I’m excited to announce that I’ll be teaching a master class on toy design at NYC’s Lion Brand Yarn Studio on October 27th!

This is the first time that I’ve taught this class, and I’m so looking forward to the opportunity to share my passion and design experience in this way. It’s one thing to teach techniques, but designing is one of my favorite things that I get to do, and I think toys are a great place to start for anyone who wants to try their hand at it.

The three-hour class will be more about planning than hands-on knitting, but I hope to get everyone off to a sure start to creating their own knitted toy. We’ll cover everything from sketching to shaping and incorporating various knitting techniques, to (if time allows) pattern writing and promotion.

Here’s the official class description:

Design a knitted doll, animal, or other character that is all your own! Anna Hrachovec will share the inspiration and process behind the hundreds of mochis that she’s designed over the years, and she will help you get started turning your sketch into a plan and a pattern. Emphasis will be on three-dimensional designs using simple geometry and a variety of techniques.

Visit the Lion Brand Yarn Studio website for full information and to sign up!

And if you’re in the NYC area, don’t forget to come to my talk and book signing at the Studio on October 24th!

I’ve just added some fun Mochimochi merch to the shop: rainbow gnome buttons and nature gnome postcards!

These 1″ pin-back buttons feature the tiny gnomes in hues of blue, pink, green, and yellow. Nab them for $5!

And our first-ever postcard set features four photos of tiny gnomes frolicking in the glorious outdoors, photographed by me in Brooklyn. Only $4 in the shop!

Both of these sets would make awesome decorations for yourself and your space, or nice little “just because” gifts for the cute addicts in your life. I had fun making them, and I hope some people will have fun using them!