How to Teach Children to Knit?

Knitting is fun for all ages. The creative hobby is instant gratification. All you need is knitting needles, yarn, a mentor and later patterns for projects. Online sources are also good mentors. Given the many health benefits of knitting, more and more people are taking up knitting. Besides, learning to knit more knitters are looking forward to teaching their children to knit. Knitting for children is fun and an activity that will bring joy to their lives in the longer run.

The tips and tricks to teach children to knit are not universal. They can be similar but the instructions need to be customized according to the age of the child and interests. To help you teach knitting to the young ones, here are a few things to keep in mind.

Start with the right knitting needles – When you want to teach your children to knit you may want to teach them with the knitting needles you own, but do consider if it’s right for them? You can introduce knitting to children with single-pointed needles or even circulars but see that they hold it properly. Bamboo as a material is very beginner friendly. It is lightweight, affordable, smooth yet grabby to not drop stitches. Many knitting teachers recommend keeping children away from sharp needle tips to prevent accidents. This point is valid only for the very young ones. Once you see the child balance things you can get them circular knitting needles. Leave the double-pointed needles for round knitting after they have had enough practice.

Start with the right yarn – After the knitting needles though must be given to the yarn. You can get them started with some worsted-weight yarn. Bulky yarn can give them stress, especially to their tender wrists and hands. Fine lace threads are a no, till they have some practice and successful projects under their belts. Go stash busting and let them have the leftovers to make their own creation. Many times vibrant colors get them into knitting. Do not go for yarn that they feel allergic to. Lanolin can cause allergies in some kids.

Start with a small project – Many children do not enjoy doing the same thing again and again. So, to make knitting fun, start with a small project. Then can make a dishcloth or a scarf with all knit stitches. They will enjoy the different steps to cast on stitches, knitting a pattern, binding off and more. The completed project will give them the push to do more. And, with time they would love knitting.

Let them rip it too – In knitting, especially beginners will have knitting mistakes on hand. Many children love to rip things and allowing them to frog or rip the stitches is perfectly ok.

Give them time – The most important thing to keep in mind is to give time. Dedicate half an hour to the craft every day. If the time is too tedious, set them up to the task to knit five rows. Children might want to skip a few days, which too is fine. Knitting stays in muscle memory and skipping few days will not damage all the progress they made.

To conclude let’s take advice from Elizabeth Zimmerman’s famous quote “When they hand it to you to fix, do a couple of rows. While you don’t want to do it for them, you can certainly help them along!”

With this in mind introduce yarn crafts to children.

Why Knitting Gauge is so important?

 A knitting gauge is important for every knitting project, be it a pair of socks or a blanket. You just don’t start a project with the knitting needles and yarn mentioned in a pattern. A pattern designer often mentions that gauge count and knitters try to achieve the same count or something close to it. To understand why knitting gauge is important, you must understand what it is. A knitting gauge is a little map that you create with your own knitting needles to understand your journey better. In knitting and also crochet, a gauge refers to the number of stitches as well as rows in one inch of knitted fabric.

To get a knitting gauge, you need to knit a small swatch to match the intended count. You take the knitting needle size or even type mentioned in the pattern and the yarn fiber and weight and make a small square of 6-10 inches. After binding off the square, wash it and block it. Later measure an inch with a measuring tape and see the count. If it’s lesser than mentioned, use a smaller needle size and go a size up if the count is more. Try and achieve the closest count.

Now, you might want to skip this step of knitting a gauge swatch, but you must not.

Why Is Knitting Gauge Important?

1. A gauge determines the look of your project. When it comes to the look, even if you follow the pattern designer’s gauge and recommendation, the look might be different. Even though you work with the needle sizes and yarn recommended you might end up with a different look. Different needle materials work differently with yarns. If you have uneven knitting tension (due to yarn or the needle material), your knitting may appear lumpy. The stitches will get bigger and smaller throughout the fabric and manifest in gaps. With a gauge swatch, you can clearly see the stitches and understand the drape of the knitted fabric.

 

2. The gauge will also help choose the size. This is especially for garments. If you are knitting a sweater, you would want it to fit; it must not be too tight to not go down your head or too big to hand. If a pattern recommends a US 8 needle size and yet you do not get the gauge, you need to go up a needle size (US 9) or go down a size (US 7). A trick to knitting a gauge swatch is for circular knitting projects knit a swatch in the round on circular knitting needles or double-pointed needles. Cut the swatch and lay it flat for exact measure.

 

3. It’s not just size and appearance, a knitting gauge will help you calculate the amount of yarn you use, too. If you knit fewer stitches per inch than the gauge in the pattern, you’ll run out of yarn too soon and if you knit more stitches per inch than the required gauge, then you’ll have leftover yarn when the project has finished.

Though its best you get the exact number or the closest measurement, if you are knitted fabric makes you happy then go for it! If you want the best results, experiment with the right combination of knitting needles, needle size, yarn, and tension to get the perfect gauge.

5 Tips to Get Started with Thread Crochet

Thread crocheting is usually a daunting prospect for beginners. The thin yarn, the fine stitches and the long working hours are usually a reason why many people shy away from it. But have you already seen the wonderful patterns that are created? Her work looks like lace due to the thin yarns and stitches, which is why these projects are often called lace.

In this blog we give you 5 great tips with which YOU can definitely start crocheting with thread.

But first we have to clarify a few important points.

Thread crocheting is often thought to be very difficult, but that's not true. Thread crochet requires the same skills as crocheting with other yarns. The only difference is that the yarn and the crochet hook are finer. This just takes a little getting used to and practice more too. The process is exactly the same as crocheting. Thread crocheting is also often felt to be very painful and tiring for the hands, that's only partly true, because the fine yarn and working with a smaller crochet hook can strain your hands and fingers, but YOU can avoid that. Why not try optimizing your yarn tension, because this way you can find the ideal tension for you and the pain disappears. Of course, the right crochet hook is also very important, our Knitterspride crochet hooks promise comfort and pain-free work thanks to the ergonomic design. Don't forget to do regular hand exercises.

We only know thread crochet from small lace doilies that are lying around everywhere in the apartment. We usually see these little doilies on the shelves of our grandmothers. But thread crochet isn't just for the little blankets, you can create so much more. Even amigurumis are crocheted with today's thin yarns. This is how very small but detailed amigurumis are created.

The important thing is to block your thread crochet projects. This is the only way to show off the fine stitches and patterns. Of course only when it comes to blankets, scarves and those projects that need to be blocked. For example, amigurumi projects don't need to be blocked.

5 Tips for Thread Crocheting

- For a thread crochet project, you should definitely prefer steel crochet hooks. This makes it easier for you to work with the fine yarn and the fine yarn slides off the needle better. At Knitterspride you will find fine steel crochet hooks that are perfect for your thread crochet project.

- Pay attention to the grip of your crochet hook! Just because the hook is so fine doesn't mean the handle has to be so thin. This should be easy to grab to make your work easier. This is actually one of the reasons why many find thread crocheting more difficult, but it doesn't have to be.

- Do not buy sewing or embroidery thread to crochet a thread, only crochet thread. Technically, you can crochet with anything that resembles thread, but it will be much easier for you to crochet with crochet yarn. These yarns have been specially developed for thread crochet.

- Wrap the thread around your non-working hand to better control the tension because as mentioned above, this is one of the most common reasons hands hurt while crocheting.

- Make your yarn overs close to the head of the crochet hook, otherwise your loops will be too loose.

"You use a glass mirror to see your face. You use works of art to see your soul." George Bernard Shaw

Discover this unique art with thread crochet. For your crochet experience we have the best crochet hooks by Knitterspride.

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How to Choose the Right Crochet Hooks Material?

 

Choosing the right crochet hook material is just as important as choosing the right wool materials. This makes a big difference over your crochet history. In this blog we would like to introduce you to different crochet hooks made of different materials, but first let's take a closer look at a crochet hook.

A crochet hook consists of three parts: hook, shaft and grip

The wool is picked up with the hook. Depending on the design, the wool can slip off or get stuck. Our Knitterspride crochet hooks are shaped in such a way that you always have a good grip and the hook neither slips nor gets caught. See for yourself.

The shank is usually made of the same material as the hook. This area should be smooth to allow the thread to flow easily.

The handle is the area that is in our hands all the time. This range should be comfortable for our hands. The best way to find out which grip shape is suitable for your own hand is to try out the different materials and grips yourself. This is the only way to find the perfect crochet hook for you.

Material

A crochet hook can be made of metal, wood, plastic, or bamboo. We would like to introduce you to our Knitterspride crochet hooks made of the following materials:

Aluminum: Aluminum crochet hooks are lightweight but very strong at the same time. Because it is a metal crochet hook, all types of wool slide easily over it. Mohair or cotton in particular are best worked with metal needles.

Wood: Wood crochet hooks are particularly popular because of their warmth. As described above, hairy types of wool are not suitable for wooden needles, they do not slide off particularly well and thus disrupt your workflow.

Steel: Steel is particularly robust. Similar to aluminum, these are particularly suitable for hairy yarns. These needles have a sturdy handle and are ideal for all types of projects.

Bamboo: Similar to wood, bamboo is particularly popular due to its warmth.

"Everything you are comes from your choices" -Jeff Bezos

With this blog we were able to make your decision about the right crochet hooks a little easier.

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How are Meditation and Knitting Related?

It has now been scientifically proven and confirmed by various studies that knitting has the same effects on mental health as mediation and yoga. The repetitive movements and sequences trigger the same effects in the brain as with meditation. As a result, knitting and mediation are very closely connected and hardly differ in their effect. We also like to say knitting is the new way of mediation. But the great thing about knitting is that you can take it with you anywhere, including doing it on the bus, in the waiting room, or during a long drive, unlike meditation.

Both when knitting and when meditating, your body releases less of the stress hormone cortisol, which is why your blood pressure drops and your pulse slows down. Through the regular movements of your hands, you will notice that your thoughts get wings and just wander away. This is particularly advantageous in the case of anxiety or mental illnesses, as acute situations, anxiety and problems can be forgotten for a moment.

Your concentration and memory will also be trained, just like with yoga. When knitting you have to memorize patterns or count the stitches and that is a real concentration training for your brain.

Motor skills also benefit from this diverse hobby, as the hands are constantly in motion. Another connection between meditation and knitting is that both can curb addictive behaviors. Bad habits such as smoking, alcohol or eating out of boredom are often treated through meditation. But you can also achieve this with knitting. By keeping your hands and fingers busy at work, you reach for a cigarette or bag of chips less.

If, similar to a meditation, we dive into knitting and forget the world around us, this can also be used for pain therapy. The happy hormones that are released when knitting help to reduce the sensation of pain.

Would you like to start doing something good for your soul and body? Then you will find the best tools for a mindful knitting experience in our Mindful Collection. Our stainless steel knitting needles each come with a mindful word to help keep you motivated. Our knitting needles sets are packed with the most beautiful accessories in great cases and are a great tool for your mindfulness.

"The little things? The little moments? They aren't little." Jon Kabat-Zinn

These small knitting moments with our Mindful Collection Knitting Needles are great precious moments that will improve your mental and physical well-being in the long term. Take these moments and allow Mindful Collection to accompany you.

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How to Crochet in Back Loop

 Many crochet patterns speak of certain loops, such as the front loops, the back loops, or it is described that both loops should be crocheted. Depending on the patterns, different stitches are given and occasionally you will find the patterns as an abbreviation blo (back loop only) or flo (front loop only).

But where are these loops exactly? Here in this article we will show you the different types of the loops, where they are exactly and how to crochet into them or how to crochet the different techniques such as flo or blo.

If you look at the crochet stitches from above, you'll see that they look like a cross V. The arm of the V that is in front is the front loop and the arm of the V that is in the back is called the back loop. By the way, this fact doesn’t change for left-handers, no matter which direction you crochet, inside stays inside and outside stays outside. You will notice that in this case we can insert our crochet hook into a wide variety of loops in a stitch.

Why is that important?

In most cases, the stitches are crocheted through both loops, or rather the crochet hook is inserted through both loops, respectively through both arms of the V, yarn is pulled and a stitch is crocheted.

That only the back loop is used could be due to the following reasons.

Pattern

By crocheting in the back loop, you get a different stitch pattern, keeping the front loops in front creates an interesting "line" at the bottom of the stitches, giving your project that certain something.

Shape

Another possibility is that by crocheting into the back loop, a certain shape is achieved, as is often the case with amigurumi. This results in different “corners” and “edges”.

Different use

The last variant why only the back loop is crocheted is that the front loop is still needed later. For example, a different colored yarn is docked into the front loop and crocheted a dress for your amigurumi doll or a collar for your bunny.

How to crochet the back or front loop step-by-step

Insert your crochet hook into the back loop of the stitch, or rather the back arm of the V.

For the Stitch Flo you have to insert your crochet hook in the front arm of the V.

Bring the thread through this stitch.

You now have two loops on your crochet hook.

Get the thread again and pull it through both loops.

Your stitch "Back loop Only" is ready

For the very best crochet hooks and kits for your next crochet project visit Knitterspride. Take a look around and discover your favorite Crochet Hooks and Accessories.

"In the beginner's mind there are many possibilities, but in the expert's there are few." -Shunryu Suzuki

Now we wish you as Knitterspride with the newly learned ability many great ideas and projects.

How to Select Knitting Needles for Beginners?

For every beginner there are some questions that they ask themselves very often; Which Knitting Needles Should I Buy? What should I look out for when buying Knitting Needles? Which Knitting Needles Are Best For Me? There are a wide variety of knitting needles, like single pointed knitting needles, circular knitting needles, double pointed knitting needles or interchangeable knitting needles. But that was not all, after that the question arises, in what size or length do I need the needle for my project? As you can see, the decision is not particularly easy with this selection of different knitting needles. With this blog, we would like to introduce you today to some of the knitting needles that are suitable for beginners and give you tips on what to look out for when choosing your knitting needles. We are happy to present our Mindful Collection Stainless Steel Knitting Needles in the different types to you in more detail.

Interchangeable circular needles

Our Interchangeable Circular Stainless Steel Knitting Needles are ideal for any type of circular project. Whether you are a beginner and want to knit your very first round project like a hat or loop, or you have years of knitting experience and want to needle socks again, these stainless steel knitting needles are perfect for all your projects and wishes. The circular needles are easier to use for beginners, like the double pointed needles, which are also very often used for round projects. You can connect the appropriate cable lengths with the Needle tips you need, and you will have the right Knitting Needles for every Project. We have a lot of Interchangeable Circular Needles Sets, take a look and find your best Knitting Needles Set by Mindful.

Single Pointed Needles

These classic Single Pointed Knitting Needles are just the thing for anyone who likes to knit in simple back and forth rows. With the blockers at the end of each knitting needle, your project is well secured. With these knitting needles you can knit simple and flat projects such as scarves, blankets or cushion covers. You can find the Single Pointed Needles in many different sizes on our website. Here, too, you will definitely find what you are looking for with great sets, take a look now at our wide range and order your favorite knitting needles or Knitting Needles sets.

Fixed circular knitting needles

These knitting needles can be used in the same way as the interchangeable knitting needles, the only difference here is that the needle tips are connected to the cables and are not interchangeable. Also available as great sets in beautiful and practical cases, take a look around at Mindful.

Now you might be asking yourself one very last question; for which projects do I use which knitting needles? This depends on your project, such as whether it is flat or needs to be crocheted in rounds. In this case, if it is a circular project that needs to be knit in closed rounds like socks, hats or loops, you must prefer either Interchangeable Knitting Needles or Fixed Circular Knitting Needles. Or would you rather knit flat projects like a baby blanket or scarf? Then you should prefer the Single Pointed Knitting Needles in this case. Our Mindful Collection knitting needles are all made of stainless steel. This makes them light as a feather, but they still have a secure grip and glide comfortably through the mesh. The steel needles are durable and do not lose their shine for long years. Did you know that the jingling of steel needles has a calming effect? So you can create your works and relax at the same time. This is yoga for your soul.

"Calm mind brings inner strength and self-confidence, so that's very important for good health."

- Dalai Lama

Knitting brings calm in your life, with the soothing movements and the clinking of the knitting needles you can switch off and forget all your worries. Do something good for yourself. We very much hope that this article has helped you to choose your knitting needles. You can find a lot of Sets, Accessoires by Mindful with which you as a beginner are perfectly equipped.