The Knit Club

Interpersonal Development Inspired by Yarn

Katherine Shields

Laura Hughes

The Inspiration

“Does it spring from knowledge, experience, love, loss?” (Lopez, 2008, p. 71).

•Self care

•Skill sharing

•Bonding through a love of crafting

•Test of interpersonal dynamics

•Teacher/learner roles, learning from teaching

Step 1: Gather materials.

What’s needed: •2 skeins of yarn, different colors: Perspective•Scissors: Dialogue•Size 11 needles: Active Listening

Communication

“The perspective from the top of the mountain is much broader and you can see more, yet it does not invalidate the views from lower parts of the mountain” (Zaiss, 2002, p. 34).

Step 2: Cast on 20 stitches.

“If you fall off the side of the mountain, it would not do any good for me to say, “It’s your fault” as we fall to the ground together” (Zaiss, 2002, p. 48).

What’s needed: •Understanding of perspectives•Interdependency•Negotiation and acceptance•A common goal

Teamwork

Step 3: Knit 100 rows.

“You either die, or die, or you die!” (Saywell, 2001).

• Be sure to keep consistent tension.• Watch for dropped stitches.• Work to keep edges even.

Healthy Relationships

Step 4: Cast off and add personal touches such as tassels or a crotched edge.

What’s needed: •Knowledge and application of personal skills•Understanding of the relationship, roles, and context

“You and I define ourselves through our relationships. Our personalities, our values, and our objectives in life are all shaped by our relatedness to others” (Zaiss, 2002, p. 51).

Personal Values

“At that point, the centipede began to think about it and

then it could no longer walk” (Kottler, 2000, p. 46).

“But I can’t let this development pass without acknowledging it” (Lopez,

2008, p. 201).

Skill Sharing: Teacher

“it is important to acknowledge that we are able to create conditions

that can help people learn and take action—or keep them from changing

much at all (Smith & Smith, 2008, p. 141).

Skill Sharing: Learner

“Nathaniel has given [this skill] to me, making it new

again. I understand the peace it brings him, a constant amid chaos” (Lopez, 2008, p. 251).

Knitting

Tea

Kittens

Dyadic Bonding Through Common Interests

Um… Something just happened.

See you “knit” time!