Help, I need an easy project for beginner knitters...

In message , " snipped-for-privacy@gmail.com" writes

You can make a purse from two garter stitch squares (or a rectangle folded double) and an icord (or twisted rope or even bought ribbon, petersham etc). Use a novelty yarn such as chenille or fun fur to make them more hip. Or if that's too expensive, use a cheaper yarn and then embellish them with beads, sequins, embroidered lazy dasies etc.

I'd say give them a choice of two projects. For the less motivated: a square purse with I-cord or purchased handle. To make it less dull, insist on using wool and felting it afterward. For the ones who really want to learn: get the pattern for the one-skein wonder. Apparently it's very popular, and most people can afford one skein (or two, for larger sizes - apparently one skein fits an average

12-year-old). They'll learn all about knitting with a real project that takes about as much yarn as a scarf.

The third option I'd offer would be a hat, made up as you went along. Cast on and do ribbing to fit your head. When bored or you have six inches, switch to stockinette and keep going until you almost run out of yarn, then bind off/sew it closed and sew the tips together. Pom pom or tassel is optional. (Stocking hats don't have to be tapered.)

=Tamar

This is one of my favorite bags:

It is basically the knit stitch but there are a few other skills, such as picking up stitches (you knit the rectangle bottom in garter first then pick up stitches around it to make the body of the bag which is done in the round), some decreases and the I-cord. Then the felting, of course, so you'd have to make sure they were using a yarn that felted properly.I was going to suggest a hat as well but Tamar beat me to it! LauraJ