What Is Finger Knitting?

Knitting is a fun, relaxing and productive hobby, but the required needles can sometimes be a hindrance.  You can't always take them everywhere you go, especially if you're flying.  It's also not a good idea to give needles to young kids.  So does that mean that children and frequent flyers can't knit?  No, they can do finger knitting.

Finger knitting uses the same concepts and techniques as regular knitting, but no needles are used.  In fact, nothing but the fingers and yarn are used.  So finger knitting is a great way to pass the time when you don't have your needles handy, and it's great for laying the foundation of knitting skills in kids as well.

Finger knitting does not create a wide product, so it's not particularly good for knitting sweaters or blankets.  But it can be used to create narrow items such as scarves, headbands, bracelets, and straps for handbags.  You can also sew the resulting strips together to create wider pieces if you like.

How Do I Finger Knit?

To get started finger knitting, you'll need to tie some yarn loosely around the index finger.  With the palm facing up, you then loop yarn around the middle finger, starting from the back and coming back around.  Repeat with each finger until you get to the pinky.

At the pinky, wrap the yarn around it again and repeat the process going in the opposite direction.  When you get back to the index finger, lift the bottom loop over the top loop and drop it behind the hand.  Do this with each finger, then start looping each finger again.  Once there are two loops on each finger, lift the bottom loops over the top ones and drop them behind the hand again.  Repeat until your knitting is the desired length.

To finish, each finger will need to have only one loop.  Starting with the pinky finger, lift the loop off and place it on the next finger.  Then lift the bottom loop over the top one, and drop it behind the hand.  Repeat until you get to the index finger, then cut the yarn, leaving a 6-inch tail.  Put it through the loop and pull tight.

It's also possible to finger knit using only one finger.  It's the same concept, except you just keep making loops on one finger and pulling the bottom one over the top.  This creates a narrow piece of knitwork that's great for jewelry.

Finger knitting is a fun and easy craft that can help one learn how to knit with needles.  It's also great for creating narrow pieces to add to a work in progress any time and anywhere.  So don't fret if you don't have your needles handy, just use your fingers!