Knit Kit: Create, Craft, and Code

University of Nebraska- Lincoln Digital Commons - Honors Club

Knit Kit: Create, Craft, and Code

By: Alison Cloet Copyright 2018 by Alison Cloet under Creative Commons Non-Commercial License. Individuals and organizations may copy, reproduce, distribute, and perform this work and alter or remix this work for non-commercial purposes only

Table of Contents for PDF

Facilitator's Guide....................................................................................................3 

Coding Instructions.................................................................................................6 

Coding Worksheets...................................................................................................7 

Guide to Knitting.....................................................................................................17 

Knitting Stitch Patterns.......................................................................................20 

Knitting Projects.....................................................................................................36

Facilitator's Guide

 Getting Started So you want to start a knitting club? Wonderful! Knitting is a time-honored craft that is easy to pick up and expand on asskill improves. Although it may seem daunting at first, virtually anyone can learn (and love) to knit. 

Benefits of Learning to Knit Knitting is a calming and repetitive processthat does not demand strict concentration, making it a great activity forstudentsto wind down after a long day at school. In addition to this, knitting teaches/improves: 

• Patience 
• Perseverance 
• Fine motorskills 
• Hand-eye coordination 
• Critical thinking and problem-solving skills 
• Memorization of patterns 
• Working out emotions through repetitive action 
• Basic knowledge of binary coding 

Knitting comes across as an independent activity; however as a club,students will have the opportunity to share their accomplishments and work through difficulties together as a team. This hobby and craft truly can “knit” a group together and create a sense of belonging forstudents. As well, confidence in oneself and pride in one’s work may be boosted as a student progresses and completes projects.

Objectives

• Learn to knit as a group in a nurturing and relaxing environment 
• Build fine motorskills, hand-eye coordination, and pattern recognition 
• Develop a basic understanding of knitting code and how it istranslated into patterns 
• Create wearable/functional items and have fun!
  

Structure of a Knitting Club 

As knitting is a creative pursuit and students may be coming in at differentskill levels, the structure of your club can be entirely flexible. 

A basic structure includes: 

• Ages: 3rd grade-middle school 
• Timeframe: 45 minute–1 hour sessions meeting once or twice a week for 8 weeks* 

*Timeframes will vary from group to group. Don’t hesitate to expand orshorten the sessions or weeksto best fit your group’s needs. The timeline provided issolely a suggestion to get you started.

School & Community Involvement 

If available in yourschool, high school organizationsthat promote creation and education,such as Family, Career, and Community Leaders of America (FCCLA) or National Art Honor Society (NAHS) could provide support as facilitators. As well, you might consider bringing in experienced knitters from your community who could volunteer theirtime to teaching students after school. 

Often the age gap between K-8 students and high schoolers and adultsseparatesthese groupsfrom interacting. By acting as facilitators and mentors to younger students, thisinvolvement from the community and high school worksto bridge that gap. 

Materials 

The supply list for a knitting club is cost-effective and manageable to acquire and replenish. The essentials include: 

• Knitting needles 
• Yarn 
• Darning needles(used to weave in loose ends) 
• Scissors 

Yarn and knitting needles can be found in craftstores, Walmart, online, or you may be able to consider donationsfrom the community. Be sure to look for acrylic yarn, as it has the lowest cost.

Potential Timeline (8 weeks)

Weeks 1-2

Objective: Become familiar with the basics of knitting & testing them out. 

To Teach: Fundamentals of knitting

Purl & knitstitch 

• The basic blocks of knitting 
• Every design builds off of them 
• Different combinations and modifications create pattern designs
  
  Cast on & cast off 
  
• Method for beginning first row of stitches and finishing last row so project staysintact and stitches do not unravel

Methods

• Watch basics of knitting video 
• Finger knitting activity to understand knitting is a series of looping yarn 
• Practice casting on and casting offstitches with video & facilitators* 

*Ideally more than one facilitator will be present at the first few meetings to help prevent studentsfrom becoming discouraged.

Weeks 3-5

Objective: Practice knitting and purling swatches

Methods - Utilize knitting stitch patterns and project guide (and internet as needed) 

Weeks 6-8 

Objective: Create personal projects and swatchesfor Warm Up America* 

Methods:

• Utilize knitting stitch patterns and project guide (and internet as needed) 
• Send completed swatchesto Warm Up America Methods 

*A non-profit located in Texas dedicated to bringing warmth to those in need. Accepts 7" x 9" knitted or crocheted swatchesto be turned into afghans(or already finished afghans) that are then sent on to homelessshelters,socialservice agencies, veteransin VA hospitals, etc.

How to Code a Stitch Pattern

Tumbling Moss Blocks Stitch

Answer key for Tumbling Moss Stitch

Diagonal Moss Stripe Stitch - Exercise 2

Answer Key for Diagonal Moss Stitch Exercise 2

Hexagon Scales Stitch Exercise 3

Heagon Scales Stitch Exercise 3 Answer key

Moss Checkerboard Stitch Exercise 4

Moss Checkerboard Stitch Exercise 4 Answer Key

King Charles Brocade Stitch Exercise 5

King_Charles_Brocade_Answer_Key_Exercise_5.PNG

Yarn and Needles Image

Reading a pattern

Stitch Patterns

Garter Stitch

Stockinette Stitch

Raised Stripes Stitch

1x1 Rib Stitch

2X2 Rib Stitch

Andalusian Stitch

Seed Stitch

Irish Moss Stitch

Double Moss Stitch

Waffle Stitch

Chevron Stitch

Diamond Brocade Stitch

Basket Weave Stitch

Triangle Stitch

Stepped Zig Zag stitch

Knitting Projects

Coasters Project

Other Coasters

More Coaster patterns

Chunky Headband Project

Headband Directions

Cowl Scarf Project

Cowl Scarf Directions

Follow this and additional works at: http://digitalcommons.unl.edu/honorshelc 

Part of the Curriculum and Instruction Commons, Educational Methods Commons, ElementaryEducation Commons, and the Higher Education Commons
This Portfolio is brought to you for free and open access by the Honors Program at DigitalCommons@University of Nebraska - Lincoln. It has been accepted for inclusion in Honors Expanded Learning Clubs by an authorized administrator of DigitalCommons@University of Nebraska - Lincoln. Cloet, Alison, "Knit Kit: Create, Craft, and Code" (2018). Honors Expanded Learning Clubs. 10. http://digitalcommons.unl.edu/honorshelc/10