I recently took a skein of loosely spun woolen yarn to my knitting class in a brown shade, and most of the knitters refuse to take out of the skein. When asked why, two young knitters replied that the yarn looked sad and others just nodded in unison. I suggested we wind the yarn into a ball to change its look. One pupil  offered to help with the winding, and that gave a bit of tension and made the yarn look better.

Assigning emotions to yarns shows dynamism in the minds of STEM-minded learners! Finding information on yarns, tools, notions, patterns and projects is a regular feature of our knitting class.

For STEM-minded learners , young knitters with background of science, technology, engineering, and math, there is no end to experimenting with materials. Most STEM-minded learners had already viewed hours of YouTube videos on knitting. Armed with that much knowledge, they come to class ready to experiment.

Tips to Approach the teaching of Knitting to STEM-minded learners

1. Relate concept to real life situations: one story that fits into Integrating knits to real life is the history of the aran sweater and that of fishermen knitting their fishing nets.
   Design is at the heart of engineering. So, what better way to show learners practical examples of design than by asking them to add their own creative pieces to their knitted projects?
   One time we knitted teddy bears and we asked young knitters what creative piece they would love to design into their teddy. From a love-shaped heart, to embroidered names, just to mention a few of the personal creative pieces incorporated.
   Project-based learning is one learning style that is child-centered and allows learners to relate to real life situations. It allows learners to collaborate on large-scale pieces, requiring coordination, communication, and division of tasks. All of these mirror collaborative efforts in STEM fields and allow them to have their projects showcased to an authentic audience.
2. Hands-On Learning:  I delight in taking a variety of yarn types to my classes! I look forward to reactions from learners when they touch unusual types of yarns such as velvet, boucle, eccentric, marl, spiral or slub yarns and more.
   I emphasize the tactile aspect as I allow them touch and take a little out of the different skeins and  analyze textures.
   Together, we experiment with needle sizes to understand material properties and how they affect the final product.
   To boost creativity, I also encourage learners to incorporate other type of fabrics into their knits such as ankara (local fabrics) and accessories.
   Experimentation with unconventional materials is always encouraged, such as conductive yarn for e-textiles or 3D-printed knitting needles to blow their minds and get their creative juices flowing!
   Together, we discuss the science of dyeing yarn and even understanding natural fibers. This can lead to discussions on chemistry, biology, and environmental sustainability, broadening their scientific knowledge. For a class activity, dyeing some natural yarns can be enjoyed together.

3. Math in Knitting Patterns: Learning to read patterns is like understanding the language of knitters across the world. So, it’s important to get simple patterns for young knitters to start on as soon as possible.
   Emphasize the math by exploring shaping, increases and decreases. Or, talk about symmetry and ratios in knitting. Reinforce mathematical concepts in a practical context by showing how stitches and rows contribute to the overall design.
   Pose knitting challenges that require creative problem-solving. Ask questions like, if row 1 has 40 stitches and we knit 2 together for all stitches in row 2, how many stitches will we have at the end? Discuss and listen for the correct answer – 20 stitches.
   This encourages critical thinking and applying engineering principles. Students will learn even more when they encounter pattern mistakes or try advanced techniques.
4. Coding Analogy: I get to teach a group of teenage girls each week. They already understand how to code as it’s is a part of their school curriculum. I find that I can get the attention of these STEM-minded learners by taking a cue from projects such as knit2code. They use knitting to teach coding, drawing parallels between knitting patterns and coding algorithms.
   I talk about the logic of following a sequence, debugging mistakes, and how small changes can lead to different outcomes. All of these experiences link knitting to computational thinking.

5. Incorporate Technology: a part of our knitting lessons involves watching online tutorials on YouTube and some knitting apps. We also use virtual platforms to chat with knitters that are successful in their fields. The knitters demonstrate techniques and everyone is able to connect with the broader knitting community.
   We keep them excited by sharing the guest’s bio and asking the students to prepare questions. Incorporating technology complements traditional skills and shows how knitting connects people across the world.
   The guests share stories and show how they’ve seamlessly combined knitting with STEM fields.
   I try to highlight how these skills can lead to innovative projects and career paths, inspiring learners to see knitting as a versatile skill.It’s a popular saying in Africa that to get into the mind of a child, you have to act like a child. For STEM-minded learners, making connections between knitting and various STEM disciplines enhance the learning experience and make it both educational and enjoyable.

About the Author: Elizabeth Okeyele

Elizabeth likes to say “if you can think it, you can create it“ . 

Having supported lots of young people to turn their yarn dreams into reality, she is happy to be called a Chief Imagination Officer. 

Elizabeth believes that the learning never ends and she truly lives that as well! She has a background in textile technology from Yaba College of Technology, and is a Certified Instructor from the Craft Yarn Council, Knit level 1 and 2. She also has a mini MBA from Tekedia Institute and more recently, a Professional Diploma in Education.

And although she’s quite busy, she also serves on the board of the Center for Knit and Crochet and recently won the Golden Scissors Award in the Emerging Leader category! 

She works with her organization Tunnizze creation! A mum to two amazing boys, she loves to garden in her spare time.