There are many knitting patterns for garments to give to children. There are almost no patterns for children, written so that the child can read them alone and knit without asking about every step.
Now CosyMonday has both: a free knitting course for children, and a separate collection of patterns the child knits alone. Large type, short sentences and one action in each step.
When I was little, I loved being given bags of leftover yarn and making things myself. It was my mother who taught me to knit. I have written about her in My mother, who takes care of everything. That is the joy I want to pass on.
Why separate patterns for children?
An ordinary pattern is written for adults. It has abbreviations, many numbers and several things in each step. A child who has to read “k2, p2, repeat from *” needs help all the time.
The patterns in Kids knit say instead: “Knit all the stitches.” One thing. Then the next.
- Large type, made for the phone
- One file for each size, so the child sees only its own numbers
- One action in each step, with a box to tick
- Links to videos that show how
- Read-aloud: a page that reads the steps out loud, one at a time. The code is in the Norwegian PDF
- Five sizes from 2 to 12 years, and five languages
The patterns the child knits alone
Almost all of them are knitted in garter stitch, which means knit stitches only. That is enough to make something the child will actually use.
- Your first dishcloth: the dishcloth in cotton. The smallest project, and free.
- The forest scarf: a soft scarf in mohair. Free.
- The flower mitts: wrist warmers with a word the child embroiders. Free.
- Anna's favourite beanie: the beanie in colour blocks.
- Anna's long scarf: the long scarf with stripes and gold thread.
- The best friend beanies: a beanie with a folded brim and stripes. Here the child learns the purl stitch.
- Apanson: beanie and scarf for the cuddly toy. Free.
- Apanson Jr: beanie and scarf for the smallest cuddly toys. Free.
The course: Learn to knit – for kids
Learn to knit – for kids is a free course for children from around seven to twelve years old. Ten short chapters, from the first loop to a design of their own. For every new thing the child learns, there is a badge, and the course ends with a knitting diploma.
Nine free projects belong to the course, from the bookmark to a sweater the child can wear. All of them need only three things: casting on, knitting and binding off.
When something goes wrong, and it does, there is Help, it went wrong. It explains the five most common problems and what the child can do about them.
Start with the course. When the child wants to go further, the patterns in Kids knit are ready.
For you who are going to teach it
Most children learn to knit from someone who already can. Many no longer learn it at school. According to Statistics Norway (SSB), half of those who teach arts and crafts lack formal qualifications in the subject.
That is why the course has its own guide for the adult. It is more about how to teach than about the knitting itself.
My best advice: fun first, technique afterwards. A child who enjoys it comes back to the needles.
- Choose a soft yarn in a light colour, so the child can see the stitches.
- Use wooden needles. The stitches do not slide off so easily.
- Leftover yarn is enough. The child needs enough yarn to dare to make mistakes.
Did you know …
Knitting did not become common in Norway until the second half of the 1800s. Small garments such as socks, mittens and hats have nevertheless been knitted here since the 1600s.
Source: OsloMet, “Overraskende hvor sent strikking kom til Norge”
Sources: OsloMet and sciencenorway.no, with figures from Statistics Norway (SSB).
The very best of luck – and remember: practice makes perfect! And if you are wondering about anything, feel free to send me a message on chat, and I will answer as soon as I can :)
Anne-Turid <3