This is an ongoing set of challenges that are designed to encourage you to try new things with your knitting or your sewing. There are 8 semesters and we’ve grouped them into Freshman, Sophomore, Junior and Senior years. There is no fee to participate. If you’d like to participate, leave us an order note when you order your supplies (or email us) and tell us what year and semester you’re going to be working on.
You can see photos of completed projects in our Loopy Photo Galleries. Click here for Loopy Academy Yarn.
How does it work?
– The program runs by semester. You can participate in the fall and/or in the spring.
– Each semester needs to be fully completed during those four months. (Supplies purchased, project started and finished, photos uploaded. If you get waylaid, you’re welcome to start over with new projects and new supplies the next semester. Part of the challenge is completing these things in a four month time period.)
– You don’t have to go in order. You can do one semester and then skip a semester and come back in the next year. Or you can do two semesters at a time! Your decision. We’ll keep track of which semesters you complete and will reward you with gifts or points when you have completed your Freshman, Sophomore, Junior or Senior years.
Dates and Deadlines
Fall Dates and Deadlines: purchase your supplies from The Loopy Ewe on September 1 or later. Start and complete all three projects over the next four months. Upload photos showing each of your completed projects to our Loopy Photo Galleries by December 31 of that same semester.
Spring Dates and Deadlines: purchase your supplies from The Loopy Ewe on February 1 or later. Start and complete all three projects over the next four months. Upload photos showing each of your completed projects to our Loopy Photo Galleries by May 31 of that same semester.
Rewards for successfully completing a year (Freshman, Sophomore, Junior, Senior): for each semester successfully completed, you’ll be earning 500 Loopy Reward Points.
Assignments: Loopy Academy – Yarn
Freshman Year Semester 1
(Each project must use a minimum of 175 yards)
1. A cowl in a multi-colored or self-striping fingering weight yarn.
2. A hat from a designer new to you, in a sport or dk weight yarn.
3. A pair of mittens in a solid or semi-solid worsted weight yarn.
Total Reward Points for successful completion: 75
Freshman Year Semester 2
(Each project must use a minimum of 175 yards)
1. A project that has stripes of two or more colors in the design. (Not self-striping yarn.)
2. A project that has been felted or fulled.
3. A project that includes slipped stitches in the pattern.
Total Reward Points for successful completion: 75
Sophomore Year Semester 1
(Each project must use a minimum of 225 yards)
1. A pillow in a worsted or bulky weight yarn.
2. A project that has textured stitches in the body.
3. A project that has cables in the pattern.
Total Reward Points for successful completion: 100
Sophomore Year Semester 2
(Each project must use a minimum of 225 yards)
1. A project that includes both a solid and a multi-colored yarn in the same project.
2. A pattern that includes twisted stitches.
3. A pair of socks knit top down or toe up (whichever you are least familiar with.)
Total Reward Points for successful completion: 100
Junior Year Semester 1
(Each project must use a minimum of 250 yards)
1. A pair of gloves will full fingers (no fingerless mitts)
2. A toy using more than one color of yarn. (You can add knitted clothes or make a set of toys to get the yardage required.)
3. A project that incorporates bobbles or popcorn or nupps in the pattern.
Total Reward Points for successful completion: 125
Junior Year Semester 2
(Each project must use a minimum of 250 yards)
1. A project that uses beads.
2. A project that uses colorwork or fair isle (at least 2 separate colors used in the same row.)
3. A project with buttonholes and buttons.
Total Reward Points for successful completion: 125
Senior Year Semester 1
(Each project must use a minimum of 275 yards)
1. An asymmetrical project (uneven hemlines or edges)
2. A project that contains some entrelac.
3. A project knit from one or more charts.
Total Reward Points for successful completion: 150
Senior Year Semester 2
(Each project must use a minimum of 275 yards)
1. A sweater or vest (can be child-sized as long as you use 275 yards)
2. A project that uses the Brioche Stitch.
3. A project that uses Laceweight yarn.
Total Reward Points for successful completion: 125
FAQ’s
Q: I am new to Loopy Academy. Can I start with Senior Year Second Semester or do I have to go in order?
A: You don’t have to go in order. You can start with any semester you want to. It’s totally up to you. Any time you do complete a semester of a year (Freshman, Sophomore, Junior, Senior) you 500 Loopy Reward Points.
Q: What if I want to do more than one semester at the same time?
A: You can do that as well!
Q: I completed one of the three project assignments last fall and then got busy with other stuff. Can I finish the other two projects this semester and have it marked complete?
A: To get a complete for the semester, all of the projects need to be started and finished in the same semester, with yarn 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 do-overs you’re allowed!)
Q: I am going to do this semester, but then I’m busy in the fall 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?
A: For Loopy Academy, we do require you to purchase the project yarn 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 threads for Loopy Academy so you can talk about what you’re thinking and get some new ideas.
We love seeing your projects and look forward to continuing to celebrate your completed challenges, year by year!
Sheri and The Loopy Ewe Crew