Elizabeth Okeyele-Olatunji of Lagos, Nigeria, is a Craft Yarn Council of America certified knitting teacher who started Tunnizze Creation with the intention of teaching children how to knit and crochet. One of her stated goals is to pass on knitting skills to 20,000 children across Africa by 2030. Elizabeth not only teaches children— she also instructs teachers so that they can pass these fiber skills along to their students. In Elizabeth’s own words, “It's like a baton, you learn and teach others!” Here are some of her tips for success. —Editor
After my knitting students watched several YouTube videos of crochet prodigy Jonah Larson, I asked them to write about the role technology has played in inspiring them to continue pursuing their craft. I believe we can make our knitting instruction more impactful by using technology to reach tech-savvy learners. Online tutorials, interactive apps, and/or virtual workshops can be useful teaching tools. I have found that incorporating visuals, videos, and step-by-step guides can make the learning experience more engaging and accessible.
Here are my five top tips for using technology to teach knitting.
1) Use Age-Appropriate Digital Resources in Class
Always direct tech-savvy learners to online knitting platforms, tutorials, and apps that offer interactive, age-appropriate lessons and video demonstrations. Many yarn companies, such as Lion Brand, Red Heart, and Rowan, have great knitting videos on their websites. Share links with learners to enable them to use these resources.
2) Host Virtual Workshops
This can be in the form of inviting special guests in the fiber and knitting industry to share their experience with your students. In 2022, we invited Alexis Mantione, a knitting needle inventor in the United States, for a live virtual knitting workshop. Prior to the start of the workshop, we shared Alexis’s bio with the class. Emphasizing her experience made our young learners eager to meet her. Students asked Alexis questions in real time and received immediate feedback, creating an interactive and engaging experience.
Conducting a virtual class. Photo courtesy of author
3) Use Collaborative Platforms
This starts with emphasizing the need to learn as a community during knitting classes. So learners WhatsApp group is appropriate to share content such as knitting patterns. It is best to consult with school authorities well in advance to determine which tech apps are permitted for their students. Use collaborative platforms, such as Google Docs or shared Pinterest boards, to collectively curate resources, patterns, and inspiration.
4) Personalize the Learning Experience
Every student has a unique learning style. I have my students fill out a survey so I can get to know them before class. We can provide personalized learning paths based on individual interests and skill levels, ensuring that students can progress at their own pace. Twenty-first-century teaching styles such as project-based learning and the discovery method are useful tools in this endeavor. Worksheets are great for posing questions for reflection and for documenting individual learning journeys.
5) Provide Regular Updates
I recently won a scholarship providing me with membership in the Craft Industry Alliance, where trends in the knitting world are frequently discussed via craft roundtables. I regularly update my students about age-appropriate and relevant trends that may appeal to them. In a recent class, we talked about the color trends for 2024. Providing students with regular updates on what’s happening in the knitting world is a great way to keep them connected.
The author speaking at the Africa Kidpreneur conference in Nairobi, discussing the beauty of working with the hands. Photo courtesy of author
Remember: if you want a skill to outlive generations, you put it in the hands of a child.
Elizabeth Okeyele-Olatunji works to spread the love of knitting and crochet to children throughout her home country of Nigeria, and in neighboring countries in Africa, through her business Tunnizze Creation. Visit Elizabeth on instagram @tunnizze.