A Very Nice place to craft Above, left; Lisa McCarley patiently teaches her attentive class of happy “hookers”. Above, right; A Greener’s Gruit and Logical Fallacy to help crochet beginners find their rhythm. Middle, left; those who attended were provided with colorful yarn, a decorating carrying pouch for their hooks, and a book on crochet. Bottom, left; Hooks and Hops is just another way Very Nice Brewing Company continues to nurture their “public house” vibe PHOTOS BY CHRISTOPHER KELLEY[/caption]

Nederland businesses use the slower months in late winter as an opportunity to create innovative events to bring in foot traffic and serve their communities. This time reminds business owners that though tourism drives sales up in the busy seasons, it’s the locals that keep businesses alive year round. Businesses like Very Nice Brewing Company (VNBC), at 20 Lakeview Drive, focus inward and use the opportunity to give back to their most loyal customers by presenting them with exactly what they asked for.

For over a decade Jeffrey and Susan Green have lovingly crafted a unique and welcoming environment at VNBC. In addition to masterfully brewed beverages to accompany warm and friendly smiles and conversation, VNBC continues to nurture their hospitable “public house” vibe by organizing special events aimed at the interests of their patrons.

On Thursday, January 26, 2023, from 6 p.m. until VNBCs doors closed a small group of six strangers gathered for Hooks and Hops, an exclusive crochet class, with beer accompaniment, hosted by Lisa McCarley.

“I love Very Nice; it’s one of the most accurately named businesses in town!” McCarley told The Mountain-Ear as she ordered her beer in preparation for the beginning of her first crochet class hosted since the COVID-19 pandemic.

The love for the craft of crochet goes back multiple generations in McCarley’s family, and she began crocheting with her mother at a very young age. But despite several decades working on the craft, McCarley laughed at the concept of being called a “crochet master.” She instead referred to herself as the “mistress of the hook.”

McCarley notes that her class is for “beginner beginners”, and is truly for those with an interest in crochet but with little to no knowledge or skill in the craft.

“It might seem frustrating at first, but that’s what the beer is for,” McCarley joked with her class of six crochet newbies.

McCarley prefers smaller groups in an intimate setting as it allows her to provide each “student” with some one-on-one time. McCarley’s patience and easy-going nature helped to foster a fun environment where attendees could joke and laugh while attempting to hold their hooks comfortably and correctly, how to make a “chain”, and to learn different stitches.

“Don’t make faces unless they’re happy ones,” McCarley poked fun as some in the class struggled with finding their rhythm.

“Is the yarn sliding through your fingers? Is it hard to pull it through? Is it too tight? It’s okay, you just need to catch your rhythm,” McCarley encourages her students to work through the learning curve of crochet.

All who attended were provided with colorful yarn, a decorative carrying pouch for their hooks, and a book on crochet for students to bring home and study if they desire to continue on their crochet journey. McCarley expects to host more Hooks and Hops nights in the future, though she currently plans to continue to meet with her students from Thursday’s class at VNBC for a casual continuation of their learning.

VNBC continues to be inventive in what they provide for their customers by hosting Sipping & Sewing, a class for beginners to the craft of sewing to be held on Sunday, February 26, 2023, from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Those who wish to attend can RSVP by emailing marmadesigns@hotmail.com. The class costs $45 and includes the necessary fabric, but attendees should expect to bring their own sewing machines.