Whether you have a teenager that wants a knitted item of some kind, or your teen wants to learn to knit for themselves, knitting is definitely back in fashion.
If you or any of your family knit, then it is likely that your teen will have seen the process in action. Turning a ball or skein of yarn into a garment or useful item can seem like a complicated and magical secret. Some teens may think it is beyond their skill or concentration level. The answer to this is to start small.
Encourage your teenager to think about the kind of knitted item they would like that can be made of squares. A beanie hat or a scarf is ideal, or for their bedroom perhaps a cushion cover.
Next help them select the yarn. You will need to explain that the elasticity of the yarn will have an effect on the finished item, as well as how it can be washed.
A visit to a yarn shop or hobby store is a good idea. Not only do you get to spend some quality time with your teen, but you can also advise them on the different yarns while being able to handle them. This will also give your teenager a good range of colours to choose from once they have decided what kind of yarn to use. Spending money on your teen in this way should be seen as an investment for their future.
Once you have assembled the yarn and needles, and gone through the technicalities of the pattern if your teenager is going to be following one, suggest they they work on their knitting project at a quiet time when they are not tired or likely to be disturbed. They may point out that you knit while watching TV, but you will have to convince them that this only comes with years of experience!
You may want to make use of YouTube to help your teen get started with the basics of knitting. There are some very clear tutorial videos that show both left-handed and right-handed knitting techniques. This is often a better way for teens to absorb the information, rather than having you stand over them.
When your teenager is knitting, resist the temptation to interrupt them. If they come to you for help, you may need to stop yourself from being over critical of their efforts. It doesn't matter if they drop a stitch here and there, or if their tension is irregular. This is their work, and knitting is best developed through trial and error on the part of the knitter, not by an observer.
Once the item is finished, a better approach is to ask your teen about how they think it has turned out. Create the means for discussing future improvements, rather than being critical of their first effort. If you can inspire a passion for knitting in your teen, you may help them develop a skill that can turn into a means of income when they are older.
If your teen has no desire to learn to knit for themselves, but is interested in designing clothes or having unique items to wear, then you will have the opportunity to work with them as a team. As long as your teen understands the properties of the different possible yarns and how they will behave when knitted into fabric, they should be able to give you a design brief that you can knit up.
There are many patterns for knitted clothing that do not resemble war time rationing wardrobes. Be bold with your colours and textures. Trust your teen to know what they like and what they are prepared to wear, and concentrate on developing your own skills to create the clothing they design.
This can be a real bonding exercise, and can help you get to know your teen in different ways. You will gain an understanding of their tastes, likes and dislikes, something that many parents feel their teens keep locked away from them or are simply unfathomable.
No matter what your teens interest in knitting is, it is a great way to spend some time with your teenager and help them become a well-rounded individual.