Michele Made Me

One birdie's attempt to figure things out. Oh, and crafts.

The Boy Learns to Knit

by

Have you noticed how cold it’s suddenly gotten? Every year, just as the temperature drops, my hands start to itch. That’s how I know it’s mitten-making time. This year’s no different. Just today for instance, I got started on a little grey pair for the Boy. And I aim to follow those up with some nice warm ones for my two sweet girls too.
What IS different this year is the Boy’s sudden interest in the craft. While I was busy with his first mitt, he was busy peeking ’round my shoulder trying to follow the movement of the needle and the turn of the yarn. “Do you want to learn?” I asked real casual-like so as not to scare him off. His eyes widened and he retorted: “Ya. Do you have any red?” Silly question. O’ course I have red. Red’s his favourite colour and I have a few balls of it set aside precisely with him in mind.

Now, contrary to what you may believe, I am not a patient person. Normally I get annoyed and exasperated quick as a lightning bolt. Today however, I do declare that I exercised patience comparable to that of a saint during our little knitting session. And I must say – let this be a lesson to me – it paid off. That boy learned how to knit! Sure, he was tired after 3 rows or a grand total of 30 painfully laboured stitches and I’ll probably have to re-teach him tomorrow, but he actually knitted!
Funny thing is that I had tried teaching him to knit last winter and it was an utter failure. He could not focus long enough to get through one stitch let alone 30. I think he may have been too young. He was only six at the time it’s true. Or maybe it’s that I was too impatient.
Today the timing was perfect. We were both ready.
He even announced his knitting success proudly to his father as he arrived home for the evening. That sure felt great. It made me feel like a good mom. You know?
Well you have a fabulous day now, take it easy and I’ll see you soon.
♥M

Edited to add: A reader asked which mitten pattern I use. Here’s a link. I got the pattern for free ages ago and have used it since: Patons Canadiana Mitten Pattern #303. Enjoy!

Reader Interactions

Comments

  3. Melissa says

    I love the concentration that is apparent in his body language!!

    My Mom wasn't always the most patient person – however, when she chose to teach me how to embroider she was a saint. I mentioned this to her as an adult and she said crafting was important to her and she wanted to pass it on and so she made a point of being very patient. 🙂

    You are in good company. My Mom is a saint in many ways. Good Moms are awesome.

  10. Poppyprint says

    You are an OUTSTANDING mom!!! I tried so hard to get my son interested, but no dice. And now he's almost 15, so it's a lost cause. sniff. Daughter knits while lying on the couch. Unfortunately, if a stitch is dropped we have to wait until Grandma visits to fix it. I have no idea what I'm doing.

  14. Notjustnat says

    Boy knitting is cool. I taught my son to knitted before he went to university. He later told me that knitting has made him lot of friends – go boy!

  15. Bluebell Woods says

    I am enjoying going through your blog. How much time do you spend working on crafts? I love some of the ideas, its just the time I am lacking. I would love to make the mittens, am working on hats right now.
    Janice

  16. Karien says

    Wow, that's really awesome. I had the same experience with my 8 year old boy, who kbitted first a cat, then a bird with two circular needles. Then he grabbed the animal encyclopedia to see what he would make next, and decided to go for a snake. So at this very moment he is knitting magic loop – green and black. I am so proud!