All of the children know how to knit (including the boys). They mostly knit washcloths that they sell with our soap. It’s great because they can take their knitting with them in the car or to a meeting we need to attend. It gives them something to do with their hands. Knitting also teaches eye-hand coordination and is a great skill to have.
The children used to get paid for their washcloths when the waschloth was sold. But that caused a few too many problems. Jim and I eventually noticed that if a customer wanted to purchase a washcloth, the children would be “shoving” their particular washcloth under the customer’s nose and fighting to try to get the customer to purchase their particular washcloth. LOL
So now, when a Jonas completes a washcloth, I pay them for the washcloth and it sells whenever it sells.
While we were at Madison Chautauqua, one of our neighbors – Steve at Ayers Pottery had pottery (obviously) for sale. He had a piece that I simply could not figure out what it was for. When I asked, he told me it was for knitting.
The piece is brilliant! It holds the yarn so you can easily knit, and the ball of yarn stays put and doesn’t roll away. This saves the children time because the yarn comes out easily and doesn’t get knotted. It also has two holes that your knitting needles can stick out of when you’re not knitting.
I love things that are functional and beautiful! And Indigo absolutely loves the fact that Steve had one in purple (her favorite color!)
If you know anybody who knits, these would make a wonderful present. I don’t think he has these knitting bowls listed on his website, but you can email Steve at info@ayerspottery.com and I’m sure he can help you. Tell him you heard about these from PJ at Goat Milk Stuff. I don’t get anything from him if you purchase one, other than the satisfaction of supporting somebody who works hard and makes a quality product.
Do you know how to knit or crochet? Which do you prefer?
I know how to do both. I prefer crochet only because I have not had the exposure to more complicated knitting. Thanks for the knitting bowl, I may order one for my 96 year old aunt in Florida.
I hope she loves it! They’re really awesome. I can do both as well. I have different preferences depending on what I’m making. 🙂 PJ
Ahh! This is awesome! I like to crochet, but don’t seem to get time to do it much. 🙁
I do it mostly in the car. That seems to be my only “free” time of late. PJ
I know how to crochet but I really want to learn how to knit, I go to this group where they teach kids and teens how to knit and crochet at my library but I’ve never learned.
You can do it, Erin! Start with a washcloth. Straight knit. It’s just one stitch so by the time you’re finished with the washcloth you’re an expert on the knit stitch. LOL It will feel awkward for a while after crocheting, but you’ll get it! PJ
I can minimally do both…I can produce an afghan either knit or crocheted. Crochet is way faster! I love this bowl and am going to check into getting one…I love purple too! Thanks for the info!
Glad to help! They’re great people. 🙂
PJ
I just learned to knit this past September. My first project was a teddy best hat knit in the round. It was for my niece that was born October 3rd. After I finished that hat, I decided I wanted to make her something she could really use and then hand down to future generations, so I chose the bunting pictures below. With the guidance of a local knitting group I found on ravelry, I was able to knit it up in 3 months. I use circular needles because I find it easier with a cable. I just learned the craft of knitting and wish I had learned it as early as Indigo. There is this one woman in our group from Ireland, now in her mid-50s that began to knit at age 3. It looks like she is on “fast forward” when she knits!
Have you made yourself a hat or scarf yet, Indigo? I bet you would be wonderful at it.
Love the photo! Brett is the only one that I have taught how to make hats. Everyone else enjoys getting money for their washcloths too much right now! LOL PJ
My friend’s mom does a bit of one or the other, though I cannot remember which one she does at the moment. She makes these neat, animal-themed scarves for people or to sell in craft shows. It’s pretty cool.
It’s a great skill! 🙂
PJ
I love that you’ve taught ALL the children how to knit, regardless of sex/gender! It’s a wonderful skill. My boyfriend knows how to knit, crochet, weave, and even spin his own yarn out of wool by hand and on a spinning wheel. People always made fun of him for working with “girly” crafts, but now he is a textiles archaeologist! He’s a PhD candidate at one of the top universities in the country for anthropological sciences. Boys who knit aren’t so silly now, eh? They can become archaeologists! 🙂
I also knit and crochet, but I’ll never be as cool as him. 🙂
I love it!! What a great field. And I think boys should know some traditional girls’ skills and girls should know some traditional boys’ skills. Comes in handy in life. 🙂 PJ
I love knitting! I know a little bit of crochet but not enough to make anything other than a flat square or a bowl shape, but I am hoping to learn more. I love yarn bowls and I already have 2, a large one and a smaller one, they are so convenient! I am so happy to see children knitting, it is such a great hobby! If I ever have children I will be teaching them to knit.
Good for you! I enjoy both knitting and crocheting and going back and forth between the two. 🙂
PJ
I learned how to crochet when I was 10 and I love it when I can find the time (my hubby offers me to drive, so that’s not an option. Haha). I’ve made baby afghans for years for friends and been able to recently make one for each of my daughters. I have no idea how to knit, but my sister taught herself and now she’s a pro. Lol
I’m sure you could pick it up pretty quickly, but there’s crocheting is a lot faster when it comes to afghans. 🙂 PJ