Knitting A Bible Study
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From the Open Files of: |
NW Synod of Wisconsin Resource Center (715) 833-1153 |
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Contributed by: |
Trinity Lutheran Church, Eau Claire, WI |
Knitting 102
Christmas Scarves
Timing
Objectives
Supplies
Class
Prerequisite
Lesson
Plan
Bible
Study
Matthew
2:1-12
Knitting
Instructions
Timing [ TOP ]
I teach this as a one session workshop on a Saturday morning. Teach it early enough in the fall so that folks will have plenty of time to make scarves as Christmas presents.
Objectives [ TOP ]
Participants will learn three knitting patterns which lend themselves nicely to winter scarves. They are:
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Actually, you could teach any three patterns you desire. I chose these three because they require only simple knowledge of knit and purl. But if you wanted to teach this as an intermediate or advanced class, you could teach much more elaborate scarf patterns.
The participants won't make the actual scarves at the workshop. They'll make swatches of each pattern. Besides learning three new patterns, the other objective of the workshop is to teach the class the value of swatching. Before the class, make up several swatches using various types of yarn and needle sizes, or using two strands of yarn together. Then you can show them how differently each pattern can look and feel with various yarns and gauges. It's also interesting to make up a swatch of each pattern using the same yarn and needle size.
Supplies [ TOP ]
Participants should bring various balls of scrap yarn and needles of various sizes. I bring lots of yarn balls and needles, too, so that there's plenty of materials to go around. It's a great way to cut down on the bulk of my yarn stash!
Class Prerequisites [ TOP ]
Participants should be able to cast on and off, as well as knit and purl.
Lesson Plan [ TOP ]
Teach the first two patterns (double moss stitch and fisherman's rib), having the participants make a swatch of each pattern. It's fun to show to show them how the various yarns they are using knit up.
After teaching the first two patterns, take a break. When people get back, teach the Bible study below, and then finish off with the third design (double-sided stocking stitch). And that's the class!
Bible Study [ TOP ]
So....today we're learning three scarf patterns which you can use in making Christmas gifts. Can you think of a story in the Bible where someone receives THREE GIFTS? (The visit of the wise men!)
Have someone read the text.
The Magi were very learned men. They were like walking encyclopedias. They also followed astrological movements. So when this "new star" appears, they follow it.
Put yourself in their shoes: Let's say your father or
mother or sibling informed you that they were going to leave
home to worship a new leader. You asked them, "So, where did
you hear about this person?" And they answered, "I saw it
written in the stars!"
Question: What would be going
through your mind?
Verse three: Here we see evidence that, perhaps the Magi
were actually women. After all, when was the last time you
heard of a man stopping to ask for directions? The Wise Men
show up at the royal headquarters in Jerusalem. They ask
King Herod where this new King of the Jews was born. The
text tells us that Herod was frightened. Some other
translations will use "disturbed" or "upset." But you get
the general idea. Someone is threatening his reign.
Question: Who else is frightened? (All of Jerusalem
with him). When Herod ain't happy, ain't nobody happy!
Herod schemes to use the Magi to locate this infant king.
In fact, he is the one who winds up helping them! He finds
out from the religious scholars where the Messiah is to be
born. Herod points the Magi in the direction of
Bethlehem. The Magi continue on their way.
Question: Do you
think they asked anyone else along the way for guidance?
The Magi are on a journey to find the Messiah. You might
say that our spiritual life is a journey, a search for
Jesus.
Questions:
•Have you seen any "signs" which have pointed you in the right direction?
•Who has helped to guide you on your journey
•Have you discovered Jesus where you expected to find him?
•Where have you found him?
They find Jesus and give him their gifts of gold,
frankincense and myrrh. These were very precious, expensive
gifts.
Question: If you could give Jesus a gift (not
some shoot-the-moon gift, but one within your means to
give), what would you give to him?
End by reading the closing stanza of the carol "In the Bleak Mid-winter"
What can I give him, poor as I am?
If I were a shepherd I would bring a lamb;
If I were a wise man I would do my part;
Yet what I can I give him - give my heart.
Matthew 2:1-12 [ TOP ]
In the time of King Herod, after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea, wise men from the East came to Jerusalem, 2 asking, "Where is the child who has been born king of the Jews? For we observed his star at its rising, and have come to pay him homage." 3 When King Herod heard this, he was frightened, and all Jerusalem with him; 4 and calling together all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Messiah was to be born. 5 They told him, "In Bethlehem of Judea; for so it has been written by the prophet:
6 'And you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah,
are by no means least among the rulers of Judah;
for from you shall come a ruler
who is to shepherd my people Israel.' "
7 Then Herod secretly called for the wise men and learned from them the exact time when the star had appeared. 8 Then he sent them to Bethlehem, saying, "Go and search diligently for the child; and when you have found him, bring me word so that I may also go and pay him homage." 9 When they had heard the king, they set out; and there, ahead of them, went the star that they had seen at its rising, until it stopped over the place where the child was. 10 When they saw that the star had stopped, they were overwhelmed with joy. 11 On entering the house, they saw the child with Mary his mother; and they knelt down and paid him homage. Then, opening their treasure chests, they offered him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. 12 And having been warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they left for their own country by another road.
Double Moss Stitch [ TOP ]
Cast on a number of stitches divisible by four.
Row 1- K2, P2, repeat across.
Row 2 - Same as row one.
Row 3 - P2, K2, repeat across
Row 4 - Same as row three.
Repeat pattern.
Finishing: End with row one (or row three). Bind off according to pattern for row two (or row four).
Fisherman's Rib [ TOP ]
Note: Knit One Below (K1B)
To knit one below, insert the right-hand needle through the center of the stitch below the next stitch on the left-hand needle. Knit in the usual way, drawing the loop through.
Cast on an odd number of stitches.
Row 1 - Knit across (you will not repeat this row)
Row 2 - Sl1, *K1B, K1; rep from * to end.
Row 3 - Sl1, *K1, K1B; rep from * to last 2 sts, K2
Repeat rows 2 and 3.
To finish, bind off according to pattern.
Cast on an even number of sts, twice the desired width of finished piece.
Row 1 - *K1, bring yarn forward, sl1 purl-wise, move yarn
to back; rep from * to end.
Row 2 - Same as row 1.
Finishing:
Using two needles, and slipping all sts purl-wise, slip the first st onto one needle. Holding the second needle behind the first needle, sl the second st onto this needle. Cont in this fashion, slipping odd sts onto the front needle and even sts onto the rear needle.When you have completed this, you should have opened the "tube." If you need to fix any loose ends inside, this is the time to do it.
BO, using three needle bind off system.
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