To knit or not to knit!

I wanted to knit when I was small as my Grandfather (my idol!) knitted. However I simply couldn't learn from anyone in the family; it wasn't until an elderly maiden 'Auntie' came to stay that I was able to 'get' it. I don't think her teaching was any different, just that I could accept it from her. I still tend to be defensive if partner or anyone close tries to help me with anything, much better from a stranger! I imagine I'm not alone in this.

My granddaughter has just turned four. She is dying to knit but I think it's too soon. She runs off with a ball of yarn and says she's going to knit trousers! I'm looking forward to teaching her in about a years time. She comes from a long line of very good knitters, but it missed her mum somehow.

I learned when I was about 7 but I was never good at it. Some children have the dexterity to do it and some don't. Start teaching her but if she is struggling just put it away until she is older.

My aunt came to visit when I was five and was getting over measles but still confined to bed. She was a very good knitter and took advantage of a captive learner. I learnt the basics in minutes and still remember the mantra: IN, OVER, THROUGH and OFF. When I was seven, we (girls only, of course) were taught to knit at school, but I had an advantage.

I agree with Jomaire use double knitting, anything thicker may well be too thick for her little hands.

I taught a class of 5/6 year olds to knit with success. Started with garter stitch and moved on to stocking stitch. One of the mothers was so pleased that her son had succeeded at something, she couldn't stop thanking me. He was much bigger than the others and not as bright and everyone always seemed to expect too much of him. I like to think I did something for his self confidence.

Does anyone do French knitting these days? I still have some wooden spools.

For left handed teaching my Gran used to say that you both sit in front of a mirror and then the child learns from the mirror which reverses all actions. Never tried it myself but makes sense.

We always start with french knitting with a little 'dolly' and then once they have the dexterity to manage that we move onto small children's needles and scarves.

Good Luck , its something we need to pass on to our grandchildren . Neither of my DDs showed the slightest interest!!

My feeling is that you should definitely help her to start to knit - but do so with some double knitting wool and needles that are not too long - to knit a scarf in garter stitch only. Once she sees this grow (and you can easily pick up on any mistakes if it is only double knitting garter stitch) she will gain confidence and you and she can go from there. It's gaining the confidence that's the most important thing surely. Leave the penguin for later - or get a friend to knit that up so she can see what can be achieved later.

I remember knitting a dish cloth as a child!

Could you knit the penguin and then teach her how to knit a scarf for him GrandmaB63?

Thank you for all the advice - duly noted. Yes I think the penguin may be a little tricky to start with but the age on the pack says 3+ ????? We have done a little sewing together and she has mastered that ok.
ALIMA - I think your mum was probably a more accomplished knitter, as I said I'm not nor ever have been that great.

I am left handed and my right handed mum taught me to knit with no problems. They occurred when she tried to teach me to crochet so we gave up on that one. I wouldn't have thought that a children's craft kit would include any difficult bits of knitting, give it a go. If your DGD enjoys it you could set her up with a skill for life.

I think she's old enough , a good tip is to sit the child between your knees and hold the needles with them and just keep it simple. If you use a thickish wool and needle maybe let her choose the colour she wants to use.. give it a go at least.

I think it might be too young, unless you go for huge fat needles and some very thick wool. Things like penguins are very hard as a start as they can be fiddly. A scarf is best for a first project - or a pot holder for getting things out of the oven - just knit a rectangle and fold it over into a thck square and sew it together.

Can I suggest a better starter might be a child's tapestry kit? - they are very easy indeed, small and grow quickly. And with a very satisfying quick result.