Two Sticks and Some Yarn: Mindful Knitting in the Art Room

Art educators are enigmatic amongst the teaching community. Not only are we meant to teach, but we are also meant to create. But when do we find the time? Working on one’s own artwork can require a high degree of concentration, just as teaching art does. So, what’s a medium that allows enough flexibility to accomplish both?

It all started when students observed me working on a knitting project during class. Knitting can be easily set down and picked back up again at a moment’s notice when a student needs assistance. I could walk around the room observing the class, continuing to knit as I walked. Knitting relaxes me; the process is calming and aids my focus.

On top of that, I was getting a project of my own done without frustration. Several students noticed that I didn’t always have to look at my hands as I knitted; I could easily talk to them and keep working. It was kind of a parlor trick, and they seemed truly interested. So, I offered to teach them how to knit. Those students then taught their friends, and a fire was sparked. Students who weren’t in my classes stopped in to learn. Eventually, what started as a side project turned into a full Fiber Arts class added to my schedule. It went on to become one of my most popular classes.

Wellness Benefits and History
I know… knitting in a high-school art class? Seriously? Yes! Absolutely! The process promotes eye-hand coordination. The repetitive motions are meditative. It’s been proven to reduce stress, lower blood pressure, and even help with depression. One of my students said knitting was her “new happy time.” She replaced time on her phone with time knitting because she found such pleasure in it. Others told me that when they were stressed about an upcoming test, they would take a break from studying to knit, and it calmed them. Knitting has an extensive history, both as an art form and for its benefits to one’s general health and mental well-being. Also, did you know it was used to send secret messages in wartime (see Resources)? That’s just cool!

Simple Materials Work Great
We start the unit with finger-knitting, making a short “rope.” This simple process gives students a quick understanding of how the loops intersect and repeat.

Next, students make their own knitting needles out of wooden dowels. They sharpen one end in a pencil sharpener, a method that is budget-friendly for the underfunded art teacher, and a useful mini project in itself. Students sand the dowels to be silky-smooth, so the yarn won’t catch as it slides across the needle. Finally, a wooden or plastic bead is glued to the blunt end. I’ve found that wooden needles generally work better for beginners than metal ones. They’re less slippery and stitches are less apt to accidentally fall off, preventing student frustration. (Note that the width of the dowel will change the gauge of the knit; I use 3/16" or about the equivalent of a size 7 needle.) Accessories can be made out of other found objects. For example, a paperclip bent to a “V” shape makes a good cable hook. It’s great for students to see that they can use modified simple materials to achieve their goals.

Sampler Scarves and Other Project Options
Our first project is a sampler scarf that starts with several rows of simple knit stitches, followed by a set of purl stitches. From there, students work through progressively more complex stitch combinations. Students can sometimes be heard mumbling an old traditional knitting rhyme as they work to help them remember the repetitive steps, and they catch on quickly. “Go in through the front door, run around the back, climb out the window, and off jumps Jack.”

Our second unit involves learning to crochet so students can add an edge around their scarf to frame and complete it. By the end, they’ve made a scarf they’re proud of, and their skills have advanced dramatically.

Any first project could be as simple as one square. Single squares could be combined as a class project mural display, or individual squares could be donated to a charitable organization such as Knit-A-Square or Warm Up America as a humanitarian art project (see Resources).

Activating the Brain
Knitting has been taught in prisons and special education classes as a coping skill. The process has been shown to activate multiple areas of the brain at once. The rhythmic, repetitive motions promote fine motor coordination, and they are also soothing and aid in stress reduction as well as concentration, creating mindful moments. Knitting is a lifelong skill that offers a simple way to create personal wellness along with a beautiful product. Teenagers (well, actually anyone) can definitely benefit from an artistic activity that reduces stress and centers them. Try knitting!