- by Anne Finlay-Stewart

Just as I reached "Beginner Knitting and Crocheting Classes" in my pile of "things I promised to write about", the first classes were full! But Jean Varsava of The Pumpkin Coach has a waiting list, and has promised to organize more classes – everything you need to know to get started on a new skill.

Shawna Katz is teaching the crocheting class, and Daelyn Wilson the knitting. I asked Daelyn where she got started in the craft.

"My grandma taught me when I was six, then I promptly forgot as we are wont to do. I taught myself again in my twenties as a way to deal with stress and anxiety as my uncle was diagnosed with ALS."

Daelyn says knitting is a great way to "derail the anxiety train" - especially this time of year. "It helps you not to fidget and not bite your nails etc." When I told her I had a beautiful pair of mittens as the result of a friend looking after her mental health, Daelyn laughed and said she and her mother have many pairs of socks for the same reason.

She took a sock knitting class at Romni Wool in Toronto - "knitter nirvana" - and locally at Riverside Yarns, and has just kept teaching herself new techniques since then. Whatever way she chooses, she likes the challenge and portability of socks.

Classes for beginner crocheting and knitting run one evening a week, three weeks  in a row, and are only $15 per class so you only have to pay for a class when you're there! You can bring your own hooks, needles and yarn or they'll be supplied for an additional $10.

Registration (when the next classes are announced) will be required. The Pumpkin Coach is on the south side of the Metro parking lot off 2nd Avenue East, and Jean would be happy to see you, or you can reach her by phone 387-9813 or by email [email protected].

Ah, and sewing classes begin again in January too!