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HASTINGS-ON-HUDSON, N.Y. -- Hastings resident Deborah Lee has taught knitting to people of all ages, but meekly admitted that Wednesday was her first time teaching children.
"I was knitting hats for the [Hastings] library that they were donating for raising funds so they had the idea that people might want a sort of revival in knitting and people might want to take a class on it," Lee said.
With a larger than expected turnout for the class at the Hastings Public Library, Lee decided to split the class into two smaller sessions to maximize one-on-one instruction. With a class of four children from second grade and up, Lee gave step by step instructions to each child in her class.
Lee has been teaching small groups of adults the ins and outs of knitting and even taught senior citizens earlier this summer.
"She's covered every population in Hastings now," said Joan Vaillancourt, librarian for children's services at the Hastings Public Library. "[After teaching adults and seniors] I said why not try kids."
With the younger students, Lee said the focus would be on learning the basics rather than knitting a big project.
"It's not so much about making something at this, point it's mostly about getting people used to the motions that are involved in knitting," Lee said. "If you're thinking in terms of a project, it's kind of stressful."
Some may worry about letting their children knit because of the needles involved, but Lee makes sure to use "nice, soft wooden needles" in her classes. Each child is given a set of yarn and needles to keep and practice at home with as well.
Knitting can be tedious at first, but once you master the basics the rest is easy, according to Lee.
"Bit by bit you get better and better at it as time goes by," she said.
Are your children involved in any summer programs in Hastings? Let us know below in the comments section or on Facebook or Twitter.
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