Calendar

Learn to Crochet at Casa Belvedere! An eight-week program for adults and teens
Mondays, Feb. 13 to April 3, 2023, 7 to 8:30 pm
$210 members, $240 non-members 

Learn how to crochet and discover a relaxing hobby you will enjoy for life! Crochet is portable – you can always have a project with you on the go. If you can hold a pencil, you can crochet. You will learn how to comfortably hold a crochet hook and the yarn, you will learn the basic crochet stitches; the chain stitch, slip stitch, single crochet and double crochet and as you progress we may get into the shell stitch as well. Specific materials needed for each lesson are listed below, with links to Michael’s online at the bottom of the page. Students should bring the required materials to each class.

Lesson 1: CHAIN STITCH: Using the small hook (B or C) and cotton thread, students will learn the chain stitch, then string beads to create a necklace or bracelet. Materials needed: Size B or C crochet hook (metal recommended), 1 Ball of Aunt Lynda’s Classic Cotton Thread (lighter colors recommended – not black.)

Lesson 2: SLIP STITCH: Using cotton thread and a piece of fabric, make a coaster using the slip stitch and chain stitch. You will also learn the picot stitch. Materials needed: Size B or C crochet hook (metal recommended), scissors, 1 ball of Aunt Lynda’s Classic Cotton Thread (lighter colors recommended – not black), Teacher will supply a square of sturdy fabric or felt.

Lesson 3: Single Crochet swatch using yarn. Materials needed: Size H or I Crochet hook, scissors, 1 skein worsted weight yarn, (i.e. Red Heart Super Saver, Caron One Pound, Caron Simply Soft or Lion Brand Vanna’s Choice).

Lesson 4: Double Crochet swatch using yarn. Materials: Size H or I Crochet hook, scissors, 1 skein worsted weight yarn, (i.e. Red Heart Super Saver, Caron One Pound, Caron Simply Soft or Lion Brand Vanna’s Choice).

Lessons 5, 6, 7 & 8: Student Driven. Students (with help from the teacher) will decide what type of project they would like to work on. Projects could be a scarf, snood, granny squares, bag or basket or other ideas students may have. Materials needed: Appropriate sized hook, scissors, yarn needle, worsted weight yarn and project ideas/pattern.

About the instructor: Margaret Rucci is a first-generation Italian who learned to sew, knit, crochet, cook and all that good stuff from her maternal grandmother, her Nonna and her mom. Margaret teaches hand stitching to high school students during the day and loves teaching and sharing her crafty passions by night.

Materials needed for this program: Be sure to bring materials to each class. You can purchase supplies at any craft store or online. Here is a list with live links to Michael’s, or bring what you have from home.

• Scissors: ($3.99 1 per each person)
• Hooks: B or C & H or I ($2.49 -2 needles per person)
• Thread: ($4.99 one roll per person)
• Big Eye Needles: ($2.69 4 needles per pack)
• Beads: ($4.99 one string per person)
• Yarn: ($5.99 one skein per person, or as determined by project Lesson 3)
• Steel Yarn Needles ($.99) OR Plastic Yarn Needles ($.99)

Actress Margherita Peluso connects live from Italy to Casa Belvedere to discuss her documentary film Finding Marta: Un documentario sulla Musa di Luigi Pirandello, based on the life of Marta Abba. 

Tuesday, March 14 at 7 pm in the Galleria 

Members free, suggested donations for non-members 

Snacks, wine, beer, soda and water will be available for purchase

For Women’s History Month, join Casa Belvedere for a presentation celebrating Marta Abba, a pioneer in Italian theater and a woman ahead of her time, the muse of Nobel Prize-winning artist Luigi Pirandello. Marta comes to life via Margherita Peluso, an actress responsible for bringing her story to the public.

The event will include Marta’s introduction of the film Finding Marta: Un documentario sulla Musa di Luigi Pirandello, followed by a Q-and-A session.

When Margherita first heard the story of Marta Abba, she knew the world needed to know more about this woman. She wrote a play to uncover the life of Marta, and also appears in the title role. Margherita also credits Lucid Body, a holistic acting method created by Fay Simpson, for helping her embody Marta.