Years ago, I took some college courses from an offsite location. The class was taught on campus via the television and all the students, both on campus and at the offsite location, had microphones so that we could all interact. These days, with the advent of such services as “go to my PC”, it’s possible to have online meetings so that participants all over the world are able to “see” the room in which the meeting is taking place from their computers. And since most computers have microphones, most of them can interact as if they’re there. Or at least can type questions in real time.
It’s just a thought and seems a natural adjunct to the knitting videos. I would be willing to pay a nominal fee to participate and it would be almost as good as attending a knitting group or class outside my home. I have commitments that keep me pretty much tied here most of the time but really want to improve my knitting (and learn to make SOCKS!). Does anyone else think this would work??
I think this is a great idea. And I know of 3 different ways to knit socks. I am now curious and will research this out and see what sort of places are avalible.
So far here is the list of project ideas:
[B] -Learn to knit socks <-- This will be the first project. You will need 200 yards of worsted weight yarn and size US 8 / 5mm 32 inch Circular Needles. A set of 29 inch can be used if you can’t find 32 inch needles. I have the pattern and can email it out to everyone. The patten will be in PDF format. [/B]
-Different ways to knit the heel on a sock
-Finishing Techniques
-Color work (mosaic, Intrasia, Fair Isle)
-Cables
-Scarves/Wraps
-Crochet basics
okay after talking to some of my computer smart friends they recomended doing it through yahoo. yahoo you can see web cams and do voice chat. I have no problems hosting this ONCE a week and doing lessons weekly.
I would like to do that also. Would a person have to have a really fast computer, I have DSL but don’t know if it would work. The closest place to have lessons around here is 60 miles, not really an option for me so this sounds like a really great idea!!>^,^<
Sounds like a wonderful idea – except for the yahoo part. Every time I’ve ever tried to do anything with yahoo, I’ve failed. Hope there is some other way to do this.
I’ve checked out the “go to meetings” concepts. I don’t know anything about the Yahoo way. But there is a co. called eBlvd that offers unlimited meetings with an unlimited number of participants for a flat rate of $30 per month. I can actually afford that so if we get enough people interested, I’m willing to take on the expense. I’m not a techie though, so would appreciate someone more e-experienced to check out the site to make sure it works. The way I THINK it works is that we all, at a predetermined time, log onto eBlvd and get into our meeting. Whomever is the host (Christine?), I think, initially logs in and then all of the participants join.
They offer teleconferencing where we could all dial a toll-free number, or, better, they also offer VoIP, which uses a connected microphone and speakers to broadcast the audio portion of meetings over the web instead of using a telephone.
Okay DSL is fast enough to run things.I hve DSL too. Its your computer that my have issues not your internet connection. As for the eBlvd thing I will check it out and SUGGEST that everyone chip in to cover the monthly costs. This will of course be divided up by the people who sign up for each meeting. I think we can all do $2-$3 to help cover the costs. as for Hosting I’m will do this
I feel like I high jacked this thread. SO sorry if I have.
Anyway, I sent Sheldon, the webmaster here at Knitting Help, a message to see what he could do for us and what he thought. This a wonderful idea. On Crochetville they do crochet classes but its done through the forum and you have to pay for your class and i think the patterns.
When I pick out patterns I am going to use free ones that can be found in the internet. Also besides Socks what else do you want to do a class on?
GREAT idea! After you checked out eBlvd (I missed the price increase with # of participants) I was going to ask if anyone knew Sheldon. I think it would be a wonderful service for KHers and, as I said before, worth paying some sort of fee (like you would do if you took a class at a LYS or college, etc).
I would also love to see a class on cables, because they scare me:rofl: ! Maybe as the weather changes, you could do scarves/wraps etc. Working with color is also a good idea, I think.
And no, you didn’t take over the thread - it’s called collaboration!
I would love a class on finishing techniques. Putting sweaters and such together. I know how to knit socks, but would love to join in to see other ways to do heels. I have read directions for Sherman and others, but they make no sense to me.
Will it be possible to log in after the class is done to see what went on? I live in England, and I am at best 5 hours ahead of the east coast.
Have you thought about skype? It is FREE and people who have built in video like Macintosh pc can see each other. Those who don’t and have audio will be able to hear each other. I chat with friends in England and we have a great time. My long distance phone bills are gone. Three of us have audio conferences all the time as they can’t video with me except on a one on one basis. I think classes are a great idea. I would be willing to help teach crochet and what knitting skills I have.
Once we get things ironed out and things get going I was going to offer a day time class since I know there are people in England/Europe that would like to take the class.
Also I need to play with my video camera. I had a friend give me a link on how to turn my video camera into a web cam. NOW if I could get the video saved that would ROCK.
Skype looks to be a good solutions. The only thing is we are limited to 9 people. So the instructor and 8 students. I feel this is fine and any thing more than 6-8 students at once time may get over whelming trying to keep up and answer questions.
I will need to check into skype further and possibly do a demo class to see if it is going to work for everyone.
Also how do you want to do the classes. Do you want to to one topic a month or have several topic each month.
Well, for sure I’m in:) Christine, if you’re going to be the instructor, I think it’s really up to you to decide how many topics you’d be willing to teach each month. Do we want to start a project, ie, a sock, and complete it before moving on to the next subject (which may be a problem if some are unable to complete the project as quickly as others), or do you want to do a topic a week or every other week? It’s a burden for you . . . maybe if you burn out you can get some help from some of the experienced knitters here at KH???
I’m not familiar with Skype but sounds perfect. Let me know what I can do since I started this ball rolling. Don’t want to load you down with too much.
I would rather concentrate on one topic/project per month and do a weekly meeting. I know some people are busy and we all dont knit at the same speed. As for skype I’m game for using it.
MathWizard are you willing to help anyone out that may have issues getting skype up and going on their computer? I’m not best with computers.
For those of us that want to do this i need NO MORE than 8 people right now to volunteer for a meeting. We would just chat. you dont need to “bring” your knitting unless you dont want to
NOW we need to decide on a time. I live in the Central time zone and 8 pm is a good time, (9pm for the east coast, 7pm for the folks in the rookie mt time zone, and 6 pm for the cali/west coast people), and Tuesday evenings are the best day for me since hubby is gone to a meeting and my kiddo goes to bed at 8pm.
If it Tuesdays at 9 ES/8CST/7/MST/6WST works then we can do a trial run next Tuesday June 17th.
ok - I went to Skype and downloaded the program. Did a test call to my cell and, viola, it worked! It was really easy and since my macbook already has video, I’m good to go. Now, if someone would just tell us what number to call, how to conference everybody in, etc. I’ll see what the skype site says.
