Kids Knitting

by Melanie Falick, Chris Hartlove (Photographer), Kristin Nicholas (Illustrator)

In fifteen easy projects, from bouncy bean bags to a rolled-edge sweater, author and knitting expert Melanie Falick teaches kids of all ages how to knit. Through step-by-step instructions and candy-colored illustrations, beginners learn the fundamentals: knitting tools, finger-knitting, and basic stitches such as knit, purl, mattress, overcast, embroidery, and stockinette.

Kids Knitting emphasizes fun in every step of the learning process. Sunny paintings by Kristin Nicholas illustrate the individual steps of each technique. Bright boxes of blues, greens, and reds explain everything from button-sewing to tassel-tying. Charming photographs by Chris Hartlove feature finished projects modeled by the creators themselves--all kids who knit.

Best of all, kids get to keep and use whatever they make: bookmarks, backpacks, bracelets, even their own set of customized knitting needles, topped with acorn caps or polka dot balls.

Genres: Knitting, Crafts, Nonfiction, Reference, Childrens

127 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1998

About the author

Melanie Falick is the editorial director of STC Craft. She is a prolific and popular author of knitting books.

Reviews

[Jennifer · Rating 5 out of 5]

When I decided I wanted to learn to knit - I had this brilliant idea to buy a kids knitting book to start out with. I had this book out all the time my first year or two knitting and I still pull it out and look at it once in awhile for reference or just to smile at the pages which are like old friends to me now. I have since bought this book for other new knitters and will probably continue to do so.

[Mckinley · Rating 2 out of 5]

Projects for young knitters.

[Alice Ewing · Rating 5 out of 5]

Made a bear

[Phobean · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of my all-time favorite knitting book, although I wasn't a kid when I bought it! :^) This was possibly the first book I ever saw which showed photos of boys knitting. Easy to follow patterns, information about the origins of yarn, and inspirational photos to get kids excited about what they can make.

I'd recommend this book to anyone, child or adult, who shows an interest in knitting.

[Vicki · Rating 5 out of 5]

Books is filled with inspiring and beautiful photos ~ I purchased this book to not only teach my children how to knit, but myself as well ~ this book teaches simple knitting stitches ~ we were able to learn the basics of knitting by studying this book

[Leslie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Another book I discovered while volunteering with Emerson Elementary School's Knitting Club. It has some fun patterns, but it would be better for more experienced knitters. There are great photos and illustrations and the directions are explicit and detailed. My favorite part of the book was the Poem to Knit By…

Under the fence
Catch the sheep
Back we come
Off we leap

It helped my young knitting friends remember the steps too making a stitch.

[LeGrand · Rating 4 out of 5]

i saw this author and a bunch of kids on martha stewart and decided that i too could learn to knit. The projects in this book are easy and the patterns are simple. It was an excellent book for a beginning knitter.

[Candis · Rating 4 out of 5]

A really good starter for new (and slightly resistant) knitters. Great range of satisfying projects, and none of them are stereotypically feminine in form. Excellent one-pagers with explanations of abbreviations and sizing and yarn that I really appreciated as well. Useful as heck!

[Lara · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love how Melanie Falick includes others bits and pieces in her knitting books (check out Weekend Knitting: 50 Unique Projects and Ideas as a good example). Here we have clear, kid-friendly instructions for knitting (including gradually mentioning the importance of gauge!) but there's also instructions on care for hand knits, how to make knitting needles, where different types of yarns come from, etc. It's a great introductory book for a younger audience wanting to learn.

My biggest complaint in this one was the drawings of the different hand positions, stitches, etc. I know it fit the look and feel of the book, but I personally prefer photos as a bit clearer illustrations. Personal preference.

[Denise Spicer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Artisan 1998 127 pages includes Index, Caring for Your Hand Knits

8 chapters on tools, yarn (Koolaid dyed yarn). Finger knitting, spool knitting, making your own needles, directions for the stitches, easy projects, (caps, toys, afghans, sweaters, socks). Lavishly illustrated with color photos and cute drawings.

[Caroline · Rating 2 out of 5]

Even with kids knitting, I'm still uncoordinated and intimidated by knitting. Had checked this out for months but still haven't managed to get the hang of it. But I didn't really try. The pictures were good.

[Laura · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great book for children and adults alike. Very nice introduction to beginning knitters. Lots of fun first patterns.

[Nellie · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great book for teaching children how to knit. It even has directions to make your own knitting needles!
Cute projects include bath puppets, a blanket, bean bags, socks, a backpack, and a sweater.

[Anne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Best knitting book by far, for adults or children!

[Mollie *scoutrmom* · Rating 4 out of 5]

The best how-to book I've seen aimed at teaching those under the age of 16 to knit. It is also good for the parents of such young knitters, even as young as age 5, whether the parents knit or not. Waldorf School families would like it too, as would Girl Scout leaders. The target market is probably pre-teens.

This is not just a collection of patterns for kids to wear, but a comprehensive guide for kids who want to learn something about knitting, even if they never make more than the first beanbag. The book is unisex, there are photos in here of boys knitting.

It contains information on where yarn comes from and how it is made, rhymes to help remember how to perform the actions, patterns for toys and puppets and accesories and garments. There are also instructions for Kool-Aid dyeing and for making knitting needles from dowels, which my Girl Scout Troop loved doing, even those who only gave them as gifts. The illustrations accompanying the written instructions are clear and informative.

[Knitology]

In friendly prose, the author assumes nothing from the reader and explains everything you need to know to get started in knitting., such as tools, winding a skein ("rhymes with rain"), cool ways to keep track of needles, and where to buy yarn and what kinds. Finger knitting and spool knitting invite children to handle yarn easily. Preceding the many projects are directions for casting on, increasing, knitting in the round, binding off, and other skills of the experienced knitter, but these do not overwhelm the inviting beginning of the book which starts out with how to dye plain yarn bright colors with Kool-Aid packets and vinegar.

[Sunday Kofax · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the book I'd buy for a kid who wants to learn to knit. Heck, I'd suggest it as the first book for an adult who wants to learn to knit too. There's a section on how to knit, and then patterns that use the skills explained.[return][return]The increase in difficulty for patterns doesn't have a big jump (knit a scarf, then knit a sweater), and the patterns are wearable/useful.[return][return]This one book would get you pretty far--meaning you could become a fairly proficient knitter using the explanations and patterns in this book, without having to go find other books.[return][return]Caveat: I haven't knit any of the patterns, so I don't know how readable/clear they are.

[Sally · Rating 5 out of 5]

My kids and I had a lot of fun with this book. We passed up most of the patterns (although they were simple and cute enough), and went straight for making knitting needles out of wooden dowels. I've had a lot of knitting experience since using this book to refresh my long-lost knowledge, and those 1/4" needles that I sharpened in the pencil sharpener and lovingly sanded and oiled are still my favorite to use.

[Julie Barrett · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kids Knitting
Lots of useful information about how to start knitting. Great projects for kids to learn the craft.
Love the charity aspect of this book. Tips along the way. Liked hearing the traditional patterns used by other countries around the world.
Lots of possibilities with different patterns are included.
I received this book from National Library Service for my BARD (Braille Audio Reading Device).

[Camille · Rating 5 out of 5]

After several unsuccessful attempts at knitting, this was the book that finally made it all click for me. The directions and great step by step illustrations made sense. The projects progress from simple to more challenging. And they are fun! Dying yarn with kool-aid, making beanbags and purses, even sweaters! Good for kids and adults!

[Karin · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was actually the book that taught me how to knit. It was clear and concise and completely non-intimidating because it was a kids book. I liked that it didn't just start with the scarf and i was able to make a hat and scarf for Zeke and some cute washcloths. It's almost all flat knitting, but lots of different projects to keep you interested.

[Lisa Scovill · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is the first book I used to learn to knit from. The photos are beautiful, and the projects are excellent starter projects. My only complaint has been that the yarns used throughout the book are a bit pricey for the target audience. I'm not saying you have to learn on acrylic, but some big box store wool yarns should have been mentioned.

[Renee · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book helped me learn how to knit. Although I have read and looked at many knitting books since this one, this book is still my favorete when I'm attempting to teach friends how to knit. The illistrations make sense rather than the confusing ones in most "how to" books.

[Anne · Rating 5 out of 5]

My son decided he wanted to learn to knit, so I bought this book and taught myself to knit from it in an afternoon. I showed him how to knit and he was not interested. I,on the other hand, was hooked. I passed this book on to a nine year old cousin who has loved it.

[Lia]

This is the book I learned knitting from! Got it from the library for the kids, and we followed the instructions and started knitting. The kids promptly forgot, but I kept it up, and they have since learned again.

[Quinn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Adults who wish to begin knitting will appreciate this book as much as kids! Great diagrams, easy and useful projects. I borrowed this from my library, but I will be buying it to make it a permanent resident of my bookshelf.

[Yvonne · Rating 2 out of 5]

My daughter has this book but she hasn't made anything out of it. It has great kid patterns in it.

[Rose]

746.43 Fal

[Linda · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love this book I think it's great for adults too I am a novice knitter and this book REALLY appeals. I often get it out of the library and would love to own it.

[Ledawn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Perfect "how-to".