This is how this came about: I am a member of the Craftsy community. In craftsy you can access patterns for knitting, crochet, sewing, quilting, scrapbooking, and so much more! You can also take online classes and workshops. Once you sign up for a class, you have access to it forever; it never runs out, and you can take it anytime. The lessons are featured in segments, videos that you can watch, pause, rewind, and they even have a "30 second repeat" feature that allows you to loop the last 30 seconds so you can watch over and over. This is especially helpful if there is a certain part that you can't quite get the first time. The instructions are very clear, they come with downloadable patterns and supply lists, as well as resources. If you haven't been to Craftsy yet, you should definitely check them out :)
I enrolled myself in a Tunisian Crochet class, taught by Jennifer Hansen (click link and scroll to the bottom.) I have always loved the look of basic Tunisian, and how dense the resulting fabric could be. Perfect for pot-holders and trivets. But lately, I've been seeing Tunisian patterns for all kinds of beautiful garments and accessories that are NOT dense at all, but rather have a flowy drape to them that is very appealing to me. This is what decided me that I needed to learn this new technique. So I got started...
I followed the step-by-step video instructions, watching as she showed the anatomy of a Tunisian stitch and listening to her descriptions of different stitches. And, VOILA!
I am so happy with this, I have been using it since the day it came off the hook. Then I went on to the next lesson in the class, Tunisian colorwork. This time, she showed how to make the exact same washcloth, but in three different colors. She showed the exchange of colors on each end of the project, and how using different colors actually makes it EASIER, as you can see your stitches in previous rows so much better. I decided to use this knowledge to make a washcloth for my oldest son. I didn't want to use the pattern, though, as he is almost 13 and I figured he would want something a little more simple with no "frills," so to speak. Clean lines and simplicity all the way. And so...
Hooray! Another Tunisian project hot off the hook! 100% cotton, this time. I couldn't be happier with how the three-color system works, making my life way easier and ending with a finished product that looks so much more intricate than it actually is.
I watched the next lesson in the class that talked about color choices, and how to make a color palette from a picture. After completing this lesson, I created a new board on my Pinterest account dedicated to color schemes and palettes, so that every time I see an amazing pic online, I can create a colorway from it.
Next, I will be learning all the different stitches and exchanges necessary to create this multi-garment:
http://www.stitchdiva.com/merchandising-categories/craftsy/kit-tunisian-multi-garment-plie-beaded-plie
This is so exciting! I hope you will follow my progress, and maybe even be inspired to take a Craftsy class. They are a magnificent value for the money, and they offer such classes as artisan bread baking, chocolate cakes, gardening, cloth dying, spinning fibers, and so much more.
Thanks for reading!
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