Craft clubbers get knitting!

Knitting could become a new appeal for children and young people with free after school clubs organised by The Crafts Council and the UK Knitting Association. Mandy Barder writes.

Craft Club is a new national campaign launched in January that supports and encourages craft in schools.

The National Federation of Women’s Institutes (NFWI) has also got involved with the scheme to help teach children how to knit and yarn crafts, along with members of their local knitting groups and any other keen knitters. The campaign says that knitting is a great way to feel a sense of accomplishment and to improve confidence levels, dexterity and mathematical skills.

“Craft Club will engage young people with craft in a fun and informal setting and introduce them to members of their own community and provide the opportunity to be creative while socialising” says Rosy Greenlees, Executive Director of the Crafts Council.

Knitting originated in the Middle East and was a popular skill favoured among merchants and sailors. But for years knitting has been perceived as a female dominated hobby, despite its beginnings.

Craft Club works through the support from schools, individual teachers and anyone who has an interest in knitting and from members of broader communities who wish to build on their skills and pass them on to others. All volunteers can attend workshops across the country and receive the relevant training to work at their local Craft Club.

The Craft Club website offers practical tips and ideas for new projects, as well as teaching pointers to volunteers and a forum for participants or ‘Craft Clubbers’ as they’ve been called to chat to other members and share pattern ideas.

The Crafts Council believe that craft is an important activity in the UK’s social, economic and cultural life, where young people should have access to learning about craft at school.

Craft Clubs are due to begin in the spring and anyone who wishes to learn more about them can visit the website www.craftclub.org.uk and register.