If you're lucky, you learned to knit as a child at the hands of someone who loved you: a mother, grandmother, aunt, even a father or grandfather, perhaps. Chances are, you'll never forget who introduced you to the craft. If you choose to pass on this gift, the child you teach will likely never forget you, either.

Knitting is a wonderful bonding experience and nowhere is that relationship more evident than between adult and child. In this age of instant gratification and electronic mindlessness, knitting can transport you back into time; you can take along a young person for company. Just think: centuries ago, people performed the same movements, created the same beauty that we're able to create today. To introduce a child to this history is to continue the craft, for as long as at least one person can do it.

Whether you're teaching your own child or a niece or nephew (or even a friend's child), there are some guidelines you can follow to make it as enjoyable and fun as possible. First, you should consider the child's age. A good age range for learning to knit is about six years-old and above and girls as well as boys are equally capable of picking up the fundamentals. Knitting is great for teaching fine motor skills and concentration, plus, it allows children a creative outlet.

Before you sit down with your pupil, you'll need yarn and needles. The best thing is to let the child choose his or her yarn, within reason. A lot of kids will eye something like fun fur or something fuzzy and sparkly, but a solid, worsted weight yarn is a smart option. The lighter the color, the better the stitches will show and the easier it will be to see. Allowing the child to pick out their own yarn involves them in the process from the very beginning and gets them excited about the project.

Beginning knitters usually have an easier time with non-metal needles, whether made of wood or plastic. Lion Brand makes a pair of needles with children in mind; in the plastic set, one is red and one is blue, so instead of having to direct with "left needle" or "right needle" (possibly confusing if you're teaching a very young child who hasn't fully mastered right from left), you can say "red needle" or "blue needle." Even most preschoolers know their colors, even if they don't know their right hand side.

Next, you'll need a healthy dose of patience. Even the most gifted child may not pick up on knitting right away. Try to remember what it was like for you when you first learned. Children can also be notoriously impatient and become frustrated when their efforts aren't immediately rewarded. Remind them that anything worth doing or learning is going to require some work. A rhyme which may help the child remember how to position their hands and yarn for the knit stitch is:

Under the fence

Catch the sheep

Back we come

Off we leap

Scarves are often chosen as knitters' first projects, but may not be ideal for a child. Scarves require some dedication that even seasoned knitters sometimes can't muster because scarves can go on and on and on. For kids, smaller projects will probably be better received and are more likely to be finished. Dishcloths, hats, and doll blankets are good options. Children are generous and love being able to present their loved ones with something they made, no matter how simple.

Most of all, make this learning experience a fun one because once this new knitter grows up, chances are he or she will look back fondly on you, the knitter who first put needles and yarn into their precious little hands.