How Do We Learn?
How do we learn? One stitch at a time!
July Reflection: Understanding the Learning Process
As adults we’ve mastered many of the skills needed for daily living, like cooking or driving. But what happens when we’re trying to learn a new skill and can’t seem to get it right? We’re usually frustrated at our slow progress in the beginning and then, with time and practice, our skills grow. (This is often referred to as a learning curve.) We see this pattern in all of our students, regardless of skill level (beginner v. intermediate v. advanced) because mastering any new skill takes time. However, we see a difference in how students react to the early, more frustrating part of the learning process. Some students see a learning curve as a challenge, which means they have hope of mastering the skill. Other students can be so frustrated that they feel hopeless, which makes them want to quit. (It’s also possible for the same student to feel hopeful or hopeless at different times.)
Your hope (or confidence) in learning a new skill is a key ingredient to your achievement. If you’re feeling overwhelmed and a little too frustrated to have confidence that you’ll learn, maybe that’s a good day for a project that uses your existing skills. Or maybe you want to try a new skill that’s closer to one you already know, like a new way of increasing or decreasing, rather than a big one, like learning basic knitting or crochet (or, for more experienced stitchers, brioche knitting or interlocking filet crochet). If you want to tackle a tougher skill, give yourself a little grace when you get frustrated. Take a break, clear your mind, and come back to your stitching refreshed and see if you're better able to learn that new skill.
Upcoming Classes
Click the title to learn more and to register.
Space is limited & sign-ups close a week before class begins, so sign up now! Class fees due at time of registration. You can find all available classes on our Calendar.
Learn the basics, including about yarn & knitting needle sizes, how to cast on, knit, purl, & bind off. When you've mastered these stitches, you'll be ready to start your first project. Class is two 2-hour sessions.
Make your own stunning version of the Papillon! Suzy will guide you through starting your Papillon and the steps to mastering short rows, stitch marker placement, and striping. After the two sessions, most students will finish on their own; students who need additional guidance can join Suzy's one-session workshops. Class is two 2-hour sessions.
Come knit with Wendy! This is for knitters of any skill level with any kind of project! Learn with others in a friendly, supportive environment! Each class is one 2-hour session.
Come pick Moses' brain in this workshop-style class. Get some helpful tips to make your hook happy and your project beautiful! Each class is one 2-hour session.
Saturday, July 27, 1 pm - 4 seats available
We're in LOVE with these new Mini Minders (patent pending) from Lemonwood! Fabulous and functional, they hold your yarn while you stitch, no more tangled yarn! Each Mini Minder comes with a wrist strap so you can crochet or knit on the go.
Lemonwood Mini Minders are handmade in the USA by Veronica, Colm & Elysia. You may know Veronica from her former role as owner of Dream in Color yarn; Colm and Elysia are her adult children. The three of them design, make and ship each Mini Minder from their studio in Tucson, Arizona.
11-7 Wednesday-Friday
11-5 Saturday & 12-5 Sunday
Zorn Junction Trunk Show, Saturday July 13, 11a-4p. This south Texas dyer specializes in boutique batches of unique colors!
Oh So Chic Cast-On Party, Wednesday July 17, 1-3p. Strengthen your mosaic knitting skills while making this gorgeous cowl by Alina Appasova! Cast-on parties are informal social gatherings; no registration or fee is needed; just bring your yarn and pattern.
If you're unfamiliar with mosaic knitting, you can take Denise's Introduction to Mosaic Knitting class first (July 12).
Private Lessons
Learn 1x1 or in small groups with your choice of project or technique! One-on-one (one student, one teacher) Personal lessons are $25/hour & group private lessons are $15/person per hour. Visit us in-store or call 210-979-8255 to schedule.
.Trying to fix a mistake? We’re always happy to help but sometimes you can’t come see us. If you’re working on your own, many of you have favorite internet tips, but we thought we’d make some recommendations. Knitters can check out Interweave’s Fixing Knitting Mistakes Guide, which has 16 pages of instructions and illustrations. While we haven’t yet found a similar guide for fixing crochet mistakes, we like Darn Good Yarn’s 10 Common Crochet Mistakes and Magic Owl Studios 5 Ways to Fix Mistakes in Your Crochet Without Ripping Out Your Work.
Do you have a tip idea? We're happy to share it, just reply to this newsletter!
To keep up with our activities and real time announcements, please follow us on social media:
Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/yarnivoresa/
Instagram -