Knitting Lessons

Today I am beginning my 6-weeks of giving knitting lessons.  It was one of the gifts I gave for the holidays--part of my 'handmade' gift giving! (smile)  At the present moment, I'm feeling very confident.  This is primarily because I will be teaching my daughter and one of her friends.  I've made a few copies of written directions and some pictures so they can practice between lessons.  I've already given them both a set of the Lion Brand children's knitting needles and a skein of yarn.  I am hoping that my instruction will be clear and easy to understand.  I'm also hoping that things will go smoothly and we'll have a lot of fun!

Since I came from an education background, I'm feeling like I need to jot down a lesson plans so I can make sure we cover all the basics (and I mean basics) over the next 6 weeks.  Today will be the 'boring' lesson--we'll go on and get that out of the way.  I'll talk about needles and equipment, types and textures of yarn (I have an example of most all of them and will take my Knitting Bible to show them the two I don't).  Then we'll roll their skein into ball and learn/practice casting on.  I think that will be enough for today's lesson.  I'm also planning to bring several of my knitting books for them to simply look through and see just what kinds of things they'll eventually be able to do.  We will also plan their first project.  I'm thinking I'll suggest they each make a dishcloth or wash cloth.

My dh, who is an educator as well, has a student who has been asking me to teach him to knit as well.  But he's such a busy guy--being a senior and all. :-)  He finally has some time available, so we're planning to get together this afternoon.  I don't want to make him feel childish or girlie, so I'm going through my stash to find him a pair of needles (instead of giving him a set of the children's needles) and some yarn a bit more masculine.  He seems to have the confidence to do it and we've already had the conversation about boys/men knitting!  Perhaps I need to write down a list of sites that he can search online on his own to see other men and get more ideas.  Yeah. I think that will be a good idea.  Well, let me get to it then!

Wish me well!
Have a great day!!

5 for 5 Challenge

Great! You made it! ;-)

I've read this post twice already and thought it was a really cool idea.  The idea is to use my creativity and hand make five items to give away to the first five of you who respond to this challenge.  Now, I must be honest, this is waaaay out of my comfort zone and at the moment, I'm not sure exactly what I'm gonna do.  But I'm committing myself to this and deciding that it'll be a whole lot of fun!! YAY! ;-)


So, here are the rules as shared on Debbie's blog:


1. I make no guarantees that you will like what I make. Whatcha get is whatcha get.

2. What I create will be just for you, with love.

3. It’ll be done this year (2010).

4. I will not give you any clue what it’s going to be. It will be something made in the real world and not something cyber. It may be weird or beautiful. Or it may be monstrous and annoying. Heck, I might bake something for you and mail it to you. Who knows? Not you, that’s for sure!

5. I reserve the right to do something strange.

6. In return, all you need to do is post this text on your blog and make 5 things for the first 5 to respond to your blog post.

7. Send your mailing address – after I contact you.

WANNA PLAY????