I have started a new project. One of my grown sons usually stops by everyday. Today he asked how it was going ( it’s a gift that I probably started a little late). Anyway he started asking me questions. I tried to break it down to the basics and it dawned on me that what I said was really true: that there’s basically 2 main stitches, the difference is what you do with them, increases, decreases, k2 together, etc. I tried to explain how much of a stress reliever it is and how many well known people have taken up this craft including males. Oh well I’ll see what he does with the info
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Knit, purl, and counting. That’s basically all.
You could always cast on and knit a few rows ready for your son’s visit and invite him to have a go.
It’s much easier to start when there is an established bit of fabric on the needles and i think that’s how many people learn, not from the cast on but from knitting. He might give it a go if it was just sitting there.
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Hello @KnittinGigi,
That’s a great perspective! Knitting’s simplicity—built on just two main stitches—makes it both creative and therapeutic. It’s wonderful that you shared its benefits with your son. Who knows, maybe he’ll give it a try! A heartfelt gift, regardless of timing. dog whining
Best Regards,
Clark Dahl
Creations,
That is a great idea! I’ve just put it in my back pocket for the next time someone expresses ANY interest in learning to knit!
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Yes! Craft Yarn Council recommends this as a teaching method, and I made up 3-row, 15-stitch swatches of crochet when I was teaching. Gives them a feeling of accomplishment to be able to do several rows in class. I also taught them how to chain, but saved working into it for the 2nd class, when we started a dishcloth.
Oh, glad you liked it. I remember my mum casting on for me whenever I had a go when i was young, and then later when I felt i wanted to know how to cast on, I was shown first the knit cast on, it’s so similar to knitting that it doesn’t feel like a big jump in which way to move the needle or wrap the yarn.
My son and his dad both spent an hour or so knitting, only once, and never again. There is a very small chance my son would have another go in the future. Meanwhile he’s enjoying cross stitch.
I teach knitting for a charity in the DC area. We start with a few rows of garter stitch already on the needle so that we can get right to teaching the knit stitch.
It’s helpful to then teach the knit cast on because the new knitter has already learned the knit stitch.
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How interesting. I just took my granddaughter to the craft store yesterday to get her some projects to keep her busy this summer. She is 10 but not interested in knitting at this time. But she did pick out a Pokémon crosstitch kit to work on. So we’ll give that a go. She also is painting a birdhouse since we have cardinals nesting in rose bush and she wants to have a house for the new arrivals. So busy hands.
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That’s so nice. I think it matters a lot to kids to have a craft to suit their character and interests. My little mister likes everything colourful and i got a set of 2 cross stitch multicolour giraffe designs, they are quite modern and funky too. There is no way he would cross stitch a traditional or old fashioned looking picture, it just wouldn’t motivate him. Our plan is we sew one each then use the sewing machine to turn them into a cushion cover for his playroom sofa.
My son needed a bit of guidance on how to seperate the threads a they have 6 strands but the size of crossstich requires 3 strands. I also bought whole pack of needle threaders as they seem to break quite easily.
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Let us know if your son does have a go!
I beg to differ with the two stitches in knitting concept. There is one stitch. It’s a knit and a purl at the same time depending on which side you’re looking at. Therefore a purl is actually a knit worked WS facing. 
My son learned to knit but I don’t think he’s done anything with it after a piece of garter stitch. Both my grandkids can knit if they wish and after some review. Granddaughter crochets. I showed her how to Norwegian purl when she asked.
I’ve seen someone writing about knitting flat without turning the work, too (so no purls/reverse knits) - I have tried it, out of curiosity. I like how knitting can seem simple on a surface level, but if you delve deeper you can find some pretty intriguing stuff!
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Knitting stockinette without turning is great for short rows (like sock heels) but I can’t manage to work purls on the RS without turning so no rib, etc.
Yes, me too, it’s relatively budget friendly and requires few tools to get started and see if you want to take it up and then further along it can be as simple or as complex a project as each individual wants. So many different options to explore depending on personal taste and interest.
It’s such a flexible craft.