[missm]

For those of you whose kids knit, what age is a good age to start? Could a 7 year old handle a set of knitting needles? Maybe make a scarf for an aunt or uncle for Christmas???

Any ideas or suggestions welcome.

 

[Sarah]

All depends on the kid. I think few would have the attention span to do a whole scarf unless the yarn was really fat.

When i showed my kids how to knit I break the motion into two jobs - sticking the needle in the right place- and wrapping the yarn. I do one part and they do the other part. Once they get the hang of their job- we switch... after they get the hang of that job then they can do both on their own.

 

[sparklefairy]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sarah All depends on the kid. I think few would have the attention span to do a whole scarf unless the yarn was really fat. When i showed my kids how to knit I break the motion into two jobs - sticking the needle in the right place- and wrapping the yarn. I do one part and they do the other part. Once they get the hang of their job- we switch... after they get the hang of that job then they can do both on their own.

That was how it worked with my oldest. I tried a few times when she was younger (poor oldest child getting pushed before she's ready!) and it finally clicked/came together when she was about 7.5. It really only took about an hour before she was knitting independently.

 

[mommyofjoeyp]

I think I learned somewhere around 7 or 8 from my grandma.

 

[jennaIL]

My 5 year old "finger weaves" little scarves. I also bought her a knitting loom for Christmas, but she is not quite independent at that yet. Getting there! She really wants to knit with needles, but these other two methods help her feel like she is "knitting" even though her fine motor skills aren't QUITE there!

 

[Queen Gwen]

My 6yo could handle something small, like a washcloth. Maybe even some sort of purse/bag sewn out of a square, or a beanbag (would have to be lined, probably). I think she'd loose interest in a scarf, though -- scarves are way too long for her attention span.

I used a lot of the Waldorf suggestions for teaching knitting; 6yo was especially fond of "in through the front door/run around back/peek through the window/off jumps Jack" and I would hear her repeating it over and over with each and every stitich. Also, my kids found it helpful to count their stitches at the end of every row or 2 to make sure they hadn't accidentally increased or dropped any.

You might look through some of the kids' knitting books at the public library to get ideas for simple projects.

 

[lilyka]

we started Lily when she was 5. chunky yarn and big needles. She does ok. She doesn't knit normal with the sticks crossed. she does this parallel thing and brings the yard down the middle. whatever. it works and makes sense when you see it.

I do have to help her though. we spend about 5-10 minutes at a time working on it. so it certainly isn't goping fast but she is proud of the work she has done so far.