We caught up with Sofia who is teaching Crochet your way to a cosy necklace and Crochet your own winter beanie. Make sure you book your tickets now to see her in action and take home your own Handmade work.
If you could learn a new skill, what would it be?
Continental knitting. I’ve been told it’s quite natural for those that know how to crochet right-handed.
What inspires your own creativity?
The desire to make something beautiful.
Tell us about a learning curve/challenging lesson you have learnt in your area of expertise, and how you overcame it.
I couldn’t learn crochet from a computer screen or book, even though I really wanted to learn. I had to be taught by someone who sat with me, to clarify any doubts I had as soon as they came into my head, but once I got the hang of it I’ve found the internet to be invaluable, I can search until I find what I feel is the very best solution to any challenge just by reading about other peoples experiences, good and bad.
Sometimes their solutions still don’t work for me and it’s a case of digging deeper, but it’s so nice to have such an array of solutions laid out on your screen to choose from.
How does your class teach people something new/why are you teaching?
I often get asked ‘could you make [fill in the blank] for me?’
I’d much rather teach people to make their own, in their choice of colour, yarn type, size etc. Handcraft takes a lot of time and love, people should get the chance to experience that themselves. And it’s so rewarding to see them ‘get it’ and immediately start to make plans for that hat, blanket, toy.
What is a tool your own tool-kit is never without?
A crochet hook
If you could learn from anyone in the world, who would it be, what would you make and why?
There are many experienced teachers of handcraft and creators who I’d like to spend time with, lots of time. One of those is Toshiko Horiuchi MacAdam, the playgrounds she creates are mind blowing, the patience and persistence it takes to make them are unimaginable to me and there must be a significant amount of technical know-how involved as well to make sure they function properly and safely.
What does Handmade mean to you?
The conversion of a caring thought into an actual object.
Do you have any last creative quotes/words to inspire us all?
Keep exploring new ideas and techniques, it won’t be long before you’ll look back and be flabbergasted by the knowledge you’ve built up that previously felt un-obtainable.
- Book now!
- Crochet your own winter beanie, Saturday 31 May, 11.30am
- Crochet your way to a cosy necklace, Saturday 31 May, 4.30pm