Teens Learn Ancient Art of Knitting

The art of knitting has been around for thousands of years. Now, local teens are able to learn this ancient practice at the Bloomingdale Regional Public Library once a month.

At 7 p.m. on the fourth Monday of each month, teens in grades six to 12 are encouraged to join other Knit-Teen members. The program, taught mainly by volunteer Ashley Johnson, welcomes all newcomers and teaches them all the basics to knitting. If there are more than three newcomers at one time, some of the teens who attend regularly will jump in to help out.

“Participants aren't expected to know everything when they leave the library," said Principal Librarian for Youth Services Eloise Hurts. “In order to get better, they need to practice and come back to more meetings.” 

According to Hurst, the club currently has between 10 and 12 regular participants. Club meetings are scheduled for one hour, however, sometimes they run a little longer.

“I try to get new people to understand how to cast on (the first step in knitting, which involves creating loops on the needle) and do the knit stitch,” said Hurst. “If there is time, I have them knit a few rows and cast off (combining all the stitches on the needle to a finish). This way they leave with a small finished 'thing.' I call it a 'thing' because everyone's is different.”

According to Hurst, participants work on all types of projects. Johnson brings books and magazines with patterns the participants can use or they bring projects from home that they have been working on. Currently the group is creating several small square swatches with different patterns and colors in the hopes of putting together a knitted blanket to display in the library.

Interested in joining Knit-Teen? Simply show up at the library at 7 p.m. on the fourth Monday of the month. For additional information, call 813-635-1641.