Knitting For Kids

Knitting occupies idle hands and broadens attention spans. Knitting is creative and relaxing and entertains the knitter. You can knit in the car on long or short trips. You can knit while watching TV. And even the beginning knitter can create something interesting; something to be proud of.

What is Knitting?

Knitting is the process of connecting little loops of yarn to create a fabric. We don’t now exactly how long people have been knitting, but small pieces of knitted socks have been discovered in Egypt, dating back to 1200 and 1400 AD.

In the late 1500’s the knitting machine was created and enabled people to create fabric rapidly, but people continued to knit by hand because it is fun, satisfying, relaxing and easy.

You can learn to knit rather quickly and in no time you will be making scarves, beanbags, bookmarks or even a little change purse.

Before you pick up a pair of needles, try finger knitting. Children as young as 5 can master this simple craft. Watch the accompanying video to see how it is done.

Finger knit a bookmark, a belt or a hair tie in just a few minutes.

Yarn: Choose a yarn that you love. Pick a color that you will enjoy looking at and a texture that feels good to hold in your hands. A bulky or thicker yarn is a good choice for beginners. Skinning, thin yarn will be a little more difficult to work with. You can choose a natural fiber, like sheep’s wool or alpaca yarn, or a synthetic fiber like acrylic. Acrylic is easy to work with and machine washable. Needles: Wood or bamboo needles are great for beginner. Plastic and metal needles are slippery, and can be frustrating to work with when you are still mastering the basics. Knitting needles come in various sizes. The skinniest are given the lowest number (1,2,3) and thicker needles have higher numbers (11, 15 and even 35). Skinny needles are used to make very small stitches with very thin yarn, like in a sock. Larger sized needles can be used for scarves, sweater and blankets. If you have chosen a bulky yarn, you will need medium to large sized needles. Choose 10-inch needles in any size between 7-10.

Yarn Needle: A yarn needle is used to sew your knitted pieces together to create something, like a beanbag or eventually a sweater! It is also called a tapestry or darning needle and it looks like a giant plastic sewing needle.

You will also need a tape measure, and scissors for your projects.

When you are ready, view the How To Knit video above and to the right to learn how to cast on stitches and begin to knit! Try out the easy project below.

This basic beanbag is a great kids knitting project because it will give you a chance to practice your basic stitches and still create something.

Using the basic knit stitch, you will knit two squares, and sew them together on three sides, then fill an old sock or stocking with beans and place in your knitted squares. Sew up the last side and you are done! You can make the beanbag all one color, or use a different color for each side.

What you need for this kids knitting project:

• 1 skein of bulky yarn (or a ball of scrap yarn)
• Knitting needles, any size from 7 to 10
• A thin sock, old tights or pantyhose
• 1 cup of dried beans
• Yarn needle

Directions:

1. Cast on 20 stitches. Knit every row until you make a square. Bind off. Your first square is complete! Now repeat the process for your second square.
2. Now get your yarn needle and sew together your 2 squares on three sides. Remember to leave one side open to insert the beans!
3. Take your sock or stocking and fill the foot with beans. Put it in the beanbag to see how it fits and if you need to add or remove some of the beans. When you are happy with the puffiness of the beanbag, tie a knot in the fabric of the stocking to keep the bean from falling out.
4. Using your yarn needle, sew closed the last side of your beanbag.

You are done with your first kids knitting project! If you make three you can juggle them or make up a game to play with them!

There are so many great things you can make when you learn how to knit, and there are lots of different stitches to learn and master to create different looks.

Enjoy your new hobby!