Schoolchildren knit and knot the holidays away in BandungJuly 14, 2007 Yuli Tri Suwarni
The Jakarta Post, Bandung
Some 20 children were sitting on the floor holding colorful threads and chopstick-like sticks in their hands. Most of them were about to learn something they had never learned before: Knitting.
The children were not at school but rather at a hotel in Bandung, West Java.
Their instructor, Yenti Aprianti, said today the children would be taught about Macram‚, a method of textile making which uses a knotting, rather than weaving or knitting, technique.
Knotting, which predominantly uses square knots and forms of hitching, has been used by sailors and in a decorative sense, such as on knife handles and around bottles, for aeons.
Yenti said the technique is easily practiced and would sharpen the children's creativity as well as introduce them to many shapes and forms. The technique, she said, was first taught to boys in Scandinavia and Germany, but in its development it became popular among girls. The threads can easily be thickened and leather rope can also be used, widening the technique's appeal.
In Indonesia, Macrame‚ is used to make various handicraft products such as bags, bracelets and even chairs.
"Who wants to make a wallet? Anyone want to make bracelet? Let's hold the sticks and cover it with threads like this," Yenti directed the children, aged between six and 15 years.
The children were soon clicking away with their needles and colorful thread while learning the Macrame‚ technique.
"I love to make bracelets, animal dolls and even dragonflies, even though it's difficult," said 8-year-old Angela Muksim, a second grader at S.D. Tunas Bangsa elementary school in Bekasi. It was not the girl's first knitting experience, but she said she never grows tired of the art because of the wide variety of products she can make.
For 9-year-old Faiza, a fourth grader at S.D. Budi Mulia in Jakarta, the course presented her with her first knitting experience, though she has grown accustomed to various knitting products such as bags and cell phone pouches.
"It's fun to make it yourself," she said while proudly showing off an orange bracelet she had made.
Twelve-year-old Jessica, a third year student at S.M.P. Harapan Bunda junior high in Jakarta, was not troubled in her efforts to knit, producing a handbag and bracelet and helping younger kids with their individual projects.
But the one-hour course did not provide enough time for the students to complete their knitting projects, as some were collected by their parents, eager to check out of the hotel.
"Let's finish this at home," Jessica said to her sister, who was reluctant to leave when the course was over.
The class was held for school children staying at the Savoy Homan Bidakara hotel in Bandung during their school holidays. Most came from Jakarta with their parents.
The hotel's public relations manager Diah Suhandi said for this year's school holidays, the hotel would hold a raft of short courses for children. Of the hotel's 147 rooms, 40 were occupied by families. The Macrame‚ course was the first of such courses to be held. "Other courses will include cooking and ceramics," Diah said. Children staying at the hotel were pampered, given gifts and allowed to borrow various games for two hours, including Playstations and table soccer.
