Bestill My Heart
Characters: PumpkinMama and PumpkinBoy (PumpkinDad already off to work)
Scene: my bedroom, 5:45am this morning, PBS show featuring some orchestra on TV, as PumpkinBoy watches intently and PumpkinMama remains buried under the covers trying to snatch 15 more minutes of dozing.
PumpkinBoy: I'm a conductor (holds hands up in conducting gesture). This is my baton (waves right hand as if holding a baton) and I move my arms like this (makes very good imitation of conducting an orchestra)
PumpkinMama: (groggily) You make an excellent conductor.
PumpkinBoy: Will you teach me how to knit? (perhaps the conductors baton made him think of knitting needles? The mind of a 3 year old remains a mysterious place)
PumpkinMama: I would love to teach you how to knit - we can try it out this weekend.
Anybody know any tips for teaching a 3 year old to knit? It seems a little too soon, but we'll give it a try.
Scene: my bedroom, 5:45am this morning, PBS show featuring some orchestra on TV, as PumpkinBoy watches intently and PumpkinMama remains buried under the covers trying to snatch 15 more minutes of dozing.
PumpkinBoy: I'm a conductor (holds hands up in conducting gesture). This is my baton (waves right hand as if holding a baton) and I move my arms like this (makes very good imitation of conducting an orchestra)
PumpkinMama: (groggily) You make an excellent conductor.
PumpkinBoy: Will you teach me how to knit? (perhaps the conductors baton made him think of knitting needles? The mind of a 3 year old remains a mysterious place)
PumpkinMama: I would love to teach you how to knit - we can try it out this weekend.
Anybody know any tips for teaching a 3 year old to knit? It seems a little too soon, but we'll give it a try.
************
No baby yet. Handspun socks are done (my fastest ever - 6 days) but no good light to photograph them. Maybe later this week.
posted by Pumpkinmama at Thursday, November 16, 2006
13 Comments:
You may want to try crochet, or finger knitting or one of those spools that makes icord, or even a knitting board. As brilliant as I'm sure Pumpkin Boy is, 3 year olds just don't have the coordination skills for knitting :(
I'm so fascinated by the things kids come up with, and how their minds track. It's amazing how they jump from subject to subject, which are seemingly unrelated to us adults, but to them it makes perfect sense. Good luck teaching PumpkinBoy to knit.
Six days to finish a pair of socks is very impressive. I'm looking forward to seeing the finished products.
P.S. I hope PumpkinGirl makes her appearance soon! Keep us updated, and take care!
Oh, he wants to knit! Hooray! Good luck--I've no advice, as my 3-year-old doesn't care quite yet. Can't wait to hear about it, though. :)
good luck.
my 5 year old is just starting to be able to knit.. (we have been trying since 3.)
Sending baby vibes, too!
How sweet! Proof that knitting is genetic :)
I took some US13 dpns and put point protectors on one end and then took some extremely variegated yarn in bright colors and held her hands in mine. She still needs some help on the details, but she really understands what to do - very scary that she watches me that closely. The variegation helped her see the individual stitches easier.
When I taught my kindergarten class I also used large DPN's and glued beads on the ends. I taught them the "off jumps jack ryhme" and away we went. Some got it others didn't but I must say the the boys got it better than the girls - they often have better fine motor skills at this age. Good luck and I hope Pumpkin girl joins you soon.
You made weekend plans! That's pretty much a guarantee that the baby will come along and interrupt them. ;-) That makes me think that when you are *really* fed up and ready to go, you should buy a fancy theater or symphony ticket. Instant baby, probably right around the overture. ;-)
beyond cute :)
I would assume that at that age, the simple fundamentals of 'yarn looping yarn makes fabric' would be a great stepping stone. I have heard buying two different colored needles and labeling one right (knit) and the other one left (purl) helps children differentiate. I'm thinking variegated might be confusing, how bout a solid of their favorite color? Just take it slow and you guys will have a great time :)
I have absolutely no experience with kids of any age, but I'm sure that if it can be done, you will do it. Way to go on the socks.
when i taught me nephews to knit, they were young and did very well. i put the stitches on the needle for them to get started—then taught them the knit stitch, holding my hands over their hands for the first couple of stitches. i made sure they worked with their fingers close to the tips of needle for more control, and guided them verbally through most of it. they were knitting within about 30 minutes! the next day, i taught them to cast on and bind off.
they didn't really stick with it much, but they still talk about it almost every time i have them on the phone.
Yay, he wants to learn! I taught my niece when she was 6 or 7 and she needed (wanted?) me around for help. I was surprised by how she persevered! Finger crocheting a chain might be a good start, since tools take more coordination.
No advice, but an awwww and a hooray! I can see how you want to maximize your chances that he'll like it and stick with it. Looks like you've gotten some good tips.
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