Burger - Creative Kids Complete Photo Guide to Crochet

Copyright 2015 Creative Publishing international

All rights reserved. No part of this work covered by the copyrights hereon may be reproduced or used in any form or by any meansgraphic, electronic, or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, taping of information on storage and retrieval systemswithout the written permission of the publisher. However, the publisher grants to the purchaser of this book permission to reproduce the templates in the book for personal use.

Due to differing conditions, materials, and skill levels, the publisher and various manufacturers disclaim any liability for unsatisfactory results or injury due to improper use of tools, materials, or information in this publication.

First published in the United States of America by

Creative Publishing international, a division of

Quarto Publishing Group USA Inc.

400 First Avenue North

Suite 400

Minneapolis, MN 55401

1-800-328-3895

www.creativepub.com

Visit www.Craftside.Typepad.com for a behind-the-scenes peek at our crafty world!

Digital edition: 978-1-62788-254-5

Softcover edition: 978-1-58923-855-8

Digital edition published in 2015

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data available

Technical Editor: Karen Manthey

Copy Editor: Kari Cornell

Design and Layout: Laura McFadden Design, Inc.

Illustrations: Karen Manthey

Photographs: Peter Montanti, Mountain Photographics, Inc.; except

Glen Scott Photography on pages

This book is dedicated with love, to my grandchildren: Lilith, Annalynn, and Leif Erbach; Haven, Valencia, and Arlo Diamond, my own bunch of Creative Kids.

Complete Photo Guide to

Deborah Burger

Few things in life are more satisfying than the opportunity to pass on a beloved craft to a younger generation. The connection that develops between the parent, grandparent, or other grown-up friend and the child is immense, nurturing a sense of self-esteem, creativity, problem-solving skills, and initiative in the child. The shared memories of crafting together are priceless and last a lifetime.

Over the years, I have taught crochet to my own children, both boys and girls, and more recently, my grandchildren. I have also taught nearly two hundred other children in scout troops, residential summer camps, and community centers. A few dos and donts have emerged, from both the struggles and the successes.

Here are a few rules for adults to keep in mind when teaching children to crochet.

1. Keep it fun. Learning a new craft or skill can be hard work, but the element of funof interest and excitementneeds to be present at all times. Always keep the emphasis on following the interest and commitment level of the child, and the childs attention span, and avoid establishing an agenda to achieve a certain amount in a given time period. The bag of crochet supplies can be brought out as an antidote for boredom on a long plane or car ride, when one is recovering from illness, or other times when a physically quiet activity is needed. But when interest flags or the child seems tired, its time to put it away and do something else. The element of fun is much more important than finishing a certain portion of the project. When my grandchildren are staying with us, crochet is a treat we bring out and share on rainy days, or evenings when our bodies are tired from outdoor activities but our minds and fingers still want a satisfying challenge. One small project may take an entire month to complete, but the fun keeps the child coming back for more.

2. Take it slowly. The younger the child, the more this is true. When adults learn a new skill, its frequently because there is a product or goal in mind. Adults are usually motivated to gain the knowledge as quickly as possible, in order to reach the goal. Children, on the other hand, learn best and enjoy learning the most when they have plenty of time to explore the various aspects and applications of each part of the whole process. For example, children ages 68 are often thrilled to learn to make chains and content to camp out in the first chapter for monthsor even longer. My 6- and 8-year-old granddaughters enjoyed chaining so much that they spent three months making a chain long enough to wrap around their house! Shortly after that, they asked if I would teach them to stack the stitches on top of each other. That request was a sure sign that they were ready to tackle the next stitch and a new array of projects. This book presents one project made entirely of chains, but children usually enjoy making multiples of items theyve learned to make! They also love to come up with their own variationsafter the Friendship Bracelets, they may want (still using only chains) to make longer versions to use as hair wraps, belts, gift-wrap ribbons, shoe laces, etc. The same dynamic will come into play when they master each new stitch. Dont pressure a child to move on to the next step until he or she is actually in danger of becoming bored with the current skill level. Never cut short the enjoyment of one skill gained, in a hurry to move on to the next lesson or adult-directed project!

3. Avoid perfectionism. Beginners make mistakes, plain and simple. While the pursuit of excellence is a good thing, constant correction feels like criticism and kills the joy of learning. It is important for the actual motions of the hand and direction the yarn moves to be correctbut regularity in the size and shape of the resulting stitches will only come with practice. A childs joy and pride in his newly made bracelet will NOT be tarnished by the fact that some of the stitches are large and loose while others are tight and small! Muscle memory is gained through repetition of the movement, and as muscle memory grows, the movements themselves become more fluid, more consistent, and more controlled. Projects in the early chapters have been designed to be functional and fun, even with highly uneven and clumsy stitching. If the child expresses frustration or asks how to correct a mistake, by all means, jump in and help out. But be sure to point out the positive aspects every time a correction is made.

4. Expect interest to wax and wane. Children tend to approach a new skill with feverish enthusiasmfor a few days or a weeks. When that project or hobby is laid aside in favor of a new adventure, its easy to believe that the (now languishing) project was a total waste. However, while the childs mind is occupied with other things, quite often their unconscious mind is busily working to move the new knowledge from short-term to long-term memory. This process of mentally looking away and refusing to take in more new until its properly internalized is actually a function of real, permanent learning. Its great to take a good long drink at the fountain of knowledge or skill, but the child also needs time to swallow, and to become thirsty again. Keep sessions short; offer a reminder that crochet is a possibility when the child is bored or lacks an activity, but avoid nagging. My own grandmother taught me a few crochet basics, and then I worked (sometimes more off than on) for six years, making enough squares for a blanket. Even in the years when my total crochet output was four successful granny squares plus two or three failed ones, I associated the act of crocheting with the fun I had enjoyed with Nannie. Eventually the yarn was all used upthe 144 squares were made and crocheted together. By the time I graduated high school, the finished blanket became a gift for my mother and a seed of my own lifelong passion for playing with yarn.