I’m sharing some of the handwork projects my children and I have done over the years. I’ve learned a lot from handwork teachers over the years a big thank you to Melanie and Elizabeth for all of the projects and skills you have taught me.
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In grade 1, when the children are first learning, how to knit, you can make so many projects from their work, whether it’s a square or a rectangle. Some of the things that we have made are the rainbow ball, a cat, a rabbit, a pumpkin, and a little doll. Also, in grade one, they will make their own knitting needles out of dowels.
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In grade 2 children learn how to purl, and with that new skill, they can make a knitted doll with arms and legs.
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In grade 3 children work with embroidery. This is a great time to wet felt a ball and embroider it while practicing different kinds of stitches. Children may also practice different kinds of Nordic motifs with their embroidery to complement their main lessons.
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In grade 4, children work with cross stitch. Children may cross stitch bags for their pencils or flute/recorder.
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In grade 5 children learn to knit with four knitting needles and knit hats and socks. We also added scarves to that year, but scarves are attainable to make in grade one, however, in grade one it’s recommended that children knit things that they can “love” like knitted animals or dolls. Of course we do a lot of knitted balls in grade one as well and that’s fun to play with. You wouldn’t do a scarf in grade one, as that has no feeling attached to it it’s more utilitarian and that is saved for an older grade.
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In grade 6, children learn different stitching techniques. They create their own patterns and stitch animals like a horse or an elephant. They work on making two dimensional patterns, but thinking in terms of a three-dimensional product.
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In middle school, students work on weighted dolls.