Greg White starts elementary school knitting group with help from Poppies
Published 1:40 pm Friday, December 17, 2010
Cleverly disguised as a mild-mannered surveyor for a local firm, Greg White fights a never-ending battle for kid’s learning skills, self-confidence and social interaction.
With knitting powers far beyond those of ordinary men, he can shear sheep, spin yarn with his bare hands, decode mysterious pattern books – and perhaps make lunchtime a much nicer part of the school day, all with a few sets of needles and yarn.
“Greg helped me make my first hat. It was very cool,” said Enzo Thixton, a 6th-grader.
White is orchestrating a twice-a-week lunch hour knitting group for 4th to 6th graders in a quiet corner of the school library, assisted by Poppies Fabric owner Cheryl Jackson, who has been instrumental in gathering donations from generous islanders. White and Jackson hand out supplies, get the kids started, and are there to help if they get stuck or have questions.
“It’s really fun. I just like being able to knit during school, and then have help,” said Thixton, who is working on Christmas presents this month: hats, scarves and arm-warmers. He wants to learn how to make mittens next.
“Sometimes lunch time is hard for kids,” said Greg, father to seven-year-old Willow, nine-year-old Erin and 12-year-old Grayson. “It’s nice to have something alternative to do, where you can be part of a group. It’s social; people share skills. Now that kids are started on their projects, they sit and giggle and talk and help each other. A quarter of the kids are boys. I think that’s neat that the kids feel comfortable enough to come and do it.”
“It’s been really remarkable to see kids sit down and really pay attention,” said Jennifer Pietsch, whose son enjoys the group. “Knitting takes a bit of concentration. [Some] kids… wouldn’t necessarily be able to afford to knit. It’s another great option of something to do during lunchtime.”
An avid knitter, White began the group with encouragement from his wife, Tess, after students saw him knitting during field trips and expressed interest.
“I feel a connection with textiles,” he said. “It’s almost instinctual; it’s something we’ve done as civilized humans since the beginning of time. It gives me a lot of peace, gives me a creative outlet,” he said. While Greg has knitted for years, he said a sock-knitting class at Poppies really helped him reach a new level with the craft. Now about 15 kids show up to learn at each lunchtime session, and 25 have received kits.
How you can help
White and Jackson have already passed out almost all the supplies donated to date. If you have leftover skeins of yarn or unused needles packed away somewhere that you’d like to dig out, there are small hands eagerly waiting to receive them. Jackson gives the group a special discount on supplies through Poppies, and can outfit a child with a knitting bag, size 9 bamboo straight needles and a skein of worsted yarn for $8-$10. Circular needles for making hats are also needed.
“$100 goes a really long way, so it’s not an expensive program,” said White. Donations or supplies can be dropped off at the Archipelago Surveying Office (376-3036) or at Poppies Fabric (376-2969).
