Teaching Beginners

Any of you reach out to friends and teach them how to knit? I'm going to be giving a knitting lesson to a good friend of mine this weekend and was looking for some pattern suggestions. Scarfs in garter stitch are boring. ;)

Looking for something that will be simple, but is guaranteed to get him hooked on knitting for life. Thanks!

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Permalink Reply by Melissa Burnett on September 6, 2009 at 7:35pm

Why not suggest a washcloth? They are handy and interesting. You could find one with a pattern or just have him knit a garter stitch square and suggest he use it as a cloth. They are great for exfoliating! Bring a little soap and you have an instant gift idea.

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Permalink Reply by Pat Yingling on September 7, 2009 at 11:42am

I will be teaching some friends this weekend and have decided to use a basket weave dishcloth. That way they get cast on, knit and purl. And if we get to it bind off. :-)

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Permalink Reply by Rachel Willard on September 7, 2009 at 8:57am

I have a book that has 99 different stitch patterns in it. It's really cool. If I can figre out how to get the pics on the computer, I can post them for everyone to see. It's a HUGE book, very heavy to carry around. But I'll figure it out. It might help you with simple pattern ideas for nifty scarves.
.

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Permalink Reply by Diane Coleman on September 8, 2009 at 9:35am

A scarf. Cast on 18 stiches and knit each row. It's how I learned.

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Permalink Reply by Patricia M Hall on September 9, 2009 at 5:31am

I taught a bunch of people to knit by making a ribbed scarf, goes quickly, K & P stitches included and when they are done, they have a nice scarf to show off.
Cast on 36 stitches.
Row 1 (RS): Knit 2, purl 2, (knit 4, purl 4) 3 times, knit 4, purl 2, knit 2.
Row 2 (WS): Purl 2, knit 2, (purl 4, knit 4) 3 times, purl 4, knit 2, purl 2.
Repeat Rows 1 and 2 until Scarf measures about 66 in. (167.5 cm) from beginning. Bind off.

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Permalink Reply by Gina Smith on September 10, 2009 at 6:08am

I have actually gotten involved in teaching some older Girl Scouts to knit. We are planning on them making their own needles from dowel rods and wooden knob ends then painting them. The next session we will learn to knit. I'm trying to find a good, printable resource of pictures for them to use at home. When teaching, I want them to see it actually done but they need a reference for when they practice later.

Washclothes were my plan then if any of them really take it up good, I'll give them some yarn to make a scarf. I have lots of cotton worsted in bright, fun colors waiting on their eager little hands!

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Permalink Reply by Ehlane O'Connor on September 10, 2009 at 7:58am

Problem with washcloths is that cotton yarn doesn't have a lot of give. When folks first learn to knit, they tend to knit very tight, and cotton yarn will make it very difficult for them.

As for pictures, I would actually send them to www.knittinghelp.com for videos. There are a ton of free videos on there.

Have fun with the girl scouts!

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Permalink Reply by Gina Smith on September 11, 2009 at 5:05am

Thanks for the info! I will make some handouts for the girls with helpful websites. I have TONS of yarn. Maybe just some fun colors of Red Heart to be cheap and forgiving. Then let the ones that are really interested get their hands on some really nice stuff.

I think washcloth patterns are great for beginner lessons. They can start with a garter stitch and move into ribbing practice, stockingette and basket weave to get the feel for how stitch combos change how the piece feels. It can become a sampler scarf or become a fast finished dish cloth. Some may get more enthused with a finished project under their belt.