Our classes did not meet last week because of Thanksgiving break, but it was fabulous to be back creating today!
I am continually amazed at what our students can do - and WANT to do. I am so lucky to be able to teach to students who truly are engaged and excited about their art. We do so much knitting and crochet (that is what this class is all about!), but we also do so many other things.
Making a small wallet.
Learning to read patterns with notations like: K2tog and kfb - not an easy task!
It takes a long time to make a scarf.
I was inspired by an art teacher named Cassis Stephens. She taught this circle weaving class to her students. It looked like so much fun that I decided to bring it to our students.
Aren't the bases for our circle weaving beautiful! Just wait until they add the details and then some weaving to them.
These students really love to play hopscotch. It appears that this is an "old time" game because while they knew some of the basics, they really didn't know how to play. I happily taught them the rules and away they went.
Sometimes, they are having so much fun, it is hard to get them to stop playing and come back to knit or crochet.
We don't always knit with knitting needles. This student brought her knitting loom to class to work on.
Spool knitting continues to be a huge hit.
I made these weaving boards for noon art and held back a few for knitting class. They make perfect bookmarks after being taken off the board! The best part? These boards can be used over and over again and are made with recycled (cereal boxes) cardboard.
REALLY? A 10 year old knitting on circular needles?! Yes!
I can't wait until the bases are finished so that they can start the warping and weaving!
I never know what the students are going to work on in class. They have their ongoing projects and work on those very diligently, but sometimes they want to do something different to take a break.
Some students decide to pull out their spool knitters, others move from one project to another.
This student is very intent on finishing her project! Look how much knitting she has done already!
A new project for this knitter.
No matter what they decide to work on, they have a lot of fun!
Knitting classes continue to be a source of fun and entertainment for our students! We do so many things in addition to knitting in this class.
First up though is a pair of VERY cute slippers!!
We also made pom-poms and although they can be made by one person alone, it is much more fun to make them with a friend.
Pom-pom made using only her fingers and yarn :o)
The student who made these learned them in one lesson.
She decided she wanted to make another one. Isn't this lovely, the stitches and tension are all so even - I couldn't have done any better.
Pom-poms were the order of the day!
As you can see, even though this is a knitting class, we learn so much more during our time together - crochet, finger weaving, spool knitting, pom-pom making - really anything yarn related. The kids really have so much fun!
Our last class in November was a complete hoot! Everyone had so much fun!
We had lots of spool knitting. I remember enjoying this so much as a kid, but was unsure of how it would be received by my students. Well, I should not have been worried, they love it! I can't wait to show them some of the animals that I have created with spool knitted strings!
We had the completion of a stuffed bear leg and also the start of the torso - this student is well on her way to having a finished project!
This student wanted to try something a little different - she chose to knit a scarf with sock yarn and US#1 needles. Boy is she brave!! I love knitting on the smaller needles with fine yarn, but it does take a bit longer than if larger needles and yarn were being used. It sure is pretty though!
We also had finger weaving.
My daughter showed up and was immediately put to work by this student. This student is making a finger weave scarf and wanted to know if it was long enough so she asked my daughter to model it to check length. Looks good to me!
This student is really good at knitting and wanted to learn crochet. You know her from her crocheted shoe laces from last time, well she is now making a hair tie to learn sc and practice the tension on her chain stitches. She is doing a great job!
The scarf in one of the previous pictures, can double as a jumprope!
Did you know you can finger weave off of both ends of the ball of yarn?? Neither did I!!
We have such a fun time in knitting class! Our students get so much done!
This student did such a great job on her hat. She cast on with circular needles, knit for 6 1/2", changed to double pointed needles, and then cast off and sewed the top closed. Isn't it such a cute hat?!!
What is just so wonderful about these knitting classes is the friendships that are being made. The students are all so supportive of each other. They help each other with challenges and celebrate finishes together!
This session of knitting is over but the next one starts right up next week!!