On Saturday night, John and I watched our three nieces while my brother- and sister-in-law went out to celebrate their anniversary. Their three children are 6, 4 and 1 -- a nice range and a good complement to Z, who fits right in between the youngest and the middle child. I was expecting chaos, but, instead, we had a very nice evening watching movies, eating popcorn and talking about knitting.
Yes, you heard me correctly, talking about knitting. Well, at least the 6 year old and I did.
While the kids watched a movie, I sat down on the couch to finish off the second one of Z's socks. Surprisingly the 6 year old (Ms. O) sat down on the couch next to me. I say surprisingly, because given the chance, all of these kids love to be with John. But she was clearly intrigued by what I was working on.
O: Ciocia Theresa, what are you working on?
Me: I'm knitting a sock.
O: Who's it for?
Me: Z.
O: Did she ask you for it?
Me: Yes, she did.
There was a pause in the action while she watched some of the movie and ate some popcorn.
O: Ciocia Theresa, is this yarn?
Me: Yes, it is. It's sock yarn.
O: How does it do that? (referring to the color patterning)
Me: Well it's colored in a particular way. As you use knit with it, it turns into stripes.
O: How does knitting work?
Me: (Having one of those "oh wow" moments, but trying not to sound too excited, lest I scare her off). Well, you kind of go round and a round in a circle pulling loops through other loops. And eventually it makes a fabric.
There's some more discussion about yarn and knitting and the fairy wings that I made her (that she loves). Another pause. Clearly some thinking is going on about what to say next.
O: I like this yarn, Ciocia Theresa. Do you make socks for other people?
Me: Yes. I make them for Uncle John and me.
O: If I asked you for socks, would you make me some?
Me: (Chuckling) Yes.
O: Ciocia Theresa, would you make me a pair of socks?
Me: You bet.
After that, when she got bored with the movie, we headed to where my stash was and I let her pick out some yarn (some Opal I have with blue and pink and white stripes -- she's a girly girl) and we talked about what she wanted: short socks that you could fold down into a cuff. We measured her feet and I took notes so that I could work out the dimensions. About 10 minutes later, and in roughly 15 minutes intervals afterwards...
O: Ciocia, when are you going to start my socks?
This cracked me up, but made me happy. Her feet are barely bigger than Z's so it will take no time at all to make a nice pair of ribbed socks. Even though she was clearly thinking she was being sneaky about getting something, it's hard not to be happy when a child has enjoyed one hand knit gift and actively wants another one.
I think this Christmas might be the one where Ms. O gets an introductory knitting kit. And some socks.
If anyone has any good suggestions about books for young knitters, I'd be obliged. She's just learning to read, so it needs to be simple, with good illustrations.
Yes, you heard me correctly, talking about knitting. Well, at least the 6 year old and I did.
While the kids watched a movie, I sat down on the couch to finish off the second one of Z's socks. Surprisingly the 6 year old (Ms. O) sat down on the couch next to me. I say surprisingly, because given the chance, all of these kids love to be with John. But she was clearly intrigued by what I was working on.
O: Ciocia Theresa, what are you working on?
Me: I'm knitting a sock.
O: Who's it for?
Me: Z.
O: Did she ask you for it?
Me: Yes, she did.
There was a pause in the action while she watched some of the movie and ate some popcorn.
O: Ciocia Theresa, is this yarn?
Me: Yes, it is. It's sock yarn.
O: How does it do that? (referring to the color patterning)
Me: Well it's colored in a particular way. As you use knit with it, it turns into stripes.
O: How does knitting work?
Me: (Having one of those "oh wow" moments, but trying not to sound too excited, lest I scare her off). Well, you kind of go round and a round in a circle pulling loops through other loops. And eventually it makes a fabric.
There's some more discussion about yarn and knitting and the fairy wings that I made her (that she loves). Another pause. Clearly some thinking is going on about what to say next.
O: I like this yarn, Ciocia Theresa. Do you make socks for other people?
Me: Yes. I make them for Uncle John and me.
O: If I asked you for socks, would you make me some?
Me: (Chuckling) Yes.
O: Ciocia Theresa, would you make me a pair of socks?
Me: You bet.
After that, when she got bored with the movie, we headed to where my stash was and I let her pick out some yarn (some Opal I have with blue and pink and white stripes -- she's a girly girl) and we talked about what she wanted: short socks that you could fold down into a cuff. We measured her feet and I took notes so that I could work out the dimensions. About 10 minutes later, and in roughly 15 minutes intervals afterwards...
O: Ciocia, when are you going to start my socks?
This cracked me up, but made me happy. Her feet are barely bigger than Z's so it will take no time at all to make a nice pair of ribbed socks. Even though she was clearly thinking she was being sneaky about getting something, it's hard not to be happy when a child has enjoyed one hand knit gift and actively wants another one.
I think this Christmas might be the one where Ms. O gets an introductory knitting kit. And some socks.
If anyone has any good suggestions about books for young knitters, I'd be obliged. She's just learning to read, so it needs to be simple, with good illustrations.
what about one of those knitting looms? the small ones that makes i-cord or else one sized for a hat or mitts?
I've worked with 12 year olds before and we always start with something really simple, like i-cord on size 10 needles. I wouldn't go bigger than 11's though, they get a little difficult to hold.
Good luck with the knitting! and way to go Ms. O on the socks :)
Hi Teresa,
I learned to knit when I was nine years old and would never have learned from a book - I'm way too visual a learner, that even though I was and am an avid reader. I learned fairly easily when it was demonstrated to me and then with some additional help as I tried it on my own. I first made a scarf, which I still have, which was entirely ribbed and with knots on the side where I changed colors. It was years before I learned or wanted to learn to read patterns but I made up a lot of stuff and learned to love how creative it was and how I could make something from a piece of string.
I have heard that Lucinda Guy's "Kids Learn to Knit" is excellent. You do have to realize that she is from England & some of the terms/yarns that she uses are typical for knitters in England. I was told that it was especially good for younger knitters (actually, I'm planning on getting it for my 6 year old). Her age is perfect as long as she has decent fine motor skills.
Waldorf schools start at this age, but stick with Garter stitch for nearly a full year - the kids make some fantastic toys, and projects from garter stitch squares - which also allows them to learn some techniques for seaming (mostly whip stitch).
Sorry to get so long winded, but I've put a lot of thought into this recently.
My favorite kid's knitting book is Kids Knitting (I think) by Melanie Falick. It has very simple text, great pictures and I've even used it to help me teach adults. Even boys like it.
What a great story! I have nieces who love it when I knit the socks too.
That is adorable! My niece is also six years old, but she is a very take charge kind of girl and will simply tell me she wants something. Although, she believes the whole world is wrapped around her tiny little finger.
You see why I only knit for myself & children (the grands & my niece's 3) - they really "get" knitting. Not a book but there is a very nice DVD from Leisure Arts to teach children knitting - the instructors are a grandma & a 7 year old boy (great for my 2 grandsons). This shows it as part of a kit: http://tinyurl.com/yll9h8f. But I found it at JoAnn's in Naperville last year around this time. My younger grandson (5 at the time) was doing amazingly well uantil there was an incident with his brother & he stopped. But I have hopes that he will take it up again.
I've taught two nieces to knit and I've found that they do really well when I'm with them but when they're alone, they have problems. I didn't think about buying them a book. Each one is an expert at casting on and can often get a row done before they forget what they're doing and have a tangle.
I love Lucinda Guy's Kids Learn to Knit. My children (ages 5 and 7 now) both learned to knit at age 4 and haven't stopped. My son has read Kids Learn to Knit cover to cover many times and wants to make everything in that book. My only complaint is that it teaches the backward loop method for casting on. I instead cast on for my kids and get them comfortable knitting, then teach them the cable method, which they pick up easily because they are already comfortable with the knit stitch.
We have both the Lucinda Guy book and the Melanie Falick book at my house. I routinely like to corrupt (teach; I mean teach!) young kids who show an interest, and I have to say I'd go with Guy, then Falick.
Guy's cartoon illustrations mixed with the photography of knitting are what my younger knitters have really liked. The projects are very simple, but they also allow for other crafty moments, like adding felt and eyes, etc, all of which keep the kids engaged even after the knitting is complete. So I've found it a fun introductory book, with the Falick being a great continuation book.
I just think she's adorable! I bet she's going to love those socks to death :). My 12 year old wants a pair, and his feet are now bigger than mine so...
I think the best way at her age is for you to put together a series of Youtube links for different stitches, cast ons, etc. Knitting For
Dummies needs an adult guide. Don't know of anything else.
I had the same experience with one of my younger cousins this summer. I was working on a sweater and he asked for one (actually he asked for about 8 for himself and 8 for his little brother). And then he asked me to teach him to knit. He was able to do it but lost interest as soon as he had proven he could do it (he is only 5 and has a rather short attention span). He (and his brother) will be getting a sweater for Christmas this year. I think it's awesome that your niece is just as excited about handknits.
How charming! I love that she asked if you'd make the socks if she asked, and then asked for them.