Teaching

EllenF@4 wrote

on Oct 16, 2009 8:50 AM

I originally posted this on "how do I" but maybe it will get a better response here.....

Hi!  I have been "volunteered" to teach a very bright 10 year old to knit.  I have been knitting since I was 5 (50 years ago - Yikes!) and I started  out with Barbie clothes.  I have no kids of my own and have only taught adults so I need HELP!

Anyone have any suggestions on what I can have this lovely child start on?  The best part of this is that I live in NJ and she lives in VA so this will be a long distance tutoring; I will be there one week to get her started. 

If you know of any books or projects where she would see progress quickly I would appreciate it. OR if anyone knows of any really good yarn stores in the Alexandria VA area who are patient enough to work with kids I would appreciate the names so after I start she would have somewhere to go for help.

I need this info before 11/5/09, if possible.  TX!

Ellen

saspero wrote

on Oct 16, 2009 9:50 AM

My first projecct was a dishcloth made with cotton yarn.  I still make them!  The same pattern can be adapted to make little mug rugs for hot or cold drinks.  Also a half-one makes a good baby bib.  You will get recommendations for thick yarn on big needles but I find those hard to manuever with smaller hands.  Project #2 can be a scarf.

EllenF@4 wrote

on Oct 16, 2009 10:04 AM

Even I don't like working with thick yarn on big needles.  People have made me dishcloths but I never use them so that didn't occur to me.  I like the mug rug thought though -- she could even felt these!  Thanks ever so much!  I still remember the scarf my sister attempted for her first project that she got bored with and NEVER finished.  I appreciate the suggestions.

Tephra wrote

on Oct 16, 2009 10:09 AM

You'll find a lot of people recommend large needles but considering that a child's hand is smaller I'd recommend something more in the 6-9 (4-5.5mm) range, that's about the size of a pencil or pen and therefore a familiar size to the kid's hands.

As for projects, "small and useful" tends to work for adults (dish cloths, coasters) but I can't see it holding a kid's attention (certainly wouldn't have held mine!). So I suggest knitting... a kitten. The body and tail are just rectangles, the head has some decreases and increases, so do the head last. It's small, simple, and ends up cute. Any yarn works so a plain acrylic worsted would be good to start with (or wool, but there might be a LOT of frogging going on), and after they have made a few and are comfortable with knitting they can try fuzzy yarns.

And everyone likes a gift of a kitten that doesn't need a litter box. :)

EllenF@4 wrote

on Oct 16, 2009 10:29 PM

Sorry I just cannot picture what you mean.....maybe I am dense (not a cat person so maybe it is that

Tephra wrote

on Oct 16, 2009 11:00 PM

I was just thinking that kids aren't going to be enthusiastic about the practical little projects that people suggest for new knitters, like dish cloths. The kitten pattern I linked is just as simple as a dish cloth but results in a toy. Likewise this bunny pattern is a rectangle, very simple to knit, and ends up being a cute toy. The cat has some decreases and increases in the head part and the bunny has decreases in the ears, but the bodies of both are just rectangles. If the child isn't practiced enough after knitting one body piece to try decreases they can always knit more bodies before making the kitten heads or the bunny ears.

And with the holidays coming all those spare kittens and bunnies from practicing can be gifts for friends and family.