Tejer: To Knit

My life is becoming one big arts & crafts class!  And I guess I'm not complaining.

The women's handicrafts group has decided they want to learn to knit.  Crocheting is very big here, and nearly everyone - at least in the older generations - seems to know how to do it.  It's common to see women carrying elaborately crocheted purses, handbags, and wallets.  The idea of using not one, but two needles dumbfounded the ladies. 

They were intrigued.

Learning to knit has been a goal of theirs for a long time.  For months, in fact.  When my grandmother, a knitter extraordinaire, heard this, she was quick to send me a package in the mail, complete with a book on basic knitting; a pair of needles; and the beginnings of a simple patterned scarf.  All of these were wondeful educational tools, and last week I finally got the opportunity to make good use of them.

The first step was re-teaching myself how to knit.  I found that following instructions meant for 8-year-olds was very helpful.  It was also a good way to review terms and translate them into Spanish ahead of time so as to better teach the ladies.

When there is a specialized vocabulary involved in an activity we're doing, I always have to take a little more time to prepare.  For example, one of the first knitting terms you have to learn is "casting on."  This is when you are starting a project and must put the first row of stitches onto your needle.  In Spanish, "to cast on" is montar puntos.  Puntos are stitches, so you are "mounting" them onto the needle.

You can also montar (assemble) a piece of furniture; montar (pitch) a tent; or montar (cock) a pistol.


We, however, were casting stitches onto needles - "needles" being a relative term.

In actuality we used chuzo sticks.  You know, like for making shish kebabs. 

They weren't perfect, but they worked in a pinch.  Besides, I'm of the Mr. Miyagi teaching philosophy: Do exactly as I command, no questions necessary, no matter how tedious the task.  Wax on, wax off.  Cast on, bind off.

It worked!  They learned how to knit!  By the end of class, they were teaching and helping each other, which is the best sign of success. 

Homework: complete a scarf by the end of the week (because it is so "cold" here in Guayaquil now that the rainy season is over).  This means I have to teach myself some more stitches so they have something new to learn a few days from now.  Pretty soon, my students will be more advanced than I am.  The knitting craze has officially begun, and it's showing no signs of stopping.  I've a feeling we'll be knitting up until I head back to the States at the end of the year, and the ladies probably won't stop even then.  At least, I hope they won't. 

THANK YOU, Gram, for providing the materials that make these classes possible.  You have started something that will be a source of joy, creativity, and income for many of the women in Guasmo Sur!