Can Knitting Make You a Smarter and Better Person?
Learn how one teacher uses knitting for math and social awareness
I always knew knitters were ahead of the game. Modesty aside, don't you think we're smarter and better than the rest of the world?
Just kidding.
But, I do tend to be a little biased. Over the years, I've seen how knitting for charity has brought out the best in people. And let's face it. You've got to be pretty smart to whip up some of these knitting patterns we tackle.
A Teacher Learns a Lesson
Fourth-grade teacher Carolyn M. Windham learned something. She discovered when you use a skill like knitting in the classroom, wonderful things happen. Not only does Ms. Windham, a knitter herself, use knitting in her math lessons, she also taught her students the importance of giving back.
Ms. Windham read about the transformation of a mountain climber and businessman after rescue by Afghan villagers in "Three Cups of Tea". She decided to put the lesson to work with her students. All 16 children in her class, ages 8 to 12, learned to knit and are now knitting up a storm.
The students knit 5" squares with donated yarn. Three 10-year-old girls in the class are quality control. It's their job to stitch the squares together to form a blanket. Ms. Windham will auction the blanket off at a parent's meeting as a fundraiser. The class is also knitting blankets for Afghans for Afghans to keep newborn babies warm.
Overall, the children learned some valuable lessons including how important it is to help others. They also learned a skill they can use for the rest of their lives and be better people because of it.
See... you're never to young to learn to knit and it does make you better and smarter!
