‘Kids Knitting’ bounty may cause binge crafting

If I were 10 years old with a yen to knit, I’d want Melanie Falick’s “Kids Knitting” (Artisan, 2003) in my backpack and I’d probably lug it around until it was dog-eared and bent. And no doubt I’d have the backpack stuffed with yarn and I’d be toting my schoolbooks in the crook of my elbow.

“Yarn – in the beginning that’s all you need to know to knit,” Falick writes. That line alone is worth the price of “Kids Knitting.” It sets the tone of the book. The author assumes that if a child – or anyone of any age, for that matter – wants to knit, then he or she can. It’s just a matter of having a few basic tools – yarn and knitting needles – and following the instructions in the book or asking the help of someone who knows how to knit.

Teachers intent on teaching students to knit could use “Kids Knitting” as a blueprint for lessons about:

. What plants and animals yarn comes from.

. Geography of Ireland Russia, Scandinavia, the Middle East or South America, all of which have knitting traditions specific to their regions.

. The process of getting wool from sheep and how it’s turned into yarn.

But for me the best part of “Kids Knitting” is how to make wooden knitting needles from dowels you buy at the local hardware store. I’m so excited about the idea, I can’t wait to try it. I’m having a great time imagining how to use buttons, beach glass, acorn caps, tiny seashells, pieces of old jewelry and tiny rocks as ‘knobs’ on knitting needles I make all by myself.

I also like pages 15 and 16 of “Kids Knitting,” where I found easy directions for dying natural-colored wool with Kool-Aid. Yes, Kool-Aid.

“Kids Knitting” contains many easy patterns that beginners of any age will find appealing but are geared toward children and their skill levels. The easiest pattern is for a bean bag and the most difficult is for a basic sweater. My favorite pattern in the book is for garter stitch dolls, which can be made into bears or bunnies just by adding ears in the right places. I just know I’m going to make a few of these.

Other patterns in the book include magic spiral socks which are knit in the round and have no heel shaping, scarves, caps, a backpack, purse, eyeglass case, an afghan, and owl and pussycat bath puppets knit in cotton yarn.

“Kids Knitting” is nicely illustrated with photographs by Chris Hartlove and how-to illustrations by Kristin Nicholas. The children in the photos look like they are having fun learning about knitting. The photos of the items knit from the book’s patterns give the reader a clear idea of what the finished items will look like. The how-to illustrations are in color and of a size that makes them easy to decipher.

The book contains all the usual instructions for casting on, knitting stitches and binding off. Also included is information about skills needed to finish knitted items – sewing seams, sewing on a button, making a tote bag for one’s knitting, and directions for basic embroidery stitches and tassels.

Falick is the author of “Knitting in America” and “Weekend Knitting.” She is the co-author or “Knitting for Baby.”

The only reservation I have about “Kids Knitting” is this: I see a lot of potential for binge crafting in the book – those handmade knitting needles, for example. But, hey, if you knit, you can’t have too many knitting needles. Right?