Asked to teach Gdd to knit!

Good for you. Actually, I'd start with crochet and macramé- before knitting. Holding tension is so hard with knitting.

DGD aged just 7 asked. We've given it a go, and spent literally ten minutes on it every time I see her.

I remember being taught ...

“Open it’s mouth
Give it something to eat (the wool),
Swallow it,
Finish.”

Good luck! Hope it’s fun. 😊

Good luck with that, Witzend. It should be fun.
I'm transported back to primary school and the chant - In, Over, Through and Off!

My Grandma taught me to knit and crochet. My Aunty taught me to sow and for years I made all my own and my children's clothes.

My eldest GS, soon to turn 13, asked me to teach him last time he stayed here. I had to make do with “regular” albeit short needles but he coped well.

Fleurpepper

Good for you. Actually, I'd start with crochet and macramé- before knitting. Holding tension is so hard with knitting.

Slight snag there, in that I never learned to crochet - and alas I’m not going to start now. In fact I really don’t like the look of crochet - very unreasonable of me, I know, but it’s probably down to a pre-marriage housemate who was forever crocheting the most hideous, garishly coloured things - usually ponchos, which I had to pretend were lovely. I lived in dread of her presenting me with one - and having to wear it!

The ultimate crochet threat - be afraid, sons-in-law, be very afraid!

Nell8

Good luck with that, Witzend. It should be fun.
I'm transported back to primary school and the chant - In, Over, Through and Off!

I well remember ‘in, over, through, off’ from my mother.

It was all so much quicker and easier, once she (eventually) persuaded me to loop the yarn under little finger and over forefinger.
Not long ago I saw a young woman on the bus so laboriously lifting the yarn for each stitch - I was dying to show her, but was afraid of being seen as an interfering old bag.

I was never taught crochet but was knitting at 5 so can't be that difficult

MawtheMerrier

The ultimate crochet threat - be afraid, sons-in-law, be very afraid!

Love the one on the left!

I know I put drops in my eye this morning, but I really thought the thread title was "Asked to teach God to knit".

MawtheMerrier

The ultimate crochet threat - be afraid, sons-in-law, be very afraid!

Eeeek!

My GM taught me to knit in the forties. In those days knitted dish cloths were often used. She bought me dishcloth wool which was off white in colour and quite thick. I remember her saying “you make me feel quite weak “ as I pulled the wool around in a very loose fashion. However, I really enjoyed it dropped stitches and all. When I was about 12 I set about knitting a blanket for my baby cousin. My mother bound it in ribbon. My gran remarked that she couldn’t believe I had knitted it as she remembered my early attempts. That blanket was well used on a daily basis.
Unexpectedly, my gs asked me to teach him to knit when he was about 6 and he saw me knitting. He had a good go at it and managed quite well. However, he didn’t continue as other things took over. Not like my friend’s father who knitted all their jumpers etc. I remember dh looking at me knitting and saying he wished he could do that. I hope you have a lovely, cosy time with your gch and she remembers the lovely time she spent with her granny, dropped stitches and all.

I've suggested learning to knit as an activity with granddaughters next week too. They have tried before but I've found a pattern for wrist warmers that is quick and easy. Will fill an hour on so I guess.

Thanks for that, Gymstagran, I’m sure I’ve got a pattern for wrist warmers somewhere!

I have promised my DGD (8) I will teach her to sew if she likes when she comes. However, her great-aunt is a fabulous needlewoman, but if I just teach her some basics, it can't do any harm. When she was only 6 we did some French knitting which she cottoned on to immediately, but we couldn't do much because she only had a children's set and it was an impractical, unwieldy wooden needle and even I couldn't get on with it.

It will be easier to teach DGS (also 8) which I may well do. He is fascinated by the sewing machine and lives nearer and we see them more often.

I'd love to hear how everyone gets on with this: which is a good age to start, how you keep their attention, etc.

I have a photo of my Mum teaching our older two DC to knit. Mum was an excellent, avid knitter, sadly neither of them took to it.

Our DGS thought he'd like to try when he was about 7 and seemed to pick it up well, did a few rows then said "This is boring, can I go out to play".

Younger DGD seemed keen, was doing well and wanted to knit a coat for the dog in squares; she took the first square home to carry on, apparently dropped stitches and that was the end of that. 🤔

Good luck, Witzend, who knows, your DGD may take after you 🙂

The ultimate crochet threat - be afraid, sons-in-law, be very afraid!
😂

Witzend I was taught to knit like the young woman you saw on the bus, I think: holding the active needle in one hand and the other to loop the yarn round it.I did get up a fair rhythm and speed eventually. I wonder if it’s a common knitting hold elsewhere. I’ve read of a ‘continental’ style. But I always felt it must be ‘wrong’ as it seemed less efficient.

Slight snag there, in that I never learned to crochet - and alas I’m not going to start now. In fact I really don’t like the look of crochet - very unreasonable of me, I know, but it’s probably down to a pre-marriage housemate who was forever crocheting the most hideous, garishly coloured things - usually ponchos, which I had to pretend were lovely. I lived in dread of her presenting me with one - and having to wear it!

They're retro and very in vogue now, Witzend
I find crocheting more soothing than knitting, having taught myself during lockdown.

Not long ago I saw a young woman on the bus so laboriously lifting the yarn for each stitch - I was dying to show her, but was afraid of being seen as an interfering old bag

If you see an actor on TV doing that you know for sure they can't really knit.

And there was recently an advert on tv where a woman in a care home was seen knitting a crochet blanket!

That photo was hilarious Maw!

I’m not sure the garish things my housemate made would ever be in vogue, Callistemon. In ‘quieter’ colours, I dare say…

When our Boy Wonder was expected my daughter said ‘no home knitteds thanks mum”!
🤣