Create Chunky Chenille Blankets in Monroe: Four-Week Class with Michelle Small

Set in Monroe, Georgia, the Monroe-Walton Center for the Arts offers a practical, creative four-week workshop where visitors and locals learn to make chunky chenille blankets. Taught by Michelle Small, "Chunky Yarn Blankets with Michelle" runs as four one-hour sessions designed for ages 16 and up, accommodating beginners and experienced makers in a small-group setting (max ten students). Across four instructor-led hours you’ll learn four essential stitches, how to start and join chunky yarn, change sections cleanly, and finish a blanket with professional-looking edges. The class focuses on jumbo chenille, a soft synthetic fiber that knits up large and fast, so students often leave with visible progress after each session. No needles or prior knitting experience is required—Michelle adapts teaching pace so true beginners learn basic hand techniques while experienced stitchers refine tension and finishing. Check in at the MWCA front desk ten minutes before class; the venue sits within Monroe’s compact downtown arts district, making it easy to pair a session with coffee, a stroll, or late-afternoon errands. With a maximum of ten students, instruction is hands-on and social: expect rotating demonstrations, guided practice, and one-on-one feedback aimed at getting you comfortable working large-gauge yarn. The workshop is a distinctive part of Monroe’s creative life; MWCA programs cultivate local makers, host rotating exhibitions, and bring craft techniques to community members who otherwise travel to larger cities for learning. That local focus makes this class an appealing stop for travelers wanting a hands-on cultural experience tied to place rather than a generic souvenir. Practical details are straightforward: ages 16+, sessions last one hour each across four weeks (approximately four hours total), group size limited to ten, and registration may be low stock—last-minute sign-ups accepted when space remains. Bring comfortable hands-on clothing, arrive early, and be ready to learn deliberately—the workshop moves quickly but leaves room for creativity and finishing techniques. Whether you want a handmade throw for your home, a mindful craft project to break up travel days, or a gift made by hand, this class combines clear instruction, premium yarn, and a convivial studio setting that celebrates making in Walton County. Michelle’s approach emphasizes rhythm and practical shortcuts—tips that make large-scale projects feel manageable. After four sessions many students complete at least one blanket, and some finish multiple pieces depending on personal pace. Materials often include jumbo chenille provided in class; confirm with the provider whether yarn is included or if you should bring a specific color. The MWCA location keeps groups intentionally small to preserve in-person learning quality and to reduce waste by encouraging material use. For visitors, pair class time with a visit to nearby parks or the historic courthouse square to round out a creative day.