Teaching Kids to Knit with Song
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I first learned to knit when I was eight years old. I often used to spend extra time after school, waiting for my older siblings to be finished, as my older sister was the one who drove us to and from school.
Most of my teachers were Catholic nuns as I went to a small Catholic school in New York. I still have this very distinct memory of sitting at my desk watching Sr. Mary Peter knit, who was my adult supervision on this particular day, until it was time for me to leave. She was working on a stuffed panda bear. I remember walking up to her desk to watch more closely, completely fascinated.
She noticed my interest and offered to show me how to knit right away. She gave me a pair of needles, cast on the first row and then showed me the knit stitch. She did it like it was the easiest thing in the world. I am forever grateful to her. She was so kind and willing to share her expertise.
I recently got the pleasure of talking with her in person again last summer, to only find out she had suffered a stroke and was not able to knit anymore. I almost wanted to cry, because I knew how much she loved knitting. Her passion for the craft exuded from her. She was always knitting something when I knew her as a child.
I told her that I still knit, albeit still very much an amateur, and that it was all thanks to her. Her eyes lit up and she began reminiscing about all the things she had made in her youth. Aran sweaters, stuffed animals, blankets, knit clothes…you name it. She even told me how she could knit and read a book simultaneously. A few weeks later after this conversation, I again had the pleasure of talking with Sister and this time she had brought a whole binder of patterns to share with me. Many of them out of print patterns of stuffed toys I could knit for my children. Just to show you the type of person Sister is, she had shared how she had contacted the creator of the patterns and emailed if she could share the patterns with others since all of them were out of print and hard to find. The creator happily shared her consent.
I am reminded of the generosity of creative kind people and strive to, at least in my small way, share ways we can connect with our children and others and share the joy of creating.
Music and creating (in all its forms) are truly the basis of what makes us all human. The innate desire to want to create beauty.
If you have ever wanted to learn to knit or want to teach your child, I hope that these simple little sung verses will add some beauty to your journey. And I promise that you and your child will never forget to knit and purl once you have put the stitches to song. Because musical memory is the most long lasting.
Holistic Music Learning
There was a time when children learned skills and knowledge through music and song. Generations ago it was understood that if you wanted children to remember something, then it should be learned with song. Want them to remember the alphabet? Sing it. Want them to remember their times tables? Sing it. Want them to remember how to tie their shoe? Sing it.
The well known “Pop Goes the Weasel” was a song that was rooted in the textiles trade when children were expected to help with the adult work. The song helped make the work more enjoyable, easier and more memorable. There are countless more examples where we see the wisdom of generations past in harnessing the power of music.
Combing song with handwork like knitting, is the quintessential example of holistic music learning. Children learn music because of the movements, and remember the movements because of the music. It is how children learn best, because learning is not happening in isolation. It is literally woven into life.
Video Tutorials
Favorite Supplies to Begin Knitting with Young Children
When it comes to teaching a fine motor skill, like knitting with needles, the right supplies are essential to making it easy for young children. Needles that are too long or too skinny or too slippery can make the experience frustrating for young hands. The needles and yarn that I am using in the videos are what my 7 year old son is learning with and it has made it such a cinch for him. The needles are a perfect size in his hands and the yarn does not slip off the needles!
I recommend these needles in a size US 8 (5 mm). They are very grippy so that the wool does not slip off the needles. Perfection! And your purchase is supporting a small mom owned shop in Maine.
This yarn is a soft pure virgin wool that is ideal in size for the above needles. It feels lovely to the touch and is so easy to manage on the needles because of its size and texture. Highly recommend! And again your purchase supports a small mom owned shop in Maine.
This is a great little book that I found first at the library and loved it so much I purchased a copy to have. It has lovely little projects, ideas and tips for knitting with children.
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