I jokingly tell people I am going to change the world one knitter at a time.
Or sometimes I say one sewer at a time - or crocheter. You get the idea. and even though I am joking, there is a little part of me that puffs up with pride and hopes it's a little true. Hand crafts teach so much more that the handcraft. They create pride, simply by teaching a kid how to do something I can show them they are good enough to warrant some random person taking the time to show them how to do something special.
And you may think that high schoolers would roll their eyes and think it is hokey... but you would be wrong. Maybe it is because Chris is the one that presented this project and he is the wrestling coach and adored (and feared) by all the students... but I have these kids hooked. They are knitting and crocheting gifts for Aunties, Moms and Grandmas. Some of these kids are rough and tumble, some are football stars, some are cheerleaders, some are in the chess club... NO ONE is making fun of the project. It is inspiring and humbling to see these kids grin and hold up a few rows of knitting and say "Mrs. M... how does this look?" I give them a thumbs up and they nod and continue on.
Chris taught most of the crochet. IN fact he learned how to crochet before he assigned learning an early American handcraft to the kids. He thought it was only fair. He taught himself through UTUBE videos. Seriously. I come in every other week to work with knitters and embroidery people and sewing projects. The assignment is to learn a handcraft and make something usable. They have to present it to the class and talk about the role in early America the handcraft served. It is a brilliant project. Ever other week Chris gives the kids an in class working day... I come in for questions and we make sure everyone is on track. This Wednesday was the last day I could do this before break. I am really growing fond of this group. And they intimidated me in the beginning... for real... highschoolers are a little intimidating en mass and when you spend most of your time with the under 9 crowd.
I went to lunch with Chris after 4th hour (He eats in the lunchroom with the students - I love him for that) and there were kids from his classes knitting and sewing sprinkled here and there in the cafeteria. I nearly wanted to cry. The budget for this school took away all art classes last year. I worry a lot about that. I endlessly bother Chris with my worrying. I was quoted in the paper early this school year saying "with the way things are right now parents have to just step up to the plate and volunteer if we are going to keep arts in the schools." well... what I said was kinda like that... I don't remember exactly what I said and when I read it it sounded a little better than what
I remember saying it. But that is the general idea. I tap into parents all the time to encourage them to get into classes and work with kids creatively. At this point I think I have taught maybe over 500 kids how to braid using a braiding disk and 7 strands of yarn. I go into classes - unpaid and do this. Why? because I think it is really important that kids have some small motor skills and I really thrive on the grins that come with finally getting it.
Ferndale has kept all of their art programs. Nothing has been cut. Do I worry still? I do worry... but I also advocate and try to get people involved so the can see how a kid who they think has no interest in anything can light up when figuring out how to finger knit. Are they thinking "Oh, wow - I can do this!" Does it just calm their mind to let them let go of the many worries so many of these kids carry on their small shoulders? A little pride and a little self sufficiency. The feeling is huge.
And what do I do when I have a kid that just does not get it? If I am teaching them knitting I say "Well, I bet you are a crocheter..." Or "a sewer" and I pull out something different for them to try. It has taken some trial and error to get to the point where I feel like I can build up the kids and not tear them down more. But honestly... even when I wasn't very good at teaching this stuff to the kids - they were still smiling and asking questions... If I loved what I was doing then they wanted to be able to do it. For a lot of the kids I run into this is their first experience with any handcrafts. Just go slow... laugh and smile a lot... say "do you need help with that or do you want to figure it out yourself? I am good with either choice".
Man, I am so glad I am in the position I am to have all of this access to kids who don't have access to doing this stuff anywhere else.
And yes... sometimes I do burnout and want to hide and not have anyone ask me to "fix my row - there isn't the right number of stitches anymore..." But then on other days I am proud and I do feel like I am changing the world on handcrafter at a time.
