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
I think I’d start with that Adama cowl. I’ve been eyeing it for a while now!
I’m going to start with Elementary Watson socks as my cable project.
Yay! The perfect chance to get some holiday knitting done 🙂 I’m going to start with texture doing Cookie A’sock Xeriscape socks in LL Solemate.
Even though I did not participate in Freshman Semester, I think I would jump into Sophomore year because that pillow wad super tempting! I’ve wanted to do something like that for quite some time. Thanks for always keeping things fun…and a great yarn selection! Jens4kids4@gmail.com
I have NO CLUE what I’m going to make for the first project, but I’m leaning towards some sort of backpack. I guess it depends on what fabric I fall in love with. Hope to have some time to plan/shop over the weekend.
I fell in love with the Folkloric Fair Isle Matroska Pillow the first time I saw the pattern. Now I have a reason to make it!
Have been wanting to make the independence pillow you suggest – I have the coolest buttons to use! Now to find some yarn – the really fun part!
http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/independence-pillow
I think I’m going to start with a nice simple pillow for my dog, Kitten.
Question – on the pillow, can it be Aran weight or Super Bulky?
Let me rephrase that – can it only be yarn that’s marked “worsted” or “bulky,” or can it be other weights of yarn heavier than worsted?
I’m going to work on a cowl first. I’m thinking a shorter Ferocious Briocheous.
I think I’ll start with a pillow! 🙂
I am starting Freshman year over since I was a drop out last year. I will be starting with mittens made of worsted weight yarn.
I’ll be knitting a little warmth to wear with my boots for the first project. It will be Vernors leg warmers by Thea Coleman. I’m going to knit them in a lovely gray so they will be very useful with many other hand knits that I wear all winter long.
I think the first project I would knit, would be the Tussey Mountain Hat for Freshman year first semester.
I love Loopy Academy. The best part for me is seeing all the projects everyone is thinking about making. My favorites list gets lots of additions during this time.
For my first project, I’m going to make Handspun Cushion (http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/handspun-cushion) using Cascade 220 in Straw and it will match the lap blanket I made for the third Camp Loopy project!
I am so excited for the Sophomore year! Yay! Pillows! What a fabulous idea. I am looking at doing the Celtic Love pillow for the cable project or the Vortex Pillow for project one. I’ve already chosen the textured pillow, too, but need to wait for the yarn to be in stock.
Looking forward to “Fabric” Loopy Academy. My first project (and the most challenging for me) will be a drawstring diaper bag for my sister-in-law who is expecting her 2nd baby in the spring.
I’m starting with Cuddle Up Cushion #3. Can qualify for either the pillow or the cable project – can decide later.
I’m going to start with Lillipilli Wrap by Ambah O’Brien as my texture project. I’ll knit with Tosh Merino Light.
I am going to do Celtic Oak and Celtic Rowan pillows (they should qualify for both texture and cables)
Thanks TLE for another fun semester and fun challenges!
Liebevoll by Ysolda Teague will be what I first cast on. Interesting cables and is worked bottom up so the rows get shorter as you near completion!
I am so glad that a pillow is the first project this semester because I have always wanted to make one, but never got around to it. I am going to knit the Independence pillow with buttons. So cute! I am thinking silver tone distressed buttons with a fall color (pumpkin or royal purple) yarn. 🙂
Oh, I made a pillow earlier this year and it was much fun! I even learned how to sew in a zipper for it! This time, I would use TechKNitter’s technique for attaching yarn to the zipper and making it a knitable object!
This will be fun. I’ve never made a pillow before. I think I’ll start with a Smushion!
Hmmm…tough decision! I’m really excited by the Sewing Camp Loopy this year so I think I’m going to either start a set of stripy placemats similar to a table runner I made for Camp Loopy last summer or maybe I should take advantage of the prompt and make either a fall or winter wall hanging. Time to start shopping and see where I net out!
I’ve been wanting to knit the Geology Shawl so that I will be my textured project.
I will try to make the City Creek Cowl. Since the pattern is gone I will be re creating it from pictures of finished ones.
I haven’t participated yet in Loopy Academy. I pretty much have done most of Freshman year on my own, however, I haven’t done cables and have been putting that off, so I’m contemplating sophomore year and starting with a cable project.
I think I am gong to start on my hat first as it seems like it might be the most complicated. Downton using Blue Sky Alpaca Silk
I think I’ll start with the Affectionate hat.
I will start with a Joji Locatelli pattern, a cowl with stripes using Unicorn Tails … a freshman year assignment.
I didn’t do freshman semesters but the pillow sounds neat I’m going to try that…never made a pillow before.
I need to make these as gifts anyway so guess I’m starting Loopy Academy (yarn)
My first project will be the Nordic Holiday Pillow in Cascade 220 Superwash.
Even though I haven’t done Freshman Year yet, I think I’ll start on Sophomore Year and knit A Twist of Comfort by Dawn Cottone. It’s a bulky pillow with cables so it could be the pillow peoject or the cable project!
I’m going to start with the Parkway Pillow for my pillow project! So excited!
I am going to start with the October Pillow as my pillow project. Hopefully for my DHs man cave
My first fabric project will be the drawstring bag, can’t wait to get started!
I’ll probably start with Geology as my Textures assignment. I’ve been wanting to make this one for a long time, and, well, I’ve found an excuse.
I think I will start with Dandelion Days Cowl. I saw where someone had mentioned it and it looks very interesting.
I think I’ll work on Geology first… though I have started designing a pillow for my dad….
I think I’ll kick off the semester with the Textured Charybdis socks!
Yay! for the start of Loopy Academy Fall. This is a toss up between the pillow and the cable project, but it is a great place to be! Thanks again for some wonderful ideas.
I’m going to jump into sophomore year with the Independence Pillow, and then move on to the Geology Shawl for my vacation knitting in October. I love the verybusymonkey patterns, but they do require more concentration than my usual commuter train knitting.
I think I will start my second year with Gradient Cowl using Zauberball. At least that’s what is jumping out at me right now!
I think I am going to try freshman first semester and start with the cowl.
My first project would likely be a Serpentine cowl to fulfill the cable requirement!
I will be in Freshman semester 2 and would like to do a yarn bowl and some highway socks.
Last year I didn’t get still my first semester projects finished and didn’t attempt second semester. At this point, think I’ll jump into sophomore year with an Interview with the Vampire shawl!!
I am going to work on my cable project first. I am going to knit Forest Park Cowl.