Even though I don’t make a lot of $$ teaching knitting classes, I really love to do it. I am, by title, an educator in my “real” job, but to be honest, I feel more like one in my knitting classes.
Yesterday and today I am teaching a series of short classes on basic finishing techniques at my LYS. I really enjoy these classes because they take you right to the heart of knitting and what I enjoy about knitting: honing your skills, learning from others, and connecting with knitters. Yesterday’s crew included some of my favorite people, so it was fun.
One of the things I say in all of my classes is that I am sharing MY way of doing things and if they took the same class from someone else, they would probably hear something different…maybe even completely contradictory. By taking classes from different people, you gather tools for your own personal knitting toolkit. You may take one thing from person A, another from B, and another from C. Lessons learned that feel right to you and work for you. I try not to be dictatorial: “You have to do this in this exact way, or else!” I don’t approach my own knitting that way so why would I impose it on others — and the policing of everyone else’s knitting would be exhausting!
Yesterday we were discussing some technique, and one of the knitters said, “[insert very famous name here] said she never does that.” So we discussed the pros and cons and why she might do it one way and I choose to do it another. Like I said, we all have our own approach to things.
So back I go today to immerse myself in dialogue about knitting, technique, and learning from all of those around me. Another good day!!
Thanks for that. I took a class from [insert very famous name here], and she said she never [insert technique]. I thought she was full of crap when she said that, but hey! she’s famous! and has published many books! What do I know? You just assured me that I might just know something. I think a lot of what passes as *wisdom* and *correct* is personal opinion plus personal idiosyncrasies in our own knitting. (Oh, and did I mention that you rock?!)
Comment by kmkat — August 2, 2009 @ 11:25 am
Very wise! When I was a beginner nurse, I was assigned to work with one nurse mainly – Alice, whom I loved – but at least every fourth day, Alice would not be there and so I got different nurse. Everyone else thought this was too bad and so did I at first, but I quickly learned that everyone does things differently and it is wonderful to get all these perspectives on the same job. I was so grateful that Alice was my main nurse, but grateful to all the others as well, for their take on things.
Comment by Joanna Ryn — August 2, 2009 @ 11:57 am
As a retired educator myself, I believe teaching is as much about learning as it is about teaching. However, as a very experienced knitter, who is quite set in her ways, I could see myself saying “I don’t do it that way, but I can see how it can be effective.” By the way I’m obviously not that famous person.
Comment by Sigrun — August 2, 2009 @ 1:37 pm
I do the same as a sewing teacher… explain that I do it this way but they may learn other methods, other reasons to use or not use a stitch, or even a different name for a stitch. It’s rarely a case of right and wrong… just what works better for you at that time and in that project.
But… I do teach how I do things. And I’ll say “I always (or never) do this”. Because that’s what I know best. If someone wants to learn another technique that so-and-so does, and I’m not that experienced with it, I may decline to teach it. Or at least (if it’s a small enough class) I’ll learn it along with them… but it may not be perfect.
Comment by KathleenC — August 2, 2009 @ 3:15 pm
I’m envious! I love to teach knitting, too, and the more detailed the class the happier I am. Unfortunately my LYS recently was sold and the new owner created a pay scale for teachers that I felt wasn’t fair for the teachers. They have some good reasons for trying to streamline their teacher policies….but….it would have amounted to a huge paycut for me, and most of the payment would have been in the form of store credit. (Which I have no need for.) While I know I did the right thing by refusing to continue working with them, I have to fess up to being really sad at the same time because I do so love to teach!
Comment by Kristin — August 2, 2009 @ 8:27 pm
Wish I lived in your neck o’ the woods so I could attend!
Comment by Michelle — August 2, 2009 @ 9:11 pm
Wish I could have been there for the class!
Comment by Kathy Filkins — August 3, 2009 @ 10:20 am
I’m way too far away from your area to ever get to take one of your classes.
Sure would be nice, though. Your projects are always lovely and so well constructed.
Comment by sonja poor — August 3, 2009 @ 12:14 pm
I, too, wish I could take one of your classes! I always like learning new tips and tricks from other knitters. Some of the “new stuff” makes it into my repertoire, and some doesn’t. I think it’s important for all of us to remember that, whatever it is we’re doing, there are usually multiple ways of doing it.
Comment by Kym — August 3, 2009 @ 6:05 pm
Even after many, many years of knitting, I still have “lightbulb” moments. I love when I learn a new technique, or a different way of doing something.
Comment by 2muchfun — August 4, 2009 @ 10:11 am
Agreed! There is no “right or wrong” in knitting but always have a better technique/method to finish the project.
Comment by vicky — August 5, 2009 @ 6:04 am
I love your philosophy of having your own method of doing things and advocate that your students take a piece from here and another piece from there to develop their own methods. I have a “Margot’s approved method” for almost everything I do! They are not correct or incorrect–they are just the methods that work best from me and I love hearing that other people believe in that philosophy too!
Comment by Margot — August 5, 2009 @ 4:45 pm
Very nice of you to use that as a teachable moment on the various differences in techniques we all have and not, say, bonk her over the head (which would’ve been my impulse.)
Comment by Carrie K — August 5, 2009 @ 7:04 pm
I love to go over my knitting class notes when I get home and use a highlighter over any new approaches to things I’m already doing/contradictory techniques I may have jotted down. The highlighting really roots them in my brain and I then try to integrate them into my knitting in the coming weeks. Some things then become “my own” while others just don’t work for me and I leave them behind.
Not only does my knitting improve and grow by doing this, so does my appreciation of how many different ways there are to work with and enjoy our wonderful craft which I think, makes me a better and more open student in my next class when the whole process begins again!
Comment by Marie — August 7, 2009 @ 9:21 am
You are so wise. Wouldn’t it be dull if we had to do everything the same way as everyone else?
Comment by twinsetellen — August 13, 2009 @ 7:06 pm