Finger knitting is a fun way children can weave scarves, hats, and shawls all on their own. It’s a craft kids can take as far as their creativity will carry them. Parents can start out by introducing finger knitting with two simple projects: a headband and a belt.
Materials for the Headband and Belt
For this project, choose bulky yarn. Some suitable brands are; Lion Brand Wool-Ease Chunky, Wool Ease Thick ’n Quick, Jiffy Thick ‘n Quick, or Chenille Thick and Quick. The thicker the yarn, the easier it is for tiny fingers to manipulate. Bulky yarn will also make for a quicker and plusher headband or belt.
Finger Knitting Instructions
- Ball yarn before beginning.
- To start, hold up the left hand so the palm is facing up.
- Spread fingers apart.
- Tie the yarn around the left pinky.
- Weave the yarn connected to the ball loosely under the ring finger...
- ...then over the middle finger...
- ...then under and back around the pointer...
- ...under the middle finger...
- ...Over the ring finger...
- ...and under and around the pinky to repeat for one more row.
- When two loops are around each finger, the yarn will dangle between the ring finger and pinky.
- Starting with the pinky, pull the bottom loop over the top loop and throw it over each fingertip.
- Then, drape the yarn over the pinky and repeat steps 4-10 to make another row of loops and throw the bottom one over the fingertips.
- After several rounds, a chain will grow from the back of the fingers.
- When the chain reaches its desired length, cut the yarn leaving a 6” tail.
- Weave this tail through each loop before removing the chain from the fingers. (Pulling the tail too tight will make the end pointy.)
- The tail can be pulled until firm then tied off.
How to Take a Break from the Knitting Project
If children need to stop in the middle of a chain, they can store their work on a stitch holder and put the four loops back on their fingers when they’re ready to go. Work can be stored on a pencil or knitting needle too, but it’s a good idea to tape it in place so it doesn’t slip off the end.
Instructions for the Headband
With a tape measure, check the approximate length of the headband. The weave will be slightly stretchy, so kids won’t want to make the band any longer than the measurement they took. Once they’ve woven a long enough chain, they can tie it off leaving a 12” tail. They can use this tail to weave the headband’s ends together.
Instructions for the Belt
Measure around the waist with a tape measure, and add six inches for tying the belt in front. Kids can knit a chain to the desired length and tie off. To give the ends a finished look, kids can add fringe.
Finishing the Belt with Fringe
To add a finishing touch, kids can make fringe for the ends of the belt. They’ll need to find a book whose cover is eight inches or cut a piece of cardboard to that width.
- Wrap the yarn around the book several times.
- Cut ends to make individual eight inch pieces of yarn.
- Fold one piece of yarn in half.
- Poke the folded part through the very end of the belt.
- Pass cut ends through the loop that is poking through the belt and pull tight.
- Continue with more fringe all the way across the belt’s end.
If kids enjoyed this introduction to finger knitting, they might also like to learn how to make scarves, hats, muffs, purses, and shawls. With a few simple techniques, they can knit presents for everyone on their Christmas list.
Marcy Paulson - From the moment Marcy Paulson picked up a recorder in fourth grade music class, she was hooked. Since then, her passion for music has ...
