Teaching kids to knit develops fine motor skills and attention span. All you need are colorful yarns, bamboo needles, time, and patience — plus a few tips and a fun rhyme which I’ll share with you below.
Kids in the Waldorf schools learn to knit at age 6, which is when my oldest daughter learned. My younger daughter is learning at age 7.
I also recommend that you knit with your kids. Kids need to see us being creative, too. They need to see the process of creation — how long it takes us to knit things, and that we persevere, rip out stitches, pick up dropped stitches, and so forth.
Materials:
I taught one of my daughters to knit using theALEX Knit and Wear Kit.Unfortunately, it’s no longer available so here’s what I recommend instead:
Buy larger size needles like these that are size 15.
Buy chunky yarn. (It’s easier for beginners and forgiving when you make mistakes!)
Knit squares and rectangles to get started.
My First Knitting Book: Learn to Knit Kids by Alison McNicol might be helpful — I haven’t read it yet.
Cast On
Ready to teach your kids to knit?
For casting on, I prefer to not show kids at first. I wait until they have the hang of the knit stitch.
That means you’ll want to cast on for them. If you don’t know how, this video will help.
I like the intro to knitting videos from GoodKnitKisses. Here Kristen shows how to cast on:
If you’re a leftie, watch this instructional video for casting on and the knit stitch:
Knit Stitch for Beginners
Once you’ve cast on, meaning there is a baseline of stitches on your needle, you can teach the knit stitch.
Show kids that the right-hand holds right needle and the left-hand holds left needle with all the stitches on it. The right hand can grip the left needle when it’s in the X of a knit stitch. (This is all if you’re knitting right-handed, that is.)
Use this fun learn to knit rhyme for the knit stitch:
In through the front door.
Around the back.
Out through the window.
And off jumps Jack!
In through the front door,
Around the back,
Out through the window,
And off jumps Jack.
My mother-in-law, Linda Taylor, uses another simple rhyme for the knit stitch. Here it is — it’s super cute and it worked.
Under the fence.
Catch a sheep.
Back we come.
Off we leap!
Watch how a knit stitch looks in real time:
You’ll want to share how most knitters first knitting looks uneven. That’s to be expected. Tell your kids that they can rip it out and start again, or just keep practicing. They will get better with practice.
Knitting alongside your kids gives you time to chat and be together. It also helps kids feel comfortable just sitting to knit — and not feel like they’re supposed to be doing something else which they might if you’re off doing something else.
Casting Off
Like casting on, I recommend that teach this but also that you do this for your kids for awhile until they get the hang of the knit stitch.
The reason for this is that beginners don’t need too much information or they’ll get super confused.
Let them learn one thing and get good at it.
Then add something else, practice and get good at it. And so forth.
Projects
JJ is knitting blankets for her dolls right now. So far she had about 6. Those dolls sure are lucky!
These books for beginning knitters are all excellent starting guides.
Kids Knitting: Projects for All Ages
Kids Knit!: Simple Steps to Nifty Projects
Stitch Camp by Nicole Blum and Catherine Newman
You also can search on Google to find easy patterns for a hat and scarf because they both make good easy projects for kids. (I especially love when you can add tassels!)
Read Picture Books About Knitting!
Extra Yarn by Mac Barnett
Woolbur by Leslie Helakoski
A Hat for Mrs. Goldman by Michelle Edwards
The Three Spinning Fairies by Brothers Grimm
Martha Moth Makes Socks by Cambria Evans
Phoebe’s Sweater by Joanna Johnson
Knitting Pirate by Diane Murray
The Truly Terrible Horrible Sweater…That Grandma Knit by Debbie Macomber and Mary Lou Carney
Knitting Nell by Julie Jersild Roth
Stanley the Amazing Knitting Cat by Emily MacKenzie
Pet Rock Writing and Craft Activity
Why You Should Encourage Kids to Start a Writing Journal (& How)
Allison says
This is great! I do wish they offered more neutral colors. My son would actually love to learn to knit, but all the “kits” come with pink-heavy colors, which he is not into.
Melissa Taylor says
A fun field trip to a yarn store would probably end in the perfect yarn for him. They usually have the most amazing selections!
Betty keim says
We ordered
learn to knit kit and need additional yarn how can we order it
Melissa Taylor says
You might try a local craft or yarn store if you don’t find it online.
Linda C. Dunn says
My grand daughter fell in love with knitting while watching me make a sweater for her doll. These instructions are so clear and the rhyme is a very good memory device for a young person. She is going to love this introduction to knitting when it appears in a spaghetti tin along with her first needles and yarn!
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Melissa Taylor says
I hope it’s a wonderful experience!
Mary says
What a cute saying! I’m going to teach my Grand daughter to knit soon. I learned when I was in the 2nd grade, and I’m so glad I learned that young because I have tried to teach some of my otherwise very smart friends, and they just don’t get it. I think it’s actually easier to learn when you’re a kid! But never say “I can’t learn that!”. It’s just a matter of staying with it long enough to “get it” !
Thanks!
Melissa Taylor says
It’s a bit tricky casting on and off at first but they do catch on so fast! Have fun!
Amy Odirling says
This information was very helpful and fun!!
Helena Sharkey says
I am thinking of teachin my granddaughter to knit love the ryme
Rosalind says
Thank you so much for the slower video. I have tried to learn to knit before, but I was told to hold my hand a certain way. Not much progress. I love these videos. It has helped me tremendously.
Camilla says
This was so helpful. I feel like I’m a pretty good teacher, but have struggled teaching others to knit. I taught my kids (7 and 8) using the poem and they learned faster than all the adults I’ve tried to teach in the past 🙂 if you wrote the peom, you are amazing, if you found it and shared it, Thank You!
Ginger says
Is this continental or english? Maybe I should have followed this to learn knitting to begin with. Doing so much too soon is confusing and frustrating esp. when you can’t finish something for dropping stitches all the time. Is there a tutorial for kids on all the stitches needed to know and knitting knows and don’ts,etc. How to fix mistakes etc. Esp. dropping stitches.
Shawn says
This is English knitting in the photos, but the rhyme works for Continental, too.
Elizabeth says
Do you have a video teaching how to purl?
Melissa Taylor says
I don’t but I found one that looks good on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lkb0YyrzPWA
Elizabeth says
Thank you for this. Now I know why my stitches always end up looking twisted!
Melissa Taylor says
🙂
mzklever says
I’m glad to see kits being made for younger children. Knitting has so many benefits, including increased attention span and decreased stress and anxiety. It’s also important to know that it doesn’t matter what craft your child chooses, as long as they find something they enjoy doing that is creative. Although I knit and crochet, my daughter enjoys cross stitching much more than either of my crafting choices. We still craft together though, which is key!
Melissa Taylor says
sounds fun! 🙂
Kibby says
Thank you so much for this…………….Waiting to teach my granddaughter as well. I knit continental and it’s hard to teach others. Love it!!!
Melissa Taylor says
yeah! Glad it can help!
BubbieC says
This is great! Have been trying to teach my granddaughter… this will help!!!
Melissa Taylor says
🙂
Raz says
I been looking for a geared down tutorial that is simple for me to learn. This is far beyond perfect. I watched youtube videos and everything. Thanks!
Melissa Taylor says
glad to hear it – have fun!
Ana Dziengel says
I love this post! The step by step tutorial is so useful!
Melissa Taylor says
thanks, Ana!
Debs says
Thanks for this useful post! Shared on my fb page and pinning 😀
Melissa Taylor says
thanks, Debs!