When is a ..

beginner not a beginner?

This is one of the dilemmas facing any teacher. There is absolutely no point in teaching someone what they already know. So when I plan a workshop for people I've never met, I have to try and cater for all eventualities. Some people want to learn to make granny squares; some can already make granny squares but nothing else.

I have a lesson for granny beginners, prepared ages ago; I'm re-thinking the crochet-in-a-straight-line beginners. The basics are simple: double crochet and treble prepare the way for other stitches, so that's where to start. What I want is a simple project so they have something to take away with them. I'll think of something.

For the Mother's Day workshop, the theme will be violets. When Gareth used to sing in Leicester Cathedral choir, the children were always given bunches of violets to give to their mothers, so I decided to stick with tradition. There will be a bunch of violets to make, but you'll have to wait for other things!

I've been working on various things for myself. So far my attempts at felting are almost a failure:

It's starting to felt, but hasn't shrunk at all. Back to the pot later!

I've been wanting to play with sort-of freeform for ages. What really makes me ooh and aah is the work coming out of Russia, a sort of modern Irish crochet. So here is my latest book:

Amazon originally told me it would be May before their copies arrived, but it dropped through my letter box this morning. The author is Kathryn White, who creates some of the loveliest thread crochet patterns you can find. This book is so practical and down-to-earth it's already had me trying bullions (again!) and padded rings.

I began playing before the book came.

 Lovely cheerful yellows ready for Easter.

And the cutest little leaf sprig out of Suzann Thompson's Crochet Bouquet.

I've also been labouring to make a length of Romanian cord; the theory is easy, but keeping the tension right is less so.

All of these things will come together eventually (I hope!) and you may find them in future workshops.

You could also send me a message if there is anything you're interested in learning.