Hooks & Needles 4-H Club

   Talk about a fast and furious SPIN club.  Our youth met over the course of 2 weeks in just 4 days with about an hour and a half per meeting (did you catch all of that?) to learn how to knit, crochet, loom knit, and hand knit.  In that time they all completed at least one project, worked on a hand knitted blanket that will be donated, and had some fun while they tried it all.

  These types of activities are great for eye hand coordination, help build arm and hand muscles, as well as work on problem solving skills.  Knitting and crocheting have been shown to help alleviate symptoms of arthritis because these activities actually build cartilage in your fingers.  Also recent studies show that having your mind focused on activities such as this actually relieve symptoms of stress and anxiety.  So it is good for your overall health.  

  Our crochet learners learned how to make chains, as well as single, double, and triple crochet.  With these skills down they can learn how to make just about anything they want.  

  Our loom knitters made hats, and ear warmers.  Most of our youth said this was the easiest to learn and they liked that it didn't take long to actually finish a project.

 

  

 Our hand knitting was centered around making a big blanket.  Everyone, youth, parents, and volunteers, were able to do one or more rows on the blanket making it something truly created with love.  The blanket will be donated to a local nonprofit that helps folks who are taking care of families with extended stays in the hospital.

Our knitters focused on getting stitches and making a coaster.  Go a little longer and this could have been a dishcloth or a scarf.   The neat thing about this club is that everyone had the chance to try something new and gain skills they can use forever.  To see more of what our youth did as part of this club please check out our photo album by clicking this link.

Special thanks to our first time club volunteers who took their time and talents to lead this SPIN Club, Kareis Brit, Margaret Crites, and Shae Davis.  If this is a club that you would be interested in taking part of in the future please let us know by contacting Wendy Maynor, 4-H Program Associate at wrmaynor@ncsu.edu.