Going to a beginners' crochet class...

[Flossyfloof]

What would you expect to make?
To clarify, I have been asked to teach a short crochet course for beginners.
I want people to have something to take home at the end of the first lesson and am thinking about a little coaster or possibly a pot holder. I can't think of anything else that z beginner could complete in just a couple of hours. Do you think this would be ok?

[Imissmy0ldusername]

On my first beginners class, I think I managed to make something the size of a coaster in 2 hours. It was great fun - so many double-entendres to be had

[Rattymare]

Great idea, 👌

[veevita]

I've just thought how much I'd like to start crochet. I would like to know how to crochet a square - limited ambitions here! So is be happy starting one off, or coming home with any little thing.

[Chickydoo]

Where are you op? Would love to go to a crochet class. I am totally clueless.

[tribpot]

Yep, I'd do a square that could become part of a blanket, or could be a dishcloth or similar. Maybe something with a bit of a pattern in the middle but plain rounds around the outside, so they can make it as big as they like after the class? Maybe something like this or this?

[glenthebattleostrich]

I did one recently and we made some mittens. We were given some sheets with instructions on and a simple pattern then the tutor talked us through everything.

[Flossyfloof]

Brilliant, thank you very much. The lessons will be two hours or more.
What would you like to do in lesson 2? I was thinking of just doing double crochets for the coaster perhaps with an edging and a little chained hook for a pot holder.
Lesson 2 - trebles and doubles to make maybe a granny square?
Lesson 3 - a crochet belt?? ( I am a bit boho chic but I don't know if that would suit everyone. Trying to use different stitches
Lesson 4 - hearts and flowers?
Lessons 5 and 6 - a slouchy hat
Would really appreciate your feedback. I don't like doing little things like flowers but I thought people might like them ...

[MandyFl0ss]

In my first crochet class we worked toward making a cushion cover, with different stitches every session, building squares that we then stitched together.

It was nice being able to actually have something to show for at the end of the course but the cushion was kind of ugly.

Loved the course though and I haven't stopped crocheting ever since.

Granny squares and their applications would be the most useful I think.

[tribpot]

Gawd, would you do just single crochets in the first lesson? (Is single what they call it in UK terms as well as US? I only know US despite being in the UK). I'd get 'em on doubles as well (trebles in UK terms). Apart from anything else, it'll go really slowly otherwise and the one big advantage of crochet is how damn fast it is.

You could ask the students if they've got anything they want to work towards, but I'm guessing some at least might fancy doing a ripple. I'd look to do some more complicated squares later on, along with changing colours - like Lottie or Butterflies. I really love the Week 6 pattern in Wink's CAL from 2014.

Wrong time of year but snowflakes for the Christmas tree are always a good small project.

[tribpot]

Oh also Cherries might be something they might like to work towards.

[Scentofwater]

Make sure you include how to decipher complex patterns- if they know a bit more than the basic terminology they can then make nearly anything!

[Flossyfloof]

Thank so much, brilliant ideas and feedback. Apologies for not answering sooner, mumsnet wont let me sign in on the iPad and writing on my phone is soooooo small.
I have had some more ideas - bunting, a cowl from Attic 24, broomstick crochet..,
I agree re reading patterns but I am not an expert crocheter myself at all. I can read a pattern but would say I am in top intermediates rather than experts group!
The class will be for beginners so I want it all to be very achievable. Will be back later when phone is charged but thanks again.

[SoupDragon]

When I taught myself, I tried out the basic stitches from DC to TC and then carried on making a giant granny square blanket in TC which really helped with the rhythm and consistency. Whilst I'm not suggesting you make a giant granny square, it is a good thing that can be made as a small square in class and carried on at home. Teach them colour changes too and they good to go.

I made up a little bag pattern that is fully customisable - basically you chain the width of the bag and then just stitch round using both sides of the chain, 3 stitches in each end to turn the corner in the first round but nothing else complicated after that. When it's the right height, stop. You can add a flap at this stage by switching to working in rows. Really easy and really useful - i made one the right size for my phone and a set of keys.

[Cardilover]

Sounds like a great course! Maybe I'm not very ambitious but I think it takes a while to get used to holding the hook and yarn comfortably and understanding which loops are which iyswim! I think a coaster using dc would be perfect for a first 2 hr class. Complete beginners will get the hang of it and be able to finish at home if they need to, those that know a bit you could teach a couple of extra stitches to and how to change colour? Granny square for lesson 2 also sounds great

[Flossyfloof]

Thanks so much. It is definitely a beginners class and I need to make it accessible to everyone. It is possible that some in the course will only be able to work within the class and I don't want to be doing stuff that is just too complicated at this stage. I have had a few more ideas, been poring over the internet. I thought it might be nice to do some broomstick lave, it is so pretty and much easier than the finished product implied!
Also a market bag...
One of my personal issues though is crocheting a foundation chain. I find it soooo hard! I will post another thread about it I think - it can't just be me!

[Megatherium]

I did a short beginner's course last year over two and a half days. We started off by learning chaining and single and double crochet and moved on to a basic granny square, which was rewarding because it's so easy being able to crochet into gaps rather than stitches. We moved on to doing a foundation chain and practising things like zig-zags so we could learn increasing and decreasing, and also did a square with a flower on. People who were further ahead or faster went on to do things like joining squares and bigger projects. I guess the teacher felt she had to limit creative stuff because we couldn't go away and practise for a week between sessions, but she gave us some very clear written instructions which have stood me in good stead subsequently for taking it further.

[anxious2017]

I made a granny square in my first crochet class. It was all I was interested in as I wanted to make blankets!

[tribpot]

I'd be tempted to get them off foundation chains pronto, it is a real pain in the arse and quite off-putting when you just want to get going.

and for the win! (US terms).

[JustPoppingBy]

I've given a couple of small classes in the past and it really depends on the 'creative' ability of your students, some of mine took a whole afternoon just grasping casting on then chain and turn etc, to do three rows of a 6" plain square was an achievement for those who picked it up easier. (And I was trying not to leave the others behind and feeling rubbish 😁)
I taught all the basic stitches in the first two classes, just going over them as it needs to sink in a bit I think.