Finger Knitting and Sewing Like Elves!

Finger Knitting and Sewing Like Elves!

One of the components of my “Elves and the Shoemaker” unit is teaching the children to finger knit and sew.   Finger knitting is always a favorite.  The boys love it as much as the girls.   Click here for a video on how to finger knit. Because a long piece...
Weaving Like Elves

Weaving Like Elves

As a part of my Little Elves and the Shoemaker unit, I always introduce several hand working projects.  One of my favorite things to do is weaving.  It is simple and the children love the process.  I found this grapevine “ribbon” at Michael's for $5 and...
Wrapped Newspaper Tubes

Wrapped Newspaper Tubes

This is a great activity for building handwork capacity.  It requires holding the newspaper tube and wrapping it.  The children love the challenge and the end result.  We made hearts but you could make any shape.   I am such a firm believer in the arts as a powerful...
How to Teach Simple Finger Knitting

How to Teach Simple Finger Knitting

This is such a great skill to teach children.  It teaches rhythm, eye/hand coordination, and a deeply refined level of fine motor skill.  One of my students this year has not been overly excited about any project.  After learning how to do simple finger knitting...
Hand “work”

Hand “work”

When a child exercises muscles in the hand,  she/he is actually forming the brain. Handwork, in the traditional sense, are activities such as sewing, darning, mending, embroidery, weaving and knitting.   One of my Waldorf mentors told me that handwork is deeply...