Thursday 11 February 2010

Dropped stitches

Hello there! A mid-week (well - ish!) post this week. I thought I'd share with you the progress of my knitting group at school. So far, I've started off eight very enthusiastic seven and eight year olds. This is only week three, and I staggered their starting, so that I wasn't driven completely potty by their demands for attention! Just as well, because I am spending pretty much the whole session picking up dropped stitches!! We religiously chant the rhyme to help us with our knit stitch. Do you know it? I think I am probably saying it in my sleep! It goes like this:
In through the front door,
Round the back,
Out through the window
And off jumps Jack!
We've started off with a simple garter stitch scarf for a small cuddly toy. One of them brought in the intended recipient this week, and he wasn't exactly small! At the rate she's going, it won't be finished by the end of the school year! Never mind, I will probably knit a few rows for each of them, to help them along a bit. And I'm hoping that once they get a bit more proficient, they'll be able to take their knitting home and work on it during the week. The yarn we're using is a rainbow of acrylic, but perfect for them!

knitting club

I finished Charlotte's birthday socks in time for her birthday this weekend. I do like the way Trekking yarn knits up - it has a lovely feel to it, and washes very well. I hope she likes them!

Charlotte's birthday socks

Mr Josiekitten and I are off to Poland for a few days next week. It's pretty chilly there, and lots of snow forecast too. I've been busy sorting out knitting projects to take with me. I've ended up with a pair of socks (no surprises there!) and a baby cardigan. The socks are for Mr JK's cousin as a present for her 50th birthday in April. I've chosen the Circles pattern, which I'm sure she'll like. She's very appreciative of hand-knitted socks! The baby cardigan is knitted sideways, in 2 halves, a little like the Elizabeth Zimmerman Baby Surprise Jacket. I can't quite get my head around how the pattern works at the moment. I'm hoping it will all fall into place as I knit! I might manage to blog whilst I'm away, as we have Internet access in our hotel, and Mr JK is taking his laptop with him! Until then ................................... Do widzenia!

8 comments:

Jennyff said...

I'm so pleased you are passing on your knitting skills and enthusiasm, a scarf for a toy is an excellent start. I didn't know that knitting rhyme but am now a bit worried that I won't be able to get it out of my head either.

Anonymous said...

Hey you are brave teaching kids! :) Well done - looks like it's going well! Reading your previous post, the only negative comments I've ever had are actually off people in their 50s - I find that older and much younger people are far more enthusiastic. Weird eh! :)

snoopydogknits said...

Hello there!. Glad to hear the knitting group is going well. Good idea that, starting them off at different times. Love the socks! Have a great time in Poland. XX

Aussie Maria said...

Wonderful to share your craft teaching knowledge. Another generation who may get hooked is fantastic
Have a wonderful trip too

Helsie said...

I've done knitting at school with 11 year olds and it was interesting. I think that's the word I would use for it! THEY enjoyed and would sit through their lunch break knitting away - we called it creative knitting because of the patterns created by all the dropped stitches!!
Cheers
Helen

melissa said...

have fun in poland!
the socks look fantastic and i love the picture of your kids rainbow knitting! so fantastic!

M.E. Greene said...

Look at you! So busy and fun. I love teaching others to knit, but have only taught a few children. They are so cute and eager... it sure is sweet.

knittingsandwich said...

oh this post got me all giddy!
your kids' work is incredible! i've taught knitting to groups of students many times and know just how enchanting it can be so watch them 'get it'! i also know how frustrating it can be when they don't, and how hard it is when 10 of them just happen to drop stitches and need your help all at the same time!
looks like they are off to a phenomenal start! congrats!
-cmv