knitting project for kids

Love crafts sent an e-mail during the March Pandemic 2020 that had a great article about teaching kids to knit.  What makes this article better than articles I have read before is that there are at least three very easy projects that Kya, Mia, and Norah were excited about.  So here is the link to the article:

https://www.lovecrafts.com/en-us/c/article/pass-it-on-teaching-children-to-knit?om_campaign=omme_6657f2b4-ad0_14840_14168&om_send=be7e57002eab48b8b25e2f7841f1336c&omhide=true&utm_campaign=240320_na_pbclose_35_upto_broadcast_daily&utm_content=LC_NA&utm_medium=email&utm_source=Loveknitting

I decided to make kits for each of the children to make the first project in the list:  the bracelet.

I thought the suggestion to have the stitches already cast on ready to knit to be a good one.  I also knitted the first row to make sure that the cast on stitches were not too tight.

First step in making the kits was to choose yarn that I already had on hand.  I found the perfect yarn and colors, but there was no indication of what size needles I might use.  So I found the following information on the Fiber Gypsy site:

Start by measuring the yarn by wrapping it around a ruler firmly, but not stretching it or packing the wraps. Find the number of wraps in the left column, then start knitting with the suggested needle size. Of course, this chart is only a guide -- your personal knitting tension may create a different gauge from that shown.

and second method on that site:

Method 2

This method originated in an article by Ginny Norris that appeared in a 1995 issue of Spin Off magazine, published by Interweave Press.

• Wrap yarn around 2" of a ruler to *feel* what you're after, based on the density of the finished piece. Crowd the yarn for a more dense knitted fabric, wrap loosely for a soft fabric.
• Then count the number of wraps in the 2", which gives an approximate number of stitches in a 4" swatch.
• Divide the number of wraps by 4 to get the number of stitches per inch.
• Choose a knitting needle that approximates the diameter of the yarn to start.
• Then measure 3" of yarn and wrap the yarn around the needle. Count the number of full wraps plus any partials.
• The number of full and partial wraps should match the number of stitches per inch calculated above. Change needle sizes until you get this match.
• Sample after this to double check and make sure the fabric is what you want.

And here are my kits ready to use:  

I found that I had 13 wraps on 2 inches of the ruler....so I knew that I could use a size 10 or larger needle.  Lucky for me, I had three very short circular needles in these big sizes.

I found that the rhyme helps the kids keep the order of how to do the stitch;

In through the front door
Around to the back
Out through the window
Off jumps Jack.

Your slip is showing by Casapinka

I have been telling my knitting buddies that I need a wrap or two for my daughter's wedding in June.  And Carla kept saying....wait until I bring my shawl for you to see.  And she is right!  It looks like a wrap to wear at a beach event!



So I am starting this project tonight!  Something fun in the midst of craziness and uncertainty!

And now it is July and I have just finished my project.  I really love this one.  However, the yarn that I chose makes it a bit heavier and a bit less drape than that of Carla's.  I just took it off the blocking table in time to wear it for our zoom knitting group: