Knitting is the latest craze in the Prep School, thanks to a new knitting club introduced this term.
In just its second week, the club was buzzing with excited chatter amid the clack of needles and some very intense concentration. Twenty boys raring to learn the basics of knitting (up from six in the first week) turned up for the lunchtime session. Word had clearly spread! “My friend told me to come, and I’m glad I did!” said Sebastian in Y5.
Miss Orme, who was encouraged to start the club, told us, “I wasn’t sure whether any boys would turn up! But it’s awesome that so many boys are here and keen to learn this fun, new skill.”
For most boys, this is their first knitting experience. As Tristan in Y5 told us, “It’s hard, but I’m getting better.” Luckily for them, help is on hand from the very talented Miss Orme, who has been knitting for over 20 years, and her expert helper Kate, a degree level expert in textiles specialising in knitwear. We also discovered that a handful of boys are already talented knitters and, they too, are keen to share their skills and knowledge.
When asked what tempted the boys to come along to the club, Henry in Y5 explained, “I thought, I’ll never know [about knitting] until I try.”
Headmaster, Ian Silk, commented, “It is wonderful to see the boys enjoying this new club. One of the many joys of being in an all-boys school is that boys can try and enjoy new experiences without inhibition or feeling the need to conform to stereotypes. It is so brilliant to see the boys’ unreserved curiosity and endeavour.”
Although they have just started out, the boys already have big plans: to knit little cardigans for the local hospital’s premature baby unit—a lovely idea.
All we can say is watch out Tom Daley; there is a new generation of knitters on the way!
