Here are some pictures from our handwork class last week. Every student finished carding and spinning their own wool yarn using a self-made drop spindle. The yarn was then bundled up into skeins in order to be washed (and later dyed).
Handwork at the end of October... from Rochelle Mink
Since the beginning of the school year, the students have been busily embroidering a felted wool ball with beautiful rainbow colors. These embroidered balls represent our earth and the myriad colors found here. Each ball is embroidered in stem stitch with shades of rainbow colors; each ball is beautifully unique. Several of the students have completed their rainbow balls and have proudly shared them with the class. As the embroidery on the balls nears completion, so does the anticipation for adding that last color and the hanging thread, making it difficult to refrain from rushing and making sloppy stitches. During each Handwork class, the students observe and appreciate the beauty of their work. The students’ hands have become more capable and skilled, as has their ability to observe and understand the pattern of their work.
With each handwork project, there is an element of usefulness and of beauty. The students are learning to work with color, light and dark, to indicate the use of the object they are making. With each project, there is a new skill learned, and often an increase in the required attention needed to complete correct work.
The Third Grade students are an enthusiastic, capable group. They share encouragement and compliment for their classmates’ efforts. They eagerly anticipate each new project, enjoy the work of making it, and joyously appreciate their completed work.
Project #3: Crocheted Washcloth
Our lovely and hard working model Mia is showing off yet another finished handwork project this year: A Crocheted Washcloth. Mia swears she is not going to actually use it (because she likes it so much), but she could, and that's all that matters!
Project #1: Hand felted and stitched Beautiful Ball. (Artists added as they finish)...
Project Number 2: Crocheted Water Bottle Holders
Our second project is either a crocheted cotton washcloth or a crocheted cotton net water bottle holder. The students who completed the washcloth in second grade have begun working on their water bottle holder. In the making of the washcloth, attention is given to correctly forming the crochet stitches and to making a perfect square (more difficult than it sounds). In the making of the water bottle holder, the students are using the stitches they already know, putting them together differently to create a net. They are also working in a circle and must keep track of the correct direction of their work. If your child is making a water bottle holder, you might ask him/her how many times work needed to be taken out because it had been begun in the wrong direction!