Why Knitting is Good for Children?

 

In today's fast-paced world, children are surrounded by screens leading to stress, anxiety and health ailments. To nurture a child’s well-being, activities like knitting boosts focus, creativity, and skills. The yarn craft is everything and a little more. With just a pair of knitting needles and yarn, they can express creativity, and at the end of it, they get a perfectly usable project.

 

Knitting is a perfect craft to introduce to the little ones, but the only side effect that we can think of is that they would never go back to the screens. Did you know knitting is equal to therapy? The yarn craft has joined the ranks of meditation and overall wellness, with medical practitioners also prescribing the craft to cope with anxiety and nervous energy. In fact, many school curriculums include the yarn craft for young ones.

 

Before you hand your children a pair of single-pointed knitting needles or your favorite circulars and yarn to teach them the steps, here's what you need to know.

 

1. Creativity and Self-Expression 

 

Knitting fuels creativity in children. They put their imagination to use - from choosing vibrant yarn colors to selecting knitting patterns to work on projects as unique as their personalities. Whether it's a scarf, socks, hat or a beloved doll, a handmade creation is our expression of creativity. A completed project cultivates a sense of pride and fostering a love for artistic expression.

 

2. The Calming Power of Crafting

 

In our technology-driven world, children are prone to experience stress and anxiety. Knitting with the rhythmic movements of the knitting needles and the repetitive nature of the activity, reduce stress levels and have a calming effect. It believed to similar to meditation. This mindful practice allows children a much-needed break and find inner peace.

 

3. Building Confidence 

 

Confidence in children come with knowledge. Learning a skill like knitting brings a sense of accomplishment and a belief in their abilities. Mastering basic stitches and progressing to more challenging patterns, overcoming mistakes and seeing their project come together builds self-esteem and resilience, making valuable life skills.

4. Developing Motor Skills 

 

Young children who engage in knitting develop fine motor skills. The repetitive motions of knitting provide an excellent workout. The steps of maneuvering the knitting needles and manipulating the yarn is a muscle workout that goes straight into memory, developing into skills. The activity helps strengthen the muscles in their hands and fingers, improving agility and coordination. The enhanced skills translate into everyday tasks like neat handwriting and handling cutlery more easily.

 

5. Improves Brain function and Cognition

 

Research says that knitting improves brain activity especially cognition. For children, following knitting patterns requires concentration and planning, thereby honing their ability to follow instructions and visualization. Working on basic maths, such as counting stitches and rows, strengthens understanding of concepts such as deciphering patterns, sequencing and spatial reasoning. This mental workout keeps young minds engaged and sharp, laying the foundation for better learning.

 

6. Fostering Social Connections

 

Knitting creates connection. Children learn to knit from grandparents, parents, siblings or a mentor, creating a passing of traditions and skills. Additionally, joining a knitting group or participating in online communities allows children to connect with other young crafters, expanding their social circle and creating a sense of belonging.

 

7. Sustainable

 

The benefits of knitting for children extend beyond skills. The crafting skills are a gift. Kids learn about slow fashion that is sustainable plus satisfying.  A hand-knitted sweater, socks, or even a scarf are not just wonderful additions to the wardrobe they also make wonderful gifts.

 

Now, you are ready to go introducing children to knitting. Our guide on teaching children to knit will help you get started. Choose a pair of knitting needles from your own collection or get them their first kit. Bamboo is a beginner-friendly material, so choose a pair. You can also get them a set of fixed circular knitting needles for practice. Once they have the confidence, introduce a knitting needle set of interchangeable needles. Keep the double-pointed needles for later, when they have the skills to work in the round and handle multiple needle tips. Knitting accessories are essential for smooth rafting, so make sure the children have the right tools. A pair of sharp scissors, stitch makers, measuring tape, stitch holders, needle cases, yarn bags and pattern readers. For yarn, children can knit with wool, or choose a merino-polyamide blend that offers durability along with beauty.

 

Knitting Needle Conversion Chart

The knitting needle conversion chart comes in really handy when you find yourself confused with the sizes. Just imagine you have found your perfect pattern for your jumper, shawl, or maybe for adorable baby booties. You gathered your yarn and knitting needles ready. Then everything grinds to a halt. You see many different-sized needles and don’t know which needle goes for which yarn. Or maybe you are confused about UK and US sizes. That should not happen to anyone. That’s where the knitting needle conversion chart saves your day.

Using the Chart: It’s Easier Than You Think! 

Most charts have three columns: metric (mm), UK (numbers), and US (numbers). Simply find the size listed in your pattern, e.g., US 7, and follow it across the chart. You will see the corresponding size in the other system. In this case, it will be likely 4.5 mm metric and UK size 9.

Despite using the same metric sizes, the UK and the US have different numbering or sizing systems. From single pointed knitting needles to circular needle sizes range from 0 to 50 in the US, while in the UK, they range from 14 to 000. The modern knitting patterns used in these countries are in metric language. Therefore, they use millimeters in all patterns. It’s really easy to understand: as the value of mm increases, the needle thickness will increase in the US and decrease in the UK.

 Knitting Needle Conversion Chart 

Metric (mm)	US Size	UK Size
2.0	0	14
2.25	1	13
2.5	1.5	-
2.75	2	12
3.0	2.5	11
3.25	3	10
3.5	4	–
3.75	5	9
4.0	6	8
4.5	7	7
5	8	6
5.5	9	5
6	10	4
6.5	10 ½	3
7	–	2
7.5	–	1
8	11	0
9	13	00
10	15	000
12	17	–
15	19	–
20	36	–
25	50	–

Pro Tips for Conversion Chart Mastery 

Gauge is key: The ultimate goal is achieving the specified gauge mentioned in the pattern. No matter which type of needle you use, such as a single to circular needle, the gauge (number of stitches and rows per inch) remains the same. If you are not sure of the converted size, knit a swatch with your suspected needle size and measure your gauge. Adjust needle size up or down as needed to hit the target.
 
Start small: Whenever you are in doubt, just number down the size. Knitting with needles slightly smaller than recommended will result in a tighter fabric, which is generally easier to fix than a project that's too loose. But if you are knitting a lace pattern, then you should take one larger needle and one smaller. You can also use double pointed needles if your projects are supposed to be round with the same method.
 
No needle size mentioned: If your needles are not marked with the needle sizes or perhaps the ink just washed away after multiple uses, you will need a “Needle Gauge.”
 
Now, you must be wondering what is a needle gauge and how do we use it?
A knitting needle gauge is a vital tool for measuring and identifying knitting needles. It assists knitters in choosing the right needle size for their projects, guaranteeing the ideal gauge and texture of the finished fabric. A flat ruler-like piece of plastic or metal with a number of different-sized holes or slots is usually used as the gauge.

Now to answer the next question how to use it? You simply need to insert the needle tip into the hole. If the needle is comfortably placed in the specified hole, then that is the size you need. If it fits too loosely, just place it in the next smaller hole.

With your newfound conversion chart skills, you will be on your way to start your knitting journey. Now, who is ready for some fabulous new projects? Bookmark this blog for help in a click. 

5 Best Summer Top Knitting Patterns

 

 

It's a common misconception that we should suppress our creativity during the summer. That shouldn't be the case, as knitting is a year-round activity. Bring over your beloved "knitting needles" and together, we will create breezy, breathable tops that suit every season and skill level using the trendiest patterns.

 

Lacy and Ribbed Tee

 

You will be wowed when you wear the Lacy and Ribbed Tee. Make a gorgeous lace bottom for a basic yet elegant knit top that goes well with any jeans or shorts. The stockinette stitch on the top's body offers excellent opportunities even for beginner knitters, meaning you can confidently create this stunning wardrobe must-have. This particular knit top pattern is exceptionally gorgeous, and you will love working on it and wearing it long after you finish.

 

Dazzling Diamonds Vest

 

Show off your creative spirit this summer with a dazzling diamond vest. To craft a not-so-common vest, work back and forth, top down. For easy crafting for beginners, work the front and back pieces separately, then slip the parts together and work the body back and forth until finished measurements. You can choose circular needles and a blend of garter stitch along with stockinette stitch and add stylish straps.

 

Chick Camisole

 

If you are looking for an elegant and minimalist top or if you are a beginner knitter who wants to try your hand at knitting, these camisoles are a great start. This knit camisole has two panels sewn together at the end and is worked from the bottom up. You will also need some additional supplies, such as a stitch marker, a stitch holder, a tapestry needle, and, of course, your best knitting needles. Choose a pattern that is easy to follow and colors that speak to you. You can make knotted straps for extra stylish flair, allowing you to adjust the neck length.

 

Racerback Top

 

A racerback sweater is a terrific summertime knit that you can wear without sweating to death. This textured tank adds a lot of visual interest and is meant to be layered over another lightweight piece, such as a T-shirt or tank top. Choose a wonderful, breathable, lightweight cotton blend yarn that looks great on you. For easy access to knitting essentials, invest in a knitting needles set. If you love vibrant colors or are a fan of soul-soothing ones, colors are widely available everywhere for your unique needs.

 

Boxy Lace Knit Top

 

Your go-to knitting project for the summer will be the Beginner Boxy Lace Knit Top since it uses a gorgeous pattern and various interesting and unique lace knitting techniques. As a beginner, you can make the easiest design by crafting two rectangles and sewing them together. If you add a few more sections, this charming knitting design can be used as a stunning swimsuit cover-up or over a tank top or camisole. After finishing up, slay it with jeans or a skirt.

 

Cropped Wrap Top

 

If you are an intermediate-level knitter, then this pattern is for you. You can use advanced techniques such as knit and purl stitches, m1l and m1r increases, k2tog, k2tog tbl, and ssk decreases, working flat and in the round, i-cord bind-off, and regular and applied i-cord.

 

Creating this beautiful piece is just SO fun, watching it develop and come to life. You will love wearing it since this style can move effortlessly from day to night—wear it with pants during the day and over a dress or with a pencil skirt for the evening.

 

To test or advance your skills, use four kinds of i-cord techniques in this pattern to keep it uniform and cohesive! The sleeves can be finished with an i-cord bind-off, the fronts can have an applied i-cord picked up and knit onto them, and the bottom border and tie can be smoothly worked from a length of standard i-cord that is then attached to the body's live stitches. Everything fits together in a wonderfully planned way.

 

 

Try these patterns out and slay this summer. For more exciting knitting or crochet summer patterns, visit our website's blogs and mesmerize yourself.

How to Increase in 3 different ways

 Increases are the most important skill to master when knitting. This causes your knitting projects to take on shape and size and become wider or larger. This technique is particularly important for many projects such as sweaters, triangular scarves or hats and for some it is not necessary at all such as scarves, pillowcases or blankets that have a rectangular shape. As you increase, the number of stitches on your knitting needles increases. In this blog entry we would like to show you and explain in more detail 3 different methods of increasing stitches.

The different techniques of increases

You can knit the increases in different ways, such as hidden, natural or emphasized. Of course, you can also place the increases in different ways and create different effects. Either distribute them regularly across the entire project to achieve an even increase, or place them on the outer edges to create a V-shape. The choice of increasing method depends on your design preferences. Increases work with all types of knitting needles, whether Single Pointed knitting needles, double Pointed needles, or Circular Needles.

1st method - the classic increases

Right and Left Leaning Increases

Right-leaning increase: Bring the cross thread between the last stitch knitted and the new stitch with the left knitting needle from back to front onto the left knitting needle. and knit the stitch through the front yarn over. This is a little more difficult because the yarn over sits very tightly on the knitting needle.

Increase to the left: Bring the cross thread between the last stitch knitted and the new stitch with the left knitting needle from front to back onto the left needle and knit the stitch twisted, i.e. through the back yarn over.

This method is suitable for almost all projects, whether sweaters, cardigans, scarves or beanies. Use the right-leaning or left-leaning increase in a wide variety of projects and see how it works in your knitted piece.

2nd method - increase with yarn overs 

Yarn Over (YO): Increasing stitches with a yarn over is the easiest form of increase. To do this, place the working thread from front to back over the right knitting needle before knitting off the following stitch. When making yarn overs, it is important that you always knit them on the left if you knit the piece in stocking stitch so that there are no holes. This technique can be used in many different projects, mainly in shawls that should have a loose texture or a lace pattern or also in raglan projects like shirts, sweaters or Baby clothes. You can do yarn over increases with all types of knitting needles.

3rd method - Increase stitches from edge stitches

When knitting on the sleeves, on triangular shawls or when knitting socks on the edge of the heel, you should ideally increase from edge stitches. This is done as follows:

Simply insert into each stitch gap along the corresponding edge and pull the working thread through for a new stitch. Continue like this along the entire edge until either a row closes into a round or you come to the previously stitched stitches. The latter would be the case with sleeves, for example.

Choosing the Right Method Tailoring to Your Needs Considering project requirements: Each method has its own characteristics; choose the method that best suits your knitting project.

"The secret of knitting lies not only in making stitches, but also in losing them."

- Pearl S. Buck

Are your fingers tingling and would you like to put this newly learned skill to use straight away? Then grab your  knitting needles and let them jingle. Shape your project stitch by stitch using the different increasing techniques and let your creativity run wild.

How to Knit a Lace Scarf

 

Knitting needles in hand, you are all set on your way to create a stunning lace scarf. You'll love lace knitting if you've never tried it before. This tutorial on knitting a lace scarf is intended for those new to the craft. This can be the perfect pattern if you can knit and want to use something lacy to elevate your knitting to a new level. An excellent way to start lace knitting is with this scarf lace knitting pattern.
 
In this tutorial, learn the decrease techniques and the yarn over (YO), which gives lace its open-airiness. In addition, you will learn a necessary skill for all lace patterns: how to block your scarf.
 

So, let's begin with our airy project today!

Lace Scarf

 
Dimensions: This scarf will end up being about 6 inches wide and 73 inches long, but you can adjust the length to your liking with your best knitting needles by increasing the stitch count.
 

Abbreviations:

p2tog tbl: purl 2 together through back loops

SKP: slip 1, knit 1, pass slipped stitch over (psso)

Slip 1: slip 1 knitwise

(WS): wrong side

(RS): right side

 

Notes:

●     You have options if you want to knit lace in the round. Both circular and double pointed needles are effective. However, circular needles are useful for more than just round knitting. They also work well for flat knitting, offering even more versatility.

●     For a neat edge, you'll slip each row's first and last stitch on the right side (RS) and purl the first and last stitch on the wrong side (WS).
●     Also, to keep the edges flat, the next two stitches after the edge are always knit on every row. This creates a garter stitch edge.
●     The number of stitches in each row will alternate between 39 and 41.
 
Instructions
Cast on 39 stitches.
 
Garter Stitch Edging: Knit about 1 inch of garter stitch as follows:
●     (WS) purl 1, knit across until the last stitch, purl 1.
●     (RS) slip 1, knit across until the last stitch, slip 1.
●     Repeat these two rows for about 8 rows, ending on a WS row.
Scarf Pattern:
Row 1 (RS): Slip 1, knit 2, SKP, yarn over (yo), knit 2, purl 2, knit 7, knit 2 together (k2tog), yo, knit 1, yo, purl 1, yo, knit 1, yo, SKP, knit 7, purl 2, SKP, yo, knit 4, slip 1.
Row 2 (WS): Purl 1, knit 2, purl 2 together (p2tog), yo, purl 2, knit 2, purl 6, purl 2 together through back loop (p2tog tbl), purl 3, knit 1, purl 3, p2tog, purl 6, knit 2, p2tog, yo, purl 2, knit 2, purl 1.
Row 3 (RS): Repeat row 1, but knit 5 instead of 7 before the first decrease (SKP), and knit 5 instead of 7 after the second decrease (SKP).
Row 4 (WS): Repeat row 2.
Row 5 (RS): Repeat row 1, but knit 3 instead of 7 before the first decrease (SKP), and knit 3 instead of 7 after the second decrease (SKP).
Row 6 (WS): Repeat row 2.
Row 7 (RS): Repeat row 1, but knit 1 instead of 7 before the first decrease (SKP), and knit 1 instead of 7 after the second decrease (SKP).
Row 8 (WS): Repeat row 2.
Continue repeating these 8 rows until your scarf reaches the desired length. Finish with the garter stitch edging, then bind off and weave in the ends.
Here comes the blocking part;
Blocking is crucial to ensure a scarf lies flat and looks its best; this is how you can do it:
 
Prepare Your Materials: You'll need a flat surface like a blocking or ironing board. You'll also need rust-resistant T-pins or blocking wires to secure the edges of your scarf.
Wet the Scarf: Fill a basin or sink with lukewarm water. Submerge your scarf in the water and gently press it to ensure it's completely wet. Give it a good 15 to 20 minutes to soak.
Remove Excess Water: After soaking, carefully lift the scarf out of the water, supporting it from underneath to prevent stretching. Squeeze out extra water gently; do not wring or twist the fabric.
Lay Out the Scarf: Lay a clean towel flat on your blocking surface. Place the wet scarf on the towel, arranging it into its desired shape and dimensions. Smooth out any wrinkles or folds.
Pin or Secure the Edges: Starting at one end, use T-pins or blocking wires to pin down the scarf's edges, ensuring it stays in place and maintains its shape. Space the pins or wires evenly along the edges.
Shape the Scarf: To emphasize features like lace or cables, gently stretch or manipulate those sections into shape. Pay attention to the overall symmetry and alignment of the scarf.
Let it Dry: Allow the scarf to air dry completely. Depending on the yarn and ambient conditions, this may take 24-48 hours. Avoid direct sunlight or heat sources, as they can damage the yarn.
Remove Pins/Wires: Carefully remove the T-pins or blocking wires once the scarf is completely dry. Take care not to snag the yarn as you do this.
Finishing Touches: If needed, gently steam the scarf with an iron on a low setting to help set the shape. Keep the iron a few inches above the fabric and move it in a sweeping motion.
 
Once the scarf is dry and the finishing touches are complete, it's ready to wear or gift. Blocking not only improves the appearance of the scarf but also helps it drape beautifully when worn.
 

Explore the effects of different needle sizes! With a comprehensive knitting needle sets, you'll have all the essential tools and a range of needle sizes at your fingertips, empowering you to express your creativity and experiment with various styles and textures.

 

 

Winner + Caring for Wooden Needles

Congratulations to our winners for this month's blog giveaway:

Kaisla has been randomly selected to win a pair of Cubics Fixed Circular needles with this winning comment: "I hava a plan for summer to do lots of easy knits, scarves and shawls etc. Things you can do while sitting on a beach... I would like to try the cubics!."

Hannonle has been randomly selected to win a pair of Symfonie Fixed Circular needles with this winning comment: "During the summer I will be making a few little baby cardigans and vests for my sister's bump - a girl after two boys!"

Both of our lucky winners have been contacted to arrange for the delivery of their prize. Join us next month for another great giveaway right here on our blog!

Caring for Wooden Needles

Wooden and bamboo needles get naturally moisturised by the oils in the wool yarn (lanolin) and your hands, thus becoming smoother with every use. However, it is a good idea to clean and moisturise your Symfonie, Dreamz, Cubics and Basix Birch needles a couple of times in a year. Here are our top recommendations:

Clean your needles with a clean, dry muslin or paper towel, then apply a very thin layer of natural beeswax. Allow it to dry and then buff it with soft muslin or chamois cloth. This can also be done using a small amount of cold cream as most cold creams contain beeswax. Alternatively, rubbing your needles with wax paper is also a good option.

Whatever method you are using for moisturising the needles, make sure you wait at least 24 hrs before using them again for knitting!

Giveaway + Don't Take a Holiday from Crafting this Summer!

Make sure that your knitting or crocheting isn't the only thing going on holiday this summer! Whether or not you're planning to travel, there are plenty of great projects to keep your needles and hooks happy during the warmer months ahead.  

Shawls are a great project choice; they can be used on cooler summer nights and will also be handy when the temperatures cool down in the fall. Choose lightweight yarns with cooler fibres such as bamboo, cotton or silk for your next project; here are a few popular patterns from Ravelry.com which you might enjoy!

From L-R: Hitchhiker by Martina Behm, Venus by Aoibhe Ni, and Happy Street by Veera Välimäki.

Small projects such as socks, hats and handwear are also great to work on during warmer months - you'll be glad you did when winter's chill arrives! They also are easy to take with you on-the-go, and using circular needles for magic loop means you don't have to worry about losing one of your double-pointed needles while you're out and about! Below are a few popular hat patterns from Ravelry to get you inspired! 

From L-R: Catkin Hat by Kate Davies, Bonnie Beret by Rachael Oglesby, and Bräcken Convertible Cloche by Kalurah.

Finally, small toys are fun to make and are also great gift ideas! Here are a few knit and crochet toy pattern ideas to make your summer extra-fun!

From L-R: Amigurumi Dragon by Stacey Trock, Knit Hedgehogs by Purl Soho, and Huggy Monkey by Sayjai Thawornsupacharoen. 

Enter our May Giveaway

This month, we'll be giving away two prizes to our lucky readers: a pair of Cubics Fixed Circular needles and a pair of Symfonie Fixed Circular needles. Simply leave a comment on this post telling us your summer crafting plans and which prize you'd like to win! Don't forget to also leave a way for us to contact you if you are the winner (Ravelry ID or email address works just fine). 

We'll randomly select two winners (one for each prize) on Friday, May 24th! Good luck!