Finger-knitting and Kids Books

When I was a little girl my Nan taught me how to use a spool for finger-knitting. I don’t really remember creating anything of significance or use, but I remember the feeling that I was producing something and that alone felt worthwhile and valuable.

Freya has had a finger-knitting set for a few years and it comes in and out of the cupboard at various times, lockdown for sure. We gave Odette this set last Christmas and she too basked in the joy of becoming a producer of something tangible. Kids need that sense of accomplishment and competence that comes from learning a skill, working at it, and seeing progress.

Finger-knitting is an easy introduction to more complex craft skills like knitting and sewing. It’s recommended for children over 8, but you know your child best, and I think many dextrous 6-year-olds would get lots of joy from starting their own little craft project.

Below are some books that would pair well with a kit like this one to make a fantastic gift for a 6-10-year-old.

Extra Yarn, by Mac Barnett and Jon Klassen

Annabelle lives in a cold, snowy town and one day finds a special box that contains yarn. She begins by making a sweater for herself and her dog and there is still some yarn leftover. As the story progresses soon she is making sweaters for everyone in town and always there is yarn leftover. Her amazing box of yarn grows famous around the world, but what will happen when an archduke asks to buy it?

Created by the fabulous duo, Mac Barnett and Jon Klassen, this is a very high-quality, giftable picture book. I adore the way the yarn is so colourful in an otherwise dull world and the variety of characters Annabelle makes sweaters for.

No Roses for Harry, by Gene Zion and Margaret Bloy Graham

Harry is a white dog with black spots and in each of his books, he seems to get into mischief. In this one, he is gifted a new sweater with roses on it. Harry does not like this gift and tries his best to be rid of it. Finally, he finds a way and the knitted sweater gets unraveled and disappears – or does it?

I love sharing books with my children that I remember from my childhood. I have distinct memories of the Harry books, I feel like Noni Hazelhurst read one on Play School. The illustrations are a little bit old school, and I think that will appeal to kids of today.

The Pink Hat, by Andrew Joyner

This book is less about knitting and more about feminism, but Andrew Joyner has done a clever job of not being obvious. He uses the hat as a device to show the different ways women live and different life stages. First, there was no hat, until an elderly lady knits it. From there it passes through the hands of a mother, a baby, a girl and ends up joining with other pink hats to make a stand.

If you’re gifting this book, make sure you include a ball of bright pink wool.

Stanley the Amazing Knitting Cat, by

Stanley the cat can, and will, knit anything, everything – everywhere. He knits and knits and knits for his friends. Then he spots a competition that is right up his alley. But how can he win the competition if he doesn’t have enough wool to complete his great creation?

One thing I really love is the depiction of the wool. As skeins of yarn unravel across the pages it makes your eyes travel around to take in the whole story. This one is for young children, probably 3-7 years old.

Granny McFlitter the Champion Knitter, by Heather Haylock and Lael Chisholm

As with a lot of these books, the main character is obsessed with knitting, to the point of frustrating her family with the incessant click-clacking of her needles. Obviously, that would be a pretty strange story for young children. Of course, Granny McFlitter is going to find an outlet for her knitting that is constructive. It highlights one of the great reasons to teach a child to knit, the opportunity for creation, production, and accomplishment.

A kind and a funny rhyming picture book that has a gently environmental theme. Ideal for 4-8-year-olds.

Leave Me Alone, by Vera Brosgul

All this old woman wants to do is have some peace and quiet so she can finish her winter knitting. Her house is overrun with grandchildren so she ventures out into the snow to try and find somewhere she will be left alone. Even the mountain goats won’t leave her alone and she ends up walking to the moon to try to get some peace and quiet, but what do you do when even the moon is not peaceful enough?

Afloat in Venice, by Tina Wilson

This one, featuring hand-knitted characters, I reviewed for ReadingTime.com.au