Knitting in Schools 

Knitting stopped being taught in schools as part of the curriculum in the late 1980s, with Shetland schools teaching it up until 2010. But we strongly believe that knitting should still have a place in schools due to its many health, social and learning benefits!

One example, which still has knitting well embedded in its culture today is Finland. Finland’s school curriculums include käsityö – which translates to ‘hand work’ – where children learn all sorts of crafts from knitting and to woodworking. These are aimed at developing fine motor skills while encouraging industriousness and creativity. In a press release from the University of Helsinki, teachers are quoted explaining that this form of education brings the students joy, as well as a ‘sense of competence’ gathered from planning projects.

Another reason we advocate for knitting amongst young people is due to the influx of research which shows how beneficial it can be for our mental health. Due to knitting’s therapeutic nature, it can be a great way of reducing feelings of stress and anxiety. A study by The College of Occupational Therapists has shown that frequent knitters have reported feeling calm after partaking in the craft. Those with social anxiety have reported that it gives them something to focus on if they’re feeling overwhelmed in social situations. The study also shows that less than 1% of respondents claim to still feel sad after spending time knitting, indicating that the activity is a great way of boosting your mood and creating a general sense of happiness. The Good Childhood Report 2022 claims that 5 children in a classroom of 30 are likely to have a mental health problem, therefore, reintroducing knitting to schools is vital.

The social benefits of knitting are also a core reason why we aim to get children and young people involved. Although knitting works great as a solitary hobby, the possibilities for getting out the house and conversing with others are endless. Knitting, like many hobbies, is a great way to connect people from all walks of life and all backgrounds with a shared interest. This, especially for children, is a great way to encourage inclusion and promote a sense of togetherness. It’s a great way to teach children from a young age that we can all find common ground and similar interests with people despite their age, race, gender, and so on. We see knitting in schools as a great way to encourage more introverted children to take part in a group activity which doesn’t necessarily involve working together on a project, but just allows for a relaxed, and often quiet, way of being together. This can help to take the pressure away from meeting new people, and hopefully lead to making new friends!