If you’re in need of a new artsy hobby, look no further. The Sarasota County area offers a plethora of crafting activities, ranging from knitting and needlepointing to making digital arts and 3D printing. Classes grow in popularity by the day, though, so don’t waste time signing up for your next artistic endeavor. —M. Evans

KNIT & SIP

Lakewood Ranch’s popular event space, GROVE, expanded its yoga and pottery classes to even more artistic activities with Knit & Sip. “We slowly started adding different workshops—candles, resin—and I thought, let’s take it up a notch and try knitting for something more hands-on,” says Claudia Potes, Director of Marketing at GROVE. Potes partnered with Debra Fourre Stacer, founder of TDog ChunkyHand Knits, to create hand-knitting workshops called Knit & Sip. The monthly program opened its doors on June 2 with blanket-making, and it began offering pillow-making in July with a sand dollar pillow—one of Knit & Sip’s best-selling items. “Everyone was laughing and having a really good time in the classes,” Stacer says. Attendees can choose between four yarn colors for their 30” x 40” blankets. Potes and Stacer walk people through each step of finger-knitting, beginning with the foundational chain stitch, followed by the knit stitch and closing stitch. Guests also receive a care card with instructions on taking care of their blankets. Tickets include a glass of wine, and people can purchase small plates during the events to taste some of the Grove’s dining offerings.

grovelwr.com

NEEDLEPOINT STUDIO OF SARASOTA

Thirteen years ago, Dallas native Vickie Yohe founded Needlepoint Studio of Sarasota, and the hobby is still as popular as ever. Yohe started out with four-hour classes for participants to complete needlepoint projects, but she realized that many newcomers needed an introduction class. Now, she offers two-hour Needlepoint Studio classes to teach the basic basket-weave stitch. Yohe’s classroom that sits 18 people is almost always full.

“I try to create an environment where you’re building friendships, learning something new and keeping your brain active,” Yohe says. “It’s more than just needlepoint.” Her team speaks with guests about what they want to make, the colors or decorative stitches to include and if the item will become an heirloom piece to pass down for generations. Participants learn everything from basic needlepointing to beading and embellishing. Most participants attend classes regularly, and workshops and private lessons are also available. Yohe says people travel from the west coast and even England to visit the shop.“This is a full-service needlepoint store,” she says.

needlepointstudio.com

CREATION STATIONS

Established in 2017, Creation Stations promotes makerspaces throughout Sarasota County Libraries. “People are inspired to create something, and a lot of times, it ends up being arts and crafts-related, or even technology-related, such as 3D printing or digital arts,” says Jamie Naylor, Digital Services Supervisor for Sarasota County Libraries and Historical Resources. Guests can try cricket programs to make bookmarks, the Glowforge to engrave or laser cut, 3D printing and sewing—one of the most popular options. A Memory Lab is also available as part of a digitization effort to preserve photographs, documents and recordings. This is currently only offered at the Osprey Library, but Naylor hopes to open another space at the Elsie Quirk Library soon. “There are other technologies like robotic programs and LEGO WeDo’s that are incredibly popular,” Naylor says. Some programs are specifically designed for elementary-aged visitors, but there are categories that cater to all ages. People also have the opportunity to request equipment and materials, such as sewing machines, with varying availability at each library. Naylor says her team tries to assess what skills people will learn through the programs—and how to continue to encourage interest and curiosity.

sarasotacountylibraries.org