5 simple ways to introduce knitting to your child
How can you make knitting feel as fun and accessible for your child as possible?
As a mom of four, I know how tricky it can be to introduce new hobbies to your little ones. Especially if you want them to stick with it! But let me tell you, knitting can be a total game-changer! It’s creative, calming, and surprisingly easy to learn, even for kids. If you’re wondering how to get your child hooked on knitting without the stress, I’ve got 5 simple tips that’ll make it fun and totally approachable.
- Start with straight needles and medium yarn
- Keep it short and sweet
- Make it playful
- Show, don’t tell
- Celebrate small wins
Start with straight needles and medium yarn
It’s a myth that big needles are easier for little hands to hold. With big yarn comes big knitting needles, and small hands learning to use those will feel very awkward. Medium, or worsted weight yarn as it’s sometimes called, is the best place to start. Get something grippy like soft wool. Acrylic will catch on the needles and cause frustration. Size US 8 is a good needle to start with to see the stitches, hold in their small hands, and quickly work through their knitting. It’s way more motivating! I wrote about my favorite worsted wool yarn here, or check out my video review below.
Keep it short and sweet
Don’t worry about long projects. Start with small, simple projects like a dishcloth (call it a stuffed animal blanket if you need to) or a scarf. Keep it fun and pressure-free. If you’re not sure where to start, check out these super fun knitting projects from Fiona Goble here.
Make it playful
Use fun colored yarn that they love. Let them choose—it’ll feel more like a creative activity than a lesson. For tons of fun yarn choices, visit Knit Picks and grab some cute colors that your kid will love!
Show, don’t tell
Kids learn best by watching. Sit down and knit together, so they can see the motions and pick it up naturally. Check out my video tutorials to follow along with (perfect for visual learners!) here.
Celebrate small wins
Every stitch counts! Celebrate their progress, no matter how small. The more positive feedback, the more they’ll want to keep going! If you’re looking for more knitting inspiration, How Wee Learn has some awesome resources for creative kid-friendly knitting projects.
