Butterfly Finger Knitting How To
Today we have a great Butterfly Finger Knitting Project. My kids have really embraced finger knitting. It is easy to teach your kids how to finger knit and is a great “first step” to teaching kids pattern based crafts (e.g. sewing, needle knitting and crochet).
Kids can quickly get the hang of finger knitting it is a great craft for kids.
Finger knitting is a great yarn activity for kids of all ages. Though my kids probably got the most out if from around 5yrs old to when they were about 9 year olds… but given the right project, you can enjoy finger knitting way beyond this!
The only problem with finger knitting, and French Knitting for that matter, is that you end up with a lot of LONG “sausages”. They make great toy scarves or headbands.
But your toys only need so many finger knitted scarves, right? There also only so many bracelets you need.
I also find, that though my kids are able to finger knit brilliantly now.. they are not that good at sewing things together into more “complex makes”, so the kids and I have taken it upon us to find and create as many different Finger Knitting Projects as possible. You may also love to see these ecclectic and easy butterfly crafts!
Growing Up Gabel had a go at our butterflies!
We have already created said toy finger knitted scarves.. but we have also made:
- Finger knitted heart ornaments
- Finger knitted mouse cat toys
- Finger knitted flowers
- Finger knitted snakes
But do check out the full list of Finger Knitting Projects!
Anyway. I digress… today we will show you how to make this fabulous Butterfly Finger Knitting Project!
Butterfly Finger Knitting – Supplies
- wool/ skein of yarn in two different colours*
- your fingers
- pipecleaner (OPTIONAL)
*any type of yarn works really. Though I do think the “thicker the better”. If your yarn is very fine, you may wish to put strands together and work with them as if they are one!
Butterfly Finger Knitting – How To:
The video shared really explains finger knitting well. Finger knitting is something that is very visual to learn, so a video is a great way to share this information (though step photos are shared below too). If you know how to finger knit already, do read the written instructions below the video for how to create and assemble your butterfly!
First.. let’s take a look at finger knitting basics and how to make your “stitches” by creating a weave around your fingers.
How to Finger Knit
Open your hand and face the palm towards you. Hold the wool comfortably with your thumb. Wrap the wool behind your index finger and in front of your middle finger. Then behind your wedding finger and around your pinky finger. Then in front of your wedding finger (ring finger), behind your middle finger and around your index finger.
You need to do it again. Wrap the wool in front of your middle finger. Behind your index finger. Then around your pinky. In front of your wedding finger, behind your middle finger and then around your index finger. So you have two loops on each finger.
Now you need to pull the bottom loop up and over the top loop. On all fingers So you’re left with one loop on each finger. Then start again. Keep repeating these steps until you have a long enough piece. Long enough to wrap around your head.
From finger knitting to butterfly knitting
- You will see that you will need to finger knit 18 rows of the “larger wing colour” and finger knit 14 rows of the smaller wing colour.
- Then tie each finger knitted strand into a circle. Leaving the excess wool from your finger knitting uncut.
- Align the two circles. Bringing the knots together to face each other.
- Knot at this point.
- You can now either add a pipe cleaner body, or you can use the left over wool ends to create some antennae!
If you have any clever and unique finger knitting project I would LOVE to hear from you!! We are always looking for fun new things that the kids can make themselves!
See our full list of Finger Knitting Projects for lots more finger knitting ideas!
I also like these Yarn Butterfly Projects –
- Easy Wool Butterflies for kids – by Instructables
- These woven butterflies – by Krokotak and
- Yarn Wrapped Butterflies – by School Time Snippets!
Have fun with your Butterfly Finger knitting!
More great Butterfly Crafts here:
