Tuesday, November 14, 2006

Add 10 to the Fold

For weeks I have been swearing that I would restart the knitting club at school but something always got in the way. Finally I made up a flyer and made sure that the club was announced every morning for a week (this was easy as I do the morning announcements). For the last few days kids kept coming up to me to ask when the knitting was happening.

Within minutes of the final bell, two young ladies were at my door. They were quickly joined by three more and then somehow another 5 squeezed in to my miniscule office. Within half an hour they had all mastered casting on (long tail over 2 needles) and were knitting away. The Principal came over and plyed them with donuts and candy. Somehow the entire box of M & Ms disappeared. I think her ploy of getting the youngen's to eat the chocolate worked a little too well and she and I will regret it when we need our chocolate fix tomorrow. I usually hold off with the candy until the club is well established and the kids come in in smaller groups. If they know you have candy they are around all the time ... *grin*

With 10 to start with, I expect a steady trickle during lunch and after school for the next few weeks. Way cool! I really get a kick from watching them learn and then listening to them talk while the knit away in my office. The last year was difficult for me as Mike and I adjusted to not having child care and the club never really got off the ground as my hours were somewhat limited after school. Now I am committed to Tuesday afternoons and this year to Warm Up America. First, however, I have to make more needles! (That or start teaching with thinner yarns and smaller needles of which I have a plethora.)

This morning I filled a pretzel jar with yarns in assorted colored it and labeled the jar "Warm Up America! Take a ball -- leave a "square." (Count on the teacher to have a problem with the word square when applied to a 7 X 9 blanket block.) The young ladies all got the lecture "if you like this and use the school supplies you must make at least one item for charity." As expected they all jumped at the opportunity.

I can't wait to see their progress tomorrow! While the club meets officially on Tuesday, I know from experience that they will be in and out of my office all day tomorrow and will be dragging their friends along with them. Just thinking about it makes me squirm with excitement! Squee!!!

5 comments:

Anonymous said...

That sounds like such a fun little group. And it's great to teach a little charity from the start.

Anonymous said...

How exciting! Brand-new knitters! I'm looking forward to hearing about the wonderful things they'll be making.

Ann said...

That is near and dear to my heart..I learned how to knit in elementary school...a very very very LONG time ago....

Good for you...good for them!

Susan said...

Oh I wish there'd been someone like you in my school! Sounds like a great little group. I've found, at least with The Girl, that all sorts of convos happen while otherwise involved in making something.

Anonymous said...

How wonderful!