Intro to Knitting

Knitting. Where do I start?! Well besides the fact that it is a portable hobby (in comparison to sewing in which you have to lug your sewing machine), knitting looks more complicated than it actually is. There are only two stitches. Yes, TWO! Knit stitch and purl stitch. Of course, knitting can get REALLY complex if you do some crazy pattern design or change out colors and what not, but at its core, knitting is only two stitches. 

I laid out my plan for 3 weeks:

Week 1: Learn the Knit stitch

Week 2: Learn the Purl stitch

Week 3: Finish the scarf!

As my neighbors started filtering in I started to get really excited. I set up displays in my living room with examples of crochet vs. knitting. I figured if they don’t like knitting, they can try crocheting! Both are fiber crafts using yarn.

Everyone was super excited to learn. I told them that it was no obligation to continue if they didn’t like it. After all, this is supposed to be fun! I set everyone up with Clover size 13 needles and 2 skeins of yarn in the color of their choice. That’s the best part about crafting- tailoring it to your taste. 

Within 24 hours of the first class I started getting picture texts of progress from my neighbors. They were addicted! Haha! “Yes!” I snickered. “More people to craft with!”

The next 3 weeks we covered my entire lesson plan and more. They were mesmerized by the different stitch patterns that could be created by using just two stitches. It really is quite amazing! 

I even created a Google Classroom to give them additional info of helpful links etc. It was so much fun being a teacher!

Needlesstosay, after three weeks everyone graduated with flying colors.

The entire experience made me realize how much I enjoy teaching. It was so much fun bringing my neighbors together, getting to know them and seeing them progress over the weeks. I truly loved the experience. They came in with zero knowledge about knitting and three weeks later not only did they finish a scarf, but also gained a genuine interest and a new hobby. Talk about a rewarding experience! It makes me so happy to see my neighbors find a creative outlet from the hustle bustle of every day life.

I mean, WOW! Look what they created in just a matter of 3 weeks. How could I not be proud of them?!

The following week I went to my local library to check out their Makerspace. I heard there were sewing machines, sergers and embroidery machines you could use there for free. I’ve been interested in embroidery for awhile now, but never wanted to make the machine purchase, because let’s face it- do I need another hobby? Lol. One of the team members set me up with the embroidery machine, thread, stabilizer and showed me how to operate it. FOR FREE!!! So. freaking. cool. Being able to use machines for free at the library is something I had never heard of. The only libraries I know of just have books! This one had everything!!! It was a fantastic experience.

While there I realized that the Makerspace is where I could help the Curious learn and try new hobbies “low risk”. It was basically the same thing I was doing out of my own home. On a whim, I contacted the Makerspace peeps telling them what skills I could offer to teach in their Makerspace: sewing, crochet or knitting. They chose Knitting. (Why does everyone choose knitting?! lol ) 

To my surprise, not only did they ask me if I could teach in my local library, they asked if I would be willing to teach in other libraries all around the County. In other words, more than one. Wowza! I, of course, said YES! Let’s spread the joy of knitting to everyone! 

And that’s where we are today. Tonight I teach my first Learn to Knit class at the library.

I am so excited I could cry. I joke around that this is my “big break”, haha! I am incredibly thankful to my County Public Library system for giving me the opportunity to teach. Teaching is something that had never crossed my radar, but I love it! I am forever grateful to my neighbors for giving me the experience and helping me discover my passion of teaching crafts.

Who knew this simple class I created out of my own home would turn into teaching the entire County?!