Children are often keen to learn how to knit or crochet, especially if they see you doing it, but they may find it difficult to manipulate the tools. Finger knitting is a great way to introduce them to these crafts. With a bit of patience and concentration, it is an easy skill to master, and the resulting chains have a variety of uses, from friendship bracelets to bookmarks and hair ties. Use any type of yarn you can get your hands on. Different colours and textures all add interest to the finished product.

What you need:

• Wool, string or yarn of your choice
• Scissors

Activity:

Form a slipknot in your yarn and place it over the index finger of the hand you don’t write with – if you are right-handed, place the slipknot on your left index finger.

Pull firmly. You will now have two strands of yarn, the short end and the long one that is attached to your ball of wool or string. Allow both strands to hang below your finger.

Using your other hand, bring the long end of yarn behind and over your index finger, so now you have two strands of yarn over your finger.

Lift the first strand of yarn up and over the second strand and off the finger.

Grasp the two ends of yarn beneath your finger and tug on them gently to close the chain you have created and draw it up towards your finger.

Repeat until your chain is the desired length. Cut the yarn and secure tightly with a knot.

Notes

• Once you and your child have mastered finger knitting, try some of the novelty yarns that are available. This will result in an unusual textured chain.
• For a multi-coloured chain, hold two different coloured yarns together and work with them as though they are one.
• Try adding beads to the start and end of your chain, or even thread them along the piece as you go.
• This craft was created by Greer Worsley. Greer blogs at Typically Red.