Tuesday, April 13, 2010

How to Finger Knit

Finger knitting is done without needles and is a great way to introduce children to knitting. With their new skill, kids can make scarves, headbands, and toys. The basic concept of knitting is grasped before kids every pick up a knitting needle!
Materials:
• Ball or Skein of Yarn (Any yarn will do, but chunky, colorful yarn for children is the best.)
• Both Hands
• Plastic Large‐Eye Sewing Needle‐ this not‐sharp needle is perfect for kids.
Steps:
1. If you are right‐handed, use your left hand to hold the yarn. Lay the yarn across your upturned palm with the tail of the yarn (the end) held between your thumb and forefinger.
2. With the yarn end attached to the ball or skein, weave the yarn through your fingers. Wrap the yarn under your pinky finger, over your ring finger, under your middle finger and over the forefinger.
3. Weave in the opposite direction. Wrap the yarn under your forefinger, over your middle finger, under your ring finger, and over your pinky.
4. Wrap the yarn under all the fingers towards your thumb and over the top back towards the pinky. This should be the top yarn.
5. Starting with the pinky finger, take the bottom woven yarn and pull it over the top (wrapped) yarn.
6. Repeat with remaining three fingers.
7. Repeat steps 4 through 6 until you have the desired length.
8. Pull on the tail of the yarn to tighten the knitting periodically.
9. To finish, cut the yarn, leaving several inches of extra yarn. Take the loops of your fingers. Pull the remaining yarn through the loops and make a knot.