Classes at Lacombe Performing Arts Centre (LPAC)

 They're finally happening!

Classes will be happening at LPAC starting January 25 so register now :)

The continuing deep freeze from over the Christmas / New Year break had me in a bit of a funk so I didn't get the blog out last week. I perked up a little bit when my classes were announced in the middle of last week and I perked up a lot more when I saw that I was going to have an entire week of temperatures hovering around zero(!) to work on the bus. 😃

For the classes, you will need to provide your vaccine status as well as wear a mask at all times. I choose to be extra cautious since I may be required to be within your (and everyone else's) 6 foot bubble in order to help with any issues that may arise when learning new techniques. I've missed teaching and I am looking forward to everyone enjoying the experience.

The first class (pictured above) is self explanatory - you're learning new basic skills.

The second class is an introduction into Entrelac without all the messy beginning, left-leaning and right-leaning triangles to get in the way.

The third and final class of the series teaches you to combine knitting and crochet in one project - bottom up or top down!

The best part about all these classes is that you can take what you learn and translate it into existing patterns. I can't tell you the last time I used the cast on technique I learned as a child nor can I tell you the last time I used a long tail cast on. What I can tell you is that MY long tail cast on was not "the stretchiest cast on you'll ever use". In fact, it was quite the opposite and since it was meant to cast on a sock, you can see why I chose to never use it again. You will learn what I use instead in classes one and three.

Now, go on, get registered!

Written by Lori, thankful TCL owner, who is looking forward to all the productivity in the next week thanks to the amazing weather!

 The classes are finally ready to go!!!!!!

Please note that these classes are broken down into one hour sessions to allow for homework between sessions. (The webpage says differently at the time of this publication. We're fixing that.) Two of them are before Christmas so you'll have new ideas for gifts or, at the very least, new ways to create those gifts you already had in mind. The class in January will also require you to crochet but I will be teaching two ways to make the hat so learning crochet on the fly won't be intimidating.

I have taught many of these techniques in my classes at Creativ Festivals in Sherwood Park and Calgary, but my students there have never had the privilege of creating a complete project. Nor have they had the opportunity to pick and choose between materials and tools to purchase right there in the class! (Cash and debit/credit will be accepted.)

Due to physical distancing requirements, class size is limited so make sure to sign up early!

written by Lori, excited TCL owner, who can't wait to get back into the classroom.

It's Happening!

By the time you read this, the pop up store will be at Sunrise RV where Brad will be working his magic and making my vision of a dual purpose kitchen counter a reality!

At the same time, Rosanna at LPAC (the Lacombe Performing Arts Centre) will be finalizing the class schedule for this winter. The first class should be November 26! As soon as they are posted on their website, I will be sharing them here and on Facebook.

Other than those two fantastic pieces of news, I got nothin' this week. Must be the snow affecting my brain.

Written by Lori, excited yet brain-dead TCL owner, who hopes everyone has a great week and drives safely out there.

Where Does the Time Go?

 Is it odd that I was only one day into my 'online only' winter schedule and I completely lost track of time? Even Mom and Myles were thrown off by the fact that I was around the house more. Myles usually gets his treats 4-4:30pm-ish when I get home from the pop up location at LPAC and he was begging for them when Mom and I got back into the house at 11:30am after reinforcing a wonky shelving unit in the warehouse on Thursday.

Friday morning was spent prepping for my winter series of classes at LPAC before presenting the classes at a meeting in the afternoon. The remainder of the day was spent knitting demos for those classes. Mom swore up and down that it felt like Saturday all day and she was right. It DID feel like Saturday, which made Saturday feel like Sunday except that we didn't go to church. And because I played for both church services on 'actual' Sunday, it felt like I had already put the RV into hibernation for over a week and it had only been four days!

So, other than constantly checking the date on my phone or my Fitbit, I've decided to keep track of my days in a different way. Mom and I are going to Bible study on Monday evenings and, until classes start, there is Virtual Knit Night on Thursday evenings. Even though I know I have directionally weak tendons in my wrist making it difficult to play three games in a row, I'm joining my mom and brother in the senior - yes I said senior - bowling league on Thursdays. If that isn't enough to keep my days straight, I will have to add more non-work activities to my list.

Speaking of classes and work, I will be posting the upcoming class schedule as soon as it is finalized with the LPAC administration. All classes will be designated experienced beginner - you only need to know how to knit and purl. One class will require basic crochet knowledge as well. I will be teaching you everything else you need to know. Because of physical distancing requirements, class sizes are limited so register early!

written by Lori, time-lagged TCL owner, who can't wait to get onto a 'real' schedule asap!