Welcome back to the school year, and Loopy Academy! We had so much fun with Loopy Academy last year and saw so many beautiful finished projects. We can’t wait to see what you come up with this year. (And be sure to see the contest info at the bottom of the post. You could win a $50 Loopy Scholarship!)
What is Loopy Academy? A virtual program for trying new things, developing new skills, making new friends, and participating in contests. It’s easy, simple and fun!
How does it work? We started last year with Freshman Year, First and Second Semesters. This fall, we’re introducing Sophomore Year, First Semester (plus the Freshman Year First Semester Fabric Version, see below.) We’ll give you 3 project assignments. You can do all three at once, or one every month, or do them all at the end of the semester. As long as you get them all done within the same semester, you get credit for completing it.
Just like college, you can jump in any time. Busy this fall? You can start in February, after our January Winter break. Or next fall. We have planned out projects/skills/challenges for Freshman, Sophomore, Junior and Senior years, and we’ll roll them out one semester at a time. Again, just like college, the projects get a little more challenging as you go along and build upon your skills. You can take a semester or year off any time that you need to. Just start back up with us when it works with your schedule.
If you’re ready to jump into Sophomore Year, here are your assignments!
Sophomore Year, First Semester Yarn Assignments (each project needs to use at least 225 yards):
1. Pillow in a worsted or bulky weight yarn. Some pattern links to get you started: Whistler Pillow, Winslow, Independence Pillow, Sheep in the Meadow, Fox Cushion, Smushion, Slip Stitch Game Cushion, Hyland Cushions, Stash Buster Cushion, Chunky Fair Aisle Cushion, and Nordic Holiday Pillow.
2. A project that has textured stitches in the body of the pattern. (Textured meaning that it changes the surface from the flatness of just garter or stockinette. Raised ridges, raised stitches, open lace stitches, etc.) Some pattern links to get you started: 3 Color Cashmere Cowl, Adama, Namesake, Hazeline, Geology Shawl, Zilver, Rounded Hem Pullover, Metalouse, Brucie, Hinagiku Hat, Interview With the Vampire, and Great Divide Shawl.
3. A project that has cables in the pattern. Some pattern links to get you started: Forest Park Cowl, Cable Madness, French Cancan, Braidsmaid, Hogwarts Express, Black Cherry Lambic, City Creek Cowl, Knotted Pine, Ishneich, Elementary Watson Socks, Love Me Two Times, and Palindrome.
Project Bags on Sale!! Need a new book bag project bag for school? We’ve marked them 20% off for the next week (today through Wednesday, September 9th). If you’re like me, the start of a new year means school supplies, and a new project bag must top the list. (Or maybe that’s just me. You know how I like project bags!)
For those of you who are new to Loopy Academy and instead want to start with one of the Freshmen year semesters, here are the requirements for those:
Freshman Year, First Semester Yarn Assignments (each project needs to use at least 175 yards):
1. Cowl in a multi-colored (defined as 2 or more distinct colors in the same skein) or self-striping Fingering weight colorway
2. Hat from a designer new to you, in a Sport or DK weight
3. Mittens in a solid or semi-solid colorway in a Worsted weight
Freshman Year, Second Semester Yarn Assignments (each project needs to use at least 175 yards).
1. Striping – knit a project that has stripes of two or more colors somewhere in the design. (Not self-striping yarn.)
2. Felting/Fulling – knit and felt/full a project of your choice.
3. Slipped Stitches – knit a project that includes slipped stitches in the pattern.
And for all of our fabric customers, we promised we’d start Loopy Academy for sewists this year, too. So here is the Freshman Year assignments for sewing, if you’d like to participate with fabric:
Freshman Year, First Semester Fabric Assignments (each project needs to use at least 1.5 yards of fabric)
1. Drawstring Bag or set of bags, depending on size
2. Set of 4 Placemats (these do not have to include quilting, but of course you can quilt them if you’d like to)
3. Seasonal Wall Hanging (including some quilting)
Individual photos of each of the three assignments must be uploaded to our Loopy Photo Gallery on our website by the end of the semester, in order to get credit for finishing. In this case, December 31, 2015.
Yarn and fabric for all Loopy Academy projects needs to be purchased from The Loopy Ewe during the semester in which you’re participating, but they don’t need to all be purchased at the same time. For this semester that means purchases September 2, 2015 through December of this year.
FAQ’s
Q: I am new to Loopy Academy. Can I start with this Sophomore First Semester or do I have to go in order?
A: You don’t have to go in order. You can start in with Sophomore First, or you can go back and start with Freshman First, or you can do Freshman Second. It’s totally up to you. Any time you do complete both semesters of a year (Freshman, Sophomore, Junior, Senior) you earn a fun prize from us.
Q: What if I want to do more than one semester at the same time?
A: You can do that as well (you over-achiever, you)!
Q: I completed one project assignment last fall and then got busy with other stuff. Can I finish the other two this semester and have it marked complete?
A: To get a complete for the semester, all of the projects need to be done in the same semester, with yarn or fabric purchased during that semester. Getting them done during the 4 month semester time period is part of the challenge, just like school. If you don’t finish a semester, you need to start over with new yarn and new projects. (Luckily there is no limit to the number of re-do’s you’re allowed!)
Q: I am going to do this semester, but then I’m busy in the spring and won’t be able to do Loopy Academy again until a year from now. Do you have to do it every semester?
A: Nope. You can hop in and hop out as it works with your schedule. We’ll keep track of which semesters you have completed so we know when we owe you prizes.
Q: Is there a way to participate using my stash yarn or stash fabric?
A: For Loopy Academy, we do require you to purchase the project yarn/fabric from us during the semester you’re completing.
Q. I need more pattern ideas. Where can I get them?
A. Log onto Ravelry and pop over to the Loopy Groupies. We have started new threads for LA Freshman Yarn, LA Sophomore Yarn, and LA Freshman Fabric so you can talk about what you’re thinking and get some new ideas!
We do want to award a Loopy Scholarship for this semester! Leave a comment and let us know the first project you’re going to work on this semester, and we’ll draw a name next week to win a $50 Loopy Scholarship. (The $50 credit will go into your Loopy account and can be used any time, on any purchase. It doesn’t have to be related to Loopy Academy projects.)
Pick a new sale bag, get your yarn or fabric, and hop into Loopy Academy with both feet this fall. We can’t wait to knit along with you and see your finished projects by the end of the semester!
Sheri and The Loopy Ewe Crew
So excited, I think I will start a 3 color cowl first. Thanks
I’ve been stalking the Loopy Groupies forum waiting for the post re the Loopy Academy Sophomore Year. So exciting! I will be making the textured project first and at the moment I’ve decided to do the Industry Shawl by Libby Jonson.
Sampler Textured Socks (Textured Sampler Socks?) from Big Book of Socks.
I’ve been waiting for this announcement! Hooray! I think I’m going to work on the pillow first. *off to look through patterns*
Will probably start with a pillow. Fairisle?
Oooh…then maybe I can make a second pillow with cables (different yarn or color) and have plans for a second project during the semester.
Go for the trifecta? A third pillow with textured stitches.
I’ve got a little theme going! Ha!
I’m going to start with the pillow,
A few practical questions on the rules:
1) Can we use other yarn purchased at TLE previously to Sept 2 as long as we also use at least 225 yards of yarn purchased from TLE after the 2nd in the project?
2) For the pillow, does the whole pillow have to be knit? Or could we combine a knit front sewn to a fabric lining and backing for a different look? (assuming we still used the 225 yards on the front)
using rainbow nights for irish mesh cowl just put in my order for the first semester of loopy academy
yeah!
I’m going to start with the pillow project. I need a bd gift for the beginning of Oct.
I think I’m going to start with the Sheep in a Meadow pillow.
I am going to do Hermione’s Everyday Socks for the texture first….it’s been on my list of socks for a long time….Yeah! I am very excited!
My first Loopy Academy project for my Freshman Year is going to be the Petal Cowl by Xandy Peters. I loved knitting Fox Paws and I know I am going to love Petal Cowl too.
DECISIONS –DECISIONS— I’m thinking I’ll start with the pillow for knitting and the drawstring bags for sewing! That could change though cause I’ve wanted to use the Moda Sturbridge line and that would make GREAT PLACEMATS!!
I’m planning on completing a pillow using Stitchnerd’s Radient Gradient pattern; I’ve been wanting to do this for a while and now I’m glad I didn’t rush to get it down.
I am going to start with a worsted weight colorwork pillow that I will be designing. I’m thinking of designing a textured pillow and a cabled pillow to go along with it, but will wait to decide on those. I haven’t done much sewing for the last several years, but am considering joining in on the fabric academy to get back into it.
Cables…always start with cables. Am thinking the Brigid Jacket or Braid Hills
I’ll start with th pillow, I think! Yay! Loved freshman year, looking forward to being a sophomore ..:
I’m going to go with Lionberry for the textured project first, I think.
I think I’ll start with the Heelhead scarf so it’ll be done when it cools off enough to need it.
I’m diving into the cabled project – thigh-high leg warmers! It’s my highest yardage pattern and I want to make sure I get them done.
First up for me will be the cable project as I already know what I am going to make (Romi Hill’s Erato). Probably texture after that since I love knitting lace, then the pillow last. Unless I find a really inspired project for that one.
Adama for the textured stitches assignment. This pattern has been in my queue forever!
I’m going to use my Great American Afghan book and create a pillow from one or two of the squares.
I just ordered all my yarn for freshman semester 2. I plan to start with Top Ridge Echo in Cascade 220, then Kitty Pi in Cascade 220 doubled and finally the Honey Cowl in Malabrigo. maybe Hortense Beaded Shawl for extra credit. Yikes! I’m gonna be busy…….
I’ve ordered my yarn and can’t wait to get started. I think I’ll start my Zilver shawl in Dream in Color Smooshy first:)
Thanks!
My first project will be my four placemats for Fabric Academy! I love the pretty batik I picked for them!
I think I will start with a striped cowl in Dr. Who colors using the Loopy paintboxes.
I’m going to start on Winslow for my girls.
I’m going to start with the pillow project. I think it’s going to be a bit of a challenge and I’m excited to get it accomplished.
Woohoo! Sophomore year!! I’m going to start with an Outlander cowl for the textured project.
I am going to start on my spider pillow for Halloween.
Neon Ski Bonnet (http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/neon-ski-bonnet) first, if I could just decide on a color!
I would start with freshman year cowl in multi-colored yarn.
I think I will start sophomore year in order…I love pillows!!
I have had a maple leaf quilt on my future projects list forever amd this could easily become a fall wall hanging.
The only one I have a pattern in mind for is the pillow, so I’m probably going to start there!
It’s going to be hard to pick which one to start first, cause I’m so excited to knit all three….I was never this excited about school before! I believe I’ll start with Celtic Braid socks.
Darn it, this semester I am going to finish all three, meet the yarn requirements, and have three giftables in my bag for Christmas!
Oh, starting with a longer version of the Purl Bee seed stitch mittens.
Oh, I’m so excited. I’d love to start with a pillow. Maybe that fair isle one?
I’m going to do the pillow as my first knitting project. I am also going to do the fabric major and do the drawstring bag first.
i’m going to start with the parkview sweater by norah gaughan…i did three sweaters for camp loopy and i want to keep the streak going! 🙂
First project probably will be a pug dog towel!
The Sheep in the Meadow pillow is kinda calling to my needles….
Ooooo! I’m thinking those drawstring bags would be loads of fun!!
I’m in! I’m going to try to be an overachiever because well…I love a challenge! So, a pillow and a cowl first!
A cowl, I think.
I will start this semester off with Zilver
I think I will start with a pillow. I have been wanting to make one!
I really can’t decide! I recently rescued about 50 granny squares and I’m about to finish piecing them together. So maybe a granny square-themed pillow? I might have to sleep on it.
I am excited to make my MIL a Fancy Hen pillow with Stonehedge, probably in the Cherries Jubilee color. Fun!!!