Teach a Child to Knit - A Cheap, Inexpensive Christmas Present
A Gift of Love that Lasts a Lifetime
Economically challenged times call for creativity when it comes to giving holiday gifts. It's hard for adults trying to fulfill a child's Christmas dreams. But we grown-ups sometimes forget that what children really want from us is love, time, attention and approval. One of the best ways to spend time with a child is to give them a gift that's free - teach them a fun skill. If you're a knitter, why not pass that knowledge down, as you would pass along a family heirloom.One of the most cherished and clearest memories from my childhood is the day my Aunt Anita first taught me to knit. It was a gift that was inexpensive but precious. I will never forget the gentleness of her hands or the kindness in her voice as she explained this timeless craft to me.
My Aunt Anita worked in various mediums - knit, crochet, embroidery, cross-stitch - she could do anything. When we would visit her apartment in Brooklyn the first place I would go was her "knitting" chair. I was curious to see what she was making. She made gifts for me quite often and I was always hoping there was a sweater or afghan for me in her basket. But I also loved touching the yarns and I was fascinated by all the colors and different textures. The knitting needles and crochet hooks were these mysterious tools that turned string into things!
The day she presented me with my very first set of knitting needles and yarn was the day she gave me the best gift of all. I was seven and had gone to her home to spend the weekend. It was near Christmas and snowing that day because I remember her saying, "Here's an early Christmas present. I think today would be the perfect day for this."
She handed me a box wrapped in red and green tissue paper. Inside was a set of Boye #8 knitting needles (I still have them) and one skein each of Lion Brand red and green yarn. These gifts were cheap but as a kid I didn't know that. I was thrilled! I begged her to teach me to use them. She made a pot of tea, put out some Peek Freans Fruit Creme cookies (my favorite) and proceeded, very patiently, to teach me to cast on.
Comments
Knitting Nana
(Guest)
(Guest)
11/12/2009
Seven years old must be a "magic" age for knitting. My Nana taught me when I was seven. I was spending two weeks at her house without other family, one of the perks of turning seven. She has asked me what I wanted to do while I was there, and learning to knit was high on the list. The morning after I arrived, we went to the local 5 & 10 and bought a pair of plastic size 8 needles (long since broken) and several colorful skeins of rug yarn so I could learn to knit making dish cloths which would become Christmas presents for various female relatives and teachers. A girl who lived up the street came by to ask if I could play one morning early in my learning, and she became excited about learning to knit, so Nana taught her as well. For the next 12 or 15 years, everytime I came to visit, the two of us would compare our knitting progress. Years after my Nana died, my grandfather moved away and we lost touch, but we both had such a strong foundation in knitting that I am sure she stil
DeAnn
(Guest)
(Guest)
11/12/2009
My grandmother taught me to crochet when I was 8 years old. I had been outside on the porch playing with my dolls when my grandmother called me into the house. I left my dolls and ran inside. When I went back outside one of my dolls was gone and when I found her her feet had been chewed by a neighbor's dog. I was so upset that my grandmother decided to teach me how to make shoes to cover the doll's feet. She never taught me to read a pattern, that I had to struggle with on my own. But it is a wonderful memory and I cherish the gift my grandmother gave me.
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