Jenny Robinson LEI 4724

Activity Title: Beginning Knitting (Scarf)

Source: Tielman, M. (20013). How to Knit: The Basics. Retrieved February 02, 2016,
from http://www.designsponge.com/2013/01/how-to-knit-the-basics.html
Equipment: One pair of wooden or plastic knitting needles and one skein of basic yarn
per person. Needles should match the size of the yarn. One or more pair(s) of scissors,
these can be shared. You will also need large plastic bags to keep the projects separate.
Activity Description: After distributing the materials, the first step is to make a slipknot.
To do this, pull a length of yard from your all and twist it so it makes a loop. Then, pull
another loop of yarn from the open end of your strand through your first loop. This makes
the slipknot. Insert one of the knitting needles through the loop of your knot and pull the
stands of yarn on either side to tighten. Make sure there is about one foot of yarn on the
end that isnt attached to your ball. Youll use this length of yarn to cast on your stitches.
When making a scarf, you will cast on about 20 stitches. To cast, with your knitting
needle in your right hand, wrap a loop of yarn from your open strand around your left
thumb. Insert your knitting needle under the loop on your left thumb. Pull a piece of the
strand from the side attached to your ball of yarn over the top of your knitting needle.
With your left hand, lift the loop made by your left thumb over the piece of yarn you just
placed over it. Pull your left-hand strand to tighten it. Repeat the last five steps for each
stitch you want to cast on. The next step in the process is the knit stitch. With your caston needle in your left hand, insert your other knitting needles point under the first stitch
at the top of your cast-on needle. Bring the strand from your ball over your right-hand
needle. With your right-hand needle, bring your strand underneath and through the top
stitch. With this new loop of yarn secured on your needle, lift the top stitch off your left
needle. Pull the strand of your working yarn tight to secure the stitch. Repeat until each
stitch from your left-hand needle has been brought to your right-hand needle. Continue
this process until your fabric has reached your desired length. Casting off is the last step
of the process. Knit two stitches onto your right-hand needle. Push your lefthand needles point under the second stitch from your right-hand needles point. With
your left-hand needle, pull the second stitch on your right side over the first stitch. Pull
the second stitch off the needle and tighten your working yarn. Youve now cast
off one of your stitches. Repeat steps 14 of this section until all your stitches are cast off.
Cut your project from your ball of yarn and knot the remaining strand through your final
stitch to secure it. Cut off the excess strands from either side of your project or weave
them through a few rows of stitches on your project.
Leadership Considerations: The CTRS should have at least a rudimentary knowledge
of how to knit in order to instruct the participants.
Adaptations: Participants with Eating Disorders: Individuals with eating disorders
experience an anxious preoccupation with control of eating, weight, and shape which
often increases in situations where their control of eating and weight is threatened (Clave-

Brule, Mazloum, Park, Harbottle & Birmingham, 2009.) Clave-Brule, et al. (2009) found
that knitting is associated with a reduction in anxious preoccupation. They further point
out that knitting produces concrete results that provide a feeling of accomplishment and
their study produced no adverse effects in participants with eating disorders (Clave-Brule
et al., 2009). Corkhill sees knitting as a constructive addiction that replaces other habits
likebinge eating or obsessive checking (Ehrenfeld, 2013). When teaching knitting to
participants with eating disorders it is important to allow them to pick out their own yarn
and remind the participant that there are mistakes and corrections and that is all part of
the learning and empowering process (Lane, 2007). This helps individuals with eating
disorders with thoughts of perfection and feelings of control. It is important for them to
know they have the power to control the outcome and they can fix it or carry on and learn
how to avoid mistakes in the future (Lane, 2007). It is important to foster a sense of
community as well as build self-confidence and self-esteem with the support of others
(Lane, 2007).
Participants with Chronic Pain: Chronic pain is defined as pain lasting more than 12
weeks. It can arise from an initial injury or from an ongoing cause such as an illness.
Sometimes there is no clear cause. Other health problems such as fatigue, sleep
disturbance, decreased appetite and mood changes often accompany chronic pain
(Chronic Pain: Symptoms, 2011). Chronic pain can reduce flexibility, strength and
stamina, which leads to difficulty enjoying activities, working and can lead to despair
(Chronic Pain: Symptoms, 2011). Research from Riley, Corkhill & Morris (2013) finds
that knitting can be learned across the lifespan, is a vehicle for making social
connections, and induces feelings of calm and relaxation from the rhythmical nature of
knitting which has the potential to induce flow. In addition, knitting built confidence and
participants in the study felt more adventurous, willing to take risks and try new things as
a result of the self-confidence of learning a new skill (Riley, et al., 2013). Riley, et al.
(2013) also found that knitting provided individuals with skill for coping with difficult
situations. These findings are relevant to those with chronic pain as they can frequently
feel isolated, have low self-confidence, and frequently deal with difficult situations.
Research from Betsan Corkhill reports that knitting enables people with chronic pain to
redirect their focus, reducing the awareness of pain (Brody, 2016). Depending on the
level of dexterity, the needles can be made larger by using tape. Breaks as needed should
be encouraged. Riley et al. (2013) also encourage the use of different kinds and colors of
yarn for different experiences and to foster the community aspects.
Adaptations References:
Brody, J. E. (2016, January 25). The Health Benefits of Knitting. The New York Times.
Retrieved February 02, 2016, from http://well.blogs.nytimes.com/2016/01/25/thehealth-benefits-of-knitting/?smid=fb-share&_r=1
Clave-Brule, M., Mazloum, A., Park, R., Harbottle, E., & Birmingham, C. L. (2009).
Managing anxiety in eating disorders with knitting. Eat Weight Disord Eating and
Weight Disorders - Studies on Anorexia, Bulimia and Obesity, 14(1).

Chronic Pain: Symptoms, Diagnosis, & Treatment | NIH MedlinePlus the Magazine.
(2011). Retrieved February 02, 2016, from
https://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/magazine/issues/spring11/articles/spring11
pg5-6.html
Ehrenfeld, T. (2013, November 01). Should You Knit? Retrieved February 02, 2016, from
https://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/open-gently/201311/should-you-knit
Lane, P. (2007, March 17). Subversive Knitting. Retrieved February 02, 2016, from
https://sheeptoshawl.com/charity/archives/2007/03/entry_238.html
Riley, J., Corkhill, B., & Morris, C. (2013). The benefits of knitting for personal and
social wellbeing in adulthood: Findings from an international survey. The British
Journal of Occupational Therapy, 76(2), 50-57.
Tielman, M. (20013). How to Knit: The Basics. Retrieved February 02, 2016, from
http://www.designsponge.com/2013/01/how-to-knit-the-basics.html