25 Oct Knitting Circles

I have been talking about the project with the Surface Design Students as the most comprehensive learning/teaching experience I have experienced.

The project works on many levels

• Development of new practical skills (yarn making and knitting/crochet)
• Development of meaning-making skills [I don’t know what the term is {philosophy?}] and critical thinking (the metaphor of the yarn and the product, how this will carry a message into society and develop community)
• Social engagement (group work, creating community in the ‘real’ world)
• Mentoring of learners (exposure to artists and designers employing the same techniques, which afford them a living)
• Critical assessment of the process (bi-weekly practice presentations, weekly presentations, group, peer and self assessment, evaluation and reflection)
• Social media as an integral aspect of the project (medium to communicate, document, share, reflect and promote)
• Personal and interpersonal development (daily check-in and out circles, yoga, on going crits and feedback [self/peer/lecturer])
• Exposure to crowd sourcing/funding (new emergent paradigms of business, neo-capitalism!  kind business?)

Bonds have strengthened in the individual groups. Groups help each other. The over all class interaction has strengthened. Check-in/out (knitting circles) and yoga has brought in a dynamics of respect, compassion, humility, reflection, gratitude and mindfulness.

I’m in awe.