Showing posts with label crocheting. Show all posts
Showing posts with label crocheting. Show all posts

Tuesday, December 9, 2014

Geo-Crochet = Geometry and Crochet



A fun way to learn geometry is through handwork. Crocheting basic shapes leads to discussions and observations about numbers, patterns, fractions, and so much more!



We started with some lovely alpaca yarn that came straight from Upstream Alpacas. They handspun and dyed the yarns from their own alpacas.

Our 5th grader Wilson then wound each skein into a ball.

We played with geoblocks, figuring out which shapes can be used to form other shapes, such as using 6 triangles to make a hexagon.

Wilson then learned how to crochet granny triangles. He had made granny squares before, so he understood the concept of starting with a circle to create another shape.




The rainbow-colored triangles were done!  Now, time to crochet edging and lay out the triangles.








One thing that we learned, is that the triangle points wanted to curve. Wilson made sure to single crochet three times into each corner.

The triangles were sewn up with leftover yarn.

The 6 triangles, when sewn together, curled up a bit, looking like a circle.

Wilson blocked the triangles using water, a foam board, and push pins to encourage the yarn to hold a hexagonal shape.

The end result is a beautiful, rainbow hexagon! We use it in our homeschooling bookcase and place special calendar gnomes on top.




Tuesday, June 28, 2011

Crochet eCourse Trailer

Here's a quick clip from the middle of our first lesson on crocheting!  You are welcome to register for the eCourse any time over the next 5 weeks.  Work at your own pace and enjoy learning the basics of crocheting and Tunisian crocheting! 

Friday, August 27, 2010

Summer Handwork Projects

Summer is the perfect time to do handwork.  We take our time to finish each project.








Ricky's clarinet teacher is about to have his first baby!  Ricky crocheted a warm blanket for the new little boy out of a thick wool yarn.  His teacher loved the blanket.






































Joey found a container of "scrumbles" (aka, crocheted or knitted pieces) and crocheted and sewed them together into an artistic capelet for herself and Mommy to wear.  This style of crocheting is called freeform crochet (see more freeform at http://www.knotjustknitting.com/).





















Wilson has been knitting up squares to make a blanket for the new house our of organic, naturally dyed, cotton yarn from Babetta's Yarn (they will ship...just call!).























Next, we will be felting slippers and knitting socks in anticipation of Fall!  Our Etsy shop has some new naturally dyed and handspun yarns, as well as handwork kits with yarns and needles or a hook. 













And...here is a peek at the progress on Rick's classroom for Grade 6 at Davis Waldorf

Wednesday, March 24, 2010

Teaching Handwork



















Teaching handwork is....

Introducing natural fiber through the senses.










Warming up the fingers, hands and body.








Songs, verses and stories.












Winding yarn into balls.













Knitting and crocheting projects.














Naturally dyeing organic wool yarn for future projects.


















I have the pleasure of teaching Waldorf-inspired, Sacramento-area homeschoolers and their parents handwork each week in our Community Handwork Circle: www.wholisticlearningresources.net.

Here is one of my favorite books: 
A First Book of Knitting for Children


Casting on Verse (J. Tan)
Look up at the sky (hand pulls yarn resting on index finger upward)
Turn towards the sun (index finger turns away from body, yarn twists into loop)
The sun is setting (loop comes down the needle)
Now the day is done (tighten the loop on the needle)