Sometimes you just wanna grab a bowl of your favorite comfort food (spaghetti and scrambled eggs is another good choice) and crawl into a pile of warm, smooshy yarn. Not because you've had a bad day, but because you've had a good one. A day that requires quiet celebration.
I deserve a quiet celebration, because I've spent the past two nights converting eleven new knitters.
I got a standing ovation.
This is because they started the whole clapping business as they were heading for the door, but it still counts.
I'm rather proud of the fact that each of them carried home knitting that they did themselves, and they did that the first night. The plan was to make potholder/dishcloth-type cotton squares. Those that caught the bug quickly not only made a square, they announced, "Teach me how to finish this so I can see if I remember how to cast on. I want to make another one!"
Those that took a bit longer still finished a project and started the next, but they went home with bookmarks instead of potholders. It's all a question of where you bind off.
It started with a simple request from the library. "Hi! We were thinking of offering a knitting class. Would you be interested in teaching it?" Why, sure. I learned out of a book, and there are two little holes in a wall somewhere on the East Coast from the needles that went flying through the air after I hurled them with all of my enraged might.
I was a little frustrated. I got over it.
Since I made a promise to myself that I would teach knitting to anyone interested in order to save them from the hell that is learning from a line drawing, I taught a class this week. The ten registered slots filled up in the six days that followed the announcement, so I agreed to teach a second beginner class. It filled up in two days. People are arguing over who gets to be in the class! To make a potholder!
This is weird. It's also good for my ego.
I have now offered to take on not only the next beginner class and possibly a third, but I'm also going to hold an Intermediate class (simple felted bag) and an Advanced class (Feather and Fan scarf).
Among the very different people involved, common elements will be found. Some of the students will "get it" right away. Some will take a while longer. Someone might, in a worst-case scenario, announce that knitting sucks and storm out in a huff. Someone might, in a best-case scenario, go on to take the Master Knitting Course.
Either way, I think I'd better stock up on Spaghetti-O's.
6 comments:
Wow, good for you for getting more into the fold! That must feel so good. The next best thing is when your little bean gets old enough to exclaim with joy upon being presented with something you made. Or when he gets older, and puts in requests. Which explains why I'm now knitting a turquoise and lime sweater, some more fingerless mitts, and another hat like the one I made for "him". Except blue. Now #3 wants socks too. Because it's been a long time since I made him socks.
I never liked spaghetti-o's though. I'm a ramen noodle creamy chicken fan. Or chocolate. Chocolate always works. It's also good to have on hand for new knitters. Just sayin. Get the bite-sized though.
How wonderful! I've taught many people many things, but always one on one. I don't have the patience for a group or the courage to be outnumbered, especially when knitting needles can double as weapons. Congratulations.
Hey~
Look at you go..taking time to give back....what a great gift to all those neophyte knitters. Who knows, in your group(s) there could be the next (insert name of your favourite knitter/designer)and she'll owe it all to the wee woman who selflessly volunteered to teach knitting at the local library!!! Take a bow!
Happy knitting.
You deserve more than a quiet celebration...you deserve a very noisy one! Yay for you!
You can come and teach me, I am truly hopless with anything textile :(
How wonderful. I've taught a couple people to knit and a couple others to cross-stitch. It's one of my proudest accomplishments. I think it's important to pass on these traditions. I'd like to teach a class of kids to knit.
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