Monday, September 21, 2015

Today is the Day



This day has been a long time coming, and I have one excited little man on my hands. Today is the day he learns to knit with needles!

The lead up to this day has been long. As a baby and toddler, Reece would watch as I knit, creating things for us to wear, and play with, and things to gift to friends and family. During his preschool years I would settle down to knit, and he would have fun playing with a ball of yarn, pretending to knit and create. We also spent a day at a friends farm playing with wool. We washed, carded, dyed and spun with friends, and had the best time. Then during the kindergarten years he had fun making God's eyes, twisting yarn into rope, and finally, finger knitting. We visited a fiber festival where Reece got to see the sheep where our wool comes from. We brought home some fleece, and worked together to card it, dye it and then create with it. In our second year of kindergarten we focused on a long term project, finger knitting a skipping rope. It took him almost seven months to complete it, but he did it, and was ever so proud when he did.

The path to this point has been a journey of sorts, one that he has enjoyed immensely. When we jumped back into our homeschooling rhythm a few weeks ago, I created space in our days to do more finger knitting, to go over tying knots and bows, and to make our own knitting needles. Yes, he made is very own knitting needles, and today he gets to use them.

Many have questioned why a little boy would learn to knit. I don't often get into the reasons why, most people don't really want to know, they are just questioning a stereotype that says girls knit, and boys don't. But if someone was genuinely interested I would tell them that knitting is important for a variety of reasons. It helps with hand-eye coordination, helps perfect fine motor skills, works both sides of the brain, and helps set the stage for reading. On top of that it is a peaceful, meditative activity. From our experience last year working on our finger knitted skipping rope, I also love that knitting teaches patience, and the follow through of working on a long term project from start to finish. Creating with the hands, with whatever material you choose, also connects the head and hands, and in most cases, the heart too.

Today will begin as it normally does, we will head out for a our nature walk after breakfast. Back at home we will have a smoothie and a snack, and then jump into our circle time and main lesson. There will be a little free play before and after lunch, followed by our read aloud, and then quiet time. I am sure quiet time won't be all that quiet today, the anticipation and excitement of what is to come will most likely be a little much for my little man, but we will try. We will then recite our handwork verse, I will cast on twelve stitches for him, and we will sit together, and slowly and patiently learn to knit.

52 comments:

  1. How lovely, wonderful is your texte about this beautiful adventure with wool, all the steps and this particular day! Good begining of the week for you 3!

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    1. Thank you Sandra. This day has been a long time coming, and it was absolutely wonderful! He was so excited, and took to knitting so very quickly. I was impressed :)

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  2. Have a wonderful day Kim :) I'm sure it will bring lots of memories to treasure in years to come. Fiona x

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    1. Thank you Fiona. We had a great day, and definitely created a few memories to be stored away. xo

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  3. Yes, for someone can be strange that a boy would learn to knit (as someone finds that is wrong for boys to play with dolls or even with toy kitchen). For me what metters the most is that he likes to knit.
    That's why he should do that.

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  4. Good for Reece, learning how to knit! I look forward to seeing the progress, I hope he enjoys it! Personally I think it's fabulous that he's learning how to knit! Why shouldn't he if he enjoys it? If a girl enjoyed woodworking or carving, nobody would even question it...

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    1. Anke, he had so much fun learning how to knit. Once I got him started, I worked with his little friend to get her started, and all he kept saying with each stitch is "I am knitting mom, I am knitting". It was priceless.

      And yes, I agree with you, we question far too many things instead of just letting our children enjoy doing what they want to do.

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  5. well, my son (young adult) learned to knit two years ago and I might add he is really good at it! He was bored so he asked and I willingly scrambled about to gather whatever he might need. My husband also knows how to knit but he didn't like it, however he appreciated my skills after learning :)

    Have fun and enjoy sharing one of many hobbies.

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    1. Oh that is awesome Karen! I bet you totally loved teaching him to knit. There are more and more men knitting, I have seen a few, and think it is awesome!

      Thank you Karen, we had the best afternoon, and he was so happy with himself that he was actually knitting.

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  6. Good for him. I'm sure he'll take to it quickly. I don't knit much, but what I do know about it, I learned from my husband. I wanted to learn to knit but had nobody to teach me (this was pre-YouTube), so he got a book from the library and taught himself the basics so he could teach me. He's a good teacher, I'm not such a great student, but I'm proud of him for trying. :)

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    1. Thanks Jennifer. He took to it very quickly, actually surprised me. I thought it would take us a few days to really get the hang of it, and there he was this afternoon actually knitting, on his own. He just finished doing another row, showing his dad how he can knit. He is so happy about it.

      Aw, such a sweet hubby you have :)

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    1. It went very well, thanks Taryn, we have a new knitter in the house!

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  8. Oh how exciting! Wishing you all the best of days.. But it doesn't sound like you need the "wishing" part. Be well.

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    1. Thank you my friend, it went very well, and Reece is super excited that he can actually knit :)

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  9. How beautiful! I wish you lots of fun and a wonderful beginning of the knittingjourney!

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  10. I am thrilled for Reece and for you. I think teaching Emerson to knit has been one of the high lights in my knitting life. I hope today has gone will and you both enjoyed yourselves.
    It has been a busy Monday here and I just sat down with my knitting and a kombucha as dinner cooks, I'm tired.

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    1. Thank you Tracey. I would have to say this is definitely a highlight for me on this mothering journey. We had the best afternoon. We took it slow, both Reece and his little friend, were patient and calm, and slowly they became knitters. They were so excited. Reece kept looking at me, saying "mom, I am knitting, I am really knitting". The whole experience was wonderful.

      Enjoy your knitting and kombucha, and rest up this evening. xo

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  11. That is great. Isn't it wonderful when your little one takes and interest or learns a skill that you are really passionate about?
    It still surprises me that people think about specific tasks/activities as gender specific. I learned to knit as a young boy b/c my Mother knit. It looked interesting. I loved knitted slippers. I wanted to make my own slippers. So, I learned to knit...and ended up making those slippers. I also learned how to work with wood b/c my Dad did. It looked interesting and I wanted to make a tree fort. I never understood why gender would make a difference?
    My little guy made his first scarf the other day (for his doll) by finger knitting (his sister taught him how)...very proud moment for this Dad :)

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    1. Oh yes, totally wonderful. Last night before bed we were knitting side by side, and it was just awesome!

      I know, it surprises me too, especially in this day and age.

      I can just imagine how proud you were. And I love that your little guy has a doll, mine has one too.

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  12. So this weekend I went into my local yarn shop for some clarification on the pattern I I'm using for my new sweater. The gal at the cash register said, "yeah, Jimmy's in the back room, he'll help you." I was taken aback. I have never encountered a male knitter other than the one time my husband tried it. I went to the back room and sure enough there was this young guy helping three people one of whom was also a young boy learn to knit. All I could think was AWESOME!

    Everyone should learn to knit though. It's such a good hand skill to have.

    My girls just started finger knitting last week and they both love it.

    I hope the day went very well!

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    1. That is AWESOME KC! Thanks for sharing. Totally agree with you, a very good hand skill to have in your arsenal :)

      Yay for finger knitting, Reece still finger knits, he loves it, and enjoys making little things for his gnomes.

      It went better than I expected, and he has been knitting a little bit here and there all day long.

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  13. Such a wonderful skill to learn! I can't wait for my little ones to pick it up. They're already into embroidery, so I'm hoping that the rest isn't far behind. :)

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    1. Oh, it won't be far behind. Reece has enjoyed all the handwork we have done over the last two/three years, and I truly think the progression of it all is what made it so easy for him to pick up knitting.

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  14. Awww, Reece made such beautiful knitting needles!! what a special day, I can't wait to see what he makes. :)

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  15. What a lucky lucky little boy!!! lately,in coffee shops, I've seen several of young men knitting away and having a grand time with it. It will be interesting to see what a generation of male knitters will come up with.

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    1. Thanks Erica! And yay for men with knitting needles, I love hearing about that.

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  16. Yay! So glad that the long awaited day is finally here! The needles he made are gorgeous and I have no doubt that he'll have his first project complete in no time!

    The girls will start attending a knitting class this Thursday and they are so excited. My skills are not much better than they were last year so it was time to find them a class (and hopefully soon one for me too). I keep wanting to improve my knitting skills enough so that I could make winter hats for them and each year seems to end with my skills no farther than they were before. :( xo

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    1. It was a great day Shel. He picked it up easily, and has been knitting on and off since yesterday. Last night we sat together knitting before he went to bed, and goodness, my mama heart was happy.

      That will be an exciting class for them. I can't wait to see what they will be creating. And yes, get yourself in one of those knitting classes my friend :)

      xo

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  17. Oh that's so exciting!! What a gift to be able to pass on a skill that you love so much :)

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    1. It was very exciting Carie, and I am happy to say he loves knitting :)

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  18. What a beautiful journey you shared... it allows that today is a good day! Congratulations ... I absolutely share your views about the work of wool and needles: meditation, concentration, fine motor, quiet well ... enjoy this good time

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    1. Thank you Chantall, it has been a wonderful journey to this point, and having him so excited to knit was just wonderful. He picked it up quickly, and has knit every single day. He loves it!

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  19. How wonderful that he made his very own needles! Wishing you both a fun first knitting lesson together :)

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    1. Thanks Suzy, we had a great first lesson, and have enjoyed some mama and son knitting time. It has been wonderful!

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  20. Hope Reece enjoyed his knitting experience and is motivatéd to continue. Any time he feels like doing à wee tutorial on needle making I would love to see it.
    My dad was brought up on a homestead and can knit and sew - i'vé never asked him but I assume his 11 sisters and brothers can do likewise. My eldest has tried and can knit a little bit but prefers wood working.

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    1. He loved it Emma, and has knit every day since. Ha, I will ask him about that, he might be interested :)

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  21. Oh how exciting! And OH, those darn stereotypes... We just have to let them go don't we? I hope it is everything he,s hoping and more. Can't wait to see his first project. This entire post just makes me smile.

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    1. Yes, we have let them go around here, and just let Reece do and be who he wants to be :)

      He loved it Yanic, and has been knitting up a storm. I have to admit to being surprised how quickly he picked it up.

      Aw, thanks my friend.

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  22. Glad to hear he enjoyed it. I have taught my eldest to knit and sew, he loves doing both :). I was going to wait a little longer to teach my daughter, she is a little bit younger than Reece but not much so I guess I could start soon?

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    1. He really did, and has been knitting every day, a row or two. I love hearing that. Yeah, you most likely could. Reece will be seven in November. I can't remember how old your daughter is. I was really surprised how quickly he picked it up. Have fun if you get started with her :)

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  23. Very exciting! Knitting, dare I say, changed my daughter's life...she took to it easily and has grown with it. It's such a beautiful thing. But, of course, you know that!

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    1. It was very exciting!! And he has been knitting non-stop. It has been so wonderful to watch. He has actually finished his first project, and agreed to let me share it on the blog. It will be up tomorrow :)

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  24. What a special moment for you both, and although it's very sad that people still these days are stuck in such gender stereo typical ruts, I did find your reasons for children generally to knit very interesting. As a non knitter I wasn't aware of some of those benefits, and I'm always very interested in activities which work both sides of the brain.

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    1. It was very special, and I was so pleased that he took so easily to it. Yes, to the gender issues, odd that in the world today, people still get stuck there.

      Yes, some really great benefits to knitting :)

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