60 new knitters

Yup, you read that correctly. Last week MB and I taught 60 high school art students to knit. And they did beautifully. Most of them got the knit stitch right off on Tuesday. Wednesday they were lined up with really good knitting questions, having made all the mistakes that everyone has made. All knitters, without exception. The mistakes I call the official hazing for knitters -- increasing by accident by holding the yarn over the needle and in back for the first stitch, and then accidental YOs further in the row -- were quite popular by day 2. But check this out: photos from Wednesday, their 2nd day as knitters:

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Other teachers told us our students were knitting in their classes. We put out the word that knitting increases concentration and attention span. All knitters know that, but not all teachers are knitters. Hmm. Maybe they should be...

This is MB with class notes for Wednesday:

Students at work:

Notice that he's knitting two yarns together ALREADY, and that one of them is that slippery railroad yarn. Love fearless knitters.

He's planning to make a sweater next. And maybe a Pidge or two.

Another fearless knitter -- that's hand-dyed heavy-gauge chenille he's working with, and he was the first to finish his scarf. Did I mention that they're taking the scarves to a women's shelter tomorrow, for Valentine's Day? Too wonderful.

More chenille, in the hands of a true artist: it's a hat/scarf. Cool.

And finally, the first period class pulled it all together for me to photograph:

This was so much fun. We want to do it next year. Maybe squares for Afghans for Afghans? Premie caps? Consider the possibilities. Thanks so much, you all. It was a blast.