Our Town: AtlantaVolunteer helps kids with patience, concentration — one stitch at a time
That soft clacking sound coming from the Boys and Girls Club in Brookhaven is the productive noise of creativity. Two months ago, about 20 youngsters who attend after-school programs at the Club on North Druid Hills Road took up the once-only-grandmotherly art of knitting.
It started when Susan Frierson pulled out a pair of knitting needles to keep her hands busy in between helping students with homework assignments. A 12-year member of the Buckhead Optimists, a philanthropic group that has supported the club with volunteers and some funding, Frierson has spent several afternoons a month working with youngsters from six through 12 years of age.
“I’d go over to help on homework, but if they got too far into the math, I’d be lost,” said Frierson with a laugh. “So I’d just sit there with my needles, and soon they asked me to teach them to knit, too. Some of them had grandmothers who knitted or crocheted; others were just curious how I can knit pretty fast and make something.”
Frierson took the challenge to become a knitting teacher and purchased packages of wooden barbecue skewers to get students started. Within a few weeks, she had moved them to dowels with sharpened ends. She got a Michael’s store in Smyrna to donate yarn and put together bags for each student to hold their materials. She also peppers her lessons with more than just making loops.
“I’ve talked up what a skill this is and how it’s been around for so long,” said Frierson. “I’ve explained how it’s a nice quiet activity; how it teaches concentration and patience; how you’re supposed to think about the person you’re knitting for and to make them something that will make them feel warm and loved.”
The students start out making 3-by-3 inch squares that Frierson adds to a growing wall display. One student has moved onto making a small purse; another is crafting a bookmarker. “One of the boys immediately wanted to make a sweater,” said Frierson with a laugh. “But we start at the beginning.”
Frierson has also recruited friends from her Buckhead neighborhood and her knitting circle at the Church of the Redeemer on Peachtree Dunwoody Road to work with the youngsters individually and in groups. And she’s always looking for more nimble fingers.
“We need more people interested in helping out,” she said. “When you go in and see these kids and how interested they are, it’s amazing. I’ve done volunteer work over the years, but working with these kids is thrilling. I feel so needed, and they’re learning something new.”
Robin Reid, the club’s manager of volunteer services, welcomes more volunteers.”As a nonprofit, we are always working to stretch limited resources. Volunteers like Susan give us critical extra support. They help extend the reach of our existing programs focused on helping kids and teens achieve academically, live healthy and lead in their communities.”
Frierson plans to keep the sessions going through the summer and beyond.
“I’ve told the students I’m in this for the long run,” she said. “I’ll still be here when they’re in high school.”
