Knitting Looms

The only difference between an experienced knitter and a new knitter is that the experienced knitter makes bigger mistakes faster. 

Be bold!

There are no terrible consequences in knitting.

~ Stephanie Pearl-McPhee ~

Tangles of yarn.

Bits and pieces of bright colour.

Small, larger, largest.

Wrap around, bottom over top and off.

Wrap around, bottom over top and off.

Wrap around, bottom over top and off.

Patterns.

Patience and perseverance.

Creating, recreating.

Try and try again.

Weaving

We all have our own life to pursue, 

Our own kind of dream to be weaving,

And we all have the power to make wishes come true,

As long as we keep believing.

~ Louisa May Alcott ~

 

When the interest from finger knitting continued, Miss Wilkins thought about introducing another yarn activity to the children. She created small cardboard looms for the children and began to introduce the idea of weaving to them.

Some friends got the knack right away and they were able to help other friends.

Under, Over, Under, Over
Does that sound familiar?
Just like finger knitting, the actions of weaving are a pattern!
 
 
We wondered if the children would make patterns in the colours as they weaved their yarn.

 

Pulling the yarn tight, made the weaving squeeze together.

The bottom strings needed to be tied so the weaving strings wouldn't fall out.

Some of the weaving was very colourful.

 

The nicest part of the weaving activity was getting the chance to do it again and again!

Finger knitting

"I'll get some pillows."

"Oh I could just finger knit all day long!"

~ Danica ~

Having made themselves quite comfortable, Danica and Leah relaxed into the calmness of finger knitting. It's rhythmic pattern became automatic for them

 while they chatted and giggled as friends do.

Many of the children had been intrigued with Cat's Cradle and 

how the yarn would run through their fingers.

They enjoyed manipulating the string and making designs. 

Mrs. Brent decided to show them another way to play with yarn.

 

 The only things you need for finger knitting are yarn and fingers 

and a pair of scissors for a snip at the end.

When you click on the link, you'll see how we get started.

Lewam is getting things started.

Over Under Over

Around the pinky

Over Under Over

Bottom over top and off

Repeat

Alex has been working her finger knitting and has decided it's long enough...

...for a headband!

Miss Garrett, the student educator is just learning also. 

She watches Addison to see how it's done.

Abigail gives it a try on her own.

Over Under Over

Around the pinky

Over Under Over

Bottom over top

Sometimes the yarn just gets mixed up...but that's okay.

That's what makes each child's piece just right!

Emmy has made a piece that is almost as tall as she is.

 

Oh and by the way, do we like that when children are finger knitting they are also 

patterning

 socializing  

 learning by teaching  

following steps

developing fine motor control 

using trial and error to self-learn?

You betcha!

Shining a Light on Investigation

There is something about placing something on the light table that sparks the children's creativity and wonder.

Corn becomes more golden, stems take on an airy presence,

the veins of a leaf become pronounced, a sunflower head resembles the sun.

Coloured lenses give a new perspective.

A clear container of water on the light table gives the children a chance to see reflection in a whole new light! Watching a frog swim. Seeing a leaf through the magnification of water. What happens to a stick when it is put in water and the light comes from the bottom?

Curiouser and curiouser...

Something is inside here. You can see it with the light.

Let's find out what it could be.

Simple pieces of old jewellery, chains of silver and gold, become an invitation to see movement. Chains run across, around, slink into circles and curvy lines.

Can a chain get a knot? How do links work? Can all the chains link together?

What is a clasp?

See-through shapes are moved into suns and rocket ships.

What a wonderful place to encourage the hard work of threading! These young writers are developing their fine motor control and it really shows when they print their names.

Our SK's are showing us patterns of colours and shapes.

3D structures tall and wide become illuminated at the light table.

Mushing up some marshmallows and watching the sticky pull between your thumb and forefinger is quite magical and fun when the light shines through!

The children challenge each other to build such interesting structures.

We wait with anticipation for the questions and insight the children offer.

Shining a light on play.

Shining a light on learning.

Shining a light on the ever-so-capable child!