KNITTING FOR NEW PARENTS

Knitting For New Parents

Knitting can have a deeply grounding, calming effect, while at the same time sparking creativity.

Focusing your mind and hands on repetitive stitches for a period of time takes you somewhere calm, much like meditation. When you are knitting, you have to slow down as you become focused on what your hands are doing.

This workshop is perfect for absolute beginners, or for those who can knit a little but want to gain more confidence in their knitting.

Open to all parents of pre-crawling babies, with a dedicated space for babies to kick around with play mats, a baby gym and bouncy chair. In these relaxed sessions, you’ll not only learn a new skill but have time to chat and connect with other local mums at a similar phase of parenting to you.

This class will teach the basic stitches and techniques, practicing those stitches by making swatches. Skills and techniques are built upon each week at an unhurried pace, along with learning to read and follow basic patterns.

You will leave with the skills to continue your knitting journey with curiosity, and with a powerful tool for accessing a deep sense of calm.

What we will cover:

Week 1: Casting on, holding yarn and needles and getting tension right. The knit stich and working a garter stitch swatch.

Week 2: The purl stitch, changing colours and knitting stripes in garter stitch or stocking stitch.

Week 3: Rib stitch and moss stitch (working knit and purl stitches), basic pattern reading, abbreviations and terminology. Casting off.

Week 4: A recap of the stitches and techniques covered. Beginning a simple baby project – either a blanket made up of stitches learned, or a pixie hat.

*Price includes yarn, needles and printed materials.

The One of Six cabin is a bright and airy studio located just a 3 minute walk from Walthamstow Central station, and Walthamstow bus station. The entrance is on Cleveland Park Avenue.

There is a toilet, sink and tea and coffee making facilities. The cabin does not have step-free access so if you’d like to bring a buggy it would need to be carried up a flight of stairs and some small steps leading to the cabin. Slings would be preferred but there is room for buggies if needed.

The class is 2 hours over four weeks for 8 hours tuition. Doors open at 9.30am to give time to settle in with babies and get comfortable, and grab a hot drink.

Tutor: Theodora Burrow is a knitwear designer with years of experience in both knitting and crochet. She has taught adults and children to knit and crochet and is passionate about the incredible mental health benefits of making. She designs for UK and international magazines and yarn companies and has lived in Walthamstow for more than 20 years.