The Knitters Thread

monnagran

I think that is impressive nursemaggie. To learn to knit in a week at the age of 4 must be some sort of record. I don't know how old I was when I was started on the dishcloths but I do remember sitting up in bed and knitting when I was recovering from measles, so I must have been 5 or 6.
Funnily enough I don't remember knitting anything else between the dishcloths and knitting myself a jumper when I was about 14. Presumably I must have progressed in the intervening years.

I taught lots of children to knit and to crochet, although my crochet skills are bit dodgy to say the least. I think it is incredibly important to teach children these crafts. One little girl, who was very academic and very pressured by her parents, was extremely tense and stressed. I taught her to crochet, just a granny square and she loved it. This granny square grew and grew as she sat in lessons crocheting like mad. As it grew she relaxed more and more and the staff said that they could watch all the tension leaving her. They also said that if she went on much longer they would be able to carpet the classroom with her granny square.. I wonder if she is now some high powered executive and still crocheting granny squares.

THIRZAH

My DD2 was very academic and gets very stressed .She took up lace making in her teens and now crochets. I've always tried to encourage her with craft work as it does seem to reduce her stress levels.

YorksLass

monnagran wrote: »

My granddaughter, aged 4, is desperate to learn to knit. Now I have been bitten by this before, trying to teach small children at school to knit. I don't suppose it is part of the curriculum these days. If it ever was! It scarred me for ever. However, I'm about to cave in, against my better judgement. To add to the mix she is left handed.

I was wondering if the continental style of knitting would be easier for her. It's something that I've never done so I would have to learn first.

Age 4 is possibly a bit young, but the continental style is supposed to be better for left-handed knitters. I have tried it but, being right-handed, just can't get the hang of it! You can get shorter, fatter needles that would suit a young child's smaller hands, and wooden ones might be better as the stitches don't slip off quite so easily. I'm also wondering if crochet might be easier for now?

anakat wrote: »

Have you thought of starting her off with an old fashioned Knitting Nancy?

Good idea.

I too remember learning to knit at school when I was about 6 years old - a red scarf with white tassles for teddy. Oh how I hated it! It never seemed to "grow" and I would pull the work in an effort to stretch it, all to no avail. Also, a jumper when I was about 13 or 14 that turned out well (with help from DM to sew up). Strange, I don't remember doing anything else inbetween! Now in my late 60s, I'm hardly ever without some knitting project on the needles, usually in the evenings while watching TV, so I must have persevered and improved over the years! :)

carlislelass

Gran taught me to knit when I was 5, 60 yrs later I still can't crochet

[Deleted User]

my knitting mojo is back!! It always comes back when the allotment is settled and fully planted, I have only got routine weeding and path maintenance for now.

Afterlight, goodness me it took forever to get the last sleeve done, it just sat on my trolley next to me for weeks. I finished it two days ago, machine washed and patted it down to dry and tried it on. It is fab, such a lovely slinky drapey style. I made the sleeves shorter than stated for my size and I was worried that they looked too wide but the wideness disappears because of bending my arms, they finish just below elbow length. I didn`t do the fussy mattress stitch for joining, no point, it isn`t for sale, I just whizzed up and down the seams in an evening. I did make some alterations ie I started the v neck at a higher point, because of the drapeyness. It really is a flattering top and perfect for summer or with a ls t shirt for more seasons. I dithered about what to make next but have started another afterlight, this one will be 10 rows shorter in the body and the body length is already the shorter one and not the one allocated to my bust size
http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/afterlight

I am also going to repeat a top I made two years ago from home spun blend, It was silk and seacell and is a gorgeous rich flattering golden yellow and is another top that drapes and hides my straps. This one is quite short but tbh it suits me so well. I don`t think it took long to make and I have two home spun drapey blends ready for another two. It was a free download and one I am going to print again and store carefully as it is so nice to make and wear. I have some more top quality 500g fibres in boxes, generally silk/lyocell/cashmere, that type. They ranged from £19 to £37 and that makes me all the more keen to keep spinning. The silk seacell

http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/leaf-top

hiddenshadow

Those patterns both look lovely.

You're inspiring me with the leaf top / homespun combination. I'm not ready to spin silk yet but need to practice to get better.

[Deleted User]

one thing leads to another. Seeing how much the fibres have gone up in price, I ordered a few more blends as they keep indefinitely, luxurious blends and then I decided that I needed a couple of multi coloured summer skirts to go with my lovely tops. Dived into my fabric stash and am happy to report that I have three good lengths for skirts. Bliss, keeps me occupied with radio on

mrs-moneypenny

Morning all
Hope everyone is well
I'm currently knitting a blanket and bootees for people at work who are expecting.

[Deleted User]

I do like having a project. I was so shattered yesterday after doing the allotment and making scones, was so thankful that I could sink into my recliner with my knitting, with the radio on. This is why I now use circular needles, just one to go back and forth, instead of my long straight needles. I can keep my hands low and don`t get any aches that way. I am 1/4 through afterlight number two, almost finished the back and working with confidence, knowing that it will be a nice useful top for year round. I love this, going from active physical to quiet productive

THIRZAH

I'm off to buy wool today. My DD had a baby girl last night -quite small and she is likely to be in hospital for about a month ,we think but I want to start knitting.