In this article, I will give you some tips and ideas on how to teach your child to knit.
Knitting, although some will say is old-fashioned, is actually very good for both the brain and hand-eye coordination. It can also help your child to concentrate better, as learning to knit does require lots of concentration (and patience on your part).
I remember when my daughter was about three she used to watch me knit in the evenings. One night she got two chop sticks out of the drawer and held them up to me and said ‘teach me knit.’ She was, of course, way too young then, but I gave her some scrap wool and let her play around with the wool and chopsticks next to me.
In order to teach your child to knit, all you require is a little patience, from both you and your child.
Knitting can be done by both girls and boys, contrary to popular belief. In fact, if you look at YouTube, you will see that some of the greatest knitters in the world are men. One great example of a well-known male knitter is Steven West.
The younger the child, the longer it will take him or her to get it right. But once they do they will feel a great sense of accomplishment.
How To Teach Your Child To Knit
Another great idea when it comes to how to teach your child to knit is do it like we did as kids. It is called french knitting.
I remember it well – a wooden cotton reel with four nails knocked into it. We would wrap the wool around the nails and pull the bottom loop over the top loop, then watch how the circulcular knitted tube would grow though the middle of the reel and out of the bottom.
Of course nowadays you can buy these, like this one on the right that make life a lot simpler and safer.
Loom knitting is also a great way to get them started. Loom knitting is much like french knitting, but on a larger scale.
You can click on the link above to find out how to do this, or see the picture right at the bottom of this post, which is a loom knitting set for kids
Knitting With Needles
Garter stitch is the easiest knitting stitch to begin with when it comes to kids knitting.
Start with five stitches on the needle and it is best to cast on for the child, to begin with, and let them concentrate on just the knitting part for the first bit.
Teaching with words or poems often works well here. For knitting, you could say ‘in, over, through, off.’ In as needle goes into the stitch, over to take the wool over, through to take the needle through to the front and off when you push the stitch you are finished with off of the needle.
You will need to help your child a lot in the beginning, as he or she will drop and lot of stitches in the beginning, and it can quite frustrating for the child (and sometimes for you).
Learning to handle a pair of knitting needles is no easy feat and requires a good amount of coordination and control of the little hands and fingers.
Tools To Help You How To Teach Your Child To Knit
Here are some awesome tools that you can use to get your child interested in knitting.
Just click on the pictures to find out more about how you can obtain these at the best prices.
With a little time and patience, your child will soon master the art of knitting and be able to go from scarves to beanies to baby clothes to clothes for herself.
There are also many great videos online on how to teach your child to knit, as well as a whole array of videos showing different techniques and stitches. You can use these for ideas once they are keen to get more creative and do more advanced stitches.
The learning curve with knitting is endless, and you can never get bored or know it all. Here are some more great ideas for knitting children in the form of childrens knitting sets that will keep them motivated to complete those projects.
So let’s teach our children about knitting and get some more of those creative juices flowing.
I agree Michel. It’s totally possible to teach a child to knit. I learned to crochet when I was 5 and knitting a few years later. Those things have been some of my favorite recreation activities for decades. I do them while watching TV, so I can be doing something constructive at the same time. I didn’t know it helped with concentration though, so you taught me something new. Thank you.
Yes and also excellent for hand eye coordination.
This is something I definitely want to start.
I don’t have the skills to teach anyone to knit as I can’t knit myself but I would just love to be able to do it.
I particularly love the thought of finger knitting, I can do finger knitting just, but I’ve seen gorgeous scarves on Pinterest which have been arm knitted (I think) and I just want to learn! Will you be posting about it?
The other thing I have no idea about is reading knitting patterns!
Sammi
Haven’t tried finger knitting myself, but have seen some gorgeous items made in this way. I will definitely do a post on how to read a knitting pattern shortly.
Wow! I never thought one can get an affordable knotting machine like the one you featured.
Knitting for profit is definitely a possibility with this one.
I used to knit many years ago and stopped. This looks tempting and I will surely give it a look.
I never knew it’s so easy to teach children how to knit and that it can help with concentration. I have definitely learned something by reading your blog.
Kav
Thanks Kav. Good luck with your knitting. It is very good for kids to learn this skill.
I always used to think that my grandma would knit but instead she actually does sewing with a machine and sews various fabrics and cloths haha.
When I first saw your article the first thing that popped in my mind was danger because kids and knitting didn’t seem like a good idea to me initially. I guess it would be ok with some heavy supervision from an adult though.
Great article!
Chris
Thanks for your comment Chris.
My mom would have loved this when we were kids. She was always trying to get us to do arts and crafts all the time. We had paints, clay, drawing sets, jewelry making, etc. But we never did learn how to knit or crochet. Of course my mom has only recently taken it up, but she has been teaching us even though we are not kids anymore.
When I was in college, they had a knitters club and there were just as many guys there as girls. Maybe they were only there to meet girls, but they turned out some stunning pieces that were on display at school. So you are right that it is not just for girls.
Yes is is amazing how many men nowadays knit.
I think all children should be taught the art of knitting and your page is very informative – there are some excellent resources there to help them, that make knitting fun. It’s also great that children find a sense of achievement at making there own items to wear. I also like that the images you use are really clear and colourful.
Thanks for the comment Pauline, and glad you enjoyed.