By emy Monday, February 06, 2012

When Katherine decided to join us, she did it with trepidation.

 It's not due to fear of the unknown, as she has been knitting for 2 years. But rather, she felt uncomfortable doing a transition from her ex-knitting instructor to us. So she's requested not to be photographed in person.

 The Singapore knitting market is so small that almost all the instructors do know of each others' presence. While some do get territorial with their customers; here at The Handiworks, we embrace an open attitude.

Teaching style is never a one size fits all. 

Customers are free to choose to pursue other options and decide which instructor's teaching methodology best works for them. There is no awkwardness when our customers decide to part ways and choose not to renew and then re-join or drop in for purchases subsequently.

Anyway, Katherine felt she was reaching a bottleneck under her previous knitting instructor. She was frustrated that the several garment projects she knitted ended up fairly shapeless even though she has requested for fitted silhouettes at the start of the project cast-ons. 


 Most of her visits to her earlier learning place was also limited as the knitting sessions are often large groups of varying skill levels -- there was inadequate instructor attention despite spending time waiting and was often left to her devices. 


She wanted a breakthrough.


She was pretty excited when she surfed the web and found us -- she didn't think that she would be able to find another instructor offered individual knitting classes. What appealed to her was that:

• Our one-to-one private knitting lessons allows her to  accelerate or slow down the teaching pace as per her comfort level to maximize her learning. (Everyone hates to be in a group class and end up being either the one waiting for others, or trying to catch up with the rest of the class!)

• Of course, the flexibility of arranging lessons at her own timings (aka on appointment basis) was a great plus point for her [No need to rush and dash or miss lessons unnecessarily!]

• Finally, our customized shaping knitting methodology to fit her personally!

This is the first project she started when she signed up.
   

By emy Tuesday, January 31, 2012

If you have been following the other blog, you would know that the resident enabler aka Emy ("moi") loves to knit and crochet.

That said, often the customers who come for their lessons get the first hand updates and access to the latest WIPs on my needles.

And once in a blue moon, there'll be a project I am working on that gets everyone excited and then we'll get a mini KAL or CAL going.

Let us show you the creations of our customers.



Recognize these?

The above FOs are knitted by Jenny and Chai Beewho fell in love with the project the minute they saw me knitting it. 

They are replicas of the "Dropped leaves" sleeveless top that I've is knitted for my sister.


They both liked the design as they find that:

• the project is modest for office wear, yet has some interesting details
• it has large sections of rib for coverage but with slimming effect
• and the project is knitted in the round

And so the quest started. Esther also joined in at the starting line. (I just kept forgetting to take photos of hers!)

All of them decided on choosing the yarn from the same cotton collection which makes this piece easy to wear in our Singapore tropical humid climate but in different colors.




It helps when all of them are commencing the project around the same time as the instructions were dispensed as scribbled notes -- cryptic to most but effective for my advanced customers.



It also helps that the ladies have been with us for a few years now and are very familiar with deciphering instructions that requires them to calculate and measure as the pattern grows so that they can custom fit to their own body shapes. No spoon feeding required -- we empower and entrust. 




And Chai Bee's.

By emy Tuesday, January 17, 2012

Photography is not a strength of ours. Want proof?

By emy Monday, January 09, 2012

Dear customers, please note there are limited weekend slots this month.


However, weekday daytime and evening sessions are still available so this notice is really meant for those customers with weekend lesson preference to plan and book ahead.


The following weekend dates are currently available:

• Jan 14 (Sat ): 10am - 12pm
• Jan 15 (Sun): 1 - 6pm <Edited to add: only 4-6pm slot left>
• Jan 21 (Sat): 10am - 12pm
• Jan 28 / 29 (Sat/Sun): 10am - 6pm

During the CNY festivities, we will be closed from 21 Jan (Sat) 12pm onwards and we'll be available for lesson bookings on 27 Jan (Fri).


For those of you who have previously attended our preview sessions and would like to book your first lesson, please do kindly ensure that you book a slot with a 3hr minimum (so that you can factor in time for your project pattern and yarn selection during the session itself!) As mentioned, selected weekday daytime slots are still mostly available.


I would strongly suggest that you consider booking prior to CNY as it's likely you have time to work on your project during the festive period. 

[I do that all the time whenever I house visit -- my relatives have gotten used to seeing me knit even as we chit chat or sit around and watch TV. The only *complaint* I have got was when my grandma was still alive -- she chides me for "purportedly doing work" (how can knitting be considered "work"; I have no idea...)

But anyways, my rebuttal? "Grandma, I am wishing for your absolute longevity as I knit/crochet miles and miles of "good wishes for your health!" (*big smile*) [Just don't brandish the scissors!]

PS. Our Feb previews will be on Feb 04 (Sat, 10.30am) and Feb 19 (Sun, 10.30am) so please do RSVP if you intend to commence your knitting and crochet before our Mar 01 lesson package fees increase!




PPS. Happy Lunar New Year to all 
(in case I don't get around to any blogging prior; we'll try our atmost!)

By emy Tuesday, January 03, 2012

Now that the head and feet are suitably covered, the next item on the list is the baby blanket.

As we all know, babies are often preciously wrapped and nestled in cosy blankets when they first leave the hospital.

Following the color conventions, Jasmine opted for a light baby pink for the blanket.

We went along with a conventional square blanket as we tried to balance the projects Jasmine had on hand -- the booties required more attention and she could certainly use some mindless knitting on the square blanket since no shaping is involved.


It comes in an all-over repeat pattern which can be easily memorized.



And also creates an interesting texture on its reverse side.
It looks really nice, doesn't it?




(The pink in the first picture is the true colour. Somehow, the Sony TX camera I have doesn't quite perform as well indoors; often washing out the colors!)

Even though many find the heat in Singapore incredibly hard to bear, almost all will agree that our shopping malls' indoor airconditioning are set at freezing temperatures.

But given the rainy wet season we experienced just in December last month, this blanket definitely comes in handy.

The baby blanket took some time as it was knitted on 3mm needles. And it's trimmed with lace edgings all around to complete the look. The trimming did take Jasmine quite some time.

In fact, she had this started along with the previous projects. Talk about multi-task knitting! Multi-project knitting works for some of our customers who are rather active on-the-go knitters.

Actually, I am a multi-project person too! What about you?


PS. Thanks for the sign up for the Jan 08 preview! Apparently, interest is overwhelming so the seats are fully taken even before January 01, 2012! I have just added 2 seats so if you wish to join us, please do so!

By emy Friday, December 16, 2011

The most frequently requested "learn to knit or crochet" items for babies are usually:

• socks

• booties

• or mini Mary Janes (for little baby girls)

By emy Wednesday, December 14, 2011

Jasmine who joined us earlier this year, was several months pregnant when she decided she wanted to perfect her rather rusty knitting skills and work magic in creating loving pieces in view of her baby's arrival to this world.

She also realized that it wasn't feasible for her to go to any of the knitting shops as she has tried that previously and felt she didn't get to learn much as she mostly had to sit around waiting due to the number of students.

Besides, in her pregnant state,

• She gets tired easily and needed maximum personalized coaching attention during her lesson visits (which can't happen when it's a group setting)

• She has a deadline to meet -- to have all her planned items be in time for her baby's arrival which is barely less than 4 mths, I think.

As we all know, babies tend to lost most of their body heat via their heads and limbs -- that's why baby gift sets are often seen consisting of baby hats, mitten and socks. Plus, they come with a baby blanket for the mom to wrap the baby in when they go home from the hospital.

So Jasmine decided on a baby hat.  But not just any hat but a bunny ears hat.


It's always insanely cute when the baby hat (or "baby beanie" as some call these) gets topped with animal ears.


In this case, bunny ears.

The ears are constructed in an interesting way. The pink and white parts are knitted together as if they are flat pieces; then the remaining open edges are then seamed together.

The main hat body is just plain knitting. See how cushy the yarn is? I just called it udon or soba noodles -- it's a single strand yarn which is our top seller --  everyone just loves to cuddle and squeeze this irresistably soft yarn. And it comes in a wide array of contemporary colors.


See how everything just comes together for this "awww...so cute bunny hat"?

By emy Monday, December 05, 2011

Angela came and joined us recently. She attended our preview end Oct and immediately commenced her first private crochet class with us the following week.


Why crochet lessons (basic or advanced) are hardly offered these days

That's because, in order to really scrutinize and see if the customer is doing the right actions requires the instructor to sit right next to her i.e. to observe if the crochet hook is put through the right loops, whether the wrapping is done correctly etc.

You would be hard pressed to see this happening in most store settings as they generally do group format classes. Such level of personalized attention would mean the store would either end up handling limited customers or needing to hire extra instructor resources to cope which would not be financially feasible (not to mention there is a very limited expertise pool.)

Again, different instructors have different preferences. I have written about my views before: one knitting/crochet customer at a time.

Generally crochet's first lessons are much longer compared to knitting.

There are many reasons to this.

With knitting, just knowing how to cast on, knit and purl can get you pretty far.

But with crochet, there are much more stitches one has to be familiar with before they can embark on creating exquisite motifs. Even basic granny squares require a minimum of 3 different stitches to be mastered. And with motifs, unfortunately, as it grows, each round takes a longer time to complete, hence the longer lesson time. The differing stitch counts and stitch repeats also does not make it easier.

Add motif joining to the fold and you get the idea.

But of course, if you are just looking at the typical row crochet, that would be much easier to begin with.

Angela signed up with us precisely because we offer crochet instruction classes.


Why crochet?

Angela has attempted knitting before but she prefers the texture and definition that crochet has to offer; especially with the lacey feminine look.

So to kickstart, she decides on this baby blanket.

Contrary to most rectangular/squarish blanket, this one comes in a star shape.



Angela's first crochet lesson

In this case, the pattern she had consists only of written instructions and the pattern was started from the center in a circular approach. (Rounds, not rows.)

As such, apart from learning how to read the instructions and repetitions contained within each round instructions; she also had to learn the various sts.

We also upped the annte by introducing her to Japanese crochet symbols as I drew some of the initial rounds for her while breaking down the instructions so that she can have a firm grasp of what's required -- charting seems to work for customers who are visual-oriented. Others work well by just instruction reading.

Finally, this pattern was flexible enough to allow Angela to crochet on as many additional rounds as required.

This meant she also needed to know how to *grow* the project by extrapolation. By understanding the crochet formulae used this pattern.


Completion

A new crochet speed queen emerges -- she has taken barely less than TWO (2) weeks from start to finish! Considering that she has no prior crochet experience and this is her first project, it's got to be a new record!


You might be thinking how "easy" it is to use the blanket, giving its shape but it does work really well.

Just make sure that the widest point (the diameter) drapes well over the person's lap or the baby stroller.



Seriously, the pace of some customers are really putting me to shame. I really need to get my own knits and crochet projects from my WIP ("work-in-progress") bin soon!

Now she's already onto her next project. Given that she has been exposed to the crochet symbols previously, getting her started on her second project is a cinch!

The only thing she needs to get used to?

The finer gauge since the project is an everyday garment meant to be worn locally in Singapore!

PS. In case you are wondering why we don't publish as many FO ("finished projects") photos, that's because we usually send customers home with instructions to complete their finishing. Which in turn means that unless the customers make it a point to bring their FOs back to show me or email me photos they have taken, I wouldn't get to see them. So for you ladies reading this out there, do remember to email me those FO photos you promised ok? [grin]

By emy Thursday, December 01, 2011

While going through my folders and having a feeble attempt at photo organizing, I came across lots of photos that deserve to be posted on the blog.


It's interesting to note that while many of us knitters and crocheters tend to create items for ourselves or our immediate family; Gina is an exception. She has learnt to knit so that she can create fabulous gifts for her friends! Talk about being selfless! Here are some of the knitting projects done by Gina previously.






A striped scarf for a galfriend....
Gina loves all projects code-named SIMPLE. She has also knitted a striped drawstring pouch before.

She loves to work on designs that makes the project looks gloriously chic; even with simple stitching.
A baby cocoon
So early this year when she returned to join us, another lucky baby got her attention. She decided on this baby cocoon project.


These photos are not the final FO shots as I know Gina has done more embellishment work; adding her personal touch to the piece.


If you think that was the last you'll hear from her, this lady just popped by the other day to purchase some yarns for a scarf that she is intending to knit and gift a friend! How thoughtful is that!