Craft the Next Generation . . . and See What Fun Is Spun!

They say, Shape the Next Generation...I say Craft the Next Generation and See the Cool they Create, along with the Fun. Listen...they're primed and ready to learn.  

(Above photo - Coverup crochetedpatternstotry.blogspot.hu)

(Scarf - Lion Brand)

Plant the seed, water it with your time and watch these craft-astic buds bloom.  I dare you.  They'll surprise you. No, you won't need to bribe them with the latest video game.  They're quick studies. If they can navigate an iPad at two, study online at four and build a website by eight--they can work a knitting/crochet needle.  Not a problem! 

FROM THE WOMB TO THE WEB

In fact, they practically emerged from the womb, grabbing for a cell phone and Starbucks smoothie.   Okay, not exactly... but the photo on the left sure is cute. 

Instead of starting your youngster with knitting a yawn-producing block or crocheting another boring circle--why not turn that knitted square into a cell phone case? Transform that ho-hum circle into a mod flower by attaching a few smaller crocheted circles. In no time, they'll be sporting a new cell phone case and cool flower to hot glue on their shorts or headband.   

           
 (baby with cell phone)

(The Odyssey Online)

WHAT HAPPENS IN THE SUMMERTIME…

Stays in the Summertime.  Take it from me, our new generation whiz kids will want to use these cool knitting/crocheting  skills all year round to creat iPad covers, headbands, jewelry, yarn extensions for the hair, and the list goes on to almost infinity.  

(Scarf)

YEP, BOYS ARE ALLOWED

Not to worry mothers of sons... your boys can chill at the party too. Some of our best crafters are rocking it from Mars.

Once your young knitter/crocheter master the basics, don't wait too long to introduce them to the exotics--alternative fibers.  Oh, yeah...there's nothing like them.


ALTERNATIVE FIBERS ADD PIZZAZZ 
AND A HELPING HAND

It's great to switch things up with something unique.  Alternative "fibers" like tee-shirt yarn, sari ribbon, and plarn (recycled plastic bag yarn) all are great knitting/crocheting materials, creating
eye-catching texture to a project.  Upcycled and recycled materials, help the planet thrive, which make them especially appealing to our green conscious adolescents and parents.

(Groovy Green Livin)

ETHICALLY PRODUCED YARN

Yarn Yarn

Suppliers like, U.S. online shop, Darn Good Yarn and UK's Yarn Yarn, a unique art yarn and fibre shop offer these ethically produced silk yarns and recycled silk waste from rural India and Nepal.  Both sell sari silk ribbon, sari silk yarn, banana yarn, organic hemp, organic nettle yarn, etc.,

All have been hand-spun and dyed by women's co-operatives and small scale businesses in rural India and Nepal.  Profits from these sales improve the lives of these artisans and their families.

(Purses)

(tee-shirt headband)

Tee-Shirt Yarn

Yes, Sasha... you can crochet a headband using tee-shirt yarn.  It's the latest trend that's sticking around.  It does the heart good knowing that our crafts have morphed from other products.  Who says clothing and household goods like plastic only live once? 

PLARN AKA PLASTIC BAG YARN

(Water Bottle Bag - Plarn)

HOW TO START YOUR CHILD 

KNITTING/CROCHETING

Maggie Rags suggests starting your little ones with finger knitting, so they don't get frustrated when they drop the needles. After finger knitting is mastered, move on to a knitting noddy or a crochet hook.   

THE WALDORF SCHOOL'S 

KNITTING PROGRAM

The Waldorf School uses knitting as a learning tool, introducing natural fibers, improving math skills and developing spacial recognition.  

It also uses a rhyme to help children remember what to do:

In through the front door

Around the back

Out through the window

And off jumps jack.

KNITTING NEEDLES

Begin with a size 10, bamboo needles.

And if they're not allergic to it, wool is a good fiber to start with.

Don't worry about dropped stitches.  Maggie's Rags suggests making up a story or a game about dropped stitches, so they don't give up when it happens.

(Summertime Barbie)

SEVEN TIPS FOR TEACHING A CHILD TO KNIT OR CROCHET FROM LION BRAND

(Ravelry for Knitting-Crocheting)

1.   Use a big table to work on, and work with five or less.  (IMHO - If you have five, have two teachers.)

2.  Start with simple, solid-color yarn and large durable tools.  

3.  Teaching a craft is like teaching a new language.  Explain what each term means.

4.  Teach them to start, rip back and start over again.  Beginners often forget how they started by the time they finish a project.

5. Let kids be creative with what they learned.  Offer different colored yarn and let them decide when to switch.

6.  Show them you are proud of their work, and they will be proud too.

7.  Stay positive and make the lesson about how fun crafting can be.

FROM THE FIRST TUESDAY-THIRD WEDNESDAY KNITTING & CROCHETING CLUB

Yarn Bombed Bench by First Tuesday-Third Wednesday
 Knitting and Crocheting Club

WE'VE BEEN BUSY!

It's Summertime... and we're thrilled to be going strong in our third summer.  In our three years of operation, we've knitted blocks for compassion afghans, hats and headbands for the Shriner's Hospital for Children and change purses, wash cloths wrapped in toiletries for our Women in Transition Project for Fresh Start and yarn bombed the above bench in front of Elkins Park Library.

Linda shares her beautiful crocheted scarf for her son.

Katie shows her playful side in front of the camera, and her creative side in this unique crocheted blanket.

SCENES FROM INSIDE OUR CRAFT ROOM

Katie teaches a tween how to crochet.  Our Compassion Afghan is proudly displayed in the foreground.  This one was given to a very appreciative dialysis patient.

Karen, our master knitter/crocheter, wears her amazing tri-color shawl as she works on her latest project.

Cherie's beautiful granny-square afghan will be treasured for generations to come.

Joquina guides a young crocheter in her craft.

Audrey, Elyse and Teresa are hard at work.

Katie shows of her baby blanket.  Nice work!

Now it's your turn, what projects are you working on this summer?  Click the comment box and feel free to send pictures.  

Mahalo! (Thank you in Hawaiian)  

Have Yarn...Will Travel!

(About Home)

Can you knit/crochet on the plane, that is the question? The answer...on domestic flights...yes, you can.  Kristy Glass from Lion Brand suggests you load TSA's handy app and check what you can and can't bring on the plane.

Her recommendations for yarn travel, Lion Brand's 24-7 Cotton and Shawl in a ball.  (You knit a shawl from one ball of yarn.)  That's what I need.





Here are some more yarn travel tips from Knitting Expert Susan E. Weiss:

(Yarn Harlot)

• Pick a small project. Things like socks, a scarf, a hat or other small projects make more sense in the limited space.

• Use circular needles. This is a great tip for your own sanity and for the sake of the people around you. If you are using circular needles, you can't drop a needle and send it rolling down the cabin. Circular needles also tend to need a smaller range of motion in which to work, so you'll elbow the person sitting next to you a lot less. It is recommended that your circular needle be no bigger than 31 inches in total length.

• Try plastic or bamboo needles. There's something completely nonthreatening about plastic needles. 

• Stick to small sizes. Technically there is no restriction on the size of knitting needles you take onto an airplane, but that doesn't mean that people haven't been asked to leave their knitting at home if the security officer perceives the needles as a threat. Your best bet is to stick to small- sized needles.

• Choose blunt objects. Knitting needles that don't look sharp are much more likely to easily pass through security. Scissors must be blunt as well, and the blades can be no longer than 4 inches/10 cm. 
•  Choose fast summer projects you can do on vacation, like these fruity trivets and pot holders.

 

Crochet Version 

Knit Version 

1.  Knit or Crochet Trivets and Pot Holders --How cute are these?  Take them with you to your summer barbeques and pool parties.  Cute and useful, what more could you want?  Made of Blue Sky Worsted Cotton from Purl SoHo, they're great thank you gifts your hosts will love.