Course Overview
Discover a creative combination of crochet, jewellery-making and gemstone stories in this relaxed, hands-on course.
Across three sessions, you’ll learn how to crochet three beautiful small projects: a drawstring amulet pouch for holding a special stone, a beaded crochet bracelet using gemstone beads, and a crochet cage pendant that holds a tumbled stone in a decorative crocheted net.
Whether you’ve never picked up a crochet hook before or already enjoy crochet and want to try something different, this course gives you the opportunity to explore new techniques while creating jewellery and keepsakes you can take home. Every technique is demonstrated step by step, with individual guidance available throughout the course.
As you work, you’ll also discover some of the history and folklore surrounding gemstones including amethyst, lapis lazuli, jade, turquoise and others. These stories add another dimension to the creative experience, exploring how stones have been used as amulets, keepsakes and meaningful objects across different cultures and periods of history.
You’ll develop practical crochet skills including working small pieces in the round, adding beads to crochet and shaping crochet around a stone. With detailed course notes and demonstrations to support you, you’ll have techniques you can continue using to create your own crochet jewellery, charms, gifts and keepsakes at home.
No previous crochet experience is required. If you already crochet, you’ll have the opportunity to extend your skills through fine cotton, beadwork and small-scale projects.
Macquarie Community College operates from a range of venues across Northern and Western Sydney. We have campuses in Blacktown, Carlingford, Chatswood, Epping, Mt Druitt, Richmond and Ryde. Enrol now!
What you will learn
Course outline
Across three sessions, you will learn:
- How to hold a crochet hook and cotton and develop an even tension
- Basic crochet stitches needed for the projects
- How to create a magic ring
- How to work single crochet in the round
- How to crochet small pieces in a spiral
- How to create eyelet rounds and a drawstring
- How to thread gemstone beads and incorporate them into crochet
- How to create a crochet net or cage around a small stone
- How to create closures and hanging loops
- How to finish your crochet neatly
- The history and folklore associated with a selection of gemstones and stones from different cultures
Course outcome
By the end of the course, you will have created three finished projects:
- A crochet drawstring amulet pouch
- A beaded crochet bracelet
- A crochet stone cage pendant
You will also be able to:
- Work small crochet projects in the round using fine cotton
- Incorporate beads into your crochet
- Shape a crochet cage around a small stone or object
- Apply finishing techniques to small crochet and jewellery projects
- Use your new skills to continue creating crochet jewellery, charms, gifts and keepsakes at home
- Share some of the historical stories and folklore associated with the stones explored during the course
What you need to know
Entry requirements
No previous crochet experience is required.
This course is suitable for complete beginners as well as experienced crocheters interested in exploring crochet jewellery, beadwork and new techniques.
Knowing how to make a chain and single crochet stitch may be helpful, but it is not essential. Basic stitches and all project techniques are demonstrated step by step during the course.
What you need to provide
Please bring:
- Scissors
- Pen and notepad
- Reading glasses if you use them, as the projects use fine cotton
A complete project kit is available directly from the tutor for $25. The kit includes crochet hooks, cotton, gemstone beads, a tumbled stone and printed course notes.
Other information
This course is delivered face-to-face over three weekly sessions of 2.5 hours.
Each session combines gemstone stories with practical crochet demonstrations and hands-on project work. You'll receive step-by-step guidance and can work at your own pace.
The history and folklore associated with gemstones is explored from a cultural and historical perspective only. It is not presented as health or healing advice.
Detailed course notes, patterns and diagrams are provided to support you during the course and help you continue creating at home.
About your trainer
Payal Bhargava is an experienced crochet teacher and designer who has been crocheting for 20 years and teaching for more than 12 years.
Payal teaches crochet through community colleges across Sydney and from her My Mindful Craft studio on Sydney's North Shore. She designs her own crochet projects and creates the patterns and course notes used in her classes.
Before moving into teaching, Payal spent more than 10 years working in publishing and business, including with art and craft magazines and in the international licensing of Australian craft design. She holds a Bachelor of International Business, a Bachelor of Journalism and a Master of Business Administration.
Payal's classes focus on calm, practical learning, with step-by-step guidance that allows participants to develop their skills at their own pace.