Knitting Rhymes and a Surprise Video

Poems used for teaching knitting to children / I was reminded of these on a Spindling List. Further commentary noted that the how to rhymes stem from the days before reading and writing were not that available to the common man, and these were the way for instructions to be taught.

I have always had a keen interest in how people actually lived, and what skills were necessary for their survival. Spinning and knitting ( weaving as well) were a vital part of life for everyone. These abilities were certainly not just hobbies!

For very little kids:

Into the Bunny hole
Run around the tree
Out of the bunny hole
Away runs he.

Knitting Continental

Under the Fence
Catch the Sheep
Back you go
Off you leap

Knitting English

In through the front door
Once around the Back
Out through the Window
And off jumps Jack.

And for the *Tough guys*

Stab 'em
Choke 'em
Drag 'em back
Throw 'em away!

Here are two for purling:

In front of the fence,
Catch the goat,
Back we go,
Jump off the boat!

Under the fence,
Catch the sheep,
Back we come,
Off we leap!

Click here for a Black Sheep Surprise Apparently, this was a recent leak, and will be coming to a TV near you soon!