Darla Fanton

Archive for the ‘Student Gallery’ Category

I was delighted to receive a photo from Karen D showing the Tunisian Entrelac Bag she completed after taking my “Tunisian Entrelac In the Round - To Felt or Not” class at Chain Link 2008.

It was equally delightful to read her comment, “Your classes were so inspiring!”

I always hope to inspire my students while giving them a good foundation in the techniques I’m teaching so they will leave with the confidence to go forth and crochet with joy.  It is always nice to know I’ve succeeded.

In this class students crochet a small bowl that they can either felt or not as they desire.  They also receive the instructions for making the bag that Karen completed.  Just like the bowl, whether the bag is felted or not is the crocheter’s choice.

I will next be teaching this class Sept 13 in Portland OR at the Knit & Crochet Show and again Oct 4 in King of Prussia PA at the Stitching Jubilee.  I’d love to see you in class.

On Friday I taught a six-hour class, Magical Mitered Squares. This is an intermediate class for those already comfortable working with a double-ended crochet hook.

Pam and Barbara start work on their mitered squares.

As the day progresses students learn how to join the mitered squares in a variety of ways as well as how to work different types of half-squares.

The reversible nature of double hook crochet provides even more options. During the lunch break I took photos showing the two sides of the same swatch.

Saturday was Tunisian Entrelac day! In the morning students worked on a Tunisian Entrelac bowl.

This class provides many options: work with an oversize hook and wool yarn and felt the bowl or regular hook and don’t felt; learn linked stitches to increase the density of the base of the bowl; learn how to add an optional “footing” to the bowl for stability. Theodora studies another option - leave the top edge zig-zag or fill it in with half-triangles.

Unfortunately I did not get any photos of the afternoon session. In Tunisian Entrelac on the Square the student again has soooo many options. I teach different approaches to working flat entrelac pieces: from the center out, in strips starting with full blocks, in strips starting with half blocks, and a variety of ways to use half blocks and quarter blocks to create straight edges (if desired).

I will be teaching both of the Tunisian Entrelac classes at the Fall Knit and Crochet Show. The August 21 pre-registration deadline is fast approaching. Pre-registration not only assures you a spot in class it also saves you money on the ticket price!

I will be teaching Tunisian Entrelac in the Round on the East Coast in October at the Stitching Jubilee in King of Prussia, PA.

Saturday evening was the banquet and fashion show. Since I was teaching again Sunday morning I sat in the back of the room in case I needed to slip out early to insure I would be well-rested. Since that meant I wasn’t able to take photos of the event I’m going to direct you over to Crocheting with Dee for a fabulous look at a fabulous fashion show. There were several children in the fashion show this year so don’t miss the kids edition.

Without a doubt, for me the best part of teaching is enjoying my student’s success. What a thrill it is to see a student gain confidence and take concepts they have learned in one of my classes and run with them.

It often isn’t possible to finish a project in the short time alloted for a class. I’m always thrilled when students follow-up and either e-mail me photos or bring completed projects with them when they take the next class.

Carol has taken several of my classes here in Portland this year. She was kind enough last week to bring in some of the models and allow me to share them with you.

Carol and I share a fondness for felting. This photo shows Carol’s projects from two different classes - Tapestry Crochet Bowl to Felt and the Felted Tunisian Entrelac Coaster.

We also share a fondness for beads. The green necklace on the right is the one Carol made in the Crochet with Wire: Beads & Chips Necklace class. The necklace on the left is one she made from her own supply of beads. Then using the same crochet with wire technique and smaller beads she went on to make a bracelet.

When Carol started taking classes with me she said one of her goals was to become better at reading patterns. Last week’s class at the Knitting Bee was an advanced Aran Crochet class and it was obvious to me that Carol has met that goal…she was reading the pattern like a pro! I’m so happy I could help her succeed. It is what I hope for every student!

Crochet Illusions is such a fun class to teach! Students begin the class baffled about how that elusive secondary image is going to show up when they seem to be just crocheting stripes. It does require working a few rows before it appears.

In addition the secondary image only appears as the viewing angle changes. Students across the room often see the heart before the person creating it does.

It is so much fun to share everybody’s excitement as hearts emerge around the room.

Students wonder - Will it really be a heart?

Yes, it IS a heart!

I am working on additional Crochet Illusions, but in the meantime feel free to hop over to Maggie’s Crochet for a look at my Diagonal Illusion Crochet Vest.

Yesterday I left you with the words “while I’m busy retrieving class photos from my camera”. Although I taught six classes in Oakland at the Knit and Crochet Show, I discovered today that I only took pictures during two of them. My only defense is I get so involved in teaching and sharing my students excitement that I forget I even have a camera with me! I know my blog visitors really enjoy the photos so I’ll try to remember to take more pictures. If you are a student in one of my classes, please don’t hesitate to remind me!

Tunisian Entrelac in the Round was one of the classes I DID remember my camera.

I thoroughly enjoy this class. Students start off creating a base for their bowl from traditional crochet, then add Tunisian triangles to start the sides. At this point the project still lies flat in what I call the “starfish phase”.

Color is so important in our lives, it is always fun for me to see the colorful parade of bowls take shape.

Equally enjoyable is to see my students creativity take flight. One of the students in Oakland decided to work her bowl in Tunisian Knit Stitch. The textural change resulted in a great design element.

I can hardly wait to see the variety of bowls the students at the Orlando Needlework Show will create in November!

Stop by tomorrow for a look at Crochet Illusions.

Late - very late - Monday night I returned home from Manchester, NH after teaching for CGOA at Chain Link, also known as the Summer Knit and Crochet Show.

Spending a week surrounded by crochet friends, fabulous fibers, fun fashions, and fantastic students was just the tonic I needed to bring me back to blogging. A special thank you to each and every one of you!

As you might imagine, my desk is piled with mail, my e-mail In-basket is overflowing, deadlines are looming, and classes at the Knitting Bee are fast approaching. Over the next week or two, as time allows, I will drop by to share my experiences at the Conference with you.

Before I left for the Conference I bought a new digital camera. I love that the memory card holds a LOT of photos. I love the camera is so small it easily fits into my briefcase. And just as soon as I learn to hold it steady, I’m sure I will love that it is so lightweight! Consider that fair warning; some of the photos coming up may be just a bit out of focus. But slightly out of focus pictures are better than none at all - right?

At Chain Link 2006 I taught my Not the Usual Spiral Bead Bracelet class. Since this bracelet is crocheted with thread and small beads it is not a project you can finish in class. I was delighted this year when several of the students wore their finished bracelets. Everybody had done such a great job! Sharon was the first one to show me her bracelet. On Thursday we were sitting in the Crochet Lounge (Thank you Tahki Stacy Charles for sponsoring the Lounge!) when Sharon mentioned she had been wearing her bracelet the day before. I said I would love to see it and she dashed up to her room and brought it down. It’s beautiful and I’m so sorry I didn’t get a picture of it. Sharon if you see this, please send me a photo of your bracelet so I can add it to the gallery.

The line up below includes Barbara, Mary and Sharry’s bracelets.

I love to show off my students work, so if there are any other finished bracelets out there please send me a photo.

I’ll be back later with a day-by-day recap of the Conference.

Last week I had a delightful surprise waiting in my e-mail inbox. A photo from one of my students. I’m always thrilled when I hear a student has gone home from class enthused to put their new skills to work. I love seeing the finished projects, whether in person or by photo.

Cheri was a student in my Crochet Illusions class last Spring at the DFW Fiber Fest. Crochet Illusions is a fun method I developed to incorporate an optical illusion into your crochet. Depending on the viewing angle you see either alternating stripes of color or a “hidden” image. I love the way Cheri used bright colors for the hearts in this afghan. She reports her granddaughter loves to use it when she visits grandma! I can see why. What little girl wouldn’t enjoy snuggling up with colorful hearts that play hide and seek? Thank you for sharing the photo, Cheri.

2006 was the very first DFW Fiber Fest. I was honored to be invited to be the featured crochet teacher for their first event. I’ll be having fun teaching at the Seattle Knitting & Fiber Arts Expo this year the same week-end as the DFW Fiber Fest, but I know my Texas friends will be having a good time too!

I’ll be teaching Crochet Illusions at the Knit and Crochet Shows in Manchester, NH and Oakland, CA this year. I’d love to have you in class. And I would love for any of my students to share their photos.