Knitting

For many kids, knitting is a great way to relax. There is a very comforting and relaxing feeling that many people get when they knit. Maybe it is the rhythm or the sound of the needles. Or, maybe it is just the opportunity to sit quietly alone, or spend time with another knitter.

• Getting Started
• Did you know?
• How To Make Knitting Part of Your Life

Getting Started

Some kids learn how to knit from relatives or friends, and others learn from books or by experimenting. Either way, knitting can be a great hobby.

If you want to start knitting, below are some ways to get started.

• Talk to one of your friends, or their parents, if they know how to knit.
  
• Buy some inexpensive yarn and knitting needles at a local craft's store or knitting store.
  
• To make your own knitting needles, buy very thin dowels at the hardware store and sharpen them with a pencil sharpener. Add a colorful bead to the non-sharpened end and you are ready to knit.
  
• Learn the basic stitch at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Knitting. This site also has links to crocheting and weaving.

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Did you know?

The first knitting guild was started in Paris in 1527, and the workers were all men. Knitted stockings became very popular and by the end of the 1600s, between 1 million and 2 million stockings were exported from Britain.
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How To Make Knitting Part of Your Life

Start a business. If you notice that everyone is admiring your knitted scarf, start a small business. Take orders for color preferences from friends, knit the items and sell them at a low price.

Donate your work. There are lots of knitting charities that donate knitted items. Try starting a knitting club at your school or with a few kids from your neighborhood and knit for a charity. See below for ideas.

• Afghans For Afghans
  Donates knitted items from people all over the world to children in Afghanistan. Or, ask around to see if there are local charities or homeless shelters that would benefit from your donated knitted items.
  
• Blankets for Babies
  The Blankets for Babies project gives 1,500 blankets a year to babies in the Intensive Care Unit at the Lucile Packard Children's Hospital. The blankets should be 24 inches square or 36 inches square, and made of soft fabric or yarn.

Knitting can be a great way to socialize with friends, earn your community service hours for school and help a worthy cause.

Go get started!


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