochet basics.

The first will be a coaster made in rows, cutting the yarn at the end of each row. This is the most standard way of doing overlay mosaic, and the first I ever learned, which is only natural.

When planning what to make for the workshops, a string of thoughts (a.k.a., worries) came and come to mind, the first being “will people enjoy it and get something worthwhile out of it”, and one that is always on the back of my mind, “will people even be interested and enroll?”. I try to trust that it will only get better, though… Besides, there’s only so much I can actually control, so better focus on that.

Work-in-progress with a potholder on my way to work. Made with Re-Use by Rosários4, a recycled denim yarn I love.

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Here are a few of those thoughts:

• I’m just a beginner on this workshop thing, so I’m still very insecure about how to go about it, and tend to think people will prefer to have an actual project to learn with, and not just a swatch.

  Basically, I’m focusing on creating project-based workshops, and not technique-based workshops, though the result will end up being more or less the same: you learn a technique so you can use it on any project with similar characteristics.

• I wanted to offer something that could be finished in class, so it had to be small (though it could easily be finished at home too).

• I love making home accessories, and this technique is particularly good for these, plus, this allows me to go through different basic methods of doing overlay mosaic crochet, incrementally, with each project and workshop introducing something new that builds up on the previous. It also builds the foundations to then move forward to the next series, where more complex techniques can be introduced (like diagonal stitches or construction methods).

  Each project can also showcase what type of projects can be done, other than the ones we’re doing in class. One of my goals and what I feel is a responsibility as a “teacher” is to convey how versatile and full of potential overlay mosaic crochet is, and at the same time offer something to people they can pursue further and integrate in their making practice.

• I wanted the 3 separate classes to work as stand-alones, and also easily work as a series in 3 parts, for people who wished to go more in-depth at the basics:

  • 1) traditional in rows

  • 2) rows with Susan Lowman’s Overlay Continuous Mosaic method

  • 3) in rounds

• I wanted the project for each session to go together with the others, so that in the end, people who did all three ended up with a set of home accessories.

  • 1) coasters

  • 2) potholders

  • 3) napkin rings

• Since time is sparse (day job thing, construction work and preparing to move and other “minor” stuff going on), and I really want to really try making my crochet life work with it all and be sustainable in as many aspects as possible (energy, finances, enjoyment), I aimed at creating something that I could replicate and/or reuse in some other way (repeat the workshops, sell the individual booklets/projects, or eventually create some sort of e-book with these and the other modules I’ve thought about and proposed already).

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It’s a lot of thoughts, I guess…

But one that peeks through when I let my mind wonder (which kind of happens a lot), is “will this even be useful or add something to people’s daily lives which they appreciate and enjoy?”, or put another way “am I just adding noise and offering something inconsequential?”

I’m a fan of overlay mosaic crochet potholders, that I can say. I absolutely use them and think they’re probably the most efficient type of potholders. They’re sturdy but flexible, really protect your hands from getting burned, and allow for a number of design options, from colour to shape. They fit the bill for me when it comes to making: useful and beautiful.

Overlay mosaic crochet potholders. The one on the left was just an itch I had to scratch. The right one is the project for the second workshop.

Now… As for the coasters and the napkin rings? Do I even use them? I second-guess myself on the “useful” part, though I do know they can be.

It’s something that will be different for each person and home, but I do remember fondly using fabric napkins when I was growing up, in the 80’s and 90’s, without much thought. Nowadays, it makes even more sense for people to adopt this habit, and a napkin ring is the perfect way to identify each person’s napkin.

As for coasters, I always remember my parents calling our attention to use them, so that the furniture doesn’t get stained. Which now I recognise it makes sense, and it’s important to make our things last longer and in the best condition possible.

I guess it all comes down to perspective and context too, and building habits and even rituals that add to our daily lives in the smallest ways.

Is having beautiful things that we can use daily, or even only on special occasions, superficial or… inconsequential, in lack of a better word? I don’t think so.

Surrounding ourselves with beauty, even in the most subtle or seemingly insignificant way, is just… so human, and can be a poignant indicator of balance or health or resilience. The same with diversity (of the bio kind or any other kind).

Think of Nature: isn’t a forest full of different trees, plants, animals of all sorts, much more beautiful than a monocultural landscape? Doesn’t that tell us something?

(Well… that was one or two tangents! :D)

Until next time,

Ana

PS: Do you have any thoughts or tips on planning workshops? I’d love to know…