YAY for teaching the class! Sounds like much fun and MUCH work. As far as the icord goes, there is a great book - Corking by Judy Sadler. My kids have enjoyed the projects over the years.

Good luck! Sounds like a fantastic time. I was also thinking that Mason-Dixon Knitting has a lot of cool kids knitting projects.

that does look like a great book. Icord, is great for many things. Also known as bee poo by my friend because her spool had a bee painted on it. You can plait it and weave it if you have enough. I like doing green so it can be stuffed and used as flower stems. Also slim snakes and also good for celtic knots.

What a wonderful thing you are doing--teaching kiddos to knit. I was in the fourth grade when my Mother's friend taught me to knit. Because I was an only child knitting became my constant companion. I hope it benefits the children in your class in the same way! BTW I-cord makes great kid jewelry. My 12 year-old GD loves colorful I-cord bracelets, and she makes them herself!

Teaching elementary school kids how to knit was actually how I got back into knitting after 15 years. It's really cool seeing how their individual personalities are translated into their knitting. What's nice is kids are ALOT more open to learning and less likely to say "I can't do that" or "I'll never be able to do that". Good luck and have fun!

There are a couple of rhymes my son found useful for remembering what to do. He knit his first scarf for his grampa when he was in grade 5, and followed it up with ski bands for his cousins and a book mark from your book for himself:

Knit Rhyme

In through the front door,
once around the back,
peek through the window,
and off jumps jack.

Purl Rhymes

In front of the fence,
Catch the goat,
Back we go,
Jump off the boat!

Under the fence,
Catch the sheep,
Back we come,
Off we leap!

i can't believe how timely your post is. just YESTERDAY i was trying to teach my 6-year-old son (a leftie, no less) and 5-year-old daughter to knit. i didn't do such a hot job so i went online looking for good books. the one you recommend above is one that i found and bookmarked as a potential purchase. thanks!

In response to your question about what kids can do with I-cord, have you seen these I-cord bears? http://www.knitting-and.com/knitting/patterns/toys/icordteddybear.htm

There are also I-cord people, who look pretty cute atop a hat!
http://www.knitting-and.com/knitting/patterns/stitches/hazels-icord-ideas.htm

What a great idea!
You could have the boys make snakes with the I-cord and the girls could make flowers. There are some really cute flowers in Knitted Flowers by Nicky Epstein

I taught knitting to my art class many years ago.. ages 4-13. Kids learn fast and by choosing the right words to describe what you are doing its simple. I even taught 4 yr olds to weave on a table loom. (instead of over/under they we're able to comprehend up and down on the warp). Coiled purses would be great as well as cd cases. You can also use the coils to make baskets.

Something to think about.

i-cord makes a great key-chain!

If you coil up I-cord and stitch it together, it makes a very nice rug for dolls.

Good luck!

oh how fun! I have a grade 5 niece who wants to learn to knit and sew!

Yyou might be able to make a version of the Ugly dolls that are so popular with kids that age right now ... http://www.uglydolls.com/ .. bet they'd be a hit!

When I was in elementary school, we used (what I realize now was) a really fat i-cord (I think finger-knitted) to play Chinese jump rope (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chinese_jump_rope). A thinner cord would work great for Cat's Cradle.

This is all so timely! I'm going to be teaching knitting to kids in my son's afterschool program. Thanks for the book tips. Luckily, some of the boys are interested. My son has been sewing with other kids in his class who are learning about how people in Colonial times made their clothes and other items.

Sounds like fun! Congratulations! As for getting the kids excited about knitting I would think your HP projects and assignments based on popular movies or cartoons would be engaging. Like The Golden Compass- how cool would it be to have your own knitted Daemon, simplified of course. Or would parents get cranky about their kids knitting 'demons!!'?

You might also want to check out Alex Toys, they have some great craft / yarn kits that are designed just for kids.
http://www.alextoys.us/alex.asp

kids like making icord for the sake of making icord. ;) However, it can be sewn into flat shapes to make rugs or other items.

...oh, and icord itself can be knit. ;) Did you see the bit on icord in the Mason*Dixon Knitting book?

My friends daughter was in first grade and had been knitting scarves. She was going to South Africa for Christmas to visit her grandparents. I had her make a felted bag next. Just a big tube really, sewn together at the bottom. It was a big hit and felting of course, hides lots of flaws. They could even make felted coasters or hot pads.

If you're looking for I-cord projects, you should check out the latest (Winter) issue of Knit Simple. They have a whole I-cord story.

I have so much love for Lucinda Guy!

I-cord could also be used on those neato toys, like the one you posted. Maybe one of the kids could get creative and give it i-cord hair, or an icord tail?

Also, I saw a pattern for an i-cord rug, where it was one long ginormous i-cord, then wind it around and around, flatly, and stitch it together, for a rug.

Or it could be hair for a doll, or for hair ribbons (my girls LOVE that), belts that tie (my daughter especially loves belts that tie because it's easier for her to tie a belt than to buckle one, plus, there are no holes to worry about being in "the right spot").

My daughter (in first grade) is making a rectangle to sew up into a purse, and i-cord is being used for the handle when she's done.

Lots or possibilites with i-cord, and I hope you share some of the things they make! I love it when little kiddos learn to knit!!!

That is awesome news. I wish someone had done that when I was young. I think of all the years of experience I'd have by now!

Hi Alison,
I also taught 2nd and 3rd graders from my kids' school (a few years back) and found the rhymes to be really helpful. The kids all wanted to use the varigated yarns, so I got what I could find at Michael's. We also made the knitting needles like in Kids Knitting, which the kids loved, but it took up a lot of time, so I think it's better if you find plastic ones. Also, I've read that if each child has two different colored needles, it is easier for them to understand right needle/left needle. I wish you lots of luck and patience!
Kathy

Hope it is a fun, fabulous experience. Teaching a kid to knit is so neat.

Hi Alison,

It's my first time commenting, but I always read and love your blog - thanks for writing it!

A link you might find helpful: it's a cute knitted bunny, magically made from an ordinary knitted square. They came up with the world's most ingenious way of folding it and seaming it so that it turns into a bunny :) Here it is, in any case: http://www.heartstringsfiberarts.com/bunny.shtm

wow...awesome.... can.t wait to hear stories of how you go teaching.... what an exciting time for you.
good luvk
luv Abby

Hi Alison,

In Iceland the kids learn to knit as part of school in grade 3, so I think these kids will have no troubles! Especially with a great teacher ;)

Maggie

How totally cool! The kids are going to love it. I did a spinning and knitting demo at my kids' school a few weeks ago, and ever since, the kids keep coming up and asking me when they can come to my house to do "that yarn thing."

This has absolutely nothing to do with your post for today ... I bought your book. It arrived via Canada Post today. I *love* it. Thanks for being such a rockin' knitter gal. :)

How awesome! Good luck!

I teach a small group of kids at my school. We started when they were in 2nd grade and now they are in 4th. We use needles and Knifty Knitters. This year we are going to make hats and scarves to donate to a local charity.

Thanks for the book ideas, I have Kids Knitting, but the other book looks great.

And thanks to all the commenters for additional great ideas.

I just got an AWESOME kids knitting book for Christmas:
Knitting with Gigi by Karen Thalacker. (http://www.amazon.com/Knitting-Gigi-Karen-Thalacker/dp/1564777588/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1199761611&sr=8-1)

There are great instructions at the beginning; I wish I had this book when I learned how to knit. And then several projects. Part of it is in storybook format, revolving around this character, Gigi. Gigi is also socially conscious, and part of the book is about getting involved in charity knitting. Through Gigi's blog (http://www.gigiknits.com/) young knitters can join her Kindness Corps to team up with different projects. I strongly recommend this book!

We make snakes (fold one end over to make head and add googly eyes and a tongue), Christmas tree garland, and my daughter likes to put it in her hair like a ribbon.

You can also add a pompom to one end and use it as a bookmark.

Hope that helps. We make a lot of i-cord around here.

The Lucinda Guy book is great! I have been teaching knitting to kids for two years now. I usually start with finger knitting--it's easier for kids in grade 3 and under to do, and one skein of some kind of fluffy yarn makes a quick belt or scarf that they usually finish in an hour. Then, we make finger puppets, since it's just a garter stitch square that fits their finger---good way to use up old gauge swatches, too. Then, if they need more practice with needles, they can make a bracelet. Then, they move on and do the animal, a scarf, or a purse. I've found kids get really frustrated with the scarf on the needles---takes a long time to finish.

Oooh! Knitting classes! I'm teaching a knitting class for the homeschool group my family is involved with, with middle schoolers, and i've devised a pattern for a bag, which will then be kool aid dyed and fulled...and we're also making our own needles(note:3/16" dowels equal size 8 needles)

As far as I-cord, if you have a lot, you could coil it up into bucket hats. A friend of mine made a couple of those, and they are very cute. You could also knit hats and sew on I-cord dreads. Or use them for octopus/squid legs?

Best of luck to you!

They can turn the i cord into friendship bracelets!

Sounds like so much fun. When my kids were little I used to have a Teddy Bear Tea Party during Christmas holidays. After a few years it became a Tea party slash cookie exchange including a recipe swap. When my daughter was a freshman in high school it ultimately became a Christmas slash knitting party at our local yarn shop who was as surprised as I was because we took over the shop with over three dozen girls. My daughters friends still talk about learning to knit, eat snacks and chat now they are Seniors on their way to college, The girls still have the needles I bought for each attendee. I have to admit I was worried about the girls thinking it was something their Grandmothers or Oma's did but my local lys was as surprised as I was tickled with the fact that everyone who was invited plus a few more all showed
up. Woo Hoo!

You could make little I-cord Teddy bears! I believe the pattern is available for free at Knitting pattern central. Good luck teaching the kids, should be a lot of fun!

Oh good for you! I wish someone had done that back when I was in 5th grade. I'm sure you and the kids will have a load of fun.

Kids Can Press has a book of projects kids can make with i-cord, from toys to rugs to braided scarves. I bought it for our school library when the knitting group started here.

I didn't have time to read through the other comments so I apologize if I'm duplicating...

I taught at our elementary school a few years ago and it is a tough crowd! Think small and then think smaller. Our most successful project were garter stitch bookmarks. About 2 x 9 inches with fringe. We intended to make hats but in 8 weeks they barely made it through the bookmarks. However, we did some other great things that the kids loved--felted balls and koolaid dyeing being the biggest hits.

There are loads of activity books for 'Strickliesel' projects for kids (and adults) available in Germany. Take a look at amazon.de for ideas. Maybe you'll find something for future kid knitting classes. I'd be happy to have them sent to me and send them to you at no extra cost, just as a thanks for the daily read.

I'm planning on teaching a little knitting class at my daughter's preschool sometime next year, so I'll be looking forward to reading about how your experience goes!

Three or four long strands of thick icord can be braided and knotted at each end for a scarf; thinner icord can be used the same way for a belt.

Coiled icord for a trivet or small rug.

Thick green icord for a toy snake with a felt tongue and googly eyes

Have each kid bring a plain stocking cap (even polar fleece would work) and have them sew icord on the hat as decoration...faux braids, swirls on the hat, tassels.

I'm sorry--I don't have time to read your previous comments and see if anyone has already suggested this, but I have a suggestion for another kids-knitting book that you might want to check out:Kids Can Knit by Carolyn Clewer. I noticed it this past weekend at the library because it had patterns for a knitted fried egg and sausage. Yes. Well, I just thought I'd mention it...

I enjoyed teaching 4th graders - mostly boys to knit last year. My son love to knit. They really enjoyed picking out the yarn, all left overs and acrylics from my stash. Most struggled at the beginning but one boy I was showing a simple cast on to told me his grandmother does it differently, and started to perform a long-tail cast on with the speed and grace of a master knitter! He then proceeded to knit continental! Turns out, he hangs out with grandma often!

Sew the I-cord into circles as things to put under pots for protecting the table (sorry, can't think of the proper english word just now). Sew circles and join two, leaving a bit at the top open, add more cord as handle and presto: a bag.

just found this on ravelry http://www.ravelry.com/groups/teaching-kids-to-knit