Island Park Fourth Grade Class Holds Knitting Party

Mercer Island, WA, February 12, 2024 – A fun knitting party took place in the fourth grade class of Stephanie John-Lewis at Island Park on Friday, February 9.

Students learned to cast on and knit, with the goal of knitting a scarf. Students also worked on their loom, learned to weave, make pom-poms, and finger knitted.

John-Lewis and paraeducator Anne Woodford, who is a knitter, talked about giving students the opportunity to learn how to knit because of the fine motor development involved and the opportunity to learn a new skill while building relationships.

The duo started by teaching kids during recess, but so many students wanted to learn to knit, they decided they need to hold a class wide knitting party.

John-Lewis reached out to the island knitting community and received donations of yarn and help, including island residents Jyotsana Walia and Carla Kepler, who volunteered their time to help students.

Former Island Park student Sarah Hoole and Ellie Bube, daughter of MISD Special Services Director Dr. Sue Ann Bube, also came to Island Park and shared their expertise with students.