Knitting Activities for Kids

Knitting may benefit boys and girls.

Knitting activities for kids may benefit them academically as well as artistically. According to Karen D. Kendrick-Hands of City Knits, a new study, as of the time of publication, is researching how knitting increases math and reading skills in children because of the concentration and fine motor skills required in knitting. Create knitting projects for your children to introduce them to knitting.

Introduction

One way to introduce knitting to children is to teach them how to finger knit, which does not involve the use of knitting needles. Choose thick wool yarn for small fingers. The yarn is wrapped around each finger, and young children, approximately ages four to seven, learn the basics of knitting. Yarn from the yarn ball forms two loops on each finger on one hand, except the thumb. The bottom loop is pulled over the top loop, and then yarn is wrapped around each finger again. Repeat the pulling over the bottom loop and the wrapping until the desired length is achieved.

Rhyme

Teach children learning to use knitting needles a simple rhyme. "In through the front door,
once around the back, peek through the window, and off jumps Jack," is one rhyme that illustrates how to perform a simple knit, according to How to Knit Guide. "In through the front door," is when the right needle is inserted into a loop on the left needle. "Once around the back," is when the child wraps the yarn around the right needle. "Peek through the window," demonstrates how the loop transfers to the right needle, and "off jumps Jack," is when the transfer from the left needle to the right needle is complete. Create your own personal poems and songs to help children with the craft.

Crafts

Simple knitting craft projects are well suited for children. A rectangular piece of knitting approximately 6-by-4-inches can be crafted into a beanbag. After your child finishes the knitting, cast it off the needles. Fold the knitting in half lengthwise to form the beanbag. With a sewing needle and thread, sew up two sides of the folded knitting. Add large dried beans, such as lima, into the sewed knitting, and then sew up the remaining side. The knitting can also be felted before sewing it up into a beanbag. Wash only wool knitting in the washing machine at a hot cycle to felt it.

Party

For your child's next birthday party, throw him a knitting party. Set up a large table with everything the guests need to knit. Children's knitting needles, colorful wool yarn and scissors should be placed onto the craft table. A few adults can help the children get started in finger knitting or knitting with needles. A cake can be decorated with frosting yarn and you can arrange easy to eat finger foods for the young knitters.

References

• City Knits: Knitting Crocheting Research Announcement to TNNA
• How to Knit Guide: Knitting for Kids
• Earthways: Simple Environmental Activities for Young Children; Carol Petrash
• Unplug Your Kids: A Knitting Birthday Party – Unusual Party Ideas