Crochet: A Fun Crafting Activity That Even Kids Can Start
Many people think of crochet as a grandmother’s pastime. However, if you take a closer look, you will find more and more younger people taking to crochet these days. Not only is it a creative pastime it is a great stress-buster too. Here are some ways to initiate your child to learning this fantastic hobby.
Start with the basics
There are many videos and tutorials available online, which you can use to teach your child the basic stitches of crochet. Start with the most simple stitch the single crochet and then move on to more complex ones like double crochet, treble crochet, bobble stitches etc. By following this method, your child will gain confidence and be able to master these skills easily.
Use blunt needles
When teaching your child how to crochet, make sure to use a needle made of plastic and which is blunt. Most of the smaller steel needles have pointed and sharp edges, which can hurt the child’s finger.
Start with wool
It is a good idea to start teaching your child with wool and a large sized needle. Wool works up quicker than cotton thread and hence your child will feel more confident when mastering different stitches. Yarn is also bulkier, which can lend the finished project more texture and finish.
Use old wool
A good rule of thumb to follow is to use old leftover wool for teaching your child basic stitches. It is because since your child is just learning there will be many areas of mistakes, which may cause the yarn to get knotted or tangled up. If you use a cheaper quality wool, you will not feel as guilty as you would with a more expensive variety.
Basic shapes
Once your child has learnt a particular stitch, ask him or her to practice it by making a basic shape like a circle or a rectangle. Rectangles can easily be worked in a row by row manner while a circle can be made either in spiral fashion or a concentric circle form. Spiral circles are easier to work with as there is no need to join at the start with a slipstitch.
Freeform crochet
Once your child has mastered a couple of different stitches, a fun project to do is by using freeform crochet. This technique can create some amazing shapes and textures and basically involves using a variety of different stitches to create something original. It could be anything from a table runner, doily, a pair of slippers to anything your child fancies.
Easy projects your child can start with
Once you have tutored your child with the basics of crochet, he or she can start working on some easy, fun projects that work up in no time. Some of them include:
- Caps: These are worked in the round and hence can be made in just a few hours. Great for the holidays when your child is getting bored!
- Scarves: These are another easy item to make as these are made in one straight line. However, you can make it more interesting for your child by indulging in fancier shapes for your scarf.