May our hands complete our task with patience,
May our work be done with care,
May our fingers work as friends together,
Then may we our handwork share.
Our hands have completed the task with patience,
We have done our work with care,
Our fingers have worked as friends together,
And we have our friendship shared.
Finger knitting is a simple yet deeply enriching handcraft that offers numerous benefits for children. As an engaging, screen-free activity, it nurtures fine motor skills, enhances concentration, and fosters creativity, all while providing a soothing and rewarding experience.
Developing Fine Motor Skills
One of the most immediate benefits of finger knitting is its ability to strengthen fine motor skills. The repetitive motion of looping yarn over fingers helps refine dexterity and hand-eye coordination. These foundational skills are crucial for tasks such as writing, buttoning clothing, and using utensils effectively.
Encouraging Focus and Patience
Finger knitting encourages children to focus on a series of movements, fostering patience and perseverance. The rhythmic quality of the activity can be meditative, aiding children in developing the ability to maintain focus over time—a vital skill in both academic and everyday settings.
Stimulating Creativity
With just a skein of yarn and their hands, children can craft a wide range of projects, from bracelets to scarves to decorative garlands. This opportunity to experiment fosters creativity and builds confidence in their ability to create something beautiful with their own hands.
Supporting Emotional Well-Being
The calming, repetitive motion of finger knitting has a grounding effect that reduces stress and anxiety. It provides a tangible way for children to self-soothe while fostering a sense of accomplishment, which boosts self-esteem and resilience.
Promoting Social Connection
Finger knitting serves as a shared experience, whether among peers, family members, or in a classroom setting. It promotes a sense of community and cooperation as children exchange ideas, assist each other, and celebrate their creations together.
Connecting to Tradition and Nature
Handcrafts such as finger knitting connect children to traditional skills that have been passed down through generations. Engaging with natural fibres also enhances their connection to nature, promoting an appreciation for sustainable materials and the artistry of handmade items.
How To Finger Knit
Tie the yarn around your index finger at the beginning of your ball using a slip knot. Face your palm upwards and let the tail (the short end of the yarn) fall into your palm. Wrap the working yarn (the yarn coming from the ball) in a circle so that you have a strand of yarn wrapped above the tied yarn on your index finger. The working yarn should now be close to where it began. With the fingers of your other hand, lift the bottom loop over the top loop and let it fall off the back of your finger. Repeat the first two steps several times. You will notice that a knitted chain is quickly forming. Continue until the chain is as long as you desire. To finish, cut the working yarn a few inches from the end of the chain. Push the end of the yarn through the last loop and pull it tight.
(from the book ‘Kids Knitting’ by Melanie Falick)
Finger Knitting Story: The Shepherd and His Sheep
The first part of the story is to demonstrate the technique on the floor, i.e. without the loop on your finger. The second half then shows the children how to knit with the loop on their fingers. It is best to have a length of yarn handy while telling the story and demonstrate it as you tell it.
There was once an old shepherd who had a large, energetic flock of sheep. Every morning, he would take the flock of sheep up the mountain to a beautiful green meadow where the sheep would eat the delicious grass. But each day, when it came time to make the journey up the mountainside, the old shepherd would struggle to keep the whole flock of young, energetic sheep together. Some would run away to nibble grass, some to play under the trees, and others would wander off among the mountain flowers.
The poor shepherd wanted to keep them together for their safety, but he was too old to chase after them. And so he thought and thought about what he could do to keep all the sheep together so that they could get to the meadow safely. At last, he had an idea. And so, the old shepherd carefully built a little gate [make a slip knot in the yarn at this point in the story]. And the next morning, he showed each sheep how to go through the gate one at a time [draw a loop of yarn through the slip knot ‘gate’ for each sheep as he guides them and pull tight], and when each sheep got to the other side, the old shepherd was delighted to see that they all were happy to stand one behind the other. [show the children how the ‘sheep’ line up on the other side].
And so, for a few days, that was how the shepherd went up the mountain with his sheep to get to the green meadow. After a few days, though, the shepherd noticed that it took a long time for each sheep to walk through the gate one at a time. And so he thought and thought about what he could do. [Put the loop on the index finger of left hand now]. Then, the shepherd had an idea. He told each sheep to stand ready, and then, with the gate in front of them [at this point, place the long ‘tail’ of yarn over the same index finger in front of the first loop], he showed the sheep how to jump over the gate [take back loop, pull it over the front piece of yarn and right off the finger, and then draw tight – not too tight though!].
As each sheep jumped over the gate, the shepherd was delighted to see that, once again, the sheep were all happy to stand one behind the other. In this way, the sheep were gathered for their journey much more quickly. And so, from that day forward, the old shepherd never had to worry about his sheep again, and they all went easily and happily to the green meadow together every day.
(story copyright 1998, K. Manchip, all rights reserved)
Finger Knitting Verses
In the woods goes the hunter,
Round the tree goes the dog,
Out pops the rabbit,
And off they run.
Use your little pinchers…
Go into the cave…
Grab the little snake…
My, but you are brave!
Pull it back through..
So two of you can play…
Close up the hole…
So he can’t get away.
In through the front door,
Run around the back,
Peek through the window,
and off jumps Jack.
Help me wind my ball of wool,
Hold it gently, do not pull.
Wind the wool and wind the wool,
Around, around, around.
Introducing finger knitting to children offers them a meaningful, hands-on activity that supports their development in countless ways. Whether used as a creative pastime, a mindfulness practice, or as a way to build foundational skills, finger knitting serves as a valuable tool that enriches childhood experiences while laying the groundwork for future learning and self-expression.
This blog post was written by Mareesha Nesling from Daily Wonder Home Learning in collaboration with the Okanagan Waldorf School in Lumby, BC