Name: Spreading the Feast Gathering
Start: 2025-07-11T00:00:00-05:00
End: 2025-07-12T23:59:59-05:00
Location: LaGrange, KY

Tagged: knitting and sewing

This topic has 11 replies, 9 voices, and was last updated 14 years, 2 months ago by ruth.

Viewing 12 posts - 1 through 12 (of 12 total)

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Posts
March 31, 2011 at 5:04 pm
trulyblessed26
Participant
Hi there,
With two little girls, I am thinking our handicrafts will center around learning to sew and knit. My oldest is only 5.5 but I think she is capable of some basic sewing and knitting. A couple of questions to those out there who have learned these skills:
I do not know how to sew and recently saw the Modesty Matters sewing lessons (http://www.modestymatters.net/). Has anyone used this for yourself or children and what do you think of it? Any other video type or other sewing programs you like, especially if you started from knowing nothing?
What are some knitting resources you have used that you like and are easy to understand, especially starting from knowing nothing? We would probably start knitting when my oldest turns 6.
Thank you for any help!
March 31, 2011 at 8:06 pm
Ladyofthehouse
Member
I just started my two daughters 5 & 6 on plastic canvas sewing kits for their handicrafts. They both wanted to learn to sew and these little kits teach them the very beginner skills of threading a needle, up and down through fabric, counting for placement, etc. Even with these very basic kits I still have to be near by to help but that’s fine since it is our first week trying out this new skill :o) They are both enjoying them although I find we need to keep our time short still or they start to have a hard time focasing.
I’d also be interested to see what programs and kits others have used for beginner sewing….? Anyone used the Ruby Doll kit from Doorpost?
(PS I got my little plastic canvas kits from Cracker Barrel, they were super cheap I think just $2!)
March 31, 2011 at 8:09 pm
Tia
Participant
I just taught my girls to knit (7 and 5) and had success using the circular knitting needles. I had tried in the past to teach them with regular needles and they were just too long and frustrating for them. The circular needles are smaller and much easier for them to grasp. They are both knitting quite well.
March 31, 2011 at 8:41 pm
Canoearoo
Participant
Where did you find plastic canvas sewing kits? I have been looking but can’t find them
March 31, 2011 at 8:57 pm
nerakr
Participant
Canoearoo,
Is this what you’re looking for?
http://shop.hobbylobby.com/needlework/childrens-needleart/childrens-kits/default.aspx?F_All=Y

March 31, 2011 at 9:01 pm
Canoearoo
Participant
YES! Thank you!
March 31, 2011 at 9:31 pm
Ladyofthehouse
Member
The Hobby Lobby kits look great. I got mine at Cracker Barrel of all places :o)
March 31, 2011 at 9:33 pm
Ladyofthehouse
Member
PS on my first post that word would be focusing, sorry about that :o)
March 31, 2011 at 11:58 pm
Lesley Letson
Participant
I’m a knitter and taught myself and some friends to knit and I learned from a book – but I know it can be a bit tricky learning how to keep your tension right to begin with, and could be frustrating to a younger child starting off (depending on the child I’m sure). A good thing for kids to learn with is a knitting loom – I used one (the spool style) way long ago when I was younger and don’t remember what I made with it, but that I thought it was fun. I looked some up on Hobby Lobby and Joann and it seems there are a number of them out there and some books with good, useful projects in them. They all seem to be called Knifty Knitter by Provo Craft – their website has some free projects on it. They seem to have come a long way since I was a kid! 🙂
As far as sewing goes, I love to do that too. I saw this book See and Sew a while back and thought it would be a great beginning sewing book. I have a niece who asked me to teach her to sew – maybe I can share some of my crafts with her – I have all boys!
April 1, 2011 at 11:23 am
Gem
Participant
We have that book, See and Sew, and it is lovely – a very good quality book, that has a hidden spiral binding that lays flat when open, if I remember correctly. Good, large illustrations in a vintage style, also cute projects. My daughter prefers to make up her own projects, but it is a good simple reference book for beginning to sew.
April 3, 2011 at 2:59 pm
Christine Kaiser
Participant
For young children I like finger knitting before they start the real knitting. If you look it up there are a variety of techniques and things you ca make with it. All they need is some yarn and their fingers:)
April 4, 2011 at 1:15 pm
ruth
Participant
I haven’t read all the post, so I hope I am not reposting. I love http://www.knittinghelp.com/videos/learn-to-knit for videos on knitting techniques. I am a very visual person so I use videos like this for learning things.
Ruth