10 Knitting and Crochet Classes Around DC

There’s nothing cozier than the image of making a scarf by a fire during the winter. Whether you want to crochet or knit, there are plenty of places around Washington DC where you can learn to knit or crochet, or improve on your existing skills.

Back in college, I was the co-founder and vice president of the St Andrews Knitting Society. We would meet on Wednesdays, have some tea, help beginners learn to knit, and share our projects. Having that support from people made me a better knitter, and I was amazed at the projects people would do (shout out to Paul and his amazing knit doll clothes he would do with thread on sewing needles).

I was never a great knitter, but it didn’t matter. Knitting is fun, and it’s fun to learn, and it’s fun to do with other people. You don’t have to be good at something to enjoy it.

Recently I picked up crochet again. I wanted to do something with my hands and without screens, and the cooler weather and all of the crochet blankets that my great-grandmother made (and that we still have) was inspiring to me.

This article provides details on places in the DC area where you can learn to crochet or knit.

Knitting and Crochet Classes Around DC

Whether you pick knitting or crochet is a personal preference in the type of items you want to make. The patterns for knitting and crochet have different textures, and it’s up to you and the project you want to do. I think it’s natural to learn one, and try the other.

Washington, DC

Closeup of small dark brown crochet toy bear and crochet next to light green threads on wooden table in bright room on blurred background

Looped Yarn Works

Address: 1732 Connecticut Ave NW, 2nd Floor, Washington, DC 20009
Price Range: $40–$185
Skill Level: Beginner
Website: loopedyarnworks.com

Looped Yarn Works in Dupont Circle is one of DC’s best-known local yarn shops, offering a lineup of beginner-friendly knitting and crochet classes. For the more experienced, they also offer more advanced project-based workshops that span several weeks.

Classes are typically small and hands-on, making them ideal for first-timers. Some classes include beginning knit, beginning crochet, learn stranded color work, and beginner color work sweater.

Hill Center at the Old Naval Hospital

Address: 921 Pennsylvania Avenue SE, Washington, DC 20003
Price Range: ~$325
Skill Level: Beginner to Intermediate
Website: hillcenterdc.org

The Hill Center in Capitol Hill hosts lectures and classes covering creative pursuits, health and fitness, and intellectual topics.

The Hill Center offers 8-week programs for beginners and intermediate level knitters so you can either learn the basics or continue to grow in your knitting pursuits from a professional.

Smithsonian Associates

Address: S. Dillon Ripley Center, 1100 Jefferson Dr SW, Washington, DC
Price Range: $145–$200
Skill Level: Beginner to Intermediate
Website: smithsonianassociates.org

Smithsonian Associates offers multi-session, classroom-style knitting courses taught by experienced instructors. Their offerings vary by season, but typically offer an absolutely beginner’s course as well as a beginner to intermediate class.

DC Public Library

Address: Various branches across Washington, DC
Price Range: Free
Skill Level: Beginner
Website: dclibrary.org

Some DC Public Library branches occasionally offer free, multi-session crochet or knitting programs, often focused on small beginner projects. These classes require advance registration and vary by branch and season.

More common are their Stitching Circle, Yarn Lovers ClubYarnworks Meetup, Here’s the Stitchuation, and Yarn & Yap groups. These are more traditional knitting circles where people come together to work on their individual projects together. This is more of a community gathering where you can talk to fellow knitters and crocheters, get inspired by their projects, and ask (and give) advice. Some libraries will provide snacks too!

Merry Pin DC

Address: 7350 Georgia Avenue NW, Washington DC
Price Range: Free to $10 for social events; $45+ for classes
Skill Level: Beginner to Intermediate
Website: merrypindc.com

Merry Pin DC is a craft store that is heavily focused on being a social hub for crafters. Located in Shepherd Park, they regularly host workshops, courses, and meetups for knitters and crocheters. Many of their meetups are free.

In the past, they’ve hosted yarn swaps too so you can get rid of some of that extra yarn and pick up some new skeins for your next project.

They also have an on-site cafe, bar, and coffee shop, featuring loaded hash browns and happy hour deals.

Shop Made in DC

Address: Multiple locations in Washington DC
Price Range: Varies
Skill Level: Beginner
Website: shopmadeindc.com

Shop Made in DC regularly hosts all sorts of hands-on art and craft classes, and will occasionally host fiber arts classes. They typically host more specialized fiber arts classes, but sometimes you will find knitting or crochet.

If you are looking for a more social experience, bring your latest project to the free Crafternoons at their Union Market and Georgetown locations every weekend.

Maryland

Close-up of a person measuring a knitted sweater, showcasing custom fashion design.

Sweet Pea Fiber

Address: 5307 Baltimore Ave, Hyattsville, MD
Price Range: Some are free, but generally $35+
Skill Level: Beginner
Website: sweetpeafiber.com

Sweet Pea Fiber is a yarn and craft store just over the DC border in Hyattsville known for welcoming, beginner-friendly classes.

While they have classes meant for the absolute beginner, they also have classes for the “confident beginner” like knitting a whole sweater. Some project-based classes are free with purchase of supplies, and they also have one-on-one assistance sessions starting at $10 to get all your questions answered.

Beyond knitting and crochet, they have specialty classes as well, like how to spin yarn and planning your knitwear project.

Virginia

Hands crocheting with a purple hook, showcasing intricate yarn details.

Fibre Space

Address: 1319 Prince St, Alexandria, VA 22314
Price Range: $30+
Skill Level: Beginner to Advanced
Website: fibrespace.com

Fibre Space is a popular yarn shop in Alexandria offering a mix of classes, knit-alongs, and community events.

Classes vary seasonally, but they offer a lot of beginner and advanced beginner classes for knitting and crochet. Once you have the basics down, you can join one of the project-based classes, like your first hat or sweater.

For the intermediate and advanced knitters and crocheters, they have specialized skill building classes for different techniques, styles, and projects, but much of what they offer is independent study classes where you work on your own project with help from instructors.

Workhouse Arts Center

Address: 9518 Workhouse Way, Lorton, VA 22079
Price Range: $75+
Skill Level: Beginner to Intermediate
Website: workhousearts.org

A large arts campus housed in a former prison, Workhouse Arts Center in Lorton is now home to studios, galleries, and classrooms. The Workhouse Arts Center offers fiber arts classes as part of its larger arts education program.

Their knitting and crochet classes are more limited than their other offerings, but they have intro classes as well as skill-building for knitting and crochet.

Art House 7

Address: 5537 Langston Blvd, Arlington, VA
Price Range: $150+
Skill Level: Beginner
Website: arthouseseven.com

Arts House 7 offers crochet classes and courses in their Arlington studio. While most of their crochet classes are geared towards children, they have multi-week courses to introduce adults to crochet as well.

In college, the weekly knitting circle was a place of camaraderie while doing something productive. It was an easy jumping off point for conversation, because we were all doing a similar thing (even if our projects were very different and had different levels of skill).

Here are some social groups you can join that regularly meetup to knit, crochet, and chat.

DC
Marlyand
- Second Story Knits Community Sit & Stitch (Bethesda)
- Rockville Stitch and Bitch
Virginia
- Sip & Stitch Alexandria
- Alexandria Knitting Crochet Crafting Group

Tips for Getting Started

A woman knitting a cozy orange scarf with wool yarn indoors.

Beginner knitting and crochet classes usually assume no prior experience. Don’t worry if you’ve never held needles before.
Classes will usually specify whether materials are included and what needs to be purchased separately. If it doesn’t, ask.
Crochet may feel easier at first for some learners or people with mobility issues in one hand. Knitting often pays off with repetition.
Community yarn shops are great places to ask questions even outside of class.
Multi-session classes help skills stick better than one-off workshops.

Conclusion

From local yarn shops to museum classrooms and free library programs, the DMV area offers many ways to learn knitting and crochet at every level. Going to a class or a knitting circle will give you confidence and community connection while creating something beautiful.

Whether you’re hoping to make your first scarf, make lace, tackle colorwork, or simply find a creative community, there’s a class that fits your pace and style.

10 Knitting and Crochet Classes Around DC

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