How to Give Instructions on How to Knit
If you love community service projects, you need to know how to give instructions on how to knit
Have you ever tried to give instructions on how to knit? It's harder than it looks -- especially if you're dealing with children. At the same time, though, knitting can be a fun way to engage people of all ages in a creative, fulfilling activity. You can volunteer your time almost anywhere: retirement homes, elementary schools, children's hospitals, homeless shelters -- anywhere someone might want to learn something new.
Think Materials
Depending on where you're going, it might be easiest to ask the leaders to collect supplies for you. This can work at local youth groups and schools, but if you're dealing with an impoverished area, you don't want to put pressure on groups to buy supplies they can't afford. In that case, the easiest option is to buy them yourself.
Of course, knitting materials can get expensive. Fortunately, there are dozens of discount type stores that sell inexpensive yarn and knitting needles. And if you're really short on cash, get bamboo or plastic chopsticks instead! They work just fine, are nicely sized for little hands, and cost mere pennies. When giving beginning instructions on how to knit, though, you might want to stick a knob of plasticine or the like on the end, just to keep the stitches from sliding off.
Don't Slip
One of the most difficult things you're going to have to do is teach your audience how to tie a slip knot. There are dozens of different variations online, and you probably have a method that works well for you. Before you go to teach, take a moment to really think about how you tie a slip knot and break it down into steps. It's probably automatic for you, but when you give instructions on how to knit, you should always assume your audience knows nothing.
Once you have a lot of eager faces with a single stitch on their needles (or chopsticks), begin showing them how to form a knit stitch. If you're working with young children, do not try to get fancy and talk about tension, types of stitches, or anything else. Watch for left handers who might be trying to mimic your movements and knitting the wrong way. Also watch for those people who catch on fast: they can become your assistants as you move around the room.
It's best to have them start with a very small project like a coaster (easy if you use thick yarn, and still looks okay if it winds up as a circle.) That way, the project finishes quickly and produces a result. You might walk away with a headache, but you'll also have a glow in your heart! Giving instructions on how to knit is a fun way to share your love of crafting with the community.
