Welp, here goes - how to teach people stuff

[kitewithfish]

I volunteered to give a couple of my co workers a basic "intro to knitting" lesson today over lunch and help establish a group hang out with crafters who nibble at lunch once a week. So I have some plans and some hopes and also some concerns!  

Have you ever taught someone something? were you super prepared about it beforehand or just relying on your own expertise to carry you thru?

Comments

[obstinatecondolement]

I've taught a number of people how to crochet. One time I prepared printed instructions, which I ended up having to ditch because no one was using them, but all the other times I just sat next to the person and let them watch my hands and watched them when they were having a go themselves. Maybe bring yarn and needles if the other person doesn't have any, or if they wouldn't know how to get yarn and needles that went together gauge-wise, but other than that I think you just need to trust yourself.

[kitewithfish]

I did have some supplies to share (this counts as stash busting, right? Right!) and it went pretty well! I basically started with slip knots, a simple cast on, and knit stitches. One person, who it turns out is sometimes left handed, had some more trouble, but all in all it seemed to go okay! Everyone seemed happy and thanked me for being able to break things down into smaller steps.

That said, I would definitely set up the table so that the people doing a lesson had a better view of my hands and I would see theirs more easily.

[obstinatecondolement]

Yay, I'm glad it went well!