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needleknit
Chatty Knitter
USA
134 Posts |
 Posted - 08/24/2004 : 8:52:01 PM
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 I am going to be doing an after school project helping 3rd to 5th graders learn to knit. I used to knit years ago, stopped and picked it back up this year after teaching my 7 yr. old. I want to make it fun for them and be able to see completion of projects. I was thinking of starting with a bookmark, then maybe a coaster. Anyone have any cute little projects that would help them learn cast on/off and the basic knit stitch??Thanks, Kate |
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meowy
Chatty Knitter
USA
299 Posts |
Posted - 08/24/2004 : 9:03:20 PM
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Yeah little coasters made in garter stitch from kitchen cotton wuld be really cute. I keep meaning to make some, but I tend to get carried away and end up with washrags intead haha
Have them bring a favorite teddy or bunny, and knit a little scarf for their little fuzzy pal to wear. Never too old to knit for Mr Teddy Pants :)
Wrist bands might be cute, if they learn ribbing. Then seam it up to wear it.
The girls might like making scrunchies, but I've not had much luck with those things taying in my hair and mine's wavy enough to hold the things in and they still slide right out ugh.
Have them bring some cute squigglies type yarn, the novelty stuff.. and make pretty scarves/belts.
Or knit squares/rectangles, then seam up for weird little square hats :)
- meowy
- Knitting a Rat's Nest
- http://knit.strayalleycat.com |
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knit_chick
Permanent Resident
1484 Posts |
Posted - 08/24/2004 : 9:17:07 PM
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| How about making a blanket to donate to charity? Each child makes a square and then you can sew them together. Or have each child make 2 squares, one used for the blanket & the other to take home. |
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Heather
Gabber Extraordinaire
USA
456 Posts |
Posted - 08/24/2004 : 9:20:32 PM
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Have you looked at Kids Knitting by Melanie Falick? There are some great projects in it--puppets, bean bags, hats, a caterpillar, a purse, a wallet... all very easy and designed to teach kids to knit. It even has instructions for the kids to make their own knitting needles with dowels and polymer clay.
I like meowy's ideas too--wrist bands are so popular, and every bear needs a scarf!
--Heather
He Rest O Pand Spen Das Oci Alho Ur In Harm Les Smirt Hand funl Et fri Ends Hip Re Ign Beju Stand Kin Dan Devils Peak of No Ne! |
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needleknit
Chatty Knitter
USA
134 Posts |
Posted - 08/25/2004 : 05:46:18 AM
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 These ideas are great! I never thought of the bear idea-very cute. The blanket is something I thought of if some of the girls actually get to learn the techniques. However, I wonder if it is something they would like to use as a goal. It would be lots of fun to get multiple classes going and have a large group do a blanket for donation-I love it! Thanks, guys! Kate |
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VaxGirl
Gabber Extraordinaire
USA
511 Posts |
Posted - 08/25/2004 : 06:22:20 AM
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Oh I love the bear scarf idea! My niece made one as her first project and she was 31!
"SmellyCat, SmellyCat, what are they feeding you?" |
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Kelly B
Permanent Resident
USA
2206 Posts |
Posted - 08/25/2004 : 08:12:40 AM
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One Knitty Gritty show on DIY featured Melanie Falick, and I loved the idea of having them make their own needles from dowels (plus pencil sharpener, sandpaper, furniture wax). They made jester hats from two squares, seamed around three edges with pompoms on the points.
My 7-yo son started on a garter stitch scarf but kind of ran out of steam, so we tried it over his head (it stretched to just fit), seamed the ends together (actually, we cast off the live stitches while picking up one at a time from the other end) and called it a gaiter. Like a turtleneck, and quicker and safer than a scarf because there are no loose ends to catch on things. My daughter demonstrated that it would make a good earband as well. |
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RoseByAny
Permanent Resident
USA
12598 Posts |
Posted - 08/25/2004 : 08:19:12 AM
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I second Kids Knitting. Lots of great projects, and shows boys AND girls knitting....
"Choose your friends by their character and your socks by their color. Choosing your socks by their character makes no sense, and choosing your friends by their color is unthinkable."
http://RoseByAny.BlogSpot.Com |
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knit-n-dog
Warming Up
USA
81 Posts |
Posted - 08/25/2004 : 08:31:13 AM
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How about these hats:
http://www.i-craft.com/crafts99/kidcap.html
I made style A for my daugther(4) and neighbor(6), both loved it. I used Lion Brand Jiffy (1 skein, $1.20) and adjusted the gauge. I cast on 72 stitches and knit mine in the round. I made matching scarves with a one skein of Jiffy also.
Another idea is to make dish clothes for the kids to give as Christmas presents. Maybe a good second project using the Grandma Favorite pattern, so they learn YO and K2tog.
Lastly, I made some coasters out of left over Bernat Cotton Tots cotton yarn. They are a little softer then one made out of Kitchen Cotton.
Good Luck
Ann |
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seejenknit
Chatty Knitter
USA
118 Posts |
Posted - 08/25/2004 : 08:53:33 AM
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I made a couple of headbands in a basic rib -- the girls might love those... I the pattern was from Frugal Knitting Haus.
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Kiwigirl
New Pal
New Zealand
18 Posts |
Posted - 08/26/2004 : 2:34:35 PM
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 I think squares (we call them peggy squares here in New Zealand) to make a blanket for charity or a school auction would be a great idea. It teaches both knitting and thinking about others who are not as well provided for as we are.
Debra (Kiwigirl) |
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boyerst
New Pal
USA
2 Posts |
Posted - 08/26/2004 : 3:38:32 PM
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| The charity blanket idea is a good one for kids who are maybe 4th grade or older. I find they like contributing to others. My little girl loves to turn her swatches into little purses. |
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mamid
Permanent Resident
Canada
1568 Posts |
Posted - 08/26/2004 : 4:09:55 PM
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I'm crochetting a poncho (hopefully) for my DD that got adopted out (long story about CPS & my b*chqueen mother). Her adoptive mother and I had been emailing back and forth about what she'd want... I got the colour and type _after_ buying the yarn. D'Oh!
Oh well, if she doesn't want it, I have a neice I can give it to. |
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Chayah
Permanent Resident
1924 Posts |
Posted - 08/26/2004 : 5:31:04 PM
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| Good luck with your project. Once the students have made the teddy bear scarf they could make a sweater to go with it. Teddy bear sweaters are really just two squares sewn together. Happy knitting, Chayah |
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mkeson
Chatty Knitter
123 Posts |
Posted - 08/27/2004 : 06:26:45 AM
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| My son wanted to learn to knit, but lost interest after awhile. I got him some camoflage yarn, which renewed his interest. He liked making garter stitch headbands and wristbands out of this. |
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GK
New Pal
Canada
19 Posts |
Posted - 08/27/2004 : 09:18:02 AM
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My daughter teaches children to knit. In fact she had a knitting club last year at the school that she teaches at that had more than 75 members. She likes the Melanie Falick book and there is an "Australian Women's Weekly Home Library" book called "Knit a square and make a toy". At the online magazine http://www.knitty.com/ there are some cute patterns for finger puppets.
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rjbinder@nutnbut.net
Posts |
Posted - 08/27/2004 : 10:06:10 AM
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I love the www.frugalhaus.com web-site - lots of quick and easy projects. Try the easy to make " squares slippers" - they might also make nice projects for gifts, or homeless shelters, etc.
Janbin |
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dsassali@aol.com
Posts |
Posted - 08/28/2004 : 04:16:36 AM
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I teach my 4th graders how to knit - first I have them knit a small purse with a long strap and I add a large button to close it. Several boys have made one for their moms and get a kick out of being able to give it to them. However, I don't make them do it if they have another simple project in mind. After that I get them going on a project that they can learn to read a pattern - some have done the cute animals, some knitted sweaters, and lots of adorable hats. I think having a book for kids with patterns that appeal to them is great - I have and they love to look at it and become inspired. I think you doing this for them is great!! Wishing you the same fun that I have had!
deborah
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Sheeba
New Pal
7 Posts |
Posted - 09/01/2004 : 11:21:14 AM
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To start I like to have them make their own needles out of chopsticks! Check them to match size with a gauge checker. I go for the size 8 or 9 needles. You can use craft clay to make stoppers or find beads that will work and glue them on then ends. To give them a nice finish coat with clear spray paint. Once they are broken in a bit they are great needles! As for a simple project how about garter stitch snakes? Have them use an acrylic worsted weight yarn. Cast on 48sts and knit for about 2" or so-depending on how big around they want their snake. Bind off loosley. Sew one end closed and along the long seam, stuffing with Polyfil as you go. Sew the other end closed, add a tongue and some french knots for eyes. Ta Da! Super silly serpants! For other ideas there are always the headbands, wristbands, purses, two needle mittens and slippers. I find things they can wear are the best motivators!
Education is not the filling of a bucket, but the lighting of a fire. ~W.B. Yeats |
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