Top Tips to Teach Kids How To Knit
1. The age of the child is important.
My panel of experts says that 8 is the ideal age for a child to learn to knit. While you can teach 6-year-olds and 7-year-olds, and children are different in their abilities at each age, 8 is a solid age to learn knitting and that can be easy with a beginner sewing machine model. You can read janome portable sewing machine review to know how this model is suitable for beginners. They are better at fine motor skills and hand-eye coordination. They are also more patient and focused. For younger youngsters, children’s author Joanna Johnson recommends finger knitting.
Elizabeth Elliott, a designer, really enjoys teaching children aged 10-12 years old. She said, “They are old enough to be patient with themselves and the learning process, but young enough to be more flexible about what might work.” As they begin to think about all the possibilities that knitting offers, you can see their excitement growing. It’s amazing to see.
2. Type and size of the needle are important.
The consensus among all the teachers that U.S. 8 needles (or very close to it) are short, straight, bamboo, or wooden was pretty unanimous. Elizabeth Elliott suggests that metal is better for children who knit very tightly. This is often the case with beginners adults.
A bulky, twisted yarn of bulky weight that has some stickiness (e.g., a wool/acrylic mix) is the best. One teacher prefers single yarns because splitting the plies can pose a problem for novices. Both long straights and circulars work well but can be difficult for both beginners and experienced knitters.
3. Knitting does not know any gender.
All genders can learn to knit without being stereotyped. Joni Coniglio is the senior project editor at Interweave Knits. She taught knitting to elementary-school children for many years and found that they were as enthusiastic as the girls.
A visiting reporter asked one of the boy knitters if he would rather be doing another job. He answered, “No!” “I’d rather do this than playing Nintendo!” That quote was published in the paper.
4. Teach the parent how to knit, and the child will be able to help you at home.
My mummy was always there to help me when I needed it. You can teach someone else’s child how to knit by asking them to take a few lessons. This will allow them to help during breaks.
Elizabeth Elliott states, “In our program, the children who have done the best have had encouragement and support from their parents. Ideally, someone nearby or at home who can help when they get stuck.”
Positive reinforcement is the key to success.
The teachers I spoke to advised patience, praise, and encouragement, as well as cultivating a relaxed mindset when learning to knit. It is not about making it perfect or creating something useful.
It is about comfort with the tools, movements and a suitable model such as brother lx3817. If a child is particularly interested or gifted, help them to further their craft.
My mother gives me a great example: “I was a judge for N.C. State Fair for around 8 years. Judging children was one of my jobs. I made sure that every entry was awarded prizes and left an encouraging note.
There were some exceptional entries, and I attached ribbons with a note. If they needed help knitting or crocheting, I would also attach my business card.
Over the years, a few girls did reach out to me. We still keep in touch with them, even though they are young adults. They still knit. Sometimes, all children need is encouragement.
Crochet Monkey Business allows you to create a storybook together and then crochet the characters.
1. Make it fun by using mnemonics!
Jackie Ottino Graf suggests a good knitting rhyme.
“In through the front doors,
Turn around.
Take a look through the window
Off jumps Jack.”
2. There is no lost cause.
These teachers shared stories about kids who appeared lost in knitting but eventually learned to knit at home and returned to the lesson with more skill and patience.
Even if they don’t like it or have only had the opportunity to learn once, there is still a chance you might be able to plant a seed. Nancy Shroyer is a prolific teacher of adult knitting.
She says: “Often, the easiest people to train as adults are those who learned as kids but didn’t keep it up until something caught their attention.”
3. A child can also teach you.
Jackie Ottino Graf’s teacher interview is one of my favorites. She said, “I had one girl come and wanted to learn how to knit. Although I had taught her the basics, I made it a rule that she had to be there for a few days before she could get yarn and needles home.
This was due to dwindling resources. She left her knitting at school, and she returned the next day with six inches of knitting on pencils. It was so amazing to feel proud, happy, and like a jerk all in one.
It is an honor to share the joy and pleasure of knitting with someone else, and it’s even more special when we do it with children with a cute sewing machine model. However, ones they grow, they’ll need something like – read brother cs6000i sewing machine review to find out..
I am so grateful to all those who helped me compile this list. These teachers were involved in teaching children knitting through elementary schools, homeschooling programs, and yarn shops.
If you’re interested in volunteering and have children in school, it is a great way to get involved. Elizabeth Elliott teaches through an after-school program at her local library.
Jackie Ottino Graf is available at recess at her daughter’s school every day, where her knitting lessons are a regular part of the children’s lives, especially in the Maine winters, when it’s too cold to go outside.
Check with your local Boys and Girls Clubs to see if they would consider teaching knitting lessons.
Read more : What Is Interoperability and Why Does It Matter?
