It's a long time ago now, but when I first started learning properly (I had had a taster day five years before, tried to teach myself from a book and gave up, by which time I was heavily pregnant) I was in a similar position, my two daughters were 2 and almost 5. My eldest, Jenny, had been going to playschool since she was 3 and had just started school. My younger daughter, Hannah, wanted to know why she couldn't go to playschool at 18 months! So when a beginner's class at the local college was advertised, with a creche that could take 2 year olds, during school hours, it was the perfect answer for both of us. Hannah went to "sand and water" as she called it, and I started learning to make lace. Admittedly we were more likely to find a class locally here in the UK in the 1980s than it is possible in large, spread out countries like the US now.
I didn't only make lace at college on Tuesday mornings. I did my homework, both after they were in bed and during the day when they were up and about. Being curious, Hannah wanted to try, so I let her. She didn't do a lot until she was about 5, but what she did was enough to satisfy a 2 year old's curiosity and then she left my lace alone. Jenny also had a go, and a while later my Mom bought both girls their own pillows, etc. I don't remember packing my pillow away all the time as I can remember the days of doing a quick ten minutes or so whilst the potatoes were boiling (such was the youthful enthusiasm of a 33 year old!). Time went on, and the girls were 10 and 7 when I started doing City & Guilds - Jenny would make her own sandwich for lunch and make me one too, when I was busy working towards assessments. If I sat working after fetching them from school, they would get their pillows out and sit with me - but were more likely to do so if they were off sick from school, I ! found. Unfortunately other interests and increased school work took their toll, then jobs and both now (at 34 and 31 respectively) have their own children, so neither makes lace now. But, at least they tried. During the years I was teaching adults, I had two lads come to class from time to time - one the brother of a young lady I had taught since she was 14, the other the son of one of my adult students. I can't remember having problems with what patterns to get them working on - Myles decided he was not going to listen to the way the stitches should be worked, and tried his own combinations of cross and twist, before asking me to show him how to do it properly - better to let them experiment and decide for themselves that tradition is right, sometimes. Most of the basic beginner bookmarks, learning stitches, working tape initials, ground samplers, etc are unisex. So are animals. I have a couple of space rockets amongst my designs (these were used for a Lace Guild calendar and the Penguin Pattern book, and I sent at least one of the rocket patterns to the Knoxville Lacers when we Arachnids were supporting them with patterns, equipment, etc - I had some lovely thank yous written ! on rocket shaped pieces of paper in return, which I still have). When demonstrating, I have had no qualms about letting two and three year olds have a go at whatever is on my pillow - if they can pick up and put down, they can make a stitch. Packing away, if you use Midlands (spangled) bobbins, is relatively easy - as a beginner you don't have too many pairs on your pillow, and a knitting stitch holder (shaped like a large safety pin) will hold 10-12 pairs - thus the bobbins can be trapped in position with a ribbon or piece of elastic. Cover the pillow with a cloth, pinned down at the corners. At home my pillow stayed on its stand whilst I had work in progress, but with the bobbins secured it can go in a bag between sessions. Make sure any pin cushions are hidden away under the cloth, and sharp scissors are put out of reach. Of course, I had daughters, and I understand that boys are a totally different kettle of fish when it comes to toddler behaviour, but learning what they can and can't touch, and the word "no", is a necessity. I think there is more likely to be trouble if you tell them they can't touch, without letting them have a go under supervision, so they can find out what you are doing, and satisfy their curiosity - they might then decide it's boring, go back to their own toys and leave you alone. Or they might decide they want to keep trying - in which case remember that to teach them you only need to be one step ahead, and if they progress to leave you behind so much the better - by that stage they will be able to read the books and watch the videos. The most important thing I want to pass on though is that not everyone can learn from books and/or videos, some have to have someone standing next to them, which is where even being able to take one class in a blue moon can be helpful. Also, lacemaking isn't for everyone. I know we think it should be, but if a beginner tries, and finds it too frustrating, even if they do other crafts, then there is no shame in putting it aside. If they come back to it later, fine, but if it really isn't for them, there is no reason why they should feel defeated. It comes down to the P word - patience - which is for the things you don't want to do. If you want to make lace, you will, if you find it isn't for you, then don't feel you've got to. There are plenty of other activities that can be used to fill "me" time. Devon, please feel free to forward this to your friend. Jane Partridge ________________________________________ From: owner-l...@arachne.com <owner-l...@arachne.com> on behalf of Devon Thein <devonth...@gmail.com> Lyn, I guess I didn't make myself clear. It is the mother who wants to learn..... "I have two young boys. Two and 4 years old. They keep me busy most of the time. But I’m wanting to start a hobby so bad for the little free time that I have. Is this hobby something easy to pack away (so my kids can’t get their hands in it) and something I can pick up and leave as my free time permits? - To unsubscribe send email to majord...@arachne.com containing the line: unsubscribe lace y...@address.here. For help, write to arachne.modera...@gmail.com. Photo site: http://www.flickr.com/photos/lacemaker/sets/
