Can a 3YO knit?

[staceychev]

My 3YO has decided that she wants to knit. Not that she sees Mommy knitting (Mommy doesn't knit). Not that she sees anyone knitting except a character in a book. Every time we read the book and she sees the little girl, she says, "I know how to do that." I was starting to think she was a knitter in a past life...

Anyway, we were over my dad's house today and his 7YO was knitting and wouldn't let Lucy try. Of course, Lucy got very upset, because she keeps insisting that she wants to knit and knows how to knit.

So, the question is this: is there any way whatsoever that a 3YO with pretty good fine motor skills (she can write her name) could do something like knitting? Can you point me in the direction of a kit or something?

Thanks!

[gingerbread_ca]

Encourage her mom...

You never know, she may "know" how to knit. If you have a JoAnn's in your town check them out. I have seen cute needles for kids, there may be a kit too. I don't know. You can always ask around, there maybe someone willing to teach her ) Good luck!

[pumpkin]

I'd start with finger knitting.

[Alison]

My 3YO couldn't have. Doesn't mean yours can't, and maybe all she wants to do is play with the needles and say she's knitting. Get her some cute needles and let her play with them, to start with anyway. She might have fun!

[lovesdaffodils]

My 3y/o can't actually knit yet, but he has his own yarn and needles and likes to play when I'm knitting. I say get her some and let her try!

[Indigo73]

I learned to crochet the summer I turned 4 years old. So I totally think it's possible. It depends on the child.

[mommajb]

finger knitting like a pp said or a knitting spool maybe

have fun with it

[staceychev]

Thanks Mamas! I actually just bought a sewing machine on Ebay so that I could re-learn how to sew, so a trip to JoAnn Fabrics is in the works anyway!.

[JessicaS]

I think crotchet might be easier for a little one to start with...less to worry about

[gilamama]

i learned to knit by watching my grandma on weekends. not watching intently, just seeing her knit really. when i picked up a pair of needles around age 7 i knew what to do. maybe take her to actually see someone knitting, if it turns out that she actually doesnt know how that is.

[Melaine]

This is so cute! I will be thrilled if my girls are interested in that when they are older. I bought a cute kids knitting book for the little girl I used to babysit for, and some big needles with chunky variegated yarn. She was able to do it, with some practice (she was 5-6). I say give her the chance if she is interested! I don't really know how those spool knitty things work but they seem manageable for a preschooler!

[KnitterMama]

I've been knitting with my 3YO DS. He sits on my lap, and we do it step-by-step. Lace be damned, this is the most work-intensive piece of knitting I've ever done, and we're 1.5 rows in after a month. He expressed a strong interest from a very young age (1YO), I finally caved. We keep it going as long as it's for pleasure and DS is interested. When we lose the attention, we move on to something else.

It's a little washcloth, about 30 stitches across. When we get it done, I'll probably frame it.

DS seems to have inherited his Mama's taste in having 800 projects going at once, as he has already asked me if we can try other yarns, etc. I'm keeping him at one project for now, until the skills improve to where he can do it without such intense guidance. It's really great though, I love knitting with him.

[Limabean1975]

I saw a crochet kit at Chapters once, with very chunky wooden needles.

[GardenStream]

Originally Posted by Limabean1975

I saw a crochet kit at Chapters once, with very chunky wooden needles.

I'm 30 and I think I need those!

[Limabean1975]

It's in the kids section! To be honest, I was tempted by it myself. I have no knittin' or crochetin' skillz.

[ParisApril]

My just turned 3yo can't even sit still!

[Cate]

My DD couldn't knit at 3, but that was mostly because I couldn't teach her, I just didn't have the patience... my failing, not hers. When she was 4 (almost 5), my Dad (who up until then I hadn't even known knew how to knit) sat down with her, and had her knitting like she'd been doing it her whole life in about 10 minutes.

[2 in August]

I'm 36 and I can't figure it out!

[kennedy444]

Originally Posted by pumpkin

I'd start with finger knitting.

This is what I thought. I think this is how knitting is first introduced at Waldorf schools too.

Can you find a kindly neighbor or library group that could help?

[simplehome]

I was going to say start with crochet as well, but a spool would be totally manageable for some 3-yo, especially one with an interest. I admit to not knowing what finger knitting is.