Knitting needles

[~Wingnut~]

Hi! My daughter who turns 8 next month is wanting to start knitting. She does french knitting and is very good at that, so I feel she is ready to progress. I have just looked on e-Bay for some needles, but they are all different sizes and I don't know where to start! Can anyone tell me what size my daughter should use to start with please. Does it really matter what size she starts with? :o)
I don't want to put her off by not getting her the right size etc.

[xanderma]

Wingnut - do you knit yourself? I just wondered, before I start trying to tell you something you already know!

My daughter (10) finds it easiest with about a 6mm needle - much fatter and she can't get it through the stitches, much thinner and the knitting grows so slowly that she loses interest!

Obviously you will have to choose wool which is suitable for the size of needle - try a plain but prettily-coloured double knit for starters. It might not produce the neatest work at first, but it's good for practice.

If she struggles with the length of the needles, try looking for a children's knitting set which may contain shorter ones. I've a feeling they can be found in places such as ToysRUs, Argos or ToyMaster.

Let me know how she gets on! - Diane

[Bohne]

Don't start with needles too small.

I'd suggest, you find her some nice wool first, also fairly thick, that's easier for starters, and on the ball you'll usually get a recommendations which needles to use with it.

[shaneystar2]

The larger the needle the larger the stitch. I think for a little girl a 5mm short needle would be O.K and some chunky wool. Easier for little hands.
That way she will find the basic stitches easier than with fine wool and needles. If you type "teaching children to knit" into Google there are some very good tutorials with step by step pictures.
Also if you rake around on EBay and try to find a copy of Patons Woolworks....this gives step by step instructions.
They used to do childrens knitting sets..but you don't see them so often these days.Although John Lewis may probably have them in their excellent haberdashery department.
Good Luck to your daughter...I have been knitting since that age when my Nan taught me and it has been a very enjoyable lifelong hobby for me.

[shaneystar2]

P.S. These look fun and interesting for children
http://www.angelyarns.com/twilleys/kids.php

Also on Ebay there are some sets for sale
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Childrens-Kitting-Set-co mplete-with-Wool-17cm-Needles_W0QQitemZ8227298

[~Wingnut~]

Wow! mega quick responses!!!!!! Thank you so much xanderma, Bohne & shaneystar2!! :o)

I haven't knitted in years, prob last time when I was just a couple of years older than what my daughter is now. I have been thinking about trying it again since she started the french knitting.
I reckon she could be getting quite a few knitting related gifts for her Birthday next month ;o) lol

Thank you once again :o)

[~Wingnut~]

You def live up to your name, you are a star shaneystar2! Thank you for taking the time to help me :o) It is very much appreciated!

[shaneystar2]

Thank you wingnut..no problem ..
Knitting is enjoying something of a revival in this country and is no longer frowned on as an elderly ladies hobby !
It's big business in America where they have knitting yarn to die for ! This website has lovely wool and needles and a forum
http://www.cpu-enterprises.com/.
Nice people on the forum who you can chat to and lots of young knitters on there too.

[~Wingnut~]

Excellent website Shaneystar2 thanx! The link to the craftbits site is brill as I have started to get into crafts, mainly jewellery making but have started to branch out into kits of all sorts and have even just won a bid on e-bay for a silk scarf painting kit!! OOooooo credit card is gonna be getting a blasting!!!!

Thanx again :o)

[little coojy]

you can get childrens knitting needles in wool shops that are shorter so easier for little hands.

[~Wingnut~]

Thanx little coojy :o) I am going to take a trip out and see what I can find.
I have just found a twin set of sewing and knitting packs for kids at Argos on their website, for �10, gonna have another look at them and see if they would be any good for her.

[dancecaller]

Oxfam usually have loads of needles (though you may have to ask as some charity shops are not allowed to keep them on the counter, for safety reasons!!)

[mimififi]

my daughter knits with wooden needles (I think I got mine on ebay, about a size 5mm)

The wooden ones have a higher friction and so the needles slip off less easily and thus result in fewer dropped stitches.

Hope this helps, and good luck with the project.

XX

[sandbach99]

I had a Readicut catalogue that showed childrens kits to knit pencilcases!!! However these are not on the web site but they have some great wool.
Try www.readicut.co.uk couple of balls of fancy wool, pair of chunky needles, soon have a fashion scarf.
Good luck it's lovely to see a child learning to knit.