At the Waldorf Schools, where they (most sensibly) include knitting in the curriculum, they use this rhyme for the knit stitch.
Knit (yarn in back)
In through the front door,
Run around back,
Pop out the window,
Off jumps Jack.
I found this so useful and fun while teaching a lady how to turn yarn into fabric that I came up with a verse for the purl stitch as well.
Purl (yarn in front)
Out through the front door,
Scarf around neck,
Duck back in the house
The oven to check – and – turn it off!