On a snowy Saturday morning, 15 craft enthusiasts from Clearwater, Big Lake, Annandale, Monticello, Elk River and St. Cloud gathered at the Clearwater Library to learn something new - arm knitting.

 

The 90-minute program featured instructor Jen Anfinson, who has taught multiple craft-related programs at different libraries in the Great River Library (GRRL) system over the past few years.

 

“I’ve been doing this (arm knitting) for five years,” said Anfinson. “I’m a life-long maker. I just like trying new things.”

 

For Saturday’s program, the group learned how to use their arms instead of knitting needles to make a scarf.

 

Anfinson said no one had to have prior experience in knitting to achieve their goal.

 

“I’m not a knitter,” she said. “Arm knitting is easy to pick up. It’s a quick, fun little hobby, and when we’re done everybody should have a scarf.”

 

One main difference in arm knitting is the thickness of the yarn. Since each stitch has to be wide enough to go over a person’s hand, the yarn has to be thicker to fill in the spaces. Anfinson was prepared with samples of different thick, colored yarns. The only other supplies were scissors.

 

Anfinson said thicker yarn is readily available in most craft stores, so anyone who wanted to continue doing arm knitting would have no trouble getting the yarn they needed.

 

After she lined up all the knitters in a row, she stood with her back to them first, so they could follow her instructions. As they attempted to repeat her steps, there were some moments of confusion for a few.

 

Comments like, “You have to drop the stitch,” or, “There’s a knot in my yarn,” or, “I think I have to start over,” could be heard.

 

Anfinson stopped along the row of knitters, encouraging them and pointing out what they had to do to correct their mistakes. Eventually, most got the knack of arm knitting and went home with a scarf of their own.

 

The program was made possible by the Minnesota Legacy Amendment passed in 2008 which supports the arts.

 

“People can take advantage of these creative programs free of charge because a small portion of taxpayer dollars goes back to fund library programs,” said Anfinson.