I've been teaching knitting now for four years and I would say it's a brave person who takes on teaching craft to anyone. There's always the chance your learner will fall off the craft ladder and end up frustrated and growly at their inability to pick up the craft immediately. Encouragement and the reminder that practice makes perfect often helps but it takes a cool head to teach.
Which is why this piece in the Financial Times on teaching crochet to prisoners is a fascinating read.
Journalist Melanie Tringham talks to crochet teacher Eva Christopherson in Wisconsin Racine Correctional Institution, a medium-security male prison. The inmates learn to crochet hats, scarves and gloves and sew teddy bears together for the local church and children's charity.
According to Eva the craft creates self-esteem as well as keeping them busy. A real insight into how craft is more than just glitter and glue. But you knew that.
Read the full story here.
