This winter I browsed through different knitting websites and have directed Mrs. Ide to some of the interesting patterns.
"I'd really like to try some of these but those English instructions! I have no idea where to start!"
Hey! I'm the English teacher! Let's try an pattern or two written in English and Mrs. Ide can LEARN how to use non-Japanese patterns.
I think it was on Mary's blog that she asked if anyone had ever used knitting patterns that used a grid. She was afraid to give them a try... I encouraged her to dive in. The grid and symbol patterns are what Japanese patterns are all about. I didn't learn to knit until I came to Japan when my Japanese friend explained the grid and symbol patterns to me. Once learned a few symbols, off I went. These days I still prefer the Japanese grid patterns to the English abbreviated patterns.
But anyway... Mrs. Okusa picked out a pattern from a knitting website. A small, simple neck-warmer. Mrs. Ide could make this just looking at the picture but the purpose was learning to decipher the abbreviated instructions so English class consisted of the three of us sitting around the table with knitting needles and left-over yarn. I explained the abbreviations (as if I'm such a pro at this... before class I checked the Internet about knitting terms... I'm good at pretending like I know what I'm doing.) and Mrs. Ide and Mrs. Okusa took notes.
"This would be so much easier if it was in grid form..."
We persevered and the ladies went home with homework.
And this week they came back with their finished neck-warmers. We agreed to wear our creations at English class.
Ta-da! Same neck-warmer, different ways of wearing it. Mrs. Ide tied hers with a ribbon. Mrs. Okusa and I chose to use buttons.
This week we're deciphering crochet instructions.
How's that for an English class!?
12 comments:
Great knitting class.... I would love to take home a finished project.... whether it is English or knitting.... Can't wait to see next project...
Oh, those turned out so nice! I used to know how to knit and crochet but haven't done either for a couple of decades :) What a fun exercise. You are all keeping your brains young :)
I agree with you about the use of gridded patterns. I am from France and this is the way the patterns are written too. That is how I learned how to knit complicated patterns and it's so much easier to follow than the American abbreviations.
Your neck-warmers look realy nice and it would be nice to have one when I walk the dog early on cold mornings. My Tori says hello to Choco!
Annick
I have used both word and grid patterns. The good thing about those grid patterns is that there are fewer mistakes in the printing. Also I find I get less confused because I don't have to keep counting. They are also a bit more friendly to left-handers.
These neck-warmers look great!!!
What a great idea. Could you perhaps post the link on your blog? It would be wonderful for dog walking in the cold weather, much better than a scarf, and probably something I could manage.
Doesn't matter how much I try, I just can't get on with a grid pattern! So many online patterns don't work for me :( But those neck warmers look lovely - perhaps they'd make a good starting point?
How hobby and English lesson can merge!
I loved reading your story and I have an image of you three above your sheets trying to figure out how ... just adorable!
Kind greetings,
Ann
I just love your stories!
As a young newlywed girl recently moved to So.California ( what we do for love!) I was so happy when I found a yarn shop. I bought yarn for a somewhat complicated pattern and then asked the ladies at the shop to show me the different stitches. They looked at me like I was crazy. Their facial expressions were just wonderful! I did know how to knit BUT my dictionary did not include knitting terms (-obviously this was way before internet). All I wanted and needed was to know which stitch was which in order to make the top.
It is hard to knit in a second language! I can so relate to your friends!
Louise, who is back in Sweden knitting in her native tongue.
Great idea, Japanese to English and you have a beautiful neck-warmer..we're going to need neck-warmers here in IN in the next day or so..expecting a snow storm...anyway, you gals always come up w/ such lovely things...me, I'm sticking to my penny rugs and quilted post cards. I truly can't wait until tomorrow, to see what you're doing...hugs, Pat in IN
I've been looking for a place to start to get back to knitting (haven't done any in 20 years!)...any chance you can link to the pattern?
Awwwww. You ladies look great! What fun!
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