We live in a highly screen-driven world. No matter your financial class, almost all of us have some type of a screen in our lives. That being said, I’m not against the use of screens. I mean, I am staring into one now as I bang out this post!
I suppose I am wanting to emphasize the importance of teaching the kiddos or teenagers in your life the craft of crochet or knit if you’re a knitter.
I am a mom of 7 and I have been fortunate enough to teach my four oldest children the basics of crochet. Two of them know how to knit and the four-year-old can make foundation chains for days!
Nothing thrills my heart more than when we are all sitting together crocheting away. I know this might not last forever, their desire to practice mom’s craft, but I want to enjoy it for as long as it does last.
Today I am sharing a few tips to help you get started teaching someone else! Then you can enjoy a small photo shoot featuring my oldest daughter’s (9 years old) two new designs. She was pretty excited about them and also thrilled to get to style herself and the little sister for these pictures!
Tip #1: The bigger the hook the better!
I have found for young children, the concept of yarning over and pulling through doesn’t make a ton of sense. So, I taught my 4-year-old with a size Q hook and worsted weight yarn how to create a foundation chain. Making a really loose chain where she could easily see how the process worked she got in less than 10 minutes!
For my 7, 8, and 9-year old I taught them with an N hook and bulky yarn. This was easy for them to pick it up and now they can work easily with all the hook and yarn sizes.
Tip #2: Let them make knots, play and explore with these new tools!
We are a homeschooling family and we incorporate a lot of exploration styles of learning. For instance, Montessori and Living Books are two ways we like to take in information. I have tried to let this learning style pour over into my teaching them to crochet and knit.
I believe if they have the freedom to kind of “get a feel” for the tools when it comes time to learn the actual process they are a lot more comfortable with the yarn, hook, and needles.
Tip #3: Let them play around with creating their own designs and more!
Crochet and knitting are an artform. We have to allow whomever it is we are teaching the freedom to explore their own way of doing it. I have learned to give them the green light once they understand the basics. The result? A nine-year-old who is pretty excited about starting her own crochet and knitting blog/business some day and selling her finished designs!
Tip #4: HAVE FUN!!!
I can’t emphasize this enough. I know for a lot of people this is easier said than done. I’m a creative person with a little bit of Type-A mixed in. Trust me. The struggle is real most days!?! Who am I kidding the struggle is real every day!
For anyone learning a new skill, you have to make the process somewhat enjoyable. Obviously, you want to communicate the need for practice and the reality they’re sometimes going to make mistakes. But, that’s all apart of the process! If you’re leaving the teaching situation feeling irritated and the other person is in tears…you need to reevaluate how you’re teaching.
Below are the beanie and ear warmer my daughter designed! Be sure to leave a comment with other tips you might have for teaching children how to crochet or knit.
Looks great! I love it. Good work girls!
My 2 1/2 year old wants to ‘crochet’ with mommy. Seems pretty young but I like the idea of exploration and ‘play until she is ready.
Where did you get a Q size hook?
Thanks!
Thanks!
I picked it up from hobby lobby. I have also seen them at JoAnn as well!
Thanks for the info! My granddaughter has been wanting to crochet for two years and I didn’t know how to get her started. Now I do! Thanks again!
I am happy to help!!! 🙂