Welcome to our blog tour! Here at Crochetville, we celebrate National Crochet Month with our NatCroMo Blog Tour. This year, we’re interviewing crochet designers, teachers, and hobbyists throughout March and our theme is crochet memories. You can browse all of this year’s blog tour content on our page NatCroMo Blog Tour 2020.
Some of the links on this page will earn us a commission if you make a purchase through them. View our disclosure policy for details.
About Edie Eckman
Please allow me to introduce our featured crochet teacher of the day, Edie Eckman. She teaches classes all over the country, at shops and guilds and events like CGOA‘s annual Chain Link conference. She also has classes on Bluprint.com and Creativebug.com, and teach techniques and stitch patterns on her YouTube channel. Edie says, “I think the difference between a timid crocheter and being a confident crocheter is in their understanding crochet stitches and how they create a fabric. I focus on having crocheters question what they are doing, and learn to figure out answers for themselves so that they won’t be dependent on others to problem solve.”
Class subjects run the gamut from Crochet Confidence, to (You Want Me to) Put my Hook WHERE?, to Math for Crocheters. Edie says, “I especially like teaching people to write better crochet patterns (or to understand how to read pattern). In the past, I have taught pattern writing workshops which offer practical advice for producing clear, consistent, and concise patterns.” In addition to teaching, Edie also designs crochet patterns, and you can find her patterns in her Ravelry store. Today Edie will share some of her crochet memories with us and we’ll showcase three of her crochet classes.
Edie’s Special for Our Readers
As part of National Crochet Month, Edie is giving away a copy of Every Which Way
Edie’s Crochet Memories
Would you share with us one of your earliest memories of crochet?
I don’t remember learning to crochet, but I know I was pretty young. I learned from my grandmother, who lived with us and was always available to teach me something. She taught me knitting, sewing, and embroidery as well as crochet.
Would you share with us one of your memories of becoming a crochet teacher?
I don’t even remember when I first taught, or what my first class was! I do remember that my first “national” teaching event was the Chain Link conference in West Palm Beach, Florida, although I had been teaching knitting classes for a while before that.
Would you share with us one of your most memorable experiences as a crochet teacher?
I taught at the Crochet Renaissance conference in Philadelphia in 2001. I don’t remember the exact date, but it was probably September 23-24, 2001. The whole world was reeling from 9/11, US air space had been closed and then reopened. I had to get on a plane to fly to Philly, with only about 5 other people on the plane. The mood at the conference was very somber (unlike any other crochet conference I’ve attended), and there had been many cancellations as people were afraid to travel.
Showcase: Crochet Classes by Edie Eckman
How to Read a Crochet Pattern
Take the class online: How To Read a Crochet Pattern with Edie Eckman | Creativebug (on YouTube)
About the class: In this class, crochet expert Edie Eckman guides you through a typical crochet pattern, explaining line by line how it should be read. Not only does Edie discuss how to interpret the written instructions, but she also shows how the words correlate to the symbols in the chart. This is a great primer for anyone who wants to learn how to crochet motifs or follow garment patterns.
Additional Note from Edie: This is an example of the teaching I do on my own YouTube channel, as well as on Creativebug and Bluprint. I have many other online tutorials of various lengths, both free and paid.
How to Block Knitting & Crochet
Take the class online: How to Block Knitting and Crochet (on edieeckman.com)
About the class: Blocking is a crucial step to successful finishing. Learn how to block your crochet pieces, and watch the video for special advice on blocking acrylic yarns.
Additional Note from Edie: This is an example of my blog posts that have a teaching element. Other blog posts include stitch patterns and technique tips, and often include an accompanying video.
(You Want Me to) Put My Hook WHERE?
Take the class in person: 2020 Crochet Guild of America Chain Link Conference
About the class: No more “insert hook in next stitch” for you! It’s time to go fishing in other waters by putting your hook into unusual places. We’ll explore making fabric with post stitches, third loop stitches, split stitches, long stitches, folding stitches, linked stitches and other beyond-the-ordinary places to put that hook.
Follow Edie Online
Here’s where you can connect with Edie online so you can keep up with what she is teaching!
- Website/Blog: edieeckman.com
- Ravelry: Edie Eckman Designer Portfolio
- Pinterest: Edie Eckman
- Facebook: Edie Eckman
- Instagram: @edieeckman
- YouTube: Edie Eckman channel
- Bluprint: Instructor Edie Eckman
- Creativebug: Instructor Edie Eckman
- Newsletter: Subscribe to Edie’s monthly newsletter that has news items of interest to crocheters, pattern discounts, and more.
More About Edie
Besides all of the above, I serve as a Master Teacher for the Craft Yarn Council‘s Certified Instructors Program. This program helps crocheters (and knitters) gain the skill and confidence to teach others You can learn more about the program at craftyarncouncil.com/teach.html
Coming up in the next month or two, I’m going to be making an announcement about a new workshop. Unfortunately, it’s not quite ready to release yet, but please subscribe to my newsletter and watch my social media for an announcement.
I LOVE doing Borders!!! It really Makes the blanket❤️
Erin, I agree, it really does!