Learn to Knit (Or Teach Others)

August 3rd, 2009 by Jess

Videos are a great way to learn how to knit or brush up on your skills. If you’re already comfortable with these basic skills, videos are an easy way to help teach others the fundamentals of knitting, even if they live far away from you! We’ve created four short videos to help you cast on, knit, purl, and cast off. If you prefer written directions, visit our Learn to Knit page for detailed instructions.

Posted in Knitting, Tips & How To | 4 Comments »

Introducing Kids to Yarn Early

May 30th, 2008 by Zontee

Over at the YarnCraft podcast, we had an episode all about teaching kids to knit and crochet that got great response from our listeners. Sharyn, a 2nd grade teachers, shared with us these pictures of her students’ weavings.

I listened with interest to your recent podcast regarding kids and yarn. I’m a second grade teacher. Everyday after lunch, while I’m reading to them, my students finger crochet chains and then weave the chains on simple cardboard looms to create wall hangings, doll blankets, etc. Some even sew the weavings together to create small blankets or purses.

Attached are some photos of their current works. We can’t seem to keep yarn in the classroom, so we weave with whatever is available, even plastic shopping bags. As you can tell by the “color scheme,” the students will use whatever yarn is available.

All my students weave, both boys and girls. This is a practical skill, where they make something “real.” They also develop the fine motor skills that they need for writing and keyboarding. Keeping their hands busy means that their hands are not being used for teasing other students!

I remember doing this activity back in elementary school too, and it’s why I still have a soft-spot for weaving and why I’m so happy to share Sharyn’s pictures with you!

Want to weave with your kids too? Grab a piece of cardboard (the piece leftover when you finish a notepad is a good thickness) and cut notches into it at even intervals, both at the top and bottom. Wrap yarn around the board, putting the strand into each notch, and secure the ends with a piece of tape on the back of the board. The kids can weave the yarn back and forth on a bobbin, or you can also just cut pieces of yarn that are the width of the board and let them weave each strand individually (this method leaves a fun fringe around the edges). When they’re done, you cut the strands across the back, and tie every two or three strands together, forming a fringe at the top and bottom.

For more ideas for using yarn with your kids, check out YarnCraft - we’ll be having another episode on the subject in a few weeks. The YarnCraft podcast is a 30 minute bi-weekly audio program that you can listen to online or download - learn how to subscribe here.

Related posts:
5 Tips for Crafting with Kids from YarnCraft #13

Posted in Tips & How To, YarnCraft Podcast | 4 Comments »

Lion Staff Stories - Marlene’s Daughter

May 20th, 2008 by Ilana

Marlene, a sales associate, wrote this guest post about her daughter:

I guess those days off from school when my 6 year old daughter Amanda has come to the office to visit has made a lasting impression. She was asked at school to write an autobiography about herself and what she wants to be when she grows up. Well I was surprised when I read, “When I grow up I want to be a knitter. I will make blankets. I am special because I like to make scarves.” She then complimented her work with a drawing of me teaching her how to knit. I guess in looking at the picture you can figure I am the one with the big smile on my face.

Posted in Knitting, Lion Staff | 7 Comments »

5 Tips for Crafting with Kids from YarnCraft Episode #13

April 29th, 2008 by Zontee

In each episode of our podcast, YarnCraft, my co-host Liz from our Design Department and I like to share some interesting tips about knitting, crocheting, and yarncrafting.

In the podcast episode, “Yarncrafting with Kids,” we were joined by technical editor Jackie from the Design Department to talk about teaching kids. Here are five tips:

1. Yarncrafting is more than just knitting & crocheting. Pom poms, tassles, and craft projects are a good way to get even young children experimenting with yarn. Check out our craft patterns for more ideas.
2. Think about the materials. Children (as well as most beginners) will knit/crochet tightly, so you may want to give them needles/hooks that are a little bit larger than what is normally recommended for the yarn. Pick needles/hooks that are an easy to work with size (Speed Stix & Speed Hook may be too big for kids!) and yarn that is light in color so that it’s easy to see individual stitches. Variegated yarn can be helpful so that you can point out individual stitches by color — Jiffy Thick & Quick can be a good choice for kids.
3. Don’t worry about what they’re making. Let them knit, crochet, loom-knit, or weave for a little bit. That rectangle of material can be sewn up into a coin purse, used as a trivet, given to a doll as a blanket. Even just making chains can be a really satisfying experience for kids.
4. Help them start the project. Casting on or working into the first chain are some of the most difficult skills for beginners, so you may want to do the first row for them both to demonstrate the skill, and also so they don’t get frustrated.
5. Get to know their learning styles. While some children may learn better watching, others learn better with diagrams, while others learn better by listening to explanations. Getting a feel for their learning styles will make it easier for you to explain things in the most effective way.

For more ideas, check out the podcast every other Tuesday by visiting YarnCraft.LionBrand.com or sign up for BK4K, our monthly newsletter for kids and those who yarncraft with them!

Posted in Crocheting, Knitting, Tips & How To, YarnCraft Podcast | 4 Comments »