Knitting in the School Curriculum

THE ARRAN KNITTING COMPANY

is offering a free guide to teachers and patterns with curriculum notes and classroom suggestions

to show how traditional knitting skills can be introduced to the next generation, at the same time meeting the requirements of the new Scottish Curriculum for Excellence. Although the guide is for the Scottish curriculum it has been used successfully by teachers from Massachusetts to Brazil.

Based on the experience of textile artist Lynn Gray Ross in collaboration with primary schools on the Isle of Arran, Ireland and the US, the guide comes in chart form, providing a comprehensive reference for busy teachers to introduce knitting in the classroom.

In addition to the guide there are now 4 Knitting Patterns with Curriculum Notes in the collection which you can order free by emailing us.

“Thank you for answering so promptly. You’ve obviously put a lot of thought and time into the program and it shows. Can’t wait to get started.” MK

Knit a Square

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Level: Beginner - Advanced

Contact Us to request the curriculum guide and pattern for this project which links to the Knit a Square project in Soweto Township, South Africa. We heard about it from a school in Fisher Island, New York which shows how knitting contributes to global communication.

To find out more check out the Knit a Square website, which of course can be incorporated into a classroom activity.

Big Floppy Flower Project

Suitable for a group project
Knitting level: Above Beginner

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… thank you so much for sharing your wonderful talent GM

Blythe’s Wee Alpaca Scarf

Knitting Level: Beginner

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Butterfly Scarf

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Beginner with a bit of help on the Butterfly Hole

Wee Baby Hat

Knitting Level: Above Beginner
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To order the guide and the patterns:

email us at Contact Us requesting the free material and we will send it to you in pdf form to print out.

On our website you can also find a list of suppliers of yarn, needles, etc and information about other organisations who are promoting knitting in the classroom by clicking through to Resources

Comments on the Guide

Constance Finch, The Republic of Georgia

Thank you very much for forwarding this information. It is wonderful that it has been created and is being distributed for free. I hope to use it in an afterschool program for teens in The Republic of Georgia.

Betsan Corkhill writes from Bath

I’ve been invovled with researching the benefits of knitting for four years through Stitchlinks. I’ve just started up a Community Interest Company called iknitlinks iknitlinks.

It’s aim is to build communities through local knitting groups and our aim is to have a network of groups in various venues such as hospitals, GP surgeries, cafes, bars, shops and schools. Our school-based groups will mainly involve teachers, parents and governors meeting to improve communication and community. I wonder whether it would be possible to make your information available on our Group Leaders page.

Lynn says

We are always delighted to exchange links with like-minded organisations and groups. You can contact Betsan for more information on the above links.

I have a particular interest in the potential links to mathematics and pattern, recalling a package by Mary Harri from many years back called Common Threads(?) Do you know about this pack?

Lynn says

I haven’t heard of this pack… does anyone else have information about it?

In our guide there is reference to the links between maths and counting stitches in knitting, etc. to promote numeracy, especially in learners who need practical examples.

I have done work relating weaving & mathematics as well, and found success with learners who could not pass maths exams but were capable of setting up complicated weaves and understanding the structure.

I would LOVE a copy of the curriculum guide you mention in your newsletter. I’m a math teacher in Massachusetts, and I run a knitting club for the students, but I’d love to integrate it more into my classes. Thanks! AD

Hi Lynn

Thank you very much for the instruction information. It will be a great help.

I am currently undertaking the course Training and Assessment Cert IV
(I am in Australia), as I intend to teach knitting (and probably
stitching and spinning down the track) to both adults and children as
I would like to pass on my knowledge and love of the craft, but to
teach in institutions here one has to have this course. I have to
develop and create two training courses and as I intend to teach
knitting, I might as well use the opportunity and do it now, instead
of later. Hence my research on ideas for inclusion in the three, one
hour lessons I have to develop for the course.

I am currently spinning a lovely grey fleece to knit a pullover for my other half - the stitch patterns of which are taken from three
different stitches books, each with different numbers of rows to
complete each pattern and all cable patterns.

Again, many thanks, and I will keep in touch. And I will have a look at the free patterns - even though I am detemined Not to get
sidetracked off my current project. haha.

Kindest regards

Linda Lycett