Directions for Advanced Finger Knitting with Two Yarns

Learn to finger knit with two or more colors. Double finger knitting is a variation of simple finger knitting that creates a wider, fuller finished product. It is still quite easy to learn making it a great craft for kids. It requires no tools except for your hands or possibly a pair of scissors, and the only supplies needed are two balls of yarn. This fun craft allows you to quickly make a beautiful belt, scarf, handbag strap or headband for yourself or as a gift. Here's how to get started:

• Supplies Needed: Two, three or four balls of fluffy yarn, your hands.
• Step 1: Cast On Start with two balls of yarn. For texture and variation, use two different types of yarn. To get an idea what they will look like when knitted together, hold both yarns together and wrap around your hand a few times. (Note: You can also follow these same instructions using three or four yarns as well.) Line up the end of both yarns and holding loosely together make a slipknot and secure on thumb. With palm facing front, begin looping yarns from the back of the hand behind index finger around to palm side and back then move on to middle finger, ring and pinkie fingers.
• Step 2: Loop on Second Row Once you reach the pinkie, wrap yarns around it twice and continue back across the fingers again until you have two sets of loops on each of the four fingers. Secure end of yarns on thumb with a simple half hitch loop.
• Step 3: Begin Knitting To begin finger knitting, lift bottom set of loops on pinkie finger up and over top set if loops and pull to back side of finger. Continue with the other three fingers until there is a single set of loops on each. Note: On index finger, be sure to work with the set of loops closest to the thumb.
• Step 4: Add Another Row Add another row of yarn, looping around each finger from the back around to the front until each finger again has two loops. At this point, the last loop is on the pinkie with the ball of yarn coming away from it. Knit as before, starting with the index finger and pulling bottom loops over top loops. Continue adding a row of the yarn set and knitting back and forth across the fingers until the desired length is achieved. Once you've knitted a few rows, it is safe to drop the starter loop of yarn being held on the thumb as knitting won't unravel from that end.
• Step 5: Cast Off When finished knitting, cut or break yarn ends leaving about a 10" long tail. Take the ends of the yarn and push them through the loops nearest the end, then loop lift loops off finger. Repeat for each of the other loop sets. Gently adjust tension and length, and avoid pulling too tightly unless you would like the knitting to come to a point (when planning to add puff ball). Tie a final knot at the last loops. On starting end, tie off beginning length of yarn that had been held in place on thumb. At each end, take the long end of yarn and work it back up through the knitting to hide, trimming off if necessary.
• Step 6: How to Take a Break If you need to take a break, you can easily remove the knitting from the fingers by pushing a pencil, paintbrush or chopstick through the loops and then lifting them off. Just set knitting aside. When ready to begin knitting again, simply slip your fingers back through each of the loops and remove pencil. See photos.
• Step 7: Finishing Touches To create a puffed ball end, cut 10 or 12 lengths of yarn (or more, depending on yarn bulk) about 6" long. Tightly tie together in the center, and then tie onto end of scarf.

Tip: Using Your Thumb Finger knitting can be done with or without the thumb, but using just index, middle, ring and pinkie fingers will create a narrower finished piece.

Tip: Controlling the Tension If you keep your fingers close together, you will achieve a tighter knit. If you keep your fingers spread widely, it will recreate a more open knit. The thumb can be included in the pattern if you would like a wider finished product.

Tip: Making a Wider Scarf To make a wider scarf, finger knit two or three sections of equal lengths, and then use a crochet hook or children's large plastic embroidery needle to stitch together. If you alternate the colors you can create a striking striped pattern.

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Finger knitting is a great way to improve hand-eye coordination. It feels wonderful to the touch while working on it and you can quickly create a useful gift.