In first grade, the students are knitting either a stuffed cat or an owl in plain garter stitch. We are working with even tension and keeping an eye on our stitch count. The work involves concentration on the task at hand, the application of simple math skills, and patience. The projects will be handsewn and then filled with fleece.

The second-grade students started this semester with knitting. Our first knitting project is to make a gnome. We will first knit it and then stuff it with wool. We are using this project to learn new words and techniques. Their next skill is to learn how to increase and decrease stitches per line. We will focus on that for the rest of the semester.

This semester the middle grades are embroidering a cross-stitch pincushion. Without bringing the pattern to paper beforehand, the students create a design that is mirrored over four different axes. The students are using two different colors and white as a highlight. It is interesting to watch the beautiful geometric patterns emerging on the student's canvases.

The upper grades are currently working on a pair of multi-colored socks, following a set of detailed written instructions. The students are simultaneously knitting both socks in the round with double-pointed needles. We began with a ribbed cuff, continued with stockinette stitch, and are starting to turn heels. Turning heels involves separating our knitting into sections, knitting short rows, decreasing, and picking up new stitches. We really appreciate all the student work that they do at home on the handwork projects.