Sunday, November 18, 2012

Yarn Along

Joining Ginny from small things blog for a yarn along!

Sometimes I just can't resist casting on something new in the middle of another project: in this case I was swept into the Woolly Wormhead Mystery Hat Knit Along on Ravelry. I have completed the brim, but very slow starting the cabled body of the hat.  The yarn, Madelinetosh Sport in "well water" colour is a dream, you would swear there was silk in it, and it is so "sproingy".
*I also have another cable project on the needles, the Lyttleton shrug by Kate Davies in Quince and Co. Tern (wool/silk).
*And!! I am making another Steiner/Waldorf doll with a knitted body. The wool is 16ply naturally dyed by Elizabeth Newbirch of Morning Star crafts.
*And, what we are reading! You may think it's a bit early for Christmas stories, but I have to learn a one for a storytelling night in early December, and of course, I immediately thought of this book, The Year of the Perfect Christmas Tree by Gloria Houston. This story is an absolute gem. It is the story set in the Appalachian mountains during wartime, when the folk still got around in horse drawn sleds. Papa goes off to war, and Mama and Ruthie have to come up with the Christmas tree for the Church. I won't say anymore...It contains such heart, so much warmth and hope and human strength. When I stumbled upon it one year at the library, I just had to get a copy for myself right away, and I always get a lump in my throat at the end...every time! (ahem...The children love it too!)

Saturday, November 17, 2012

A Crafty Education.

We visited an Australian Steiner/Waldorf School Fair this morning and I busied myself gasping with amazement and snapping photos of all the incredible craft work!
It must feel like such an achievement for the children, to look upon their craft work over the years. They must feel so capable, so self sufficient , to be able to make such useful and beautiful things!


First was the Pre-school/ Kindergarten work! Plant dyed wool (except for the blue which was food dye) pom poms, oodles of finger knitting, stitching on loose hessian and Knitting Nancies.


Class 1 : more pom poms, first attempts at knitting, stitched recorder bags, knitted lambs(from squares).




 Class 2: Knitted animals, "starburst sticth" pillows, needles holder case, simple weavings.





 Class 3: cross stitch (see my post), bags with stitching and weaving, knitted beanies and toys...




 Class 4: the magnificent fair isle knitting! Bags, toys..., picture tapestries based on Norse mythology...


Class 5: the introduction of crochet, ponchos, hats, bags, toys and picture weavings





 Class 6: Dolls!!!!