Kids Knitting: Projects for Kids of all Ages

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

Overview

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.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781579652418
Publisher:	Artisan
Publication date:	09/28/2003
Edition description:	Reprint
Pages:	128
Sales rank:	182,520
Product dimensions:	8.06(w) x 9.00(h) x 0.38(d)
Age Range:	8 - 11 Years

About the Author

Melanie Falick is a writer and editor with a passion for the textile arts and travel. Her writings on knitting and other subjects have appeared in Travel & Leisure, Vogue Knitting, Family Circle Knitting, Piecework, Knitters, Fiberarts, Rowan Knitting Magazine, and Bon Appétit. She is the co-author of Restaurant Lover's Companion.

Table of Contents

	Introduction	6
	Getting started	9
	Knitting with two needles	25
	Shaping	49
	The purl stitch, stockinette stitch, and ribbing	67
	Knitting in the round	79
	New stitch patterns	101
	Your first sweater	113
	Shopping for yarn	123
	Index	127
	Acknowledgments	128

Editorial Reviews

The art of knitting is enjoying resurging popularity among all ages, and young knitters of both genders will find this how-to book engaging and rewarding. The knitting journey moves easily from tools and yarn, through basic casting on and stitch instruction, and on to reading patterns and abbreviations. The finished projects are well chosen for beginners and well photographed. The order in which instructional information is presented is logical and complete. Falick starts with good descriptions of the tools knitters need, including instructions to dye wool with Kool-Aid and make acorn-cap knitting needles. The section, "Where to Go For Help if No One at Home Knits," appears early in the text and provides several easily understood and very helpful suggestions. The written instructions are clear and nicely supported by the photographs and illustrations. The book layout uses attractive insets to highlight important or interesting facts and each project's needed materials. A delightful tour of knitting styles around the world illustrates the art and history of this handcraft. Following the example of experienced knitters' resource materials, Falick provides a very good listing of sources for yarn and knitting tools, and speaking to her young audience, includes a sample letter for readers to use to find local merchants. This is an excellent instructional book in all ways and is sure to create lifelong knitters. Reviewer: Marti Pechnyo

Children's Literature - Marti Pechnyo

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. Projects include the basic beanbag, an expandable afghan, a cotton bag for carrying projects, dolls and puppets, scarf, backpack, purse, wizard cap, wallet, tube socks, and, finally, "your first sweater." Along the way Falick conveys plenty of information about how wool becomes yarn, knitting around the world, and other topics. The winsome full color photographs show both boys and girls knitting and wearing their kid-made creations. Directions are clear, concise, and unfussy with drawings and a minimum of "see page x" directions. The book ends with a list of places where you can buy the fancy yarns like 3 Strand Moreno or Rowan Recycled Chunky, which the author has used in her projects. But she also specifies type, so that the knitter knows that for a specific project, any "bulky" or "worsted" weight will do. A great beginning for the novice knitter. 2003 (orig. 1998), Artisan, Ages 9 to 16.
—Susan Hepler, Ph.D.

Children's Literature