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Dawn
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My 11 yo son asked to learn knitting this winter (in other words after the holidays). It was suggested to me that perhaps crochet might be easier to learn. I am slightly familiar with knitting but have no experience with crocheting.
What are your thoughts on this? Do you have any advice for teaching children handcrafts? I thought I might make up a little yarn kit for him as a Christmas gift. 
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Dawn, mum to 3 boys 
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kjohnson
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Dawn I tought my daughters to knit when they were only 5 and we started with spool knitting. Are you familiar with that? If not, I can post some info. Within a few months they had developed enough coordination to knit and were knitting pretty well before they turned 6. I don't know how to crochet, so I really can't compare it, but the spool knitting is a lot of fun. I've taught a handful of children in our homeschool group to knit and all of them have picked it up very quickly. It's easier to teach a child than an adult.
Have you seen the book Kids Knitting? My children love the projects in that book.
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Katherine
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Dawn
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Katherine, I actually have that book! I got it years ago in hopes it would inspire *me* to get knitting!  I was considering this knitting tower for my 7yo - is this what you mean when you say spool knitting?
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Dawn, mum to 3 boys
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Carole N.
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Dawn, I used to knit and crochet. I think that it would probably be easier to teach knitting because there are so few basic stitches (you know, knit 1 pearl 2). Of course as you progress, it can become more complex.
Crochet, on the other hand, is very beautiful and very intricate. But it involves smaller thread and several different types of stitches. Of course, you can teach the chain stitch pretty easily, but all you get is a long chain of thread--maybe not too exciting for your son.
I am familiar with the book Kids Knitting that Katherine referenced. It looks like a fun book. Perhaps we will start it over Christmas.
I taught my dd (11 yo) to cross stitch this fall. I was amazed at how quickly she picked it up. But she is a bit of a perfectionist, so if she makes an error, she rips out all of the stitches. 
No matter what you decide, just have a fun time!
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kjohnson
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Yes, that's it. There are all types of toys and things you can make with spool knitting. It is a good start because it's easy to use, it develops hand-eye coordination and the projects are finished quickly, so the children build up their confidence quickly. I think there are some spool projects in Kids Knitting. I can't find my book...it travels around the house! 
That's great that you have the book! My 11 year old has had so much fun with it.
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Katherine
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marihalojen
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I was taught to crochet as a young kid but never progressed beyond long, long chains (I thought to make a scarf one would chain how long they wanted it and then make it thicker. Don't do that, it is very discouraging.  ) Later, middle school-aged maybe? I learned to knit and I thought it was so much easier! Two stitches as Carole says and it seems to stay more organized since it is kept on the needles. I really enjoyed making cotton dishrags. You can try out different patterns quickly and actually see your project being used daily in the sink!
I recommend thick yarn and thick needles, projects progress rapidly that way!
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JennGM
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Hmmm...I'm on the dissenting side. I do both knitting and crochet. I taught myself to do both as a girl, and I found crochet much easier. For little ones who can't do small work, it's easier to manage one hook and one yarn loop. The hook is key, because it can "grab" the loop. Knitting is harder IMHO because the stitches easily can slip off the needle and you can lose a whole row.
The stitches are easier to me, too. After you learn single crochet, all the next stitches are just based on how many times you thread over and pull through the stitch. AFter all these years I get confused by knit and purl, seed stitch, etc. There are far too many "different" terms used in instructions that confuse me.
Both are doable, and I would recommend perhaps a kit of both knitting needles and crochet hooks and 2 balls of yarn. Crochet isn't all tiny thread, but you have bigger hooks (in letter sizes, the tiny hooks are in number sizes). Perhaps other knitters would disagree, but I find wood or bamboo hooks and needles the best to use, and the stitches don't slide around as much...plus it's just nicer to hold wood than metal!
Since you have boys, the projects they would like to do are a bit harder to find the match masculinity. I would HIGHLY suggest writing to Mary G (since she's offline for Advent) for some great suggestions. She wrote this supplement book with knitting projects for kids (and she thinks both girls and boys would like them). See here for more info.
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lapazfarm
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marihalojen wrote:
I recommend thick yarn and thick needles, projects progress rapidly that way! |
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I wish I had known that when I started a few weeks ago. I can't believe how long it is taking me to knit this scarf! I think I am about halfway through now, but good grief! I keep telling dh I will probably have a scarf for him by the time winter is over.!LOL!
One question. Finger knitting. We tried this last year and ended up with a really, really long chain. Now what? How would one join it all together into...something??? 
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marihalojen
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Jenn, I agree with the wooden hooks and needles. My favorites in the past were actually chopsticks from the Chinese place! I think having the option to try both knitting and crocheting out would let him decide which he prefers, it's all personal preference in the end, I guess! I'd probably do knitting one week and crochet the next to kind of seperate them so they are not confused. I think my problem as a kid with crocket came from smaller hooks and old yarn that would twist on me. So I'd be crocheting happily along and then jump to the bottom and then back to the top, a big spiral mess, if that makes sense!
Theresa, could you spiral the chain into a mat? Kind of like the method for rag rugs maybe? I've never tried it...
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Dawn
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JennGM wrote:
| Since you have boys, the projects they would like to do are a bit harder to find the match masculinity. |
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Yes, I was trying to come up with some simple project ideas that were boy-friendly. I have some Waldorf craft books around and since knitting is such a big part of their curriculum (for boys and girls) I figure I might find some ideas. Feminine projects could be completed as gifts for grandmothers and friends, though!
Thanks for reminding me to contact Mary, Jenn! I am off to check her blog now.
Thank you everyone for the suggestions and thoughts. I'm soaking it all in!
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kjohnson
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Dawn wrote:
| Yes, I was trying to come up with some simple project ideas that were boy-friendly. |
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Keep your eye out for varigated camoflauge yarn at the craft stores. My 6 year old son loves it!
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Katherine
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organiclilac
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I also think crochet is easier than knitting - but the biggest factor for me is what he wants to make with it! For scarves, blankets, hats, etc., crochet is great, but for a sweater, socks, or other garment where you'd want a nice smooth fabric, knitting is really better.
I taught myself both with the "I Can't Believe I'm Crocheting" and "I Can't Believe I'm Knitting" books by Leisure Arts - stores like Hobby Lobby and Michaels carry these. I think they are very well illustrated, and have instructions for both left- and right-handed people, which I am appreciating now that my lefty son wants to learn!
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Topic: Knit or crochet?
