The only reason I take knitting classes, and I’ve only ever taken them at Knittapalooza – a weekend retreat – is to meet cool teachers and hear their stories and little pearls of wisdom. I feel absolutely the same way you do – never met a technique I wouldn’t just try.

Thanks for your report on the classes – I have never taken one, but am hoping to sign up for one or two at SAFF this year. I couldn’t have learned to knit without someone showing me, I don’t think, but once I understood the very basics of what to do with the yarn and needle, I’ve learned everything else from books and blogs and technique articles – I do fear that I would be at the other end of the spectrum in a class though. Sometimes it takes me awhile to conceptualize something, and my lightbulb moments can be quite random – poring over a technique for days without really getting it or having the sense to just try it on faith, then jumping out of bed and grabbing my needles in the morning because I apparently worked it out in my sleep! Books give me the freedom to get there at my own pace (and read and re-read and knit and rip) until it makes sense! Maybe I have a grasp of enough technique now that I wouldn’t be holding the class back, but the thought makes me a little nervous!

On the other hand, I’ve had students sign up for classes which they, in no way, need to take because they are so advanced and it’s an easy, beginner class. So, I ask, “Why???” and they always tell me that they just really like the comraderie of a knitting class and they don’t mind the lesson fee. I just scratch my head over this one, lol.

So, yes, I agree with you about the whole knitting class thing. I learn quite easily from books (and web sites and blogs and…) and have no need. I’m just about done with teaching classes because it is just too exhausting teaching folks who are in the wrong class, through no fault of my own or my LYS owner.