As I mentioned last week, Violet and I had a free morning together recently in which she decided she wanted to knit. As I also mentioned last week I am not much of a knitter...
I have done a bit of finger knitting and really enjoyed it, as has Violet, but she often can't finish a project in one sitting and then there is the issue of how to keep finger knitting in between sessions...although here is a brilliant solution to that problem. Last Christmas we gifted her a knitting nancy. She was so excited to give it a try, but then became frustrated when the yarn continually got stuck on the wood splinters inside the tube and eventually gave up...
This summer the desire to knit gave way to the desire to make rubber band bracelets, we found the best and cutest mini rubber band spool and then she was hooked!
So, back to knitting...when Violet said that she wanted to knit I pulled out an old toilet paper roll that we played around with a bit after the unsuccessful knitting nancy project. She was uninspired by it last winter, mostly I think because she was frustrated in general, but this time around she took to it like a pro, perhaps thanks in part to the rubber band making over the summer...And in two sessions of spool/french knitting she made herself a beautiful little "scarflace" (that's a scarf/necklace in case you were wondering)...
She was so happy with her knitted creation and proud that she did it all by herself!
As with many little kids, she loves a good accessory and often tosses on her "scarflace" to add a bit of extra to her outfit. I love that she is finding new ways to express herself.
I have a feeling that there will be plenty more french knitting projects happening around here. Henry has expressed some interest himself, and I enjoy it too!
Want to give it a try yourself?
Start with toilet paper roll and four craft sticks. Tape craft sticks onto the outside of your roll. Make sure that they are evenly spaced (about one inch apart) and that there is about one inch of the craft stick sticking out of the top of your roll...
Once you've taped your craft sticks in place decorate to your liking with washi tape. Of course, this part is not necessary, it's just FUN!
Now that you've got your "spool" made you are ready to begin knitting...
First feed your yarn down through the center of the tube, leaving about 4" dangling below the bottom of the tube.
Next, (A) starting at craft stick #1 bring yarn around the outside of the craft stick and pull it across to the #2 craft stick, (B) loop yarn around the outside of the #2 craft stick and across to the #3 craft stick, (C) loop yarn around the outside of the #3 craft stick and across to the #4 craft stick, (D) lastly loop yarn around the outside of the #4 craft stick and across back to the #1 craft stick...
Next, repeat steps A-D so that you have two yarn loops around each craft stick...
Slowly and carefully pull the bottom loop (1) up over top of the top loop (2).
Repeat steps A-D only once so that you again have two yarn loops around each craft stick. Repeat steps 1 & 2 as well and repeat, repeat, repeat...
Your knitted stitches with go down through the center of your toilet paper tube...Gently tug your yarn at the bottom every once in a while to pull your knitted stitches down out of the tube...
Continue knitting until you have the length that you are looking for...
When you are finished knitting, snip your yarn about 10" away from your last knitted stitch...
remove one loop from the craft stick, weave the yarn tail through that loop, weave your yarn tail through each other the loops as well and then tie a knot at the end. Now you've got your very own little knitted project...
perfect for "scarflaces" ...
or bracelets, or sewing together for a coaster, or hot pad, or really any number of things! The most import thing is to enjoy it and be proud that you made it!
There might just be several of these projects being wrapped up for Christmas this year from Violet and Henry. We shall see...I know I'm planning on knitting up some cowls to give as gifts this year!
Have a great day!
Interested in more kid crafting? Check out the new Happy Handmade ebook!
