Learn how to knit using only your hands. All you need is a ball of yarn and you'll be on your way to making bracelets, headbands, garland and more. 

What You Need 

• Yarn 
• Scissors 

What You Do 

1. Make a slipknot about 5 inches from the end of the yarn. Then slide it over your pointer finger about halfway.
2. Loosely wind the yarn back and forth between your fingers and when you reach your pinky, wrap around and wind back to your index finger. Repeat this step one more time so you have two rows of yarn across all four fingers. Tip – don’t wind too tight, make sure you can still wiggle your fingers.
3. Working on one finger at a time, lift the bottom row of yarn over the top row and over the end of your finger. Repeat this step on each finger. 
4. Wind the yarn back and forth again between your fingers so you have two rows of yarn again, then repeat step 3. 
5. Repeat step 3 and 4 until you your knitting is as long as you’d like. 
6. When it's finished, cut the yarn, leaving about 5 inches, and carefully slide the loops off your fingers. Use the end of the yarn to weave through the loops and tie a knot. Tie the two ends together to make a bracelet, necklace or headband, depending on size. 

Did you know?  

Knitting was invented in Egypt. The oldest knitted artifact is a pair of socks from the 11th century. 

Words to Use 

• Slip knot: a knot that you can make tighter by pulling of its ends. 
• Tension: tightness or stiffness in a rope or wire, etc. 
• Texture: the way a surface or material feels when you touch it, especially how smooth or rough it is. 

Questions to Ask 

• How does your knitted project hold together? 
• How long is your knitting? Let’s measure. 
• What do you notice changing as your project gets longer? 

Change It Up 

• Age It Down: Start finger knitting on your hands and have your kid wind the yarn back and forth between your fingers. 
• Age It Up: Test out different yarns. Use thick and thin yarn, stretchy and taught, compare how each material yields a different look and feel. 

Learning Connections 

• Imagination 
• Creativity 
• Persistence 
• Visual-Spatial Thinking 
• Fine Motor Development 

Curriculum Connections 

• Visual Arts - K.V.3.1, K.V.3.3, 1. V.3.1, 1.V.3.2, 2.V.3.3, 3.V.3.3, 4.V.3.3, 5.V.3.3 
• Math – NC.K.MD.1