Teaching children to knit is a great way to spend time with your kids and teach them a useful skill. It is good for their fine motor skills and concentration but more importantly it is great fun! The best part is your children will soon have something to show for their efforts.
If you’re thinking about teaching kids to knit, there are a few things you should keep in mind.
First, it’s important to choose the right yarn and needles for your child’s age and skill level.
You’ll also want to have some patience as you teach them the basics of knitting. Once they’ve mastered those, they’ll be able to start knitting their own projects!
The best age for children to start knitting
Knitting can be a fun and rewarding activity for kids of all ages. However, some skills may be more difficult for younger children to grasp, and knitting is no exception.
The best age for kids to start knitting generally depends on their ability to focus and follow directions.
Most kids are ready to learn knitting by the time they are six or seven years old. By that age they have the necessary hand eye coordination as well as a long enough attention span to master the basic skills.
New knitters around this age also have more patience to deal with any mistakes such as dropped stitches. Kids also have big enough hands and fingers to hold needles and yarn.
Remember that boys like knitting just as much as girls! (I should know because my son is a keen knitter.)
Choosing the right Knitting Kit
The best knitting needles for children
When it comes to choosing knitting needles for children, there are a few things to take into consideration.
The best knitting needles for children are those that are on the short side and have a blunt end. This will make them easier for kids to handle.
Wider needles are good to begin with – at least 4mm or more.
In terms of material, plastic or metal ones are preferable to bamboo needles, because yarn does not slip off bamboo very easily.
Additionally, knitting needles with a colorful coating can be fun for kids to use. You may come across special knitting needles made for children where the two needles are different colors. These help kids differentiate between the right needle and the left needle.
The best knitting yarn for children
Knitting yarn for children should be easy to work with and durable. Standard acrylic knitting yarns are a good option because they’re affordable and come in a variety of colors.
If you visit a yarn shop, many children will be drawn towards the novelty yarns. However, these can be difficult to work with and are not ideal for teaching. If you do choose a novelty yarn, the rather funky rainbow wool available is a good option.
Remember that the lighter the color of the yarn, the easier it will be for your kids to see the stitches.
Tips for teaching knitting to kids
If you need any help with teaching kids knitting, then you might find my knitting instructions for beginners a good place to start.
The first knitting techniques to teach children are casting on and the knit stitch. Once they master these, they will be on course to their first project using garter stitch.
Kids learn fast but progress is always slow at the start and they will make lots of mistakes. So, take a deep breath and make sure you are in a very patient mood!
Teaching Kids the Knit Stitch
The knit stitch is a basic knitting stitch that can be used to create a variety of different knitting patterns. Here are step by step instructions on how to do the knit stitch for beginners:
1) Cast on the required number of stitches using whatever knitting method you prefer.
2) Hold the knitting yarn in your left hand, with the tail end hanging down.
3) Insert the right needle into the first stitch on the left needle, from front to back.
4) Wrap the knitting yarn around the right needle, from front to back, and pull it through the stitch.
5) Repeat steps 3 and 4 until all stitches have been
Here is a great knitting rhyme to help kids remember how to do the knit stitch:
In through the front door,
Once around the back,
Peek through the window,
And off jumps Jack!
Teaching Kids purl stitch
1) With your right hand, insert the knitting needle into the first stitch on the left-hand knitting needle from back to front.
2) Wrap the knitting yarn around the knitting needle from back to front
3) Pull the knitting yarn towards you through the stitch
4) Then pull the yarn off the top of the needle.
And here is another knitting rhyme for the purl stitch:
Down through the bunny hole,
Around the big tree,
Up pops the bunny,
And off goes she!
Alternative
If you think your kids are too young to learn conventional knitting, you can always teach them either:
or
or
Arm Knitting (instructions coming soon!)
Knitting Patterns for Kids
When your kids have mastered the basics of knitting, they will be ready to knit their first item. At this stage, why not check out my beginner knitting patterns for some good ideas. If you want a tip, I know that my child really enjoyed knitting a small scarf for his teddy and this is a great project for boys or girls.
Learning to knit is an experience children never forget. They will always remember who taught them and the magical time they spend just hanging out with you.
Happy knitting!