Knitting a Following

If you would have told me a year ago that I would be knitting I would have laughed at you.  If you then told me I would be knitting with students and other teachers I would have said you were crazy.  Yet, here I am knitting, teaching knitting, and hunting for more yarn.

In an earlier post I talked about loom knitting, which is the way I started.  Since then I have learned to knit ruffled scarves (thanks to a friend and fellow knitting junkie).  The move from the loom to the needles was very natural and satisfying.  As a crafter I am always looking for new ways to express myself.  As a teacher librarian I am always looking for new ways to connect to students.  The looms were/ are a great way to get students started with knitting, but using needles for knitting will be cheaper and more convenient.
   
It still amazes me how many students, boys and girls, that knit or want to learn to knit.  There is also something very calming about working with the yarn and the rhythm of the stitches.  For middle school students having a way to relax and unwind at school is valuable. 

My goal for this spring is to work with students to write curriculum that can be used by other students and teachers beyond our school to learn knitting.  I plan to use Cat Bordhi's books and web site as a guide.  Wouldn't it be nice to have students working together and talking while doing something constructive.  Students spend so much time focused on technology and media that they need time to have conversations with another person.  I have found that knitting and crocheting is the perfect opportunity to bring a variety of people together and conversations just naturally flow.

The bonus for our community has been handmade hats and scarves that are donated to refugees and the homeless.  As well as, our students having a skill that they can enjoy and be proud of for the rest of their lives.  We have also found it is a good way to connect generations and cultures.

So, if you are looking for a way to connect with young people find some yarn, a loom, knitting needles or a crochet hook and start creating.  Knitting and crocheting attracts attention without requiring you to put in a lot of effort.  Teens love to learn and to share what the know.  It is a win win for everyone (just make sure your library has enough craft books for students to check out).

 

Looking Forward

Last winter in Nebraska was mild; so, of course this year there are lots of cold days and snow.  I find that I want to spend more time curled up with a book and a cup of hot tea.  However, now that the first week of winter break is over I better start lesson planning for the second semester.  I am excited about the opportunity to collaborate on a Civil War historical fiction literature circle project.
I am hoping to help students connect with history through the stories they read.  Now I just have to figure out how to make the magic happen!