Crocheting with Kids

By Erin Burger – 10 Comments

One of the most exciting and beneficial aspects to being a mother is being able to share the things you love and enjoy with your children.  It can also be one of the most disappointing aspects as well…especially when the child does not enjoy something as much as you might!

I learned this the hard way when my oldest daughter Rosey was five.  I had been waiting and waiting her whole life until she was old enough for us to read A Wrinkle in Time together and within the first five minutes of reading it she exclaimed, “Momma!  This book is so boring!!!!”.  Bummer.

Thank goodness she is very much into crochet, or I might have lost all hope!

Here are some tips and free beginner’s patterns that would help you share your love of crochet with your children or any special child in your life.

  • Buy a loom!  Both of my daughter’s started on a circular loom, it generated interest in crafting items and was easy enough not to frustrate them.
  • Use fun colors and big hooks!  Making it exciting and interesting is always a plus.
  • Don’t get frustrated or down if they can’t magically crochet.  I’m sure none of us could pick up crocheting in one sitting.  Have them put their work away and come back to it another time.
  • Suggest they make a gift for a friend or teacher.  Rosey makes a scarf for her teacher every year and it was one of her biggest motivations for learning crochet.
  • What child wouldn’t want to make an adorable scarf for a stuffed bear? Teddy Bear Scrap Scarf
  • A gift for grandma? Colorful and simple Dishcloths
  • Dress up Barbie with a Summer Wrap, a Ruffle Dress or Santa Claus Hat, just preferably not all at the same time.

Have any more tips to share about crocheting with children?  Have any questions or comments? Feel free to share and ask away here!

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10 Comments

  1. Annette J. says:

    My kids are not nearly as excited about crocheting as I am. Not one bit. Oh, they love to tell me what they want me to make, but they have no interest in it. I was so hoping that it would be something that we could bond over but nope, I’m in it alone. That’s okay though. I think I am going to pick up a circular loom and see what they think of that.

  2. Tasha says:

    I started teaching my 2 sons (9 & 7 yrs old) a few months ago. We put it down because I think they needed a little more time. We recently picked it back up and they are pretty good at forming the slip knot and winding the yarn around their fingers and palm. Overall, they are doing OK. It’s just that their mom gets a little frustrated…patience right? LOL I am teaching them from the book by Kay Meager (sp?) Teach a Group of Kids to Crochet. It’s very colorful. The book uses a H hook. But I’m glad you suggested moving up to the bigger hooks. I think if they see what they are doing up (V stitches) close and with a bigger hook will help them out more.

  3. Lu Ann says:

    What a helpful article, thank you!

    I had read how several crocheters had taught their first graders so I was all over it! My girl just couldn’t manage the nimble little finger moves. She was desperately upset (I supposed to do something like mommy) and I was sure other mommies could manage it so I should be able to, too! So I tried again, but no, just not ready.

    Now, I became desperate myself at the look of disappointment and failure on my kiddos face (she’s very hard on herself in a lot of areas) and practically broke a blood vessel trying to come up with something else.

    I pulled out a piece of cardboard, cut notches on one side, than the opposite side, strung the yarn back and forth, and voila, she had a handmade weaving loom just like I had learned on in art class so many years before. Whew!

    I love the idea of using a crochet loom! L-O-V-E it! That will be a perfect way to re-introduce her to the yarn art. She is so bored now at the end of summer, so I think we need to make a trip to the store this week!

    Thank you!

  4. Peggy says:

    My experience, from my childhood, was the opposite. My mother showed me some basic sewing, but did not share crochet with me — although her mother and my aunt were avid crocheters, as is my sister. My best friend taught me basic chain stitches when I was 8, and I’ve been crocheting ever since. I don’t have children, but I’d planned to show them how to crochet if I had had any. My sister and I have kept up the family tradition over 50+ years.

  5. Susy Q says:

    I don’t have any kids (I’m only 22, waaay to young for youngsters), but I do have a younger sister and brother that love what I make when I crochet. I also have plenty of friends that love to throw their ideas my way. One of which has recently sparked an interest in crochet beyond throwing me an idea. This article, though specifically geared towards children, is very helpful in letting me figure out how to teach her about the wonders of crochet! She can be a little impatient, and I don’t want her to lose hope in the art, so I will try these tips on her, see how she does, and post another comment with the results later.

    Thanks (^_^)

  6. Erin says:

    You’re welcome, everyone! I loved teaching my kids to make handmade items, as gifts especially. I have four children (10,7,5 and 2) but only the two older ones have any interest in it so far.

    I’m hoping my ideas work out for all of you!

  7. Marguerite says:

    I’ve never seen a crochet loom. Where do I get one? There are those knifty knitter looms. That’s not the same thing, is it?

  8. Julia says:

    Thank you for sharing your experience. I’d like to add my voice to the recommendation of using circular looms. My 12 year old stepdaughter has been keen to learn crochet for many years, but a developmental disorder made it impossible for her to copy all the little wrist and finger movements needed to successfully crochet. Every few months she’d ask me to show her again but, each attempt ended in tears. After a friend suggested a circle loom we tried it and found great success! She has even been able to teach others how to do it, an experience that thrilled her almost as much as completing her first hat. I’d recommend a circle loom for anyone who struggles to learn crochet.

  9. Nancy says:

    Hi, am also interested in knowing about a circular loom, ‘specially if it makes crocheting easier — for elder partial eyesight. Thanks for the info. We want to make some towel toppers “like Mama used to make.” Only Mama has a harder time now.

  10. Fleurdelis says:

    My mom introduced me to crochet when I was in elementary school. She showed me my grandmother’s archive of dozens of matching adamagaster (sp?) sets and edgings on pillow cases and hankies. Her family was very crafty! Although the ability to really crochet came late,r she did teach me to knit on a spool (she made the spool loom with a wooded spool and nails), embroider and sew. When she passed away years later, I inherited grandmother’s and her completed items and kits! So I taught myself to crochet and and while I had some trouble, with patterns I did remembered the basics. Mom’s favorite, the Granny Square became my best friend. My daughter is 28, She inherited the crafty gene and became an art teacher like me. And… she crochets and is learning how to sew. I have two spool looms put away for my 18 month old granddaughter. Her mom is crafty too. Hope that gene get passed along.

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