Knitting

I enjoyed the process of finger knitting. I found it easy to learn and meditative to work through.

KNITTING FOR ELEMENTARY STUDENTS

This technique would be great for young kids K- 4th grade. The technique is accessible and product still interesting at those ages. I also appreciated that they could make necklaces, scarves or even snakes, or other animals.

Finger knitting would be a solid lesson for starting a larger unit on knitting and textiles. It would introduce them to the concept of knitting and creating fabric from thread.

KNITTING + WEAVING for HIGHSCHOOLERS

Finger knitting would be a good transition from weaving to more complex textile work since knitting is more complex, but still requires only one’s hands and the material.

Finger knitting could also be tied to weaving (literally and as a lesson) in a project involving Macrame wall hangings. Macrame is popular contemporary art and home decor but also has an interesting history that could give it deeper meaning and historical context, while making the technique more appealing to high school students.

This process was easier to learn than I thought it would be. I still found it tedious. I don’t know if it would become less so when I become adept at it and can create something I love.

Like weaving, knitting could be used in a class collaboration assignment to make one larger scarf or blanket.

Knitting could also be a lesson integrated with social studies. Learning how to create textiles gives students perspectives on how things were often and still are made. The lesson could relate to history involving the industrial revolution transitioning from homemade to mass produced products.

Once the technique is learned, knitting and crocheting can also be a mindful activity. Instead of spending time scrolling devices, students hands are busy creating.