10 Great Things About Kids Knit

Our Kids Knit Programme features 4 levels of knitting: Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced and Expert. Within each level, there are many projects to choose from which are specifically designed to be appropriate for that level and ability. Each project aims to consolidate skills learned in the previous project whilst introducing a new ones.

Our award winning classes are available in schools, cafes, church halls and the homes of our teachers. They are fantastically successful with children clamouring to join in the fun and learn new skills.

But Kids Knit isn’t just about learning crafting skills. Here’s what’s so great about our Kids Knit classes!

1.  Building Confidence. 

Confidence is the key to success in learning any new skill. Most of the projects are fairly quick to knit, especially in the Beginner stage. This allows the children to take satisfaction from having achieved something and encourages them to get started on something new, which will introduce another skill.

2.  Teacher Attention.

Plenty of teacher attention helps to ensure that children get help when they need it. All our teachers are trained in the Kids Knit Programme and know how to encourage and interact in a positive way with primary school aged children.

3.  Individual Progress.

In a Kids Knit class children are encouraged to work at their own pace, choosing projects that appeal to them from a selection provided by the teacher. They record their progress and achievements in their Kids Knit Folder. The knitting and folder is taken home in between classes, carried in a Kids Knit bag. Sometimes they will be able to continue their knitting at home.  All materials and equipment are provided by the teacher.

4.  Educational Benefits.

The educational benefits of learning to knit are numerous. It helps in the development of fine motor skills, maths and spacial recognition (understanding how things fit together). Knitting can be wholly absorbing and therefore increases the ability to concentrate and apply oneself to a task.

5.  The Environment.

There are lots of cheap acrylic yarns out there that are fun to knit with. But here at Kids Knit we prefer to use natural yarns and materials. We think it’s kinder to the environment and makes for a much better knitting experience.

6.  Friendships.

For Kids Knit teachers, seeing friendships knit together is perhaps one of the most rewarding outcomes of the Kids Knit classes. There is something very special about sitting knitting and being creative together and close friendships easily form. The conversations between the children are often hilarious and frequently heart-warming.

7.  Politeness and Safety.

These are taken very seriously at Kids Knit. Full risk assessments are done at each venue and the teachers are aware of health and safety procedures. Children are shown how to carry and look after sharp objects such as needles and scissors. They are shown how to pass things to each other safely and are encouraged to politely request for things out of their reach, rather than stretching across the table. And politeness is expected in conversation too with good conversation skills being repeatedly encouraged.

8.  Self Esteem.

Children quickly develop confidence as they learn to use their hands to make and do. They see that they are capable of achieving things themselves and that trying something new is a rewarding challenge. They start to see that they are creative and imaginative, and this has a huge impact on their self-esteem.

9.  Life Enhancing.

In the long run knitting will enrich your child’s life. It is a hobby they can return to again and again. It will provide a fun occupation for leisure time either alone or with a group. But perhaps of more interest is what it can do in the times when life is troubled. The very action of knitting, with it’s repetitive nature, has often been likened to meditation and is well known to have both a calming and uplifting impact. Studies have shown it can reduce symptoms of depression and the feeling of pain in patients with chronic illness.

10.  Complementing the Curriculum.

Whether schools take a holistic, creative and flexible approach to learning or are bound by strict guidelines and frequent assessments, Kids Knit is equally valued by all teachers and educators.  In the case of the former, it is embraced as complimenting and building on creative work carried out during school time.  In the latter, it offers a much needed creative outlet for children when there isn’t the flexibility of teaching time to allow such things to be done during normal school hours.