How to Teach Your Child to Crochet

Crocheting is a great craft to learn for many reasons such as making scarves, throws and Afghans; and relieving stress. The more advanced crocheter can also make sweaters, hats, gloves and Afghans with gorgeous patterns. Teaching children to crochet will teach them a skill enabling them to make gifts for family and friends as well as items for their own personal use. This skill can also be used to make items to sell if they choose, offering another valuable tool they can use throughout their lives.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• 1 child who wants to learn how to crochet
• 1 crochet hook
• 1 skein or ball of yarn
• Lots of patience

How to teach a child to crochet

1. 
    
   Katerina Conerly making her first crochet chain

   Let the child pick out the color of yearn she wants to use. Show the child how to begin by making a loop with the yarn, then make a chain. After the child watches you, have the child make a loop then a small chain of five to ten stitches. Have the child practice by undoing to loop and starting over again until she is more comfortable with the hook, yarn and chain.

2. 
    
   Katerina Conerly practicing crocheting some rows.

   After the child has gotten a good chain started and feels more comfortable, have him start making rows by putting the hook through the first stitch, wrapping the yarn around the hook and pulling it through. Then wrap the yarn over the hook again and pull it through the two loops now on the hook.

3. 
    
   Katerina Conerly finishing her first crochet piece.

   Show the child how to finish by cutting the yarn, making sure to leave enough yarn to put through the last loop. Put the end of the yarn through the last loop and pull, creating a knot ending the piece.

4. 
    
   Katerina Conerly practicing crocheting a small square.

   Have the child practice crocheting small pieces a few times until her pieces are more consistent, then let her make something small, such as a bookmark or Barbie Doll Afghan.

Tips & Warnings

• The child should not try to make anything the first time he is learning but practice holding the hook and yarn and making chains and crocheting small rows.
• Make sure the child understands that the first things she makes may not look perfect but are still something to be proud of. With practice, crocheting will become easier.
• When the child is ready to make his first project, make it something simple such as a bookmark, or a simple Afghan for a Barbie or baby doll