How to Finger Knit Animals

Yarn and your hand is all you need to make finger knited animals.

Finger knitting is a simple craft you can do anywhere, with only yarn and a pair of scissors. Because it does not involve pointed knitting needles, some parents prefer that their children learn this method, rather than conventional knitting. After making individual, finger-knit pieces, combine them to make a zoo full of animals. For this project, it is best to think ahead: think about which animal you would like to make, then choose the yarn color for that animal before knitting.

Things You'll Need

• Yarns in different colors
• Scissors
• Yarn needle
• Polyester fiberfill
• Buttons
• Embellishments

Instructions

1. Create several pieces of finger knitting in different sizes, depending on the size you want your finished animal to be. To finger knit, put the tail of yarn between your thumb and first finger, with the palm facing you. Wrap the yarn loosely around each finger. Beginning with the index finger. When you reach the pinkie, wrap two loops around the pinkie, and begin looping back toward the index finger. When you have finished, you will have two rows of loops on each finger.

2. Lift the bottom loop over the top loop on each finger, and drop the loop behind the finger. Add another row of yarn and continue knitting by pulling the bottom loop over the top loops until you have the length of knitting that you want.

3. On the last row, do not wrap another loop around the fingers. Instead, leave the single loop. Cut the yarn, leaving a 10-inch tail. Put the tail through the nearest loop, pull it off the finger, then repeat with each loop. Tie a knot at the last loop.

4. For the body of an animal, use about three or four finger knitted pieces. Consider making a small animal to start, with a body length of about eight inches. Stitch the pieces together on the long sides, creating a tube.

5. Use the yarn needle and a 12-inch length of yarn to create a running stitch around one end of the tube. Tighten, pulling the circle together. Tie a knot and trim the yarn. Stuff the tube lightly with polyester fiberfill. Pull the other end of the tube closed with another running stitch tied into a knot.

6. Take another piece of finger knitting about six inches long to make the head of the animal. Use the yarn needle and a 12-inch length of yarn to put a running stitch around the outside of the piece of finger knitting, rounding it off at the corners to make a circle of stitching instead of a square or rectangle so the head piece will be rounded. Put a ball of polyester fiberfill in the middle of the piece of knitting. Pull the yarn and begin to cinch the running stitch yarn. Put more stuffing into the head as needed. Pull the running stitches tight and knot them.

7. Use the yarn and needle to add buttons for eyes and nose and any other embellishments as desired. Use the needle with yarn to attach the head to the body. Knot the yarn and tie it off.

8. Use four small pieces of finger knitting 2 or 3 inches long to create legs. Stuff them in the same way as you did the body. Use the needle and yarn to attach the legs to the body.

9. Finish the finger knitted animal by adding the final features, such as a tail, mane or ears with different colors of yarn.

Tips & Warnings

• Wrap yarn loosely around your fingers so you don't cut off circulation.

• You can use your thumb in finger knitting to create a slightly wider piece of finger knitting.

• If a young child is making finger-knitted animals, an adult should help them with the stitching to avoid injury with the yarn needle.

References

• Kyle Designs: Easy Finger Knitting Directions
• Waldorf Unschooling: All That Finger Knitting