I really enjoyed this story from the Chicago Tribune about knitting and fiber arts clubs for high school students.
KnitLAB and BT Lives in the Stitch are projects in North Lawndale where students are paid to produce hand-crafted items and at the same time get a sense of community and pride in creating things that’s a contrast to the chaotic neighborhoods in which they live.
Some students say they thought knitting would be boring, and that it was hard at first, but they like being able to make things instead of buying them, and they like having their friends ask them to make things.
Teachers and art therapists say making is important for teens because it gives them autonomy in creating things, and the process of knitting is comforting, as we all know.
I think it’s awesome that these programs exist and wish more kids had the opportunity to learn knitting and other crafts in school.
Do any of your local schools have knitting programs? I’d love to hear about them.
[Photo by John J. Kim, Chicago Tribune.]
The article sounds interesting, unfortunately I can’t access it without a subscription to the Tribune. I’d like to learn more about it, are there any other sources?
Our university has a knitting society which does volunteer knitting, such as blankets for the elderly and preemie knits… it’s a great way to get students both socialising with likeminded people, and also to support their community!