Introducing Knit Club!

I launched a Knit Club at school. Holy Smokes! I tried offering knitting as an elective, but alas, Stitch Lab was so popular that the time slot could not be unseated for knitting. (Believe me, that is fine. The dedicated room and machines should be used to the fullest extent possible.) Instead, I found a way to squeeze knitting in as an after school club.

I have five girls who signed up. They are 10, 11 and 13 years old. One 11 year old chose to make a hat. The rest are making a small felted bag. (The pattern will be a modification inspired by The Fabulous Felted Tote. Our version for Knit Club will have one handle and be much smaller.) We picked colors, passed out the needles and got started with long tail cast-on.

A hush fell over the room. I was so thrilled I almost exploded. They LOVED it. They were so focused and intense. (Let me just say that the Stitch Lab does not “fall silent”. There is a volume to the enthusiastic work and challenges.)

One friend cast on in about 4 minutes and was ready to knit. !!!! It was crazy! Another friend cast on so tightly that we could not move her stitches. They were so tight that we got the giggles. Alas, we, uhm, took scissors out, cut the stitches off and started over. She was SUCH a good sport. Knitting with kids is so refreshing. If they make a mistake, they just make it, move on and correct it. I saw so much less deflation and disappointment than I saw when teaching adults. The class is not a contest, even with themselves internally. There are sweet lessons to be learned there.  Learning something new is not a contest, even with yourself.

I am a little bit concerned that my speedy friend will come in tomorrow with a fully finished hat. If she does, I will be grinning from ear-to-ear.

Go forth! Knit! And for heaven sake, be good to yourself. Allow the new skills to flood in.

Stay tuned for our Knit Club updates!