Good age for children to begin cross stitching?

[Lisa loves Pooh]

When are little kid fingers ready for that? I'm looking at some beginner kits in a homeschooling catalogue but they don't list an age. One of the kits is a bookmark to give an idea of the project size. I think it is counted cross stitch if that helps.

 

[laurie31]

I was 12, but both my DDs were younger than that. I think they were 8 and 10 maybe? I don't remember what made them ask to learn, but one summer they did and we got them little kits from WalMart. It had the thread, the canvas, the needle and the design. They were very simple, and neither of them had any problem learning. Michael's and other craft stores also have the little kits.

 

[SplashMtnCrew]

I love cross-stitch

I've known lots of moms that have started their kids with cross-stitching at kindergarten age. Usually the beginner kits come with a very blunt needle to help minimize the poking of little fingers and large, easy to read charts. If it doesn't come with a blunt needle, I would pick one up at a discount store.

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

Thank you so much! Thanks for the tip on kits at the craft store as well.

 

[MandM3]

I was 6. I made my Mum a VERY orange tablemat for Mother's Day

 

[NAB]

I love to cross stitch too. Only like the counted ones too. Can't beat seeing a picture come along on a blank canvas.

My dd wanted to learn , she was 9 but never did finish. She lost interest fast.The thread kept getting knotted up on her too.

 

[minkydog]

When are little kid fingers ready for that? I'm looking at some beginner kits in a homeschooling catalogue but they don't list an age. One of the kits is a bookmark to give an idea of the project size. I think it is counted cross stitch if that helps.

Hmm, counted cross-stitch might be a little much to start with. It's kind of a trick to get it right. I think I started cross-stitchiing when I was about 9. Someone gave me a kit. It was printed on the material. Unfortunately, it had about 8 colors and was a fairly large picture so I lost interest pretty fast. A small christmas ornament or bookmarker would have been more appropriate.

OTOH, I started sewing when I was 11 and really liked that. When each of my kids turned 10 I started them on my sewing machine. At first all they sewed was strips of cloth--lots of long lines. Then it was pillows. Then it was shorts or pj pants. They haven't chosen to continue sewing, but both of them know how to thread a needle and sew up a seam in an emergency.

 

[Denine]

My 7yo dd wanted to learn. She was doing very well too, but she hasn't finished it. Playing outside has taken priority.

 

[Metsfan520]

I was 6. I made my Mum a VERY orange tablemat for Mother's Day

I bet she loved it!

 

[golfgal]

My MIL had all the granddaughters doing simple counted cross stitch when they were all about 4 1/2. They all made some ornaments for Christmas on some of the bigger fabric, they all did fine.

 

[NHdisneylover]

My DD, who has always had good fine motor skills, made a couple the when she was about 4 1/2. DS, who struggles with fine motor issues, got frustrated working on one now at 10. I think it really depends largely on the motor skills. It doesn't hurt to get a starter set and try--just e ready to put it away until later if it is too much of a struggle.

 

[Freyja]

DD started when she was 7 doing simple projects such as bookmarks. She loves it.

 

[wdwfan16]

I would start a kid of 5 on the kits with yarn and blunt needle and then progress from there.

 

[kimblebee]

I would say 5 or 6 would be a good age to start. Maybe check out stamped kits for the first one. My first project was when I was about 11 and it was a stamped crewel. I love cross stitch. I plan on working on my masterpiece this weekend LOL

 

[JerseyJanice]

I would start with crewel embroidery since it's easier. I guess I was about 7 or 8 when I learned that and progressed to counted cross-stitch by the time I was in my teens.

 

[Piglet4Ever]

I LOVE counted cross stitch. I started when I was about 11 yrs old working on kits. I am now 38 and can't begin to count all the pics I've completed. I think it is a great hobby for kids.

 

[jbcheerchick93]

i started at 10, and i like it a lot. i dont always work on it since im 16, hanging out with my friends is a little bit more of a priority. im not sure if they allow kneedles on planes anymore but i wish that they did (my mom doesnt let us take our kits on the plane) so that i had an activity. it really depends on the motor skills. some kids should be fine at 5 some wont be good until around 10 or 11.

 

[cassiez76]

i started young also, maybe about 7 or 8. i found a flamingo, the little small kit kind and had to have it!

i did it for awhile, i have an awesome one with the state of louisiana that i started as a teen...i didn't finish it, but when i come across it, i do a little more...i think it'll be finished when i'm an old lady.

i have a ton of disney ones...the 5x7 or 8x10 size that i got on clearance at walmart ages ago...haven't done those either.

just recently my 7th grade english teacher saw my mom and told her she still has the bookmark i made her as a xmas present! i was in 7th grade in '89!

even though i do love it!

 

[lovetoscrap]

You don't say how old your kids are but if they are very little then you can start them on Plastic Canvas with yarn and a plastic needle. Make sure the Plastic Canvas has large holes (they come in different sizes). This is actually a great way to teach the basics at any age because it is very easy to see the grid and learn how to make the row of stitches and then go back and make the crosses, how to secure their ends, and the other stitches needed.

This site has some great FREE patterns to get you started and you can do them on Aida cloth or the plastic canvas. http://www.dltk-kids.com/type/crossstitch.htm If you do choose to start with Aida make sure you get one with a low number-- the grid is bigger so easier for young ones.

Also check out the DMC website-- they have lots of tips and patterns. Join their DMC Club-- you get monthly newsletters and free patterns. At one time they had an offer for free beginner kits to use to teach others. I used them to teach the girls in our Homeschooling Craft Club how to cross stitch. Not sure if they still offer that-- it may have just been a special club member offer.

ETA: Google Beginner Cross Stitch and Beginner Cross Stitch Kits for free patterns and more information/ideas

 

[ahutton]

My girls are elementary school age, and I plan to teach them this summer. We are going to start with small, simple projects because I know I lost interest in bigger projects after several weeks of working and not seeing an end in sight.

My first successes were Christmas ornaments, then I did a small framed "picture" that matched our decor.