by Amanda Johnson

Created on: November 27, 2008

The number of knitting teens today would surprise most people. Close your eyes and imagine a typical knitter. Most people see their grandmother churning out sweaters for them in horrible colors that they get every year for Christmas. Knitting has revived and is no longer just for grannies. On www.ravelry.com (a knitting and crochet website), you can find plenty of teens admist all of the grandmothers who knit and crochet. Fiber arts is returning through the younger generations. On Ravelry's most prominent teen group, Teens Knit and Crochet, there are 578 members and counting. With the creation of patterns that now have things like skulls makes knitting seem modern to teens.

I can say all of this from experience. I'm 15 years old and I'm a high school yarn enthusiast. I am addicted to knitting, which is better than being addicted to other things as my mother often tells me. I spend at least an hour or two everyday knitting. It keeps me off the streets and it is way cheaper than therapy. The thing that appeals to me most about knitting is the fact that I can turn all of my spare time into something productive. There are plenty of teens out there who are bored out of their minds. I've had several of my friends express an interest in knitting because we all have so much free time. Having knitting to fill it allows us to spend our time making something while doing something that we enjoy. There is nothing better than seeing a scarf starting to peek out of the work you are currently making.

Not to mention, in the age of instant gratification throughout the world you can find that in your knitting. Simple things can be completed in a couple of hours and you'll have an amazing new fashion accessory. Or you can spend hours working on something and once it starts to pop out of your stitching you have that warm feeling come over you. You know that you've accomplished something.

People are also starting to find a sense of community in their knitting. Groups are popping up all over the United States as well as other countries where people get together and "Stitch and Bitch". Not to mention, online you can join a number of groups all over the web to discuss your work and receive help.

So, do you have a teen that you would like to spread your love of fiber arts to? Or are you a teen who wants to learn to knit yourself? If so, I would suggest jumping right in. Sites like www.knittinghelp.com have tons of videos that anyone can watch and learn a few simple things. If not, there are classes at local arts and crafts stores as well as your local yarn store.

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