Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for Knitting Instructor

🎯 Role Definition

Are you a passionate knitter with a talent for teaching and a heart for building community? We're searching for a creative, patient, and enthusiastic Knitting Instructor to become a key part of our team. In this role, you will be the guide who helps others discover the joy of creating with yarn and needles. You'll have the opportunity to share your expertise, inspire new and experienced crafters alike, and help foster a vibrant, supportive, and inclusive environment where everyone feels welcome to learn and grow their skills. If you find joy in untangling knots (both literal and figurative) and celebrating every finished project, we want to hear from you.

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

Experienced Hobby Knitter with a strong portfolio
Retail Associate from a craft or yarn store
Textile Arts Student or Graduate

Advancement To:

Lead Instructor / Education Coordinator
Workshop and Events Manager
Yarn Store Manager or Assistant Manager
Independent Pattern Designer

Lateral Moves:

Crochet or Weaving Instructor
Fiber Arts Specialist
Visual Merchandiser for a craft-focused brand

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

Develop, plan, and execute a diverse curriculum of knitting classes for a range of skill levels, from absolute beginners to advanced artisans.
Instruct students on a wide variety of knitting fundamentals and techniques, including casting on, binding off, knit and purl stitches, increasing, decreasing, and finishing.
Teach specialized, advanced workshops focusing on topics such as colorwork (stranded, intarsia), lace knitting, brioche, cabling, and sock or sweater construction.
Create a welcoming, inclusive, and supportive classroom atmosphere that encourages creativity, learning, and community building among students.
Provide individualized attention and hands-on assistance to students, patiently troubleshooting their work and helping to correct mistakes.
Prepare and organize all necessary class materials, including instructional handouts, patterns, and sample swatches.
Manage classroom logistics, including setup and cleanup, ensuring the teaching space is always tidy and well-stocked.
Stay current with emerging trends in the knitting world, including new patterns, popular designers, yarn types, and techniques to keep class offerings fresh and exciting.
Adapt teaching style and pace to meet the diverse needs, learning styles, and abilities of individual students in a group setting.
Assist with managing class schedules, registrations, and communicating with enrolled students regarding class logistics and material requirements.
Collaborate with the store management to develop new class ideas and workshop series that align with inventory and seasonal promotions.
Evaluate student progress and provide constructive, encouraging feedback to help them achieve their knitting goals.
Represent the company brand and values with professionalism and enthusiasm during all interactions with the public.

Secondary Functions

Guide customers in the retail space, offering expert advice on yarn selection, pattern choice, and tool recommendations for their projects.
Host and facilitate social knitting circles, knit-alongs (KALs), and other community-building events to foster customer engagement and loyalty.
Contribute creative content for the store's newsletter, blog, or social media, such as knitting tips, project showcases, or technique tutorials.
Assist with visual merchandising tasks, helping to create inspiring displays of yarn, samples, and finished objects.
Maintain a comprehensive knowledge of the store's product inventory, including fiber content, brand story, and suitable project pairings.
Operate the point-of-sale (POS) system to process transactions for classes, yarn, and other store merchandise.
Provide exceptional customer service by building positive relationships with students and customers, turning them into repeat clients.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

Mastery of advanced knitting techniques, including but not limited to lacework, complex cables, stranded colorwork (Fair Isle), intarsia, and brioche.
Expert ability to read and interpret complex knitting patterns, schematics, and charts from a variety of designers and publications.
Comprehensive knowledge of yarn characteristics, including fiber content, weight, ply, and dye methods, and the ability to advise on appropriate substitutions.
Proficiency in fixing common and complex knitting mistakes (e.g., dropped stitches, incorrect cables, twisted stitches) directly on a student's project.
Experience with sweater construction, garment fitting, and pattern modification to achieve a desired fit.
Familiarity with both Continental and English knitting styles, and the ability to teach both methods.
Competence in using Ravelry for pattern research, project tracking, and community engagement.

Soft Skills

Exceptional patience, empathy, and an encouraging demeanor, especially when working with beginners or frustrated learners.
Outstanding verbal communication and public speaking skills, with the ability to explain complex concepts clearly and concisely.
Strong interpersonal skills and a genuine passion for building community and fostering a positive, inclusive environment.
Excellent organizational and time management skills to effectively plan lessons and manage a classroom.
Creative problem-solving abilities to address student challenges and adapt lesson plans on the fly.
A high degree of adaptability to work with a diverse range of ages, personalities, and skill levels.

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

High School Diploma or equivalent. Verifiable, extensive knitting experience is paramount.

Preferred Education:

Coursework or certifications in Fine Arts, Textile Arts, or Adult Education.

Relevant Fields of Study:

Textile Arts
Fashion Design
Education

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range:

3-5+ years of advanced-level knitting experience with a diverse portfolio of finished projects.

Preferred:

1-2 years of experience in a teaching, tutoring, or instructional role.
Prior retail experience in a local yarn store (LYS) or craft-related business is highly desirable.
Experience hosting virtual classes using platforms like Zoom is a plus.