I am considering teaching my Daughter to knit. She is 8 years old and I think she has my talent for learning crafts easily. I will eventually teach her to crochet too but I think that I should start out with knitting. Do you all think she is old enough? How old were you when you started? I was 30 so I have no idea how to teach her. I think I may start out with a simple scarf, I don't know the pattern yet but I think that would be the best project to start out with. Wow am I rambling. (Can you tell I'm nervous about doing this right? LOL!) Any suggestions you could throw my way would be wonderful. Or if you have been there and have some tips for me I would love to hear them! Thanks, Folks!
Amy N:knitting:

Umm...I was 52..:shifty:

:roflhard:

I think 8 is old enough. I taught my niece (although now at 12 she's not much interested in it) and she picked it up pretty quickly. I gave her some of those cute needles with kitties on the ends..about size 8 I think, and some yarn. I CO for her and then showed her what to do. One thing... you can try teaching her the method you use (continental or english), but if she's having a hard time you can tell her there is another way to hold the yarn and see which works best for her.

ETA: Here's some books that might help..they might make her want to learn so she can make something!
Kids Knitting (projects for kids of all ages) (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1579652417/ref=wl_it_dp/102-3177256-7597741?ie=UTF8&coliid=I1SHM8PD0FJ1UQ&colid=BDXGBX6WNEG5)
Knitting (kids can do it) (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1553370511/ref=wl_it_dp/102-3177256-7597741?ie=UTF8&coliid=I3JLS2YZPCXXVE&colid=BDXGBX6WNEG5)
Kids Easy Knitting Projects (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1885593481/ref=wl_it_dp/102-3177256-7597741?ie=UTF8&coliid=I2HWQMD883XUH3&colid=BDXGBX6WNEG5)

I was in my 20s when I started knitting. I taught my nephew who was 10 to knit. He really enjoyed it.

I don't think it would hurt to try to teach her to knit if she shows an interest in it. A garter stitch scarf would be a good project. But maybe something a little smaller so it doesn't seem so daunting. Maybe just a garter-stitch wrist band. Or a skirt or something she could create for a doll or a favorite stuffed animal.

Good luck!
AJ

Only teach her if she wants to learn. A simple scarf in garter may be the best thing to start with. I think larger needles like size 10 may be better; easier for her to see the stitches, also use light weight yarn. They have shorter needles for kids that are about 7 or 8 inches long, those might be easier for her to handle than 10" ones or circs.

I taught myself at 14 out of a little booklet, using my brother's sharpened Tinkertoys and string. My mother bought me some needles and yarn when she saw I was determined to do it.

102

She is interested for sure. She sits with me and watches me make stuff. She was was made a pair of socks when she was four by a good friend of the family, who by the way is an awesome knitter. Ever since then my little girl has wanted to learn. She will take pencils and my left over yarn and pretend to make something. :roflhard: I can knit either English or Continental so that shouldn't be hard to teach her either. Thanks for all of the suggestions, they are great!

Both my kids learned to knit in the first grade (they learned at school) so your daughter shouldn't have any trouble learning.

I agree with suzeeq about the size 10 needles. Keep them short too so they are easier to manage. Worsted weight yarn in a light color will help her see her stitches better.

Good luck!

102

:rofl::roflhard::rofl::roflhard:

I was 27 or 28 when I decided I wanted to learn. I saw a lady knitting on the bus and thought, hey, that looks like fun! Little did I know what I was getting myself into --- what an addiction!! I think your daughter is old enough, go for it!!

I was 15 when I learnt, my grandmother taught me on a stocking stitch fancy-fur flourescent pink scarf. There's a cute berroco cat toy pattern that's basically a knit square sewn into shape-quick and easy I'd guess

19 or 20. I honestly can't remember. It's been so long (8-9 years, lol!)

My cousin learned to knit when she was 6-7 so I definitely think if your dd is interested she should be able to do it.

I was 13 and i learned on sz 8 needles. I learned continental. she showed us both and we (me and my twin) found continental easier. I made a baby vest for my cousin that was about to be born as my first project. it had little hearts in the front. i tackled two colored knitting for my first project!!

I was 10, but I didn't really get it. I took it up again about 5 years ago... so really I guess my answer would be 40.

I was 12 when I learned to knit. I learned to crochet first though, when I was 8 (nobody I knew could knit, but my mom crocheted) because I asked to be taught. If she wants to be taught, she's ready.

It was about 7 years ago when I learned to knit, so I was about 6 years old.

Thank you all so much, I'm feeling a bit better about teaching her. It's not her ability to learn that concerns me it's my teaching ability, LOL! Now I can't wait to start.

I was 6 when I learned to crochet, it wasn't until I was 11 that I decided to give knitting a shot.

When I learned knitting, the needles were too long and too slick for my small hands to manage easily (I was small for my age until I hit about 14), especially when I would have to hang onto the needles with my non-dominant hand to throw with my dominant, and after all my years of crochet at such a young age it was hard to brake out of that motion and do english throw. My mom offered to find out how to do continental for me at one point, but I wanted to do it "Like mama" and wouldn't change - this was also before the interenet was a good resource for things like that, so trying to learn continental from a book, and them making it into left-handed continental was not always a simple task.

I still wonder why I got so frustrated with knitting when I look back on the other things I was doing at 11, I had already been playing harp for 2 years and been playing a pedal harp for over 1 year, my life revolved around my crafts and music and I was an avid crocheter.

I knit a good 2 or 3 feet on a rather wide scarf, but eventually something frustrated me enough about it that I stopped and eventually decided that knitting just wasn't for me.

Heh. I was kinda wrong about that 'not for me' part, but it did take me over 6 years to give it another try, and that was only because I had a reason. Even then I was resistant, but my mom encouraged me to pick up the needles again, I found I had retained most of it, but I picked up the yarn continental, didn't realize I was doing anything different until I asked my mom if I was doing it right... "yes dear... but... I think you're knitting continental..." :teehee: - after crocheting for about 11 years, continental just felt natural.

So my answer would be; I'm sure you can teach her how, especailly if she wants to learn, but I would suggest teaching her on bamboo needles with wool yarn. If you can, try to give her the option of english and continental, and if she still finds it overwhelming with all those needles and stitches, see if she'd like to learn crochet instead!

I was 6 and my grandmother taught me. I picked it up really easily, can't remember myself fighting knits and purls. I would give it a try :cheering:

My neices began knitting around age 6 or 7. They are now better knitters than I am. In fact, I sometimes call them for help when I can't find answers here! They're now 11 and 13. They love it when Auntie Gina calls for knitting help. Makes them feel so smart (which they are)!:)

I was 6, and I've seen kids even younger pick it up quite well. The one suggestion I would make is to try to break each motion down into small steps, and let her accomplish each step. Just practice inserting the needle into the stitch several times before even bringing the yarn around (if you're using the throw method) sort of thing. I actually am the dissenting voice here, on needle size. I think that slightly smaller needles are easier to manage. A size 10 in our grown up hands is like a 17 in an 8 year olds. Something more like a 6 -8 I think works best for children. Red Heart makes a pack of chilren's needles called "Starters", brightly colored, 7", and in 3 different sizes. ( http://www.coatsandclark.com/Products/Accessories/Knitting/Needles/Red+Heart+Starters.htm ) It's great having the 3 different sizes because you won't be sure what will work best in her hands until she tries it. I've found that worsted weight is best when teaching children to knit. Thinner yarns are too difficult for them, and so are bulkier things. Also, multicolored yarns are great-- they can see the stitches more easily and it's more interesting for them. One trick I've also learned about teaching kids to knit, is to let them do it for the first bit WITH the mistakes! If they drop a stitch, so what, or add more, big deal-- just let them keep trying for the first while without getting hung up on the end product; just focus on the maneuvers for a bit.

well... I was 22 (25 now), but I taught my sons to knit when they were 6 and 4. they don't have any interest to knit now, but they didn't have any trouble learning. they caught on pretty quick. If your daughter shows interest, go for it.

I was 23 and recovering from surgery when I started taking classes, but so many people have told me that their mother or grandmother taught them when they were 5 or 6, so I think as long as she's interested in it and wants to learn, she'll be just fine.

Good luck! You'll have to post a picture of her first project. :cool:

I'm a teacher (classroom some years and art teacher when I can find a job doing that) and I don't even know the number of children that I've taught to knit.

She is the perfect age.. fine motor skills are better at her age.

I wouldn't have her knit a scarf.. just make a small scarf or blankie for a small stuffed animal. THEN, something else.. small.. for another animal? Or a rectangle that gets turned into a hat by sewing it up and adding tassels on the corners?
Children (and most adults) need to see progress quickly and that's why I wouldn't do a scarf.. it's endless, endless knitting.

Here's what I have my students say to learn how to knit:
First of all.. I've already cast on and have knitted about an inch or so of knitting while they watch me knit very slowly and that helps the knitting become easier to manage and they get to watch the 'steps' of knitting while you do it.

Here's what I have my students say:

THE 'bunny' goes in the hole (stick your right needle in the stitch)

The bunny grabs the rope/string.. (wrap the yarn around this needle)

The bunny jumps out and sits on the fence (you pull the new stitch out and I do stop and rest it on the left needle .. so they don't skip pulling the stich all the way out.. and let the needle w/ the new stitch on it 'rest' on the left needle) *as they get more fluid with their motions.. this step becomes more automatic.. but, I've found that this is the step that will most likely be 'messed up or skipped' unless you stress it. AND this is how they get the extra stitches. I POINT OUT THE NEW LOOP THAT IS ON THE NEEDLE.. so, they can recognize what it looks like..

The bunny jumps off the fence and runs away.. the stitch is complete and now on the right handed needle.


It is very successful and they say it as they do the steps..

**I've even used it w/ adults so they can see the steps..

and it gets shortened to: go in, grab the yarn, jump out, run away..

I've been a classroom teacher to 8 year olds.. (just last year) and she will be capable of learning to knit. I also tell them 'that it feels funny' to everyone when they first start- and remind them how learning how to tie their shoes was.. that they didn't learn it the first time someone showed them how and that most skills in life.. including learning to 're-group' in math.. takes practice. I also have them share new skills that weren't easy to master and When I share that information- they don't tend to get as frustrated.. because they know that some skills take 'repeating and repeating' until they know how to do it without thinking.

I was 8 and like others, my grandmother taught me. I think if she wants to learn and is good with her hands you should give it a try. I think a small project, maybe a dishcloth would be a good first project. She can use it and it will give her a finished product rather quickly. Then move her on to a scarf. Go for it, it's a lifelong art form that she will always be able to do.

I was 15, but i think an 8-year-old could if they really wanted to. just start her off on big needle and chunky yarn like everyone is saying (so she can see her stiches easily). oh and i would start her on something quicker than a scarf, she might get a little impatient with that. I would probably just have her do a garter stitch head band so she get her first project done quicker. (she probably wouldn't be very interested in a dishcloth)

I was about the same age, but it was hard to learn because I didn't have good equipment...the needles were aluminum and the yarn was skinny acrylic. AWFUL stuff to try to learn on. Soooo 38 years later I took a class with wonderful yarn and size 8 needles and a good teacher and learned in 2 hours. It was great and now I am seriously addicted.
I taught my grandson at age 9 how to knit on a cross country flight and he had it down in a few hours.....I wondered if he would retain any of it and he did. This past summer he sat with me and asked for some needles and he watched me for a minute and away he went!!! I think it is wonderful to teach kids at a young age, especially boys. It will be great for them when they are older and need a stress reducer and a hobby!
Just give them nice needles and yarn to work with!
Have lots of fun!

You have gotten some very good answers here. I agree with Britty Knits about needle size. I wouldn't go real big, they are too awkward to start out with for those with small hands. Definately worsted weight yarn and have some knitting already done so she won't have to try to cast on right away. I agree on something small and age appropriate for her first efforts. She needs almost instant gratification to spur her on.

Show her, then walk her through the steps until she gets it and then watch her as she works for quite a while to make sure she is doing it correctly. Try to get her to do a little knitting again a little while after her first session so she can keep it fresh in her mind. A little knitting every day will get something done and not over tax her attention span. Just encourage, don't push. Keep adding new skills as she learns. Let her pick her own projects from some appropriate choices. She is definately old enough if she wants to knit. I love to teach people to knit. Have fun!

I was about six I think, I remember what I knitted too, it was supposed to be a scarf but it grew and grew and grew, outwards, not upwards, lol.

I taught my niece to knit when she was seven. She picked it up very easily so I think eight would definitely be old enough.

I just realised I have known how to knit for over 30 years. I should probably be better at it then!!

oh well.

I was about 9 or 10 my mum taught me x

I was 25... I started knitting in May of '05....if she seems interested then you could give it a try...but if she gets bored or isn't then I wouldn't push her... My mom tried every way in the world to get her little girl to learn how to sew, crossstitch, and more...didn't learn and ended up not being crafty till I was 20 :teehee:...I wish now I would have learned cause it's hard for mom to walk me through the steps over the phone...but at the time it was a chore something I had to do... hated it...:oo:

My 3 yr old asks if she can knit... I just give her some play yarn and wooden needles that we filed down... she will sit on my lap and we will CO and try a few sts with her helping me wrap the st... but she gets bored fast and moves on...if she asks then I bring it out but if not her little yarn bag is hanging in the closet...

Um, I learned when I was 25...considering I'm still 25 it hasn't been very long! Lol... My boyf (being the SWEETHEART that he is) got me a knitting book from the library when I was trying to find a simple first-time project. I don't have the book with me right now (forgot my knitting bag at home when I left for work! :cry:) but I'll post it tomorrow. Of all the books that I looked through when I first learned, it was the best and it's a KIDS BOOK! :cheering: The book was supposed to come with a beginner's kit: Size 8 needles, some buttons for the patterns included, and a ball of worsted weight. There's 6 patterns included as well: a cell phone holder, hat, scarf, purse, change purse, and a sunglasses sleeve. It teaches the English method, which according to the book is the easiest method for children to learn (prolly a little more of a deliberate technique than Continental).

I'll get the title of the book posted tomorrow (no 'net access at home unfortunately)

When I was 7 or 8, I got a "Barbie Learn to Knit" kit for Christmas which was sorta strange as NO ONE in my family knew how to knit. It came in a metal cylinder with two balls of worsted yarn (pink and blue) and a set of plastic, short needles that I would guess were size 8 or so (also Barbie pink). In the directions were giant diagrams . I remember one that you were instructed to place your yarn over and follow the yarn path for a slip knot. They taught the easy cast-on and I don't remember learning to purl but there were probably directions for that, too. I did make a garter stitch skirt and pullover for Barbie. Then I lost interest until I was 20 or so and decided to knit a sweater. It came out OK, a quick knit on 13s with chunky yarn. Then I had another knitting lapse until 2 years ago when I was 49. Your daughter might not maintain her interest in knitting once she learns, but she would have the knowledge to pick it back up again when she's older.

I was about six I think, I remember what I knitted too, it was supposed to be a scarf but it grew and grew and grew, outwards, not upwards, lol.

I taught my niece to knit when she was seven. She picked it up very easily so I think eight would definitely be old enough.

I just realised I have known how to knit for over 30 years. I should probably be better at it then!!

oh well.

i was like 19 when I learned.

I was 9 when my Grandmother taught me.

We agreed to let it go.

I remember trying again at 12, 16, and 20. I finally got it at 25... and by 30 finished my first sweater.

And to think that my parents often tell my I am not persistent... looking at that I think I am!!!

I really don't remember actually learning but it must have been about 9 or 10 as I had knit a DK weight Cardigan by 12. (well most of it. I think Mum did some)

Um, I learned when I was 25...considering I'm still 25 it hasn't been very long! Lol... My boyf (being the SWEETHEART that he is) got me a knitting book from the library when I was trying to find a simple first-time project. I don't have the book with me right now (forgot my knitting bag at home when I left for work! :cry:) but I'll post it tomorrow. Of all the books that I looked through when I first learned, it was the best and it's a KIDS BOOK! :cheering: The book was supposed to come with a beginner's kit: Size 8 needles, some buttons for the patterns included, and a ball of worsted weight. There's 6 patterns included as well: a cell phone holder, hat, scarf, purse, change purse, and a sunglasses sleeve. It teaches the English method, which according to the book is the easiest method for children to learn (prolly a little more of a deliberate technique than Continental).

I'll get the title of the book posted tomorrow (no 'net access at home unfortunately)


I know what book that is! its the Klutz Knitting Kit (http://www.klutz.com/catalog/product/2420). I know because my aunt had bought it for herself about the same time I started to learn how to knit, and she let me photocopy some of the patterns!

:psst: 49

34... or in other words last year ~!!:aww::cheering::cheering::cheering:

I was 6 yo and love it! Then i didn't knit a thing until i was 27!