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We know it’s really exciting – and sometimes a little scary – to try something new. We’re with ya!
And we’re ready to do this – together.
Read on to get the answers to the Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about the Morehouse Merino Flock Knitalong Group.
First, for those of you just joining us, what IS the Morehouse Merino Flock?
The Flock, as we affectionately call each other, is a knitalong group – and it’s so much more. It’s an amazing community in which you can learn or practice new knitting techniques in a community of like-minded knitters. Each month we pick a new project to work on, and you knit along with us at your own pace when the spirit moves you. There’s virtual support for questions, video instruction for techniques, and an amazing community for support. It always makes me smile when I log into answer questions and find out one of you, from somewhere else in the world, answered a question for a fellow knitter while I was sleeping.
What’s the big news?
The big news is that we’re moving the knitalong flock to a new virtual barn – and turning it into a full-blown virtual learning community!
We’ve been looking for a place to call our own: a place away from the noise and bad news on social media, a place without ads or endless other things to suck up our precious time. In short: it’s a place without distractions where we can focus on our craft and create more meaningful engagements.
And – even more exciting – we’re adding the features you’ve been asking for!
Choose which ones you want to take advantage of with different levels of membership.
We’ll have options for attending live classes, virtual knit-ins, studio hours so you can get one-on-one help for any project you’re working on, invitations to special events (once we can safely get together of course)… even the chance to name a lamb as they join our sheep flock this spring.
Why now?
When I started our knitalong group on Facebook almost FOUR years ago, I never dreamed it would turn into such an amazing community where almost 2,400 curious knitters wanted to learn more each month and grow their knitting toolbox! All this time, I’ve been teaching lessons, working on the farm’s new projects, festivals (when they happen), keeping up the web site, writing newsletters to keep you in the know about what’s happening on the farm – all while keeping up a 60+-hour-a-week day job.
As the Flock has grown, so has the appetite for learning – I LOVE IT! And to support it all, I have to make a choice to be able to give you the time you deserve. And personally, it’s right where I want to be!
What are our next knitalongs?
Wait until you see this!!
On February 12, we’ll kick off the Atlas Headband to learn double knitting. (Class times: Feb 12 at 6PM eastern, Feb 13 at 10AM eastern)
In March, Amy Snell the Devious Knitter brings us Wanderly, her brand-new hiking socks knit in Morehouse Merino Gator yarn. (Classes March 4, 6:30 PM eastern and March 6 11AM Eastern)
In April, Irene Waggener will join us for a class on the cultural transitions of knitting in the High Atlas Mountains. (Class time: April 3, 11 AM eastern) And we’ll be making the Shabka Socks.
In May, we’re going to go TWO-AT-A-TIME with Irene’s Targhiwin leg warmers – also giving us the chance to practice more colorwork! (Class times coming soon)
Those will also have you perfectly positioned for more virtual travel at the Online International Fiber Festival in May.
And that’s just the beginning of our Woolwide Adventures!
(Why no kits for Shabka or Targhiwin yet? I’m working on it!)
I can’t. learn. one. more. platform.
To that, I say: Yes. you. can. If you can learn a new knitting technique, you can learn just about anything!
And when you try our new patform, you’ll see for yourself:
- How much easier it is to find things, because it’s so well-organized and intuitive.
- How you can knit at your own pace by either knitting ahead or coming back to a project later.
- How you can make better and deeper connections with other like-minded knitters.
- How much you really don’t miss social media
- And how you can find more time in the day!
And of course, we’re not throwing you into the deep end. We’ll be there every step of the way to answer questions and show you around. AND we’ll be having a giant welcome party to officially welcome you in to our new digs!
What about all the past knitalongs?
We have made the decision to archive the Facebook group. That means we won’t be actively posting anything anymore—everything will be on the new platform. For now, you’ll be able to access the content from past knitalongs. But eventually we will delete that too. We know change is hard and it’s sad to say goodbye… and at the same time, we are committed to focusing our time on building an even better future.
That’s also why the last few knitalongs from the Facebook group ARE already re-created for you in the new platform with its amazing organization!
You’ll find the Fizzy Drinks Felted Coasters, Christine’s Cowl, Evanthe Beaded Shawl by Louisa Harding, and the Tansie Wrap by Louisa Harding all ready and waiting for you too. (The Calvin Sweater will also make an appearance again once we get up and running!)
If you skipped any of those because you don’t love social media, now’s the perfect time to join in the fun and knit along with us.
What are the different ways to connect?
You’ll be able to access the knitalong platform from your computer, your phone, or your tablet – whichever you prefer! The web platform itself is quite robust and there’s a mobile app to let you connect while you’re on the go.
Are there different levels of participation?
Ewe betcha! We know everyone wants different things from their experiences and now we have the ability to do just that.
Farmhands are the ones who want to keep things simple. Give me a clean, efficient way to get things done, at my own pace, and the ability to come back to it later – or knit ahead if my schedule permits. This platform is awesome for that reason. No searching for the next day’s work because it’s right there. Click ‘done’ and you’re on to the next day. Each project will be released the same day – and you can knit each day’s goal at your own pace, whether that’s later when you get to it or knitting ahead a few days because you have time on a weekend!
Shepherd/esses want to spend more time on their craft – learning, seeing, doing. At this level, not only do you have access to every knitalong, but a live knitting class each month. You’ll also have access to virtual studio hours, where you can come with questions on any project. We’ll do group knit-ins (you know! Knit together from across the miles, just enjoying each other’s company.
Shearers want to go behind the scenes. Beyond access to each knitalong, you also get the classes, studio hours, knit-ins, and a special event at the farm (once it’s safe to get together of course). And you get the chance to help welcome a new arrival of the actual sheep flock by naming a lamb!
Why does it have a cost now?
You’ve asked for more and we’re bringing it!
In order for me to spend more time with you doing what we love, we need to move into the next evolution of our business. That means investing in a fantastic new platform, putting the time into building events and classes and knitalongs, and designing or finding the patterns for them!
I don’t know if you know this… but Morehouse is a place where I help because I love it. I’m a passionate volunteer, but I’m still a volunteer.
I have a more-than-full time job with clients that I love — and I’m willing to give that up because I love the Morehouse Community even more.
Casey feels the same way too. We’re making a commitment—and we are asking you to join us! Don’t worry, it’s not a commitment like a kid who grows up and still lives in your basement when they’re 37. It’s a commitment to learning.
What’s more, I want to be able to continue offering our team GREAT jobs that value their skills and contributions in the way they deserve. This ensures that our excellent team will be with us for a long time to come. As we know — losing great people in a business serves no one. Especially not you!
Can I join for just a month, or the ones I’m interested in?
Absolutely! When you click subscribe you get access to the current knitalong, knit-ins, AND the classes, studio hours and more depending on the level at which you choose to participate. Not interested in that month’s project? Cancel anytime. Join us again later when you want to do the next project!
Your subscription begins whenever you choose. It’s good for a month. You decide when that starts. Five days before the month is up, you’ll get an email asking if you want to continue or if you want to cancel. If you do nothing, you’re on for the fun of the next month. If you click cancel, your subscription ends at the end of the current cycle. Easy peasy!
Why didn’t we set it up a-la-carte?
My dad has this awesome saying about shearing sheep: it’s not as easy as some people make it look.
For every project we do, there are countless hours of preparation you don’t see. I’m not even counting the knitting, because I’d do that anyway.
It’s the breaking down the day’s work into manageable chunks having actually done that work (I know the teachers in the group call that lesson planning!), writing, editing for clarity, photographing it, filming videos, anticipating sticking points and then adding more videos, answering the questions that arise along the way, going back and re-knitting something so I can actually show you.
And that’s after all the initial administrative stuff like communicating with the designer, formatting the patterns, adding them to the web site, building the kit.
I decided not to set it up a-la-carte because it means I’d be taking on additional administrative work that’s not necessary when you can manage your own plan. I started this to spend more teaching and learning time with you, not for more computer work setting up each one individually!
And more computer work would mean I wouldn’t be able to go back and answer as many questions, wouldn’t be able to keep up with the comments, and wouldn’t be able to re-knit things to show you how when it’s a unique question. Keep them coming by the way – that’s exactly WHY we’re doing this!
What are these studio hours?
A long time ago in a galaxy far far away when you could safely go places with other people and without a mask, you could pop by a shop to ask for one-on-one help with a project. But if you have day job, and it’s offered at 10am on Tuesdays or Saturday mornings, the only time you have to go grocery shopping, you never get there. And there your project sits. Having Studio Hours – one evening, one weekend, gives you the chance to meet one-on-one via video so that you can work out sticking point and get back on with your project faster. That means less frogging, less frustration, and more knitting, which is what you really want to be doing!
Does the Facebook group realllllly have go away?
I’m a farm kid though and through. I know the joys and discomforts of agricultural life…When you see a lamb kick up their heels on a spring day that’s an absolute joy. When your favorite sheep that you’ve raised from the time it was a bottle baby has made it to the age of 17 and can barely walk anymore, that’s beyond discomfort.
I don’t want anything to suffer. I want everyone to thrive.
And to do that, whatever is growing must get my full attention and care.
I learned that lesson yet again when my day job took over my life this year. (Thank YOU so much for your patience with me when I was off helping other farmers weather the Covid shutdowns during prime planting time.)
Bottom line: I know I can’t do a good job with both groups — trying to do that is going to result in not doing a good job with either of them.
And if I’m in, I’m all in.
Because that’s how I live. And it’s how I love.
And I love ewe all.