I wanted to learn to knit when I was four and have knitted every since. My son also wanted to learn when he was four and daughter, three years older, learnt at the same time. They started by making a simple garter stitch square which we stitched into a little shoulder bag for their teddy bears. During the day the teddies would write little notes to them while they were at school, and sometimes would have a little present inside for that evening. They both used to sit and knit after bath time while I was reading a bedtime story to them both. We had hours of fun that way. They progressed on to making full wardrobes of clothes for their teddies, starting with jumpers made of square pieces and gradually learning shaping and purl stitches. My daughter went on to make a lot of the Jean Greenhowe toys and son was fascinated by aran patterns and made himself a couple of lovely aran jumpers.
Wow. What a great story and thank you for sharing. I used to knit those sorts of dolls and teddy clothing too but I live the little notes in their shoulder bags. My Knit Fairy didn’t deliver those 😜🥰
Thank you Jane, some really useful tips. My 3 year old granddaughter likes to ‘knit’ with me, no actual knitting involved but I give her some yarn( not a whole ball) to play with and a few stitches and rows I’ve already knit and she just creates an almighty knotty mess 😂 I’m hoping she’ll want to learn properly when she’s older.
Haha. I actually remember using one of the ‘French knitter dolls’ knitting bobbins at a very young age and that helped me get used to yarn. You can also knit on your fingers at quite a young age too. It’s so lovely that she gets some quality time with you. I am envious as I don’t have any grandchildren yet 🥰🥰
Loved ❤this video ! ,y mother taught me how to knit at age 4 ! Only because I wouldn’t leaver her knitting alone ! By 8 I was making doll clothes ! At 10 I started making easier baby sweater and matching hats to be sold at our annal Churches Christmas Market! I am 61 and still enjoy knitting 🧶 Thank you for all your wonderful videos! I live in Canada and one day would love to come to England and come shop in your store in Cornwall! My grandmother’s mother was born in Plymouth and her father’s father was one of queen Victoria’s head gardeners on one of the royal estates .
Wow. You were a really early learner! I used one of those French knitting dolls at a young age but needless to say didn’t start until about 7/8. You will have a warm welcome if you ever come back and visit 🥰
My second daughter Sarah learnt to knit when she was 3. I was teaching her sister Laura who was 5 and Sarah picked it up right away at the same time as Laura. She made a teddy for her brother who was born when she was 4. Sarah was very tiny and she would take her knitting on train journeys like her mummy. She still knits everyday as I do. I find knitting very calming.
Hello Jane, thank you so much for this video! I missed the time to teach my children to knit, there were so many other things and life just did not work that way then. There are no grandkids (yet) so there will be no need for it anytime soon but I absolutely LOVE the thumbs up cast on. As I recall I was forced to learn to crochet and knit in school, hated both passionately and came back to it much later in life. But, a skill learned is a skill one has. For Life. And yes. It is a wonderful community, the yarn folk. All the best from germany and THANK YOU again Su / Pinguinpullover
Thank you so much. I haven’t hit grandchildren either but I get to teach a fair few children in the shop and it’s so lovely to see them ‘get it’ and then go onto knit again 🥰
Jane, thank you so much for this lovely vlog. I really enjoyed it. It brought back some dear memories when my late Mum taught me how to knit when I was about ten (over 40 years ago). Although I am a leftie when it comes to writing and so on, she taught me the "usual" way of knitting in Germany (right-handed, continental style). It was the way she was taught by her mum, my granny. I am very grateful for that, and I never get confused with any instructions. I look forward to your next podcast. Woolly greetings from Germany 🧶
I also learnt to knit at about 8yo, from my mum, 1969! We have so many tools and yarns and patterns, at our fingertips now. I taught my 4 daughters, and so far 3 of my granddaughters. Unfortunately 1 is a lefty and I struggled there. Thank goodness for you tube. It can become an expensive hobby, but if that's an issue I recommend op shops for needles and yarn. They love their knitting, the grandies are 11, 9 and 7.
Thank you for sharing your story and how wonderful that you have been able to pass this skill through the generations. So special to be able to do something together 🥰
I’ve tried to teach my granddaughters to knit. It was fun, but I think they were not able to comfortably continue on their own. My oldest granddaughter has recently expressed an interest to start again. My oldest grandson likes to pretend to knit with sticks. I will use your tips to get him started on needles. Thank you!
