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Crafting with Children

On this page: felting kits, knitting kits, braiding kits, toymaking with children

Teaching your children (or yourself!) the hand-eye coordination skills involved in crafts has so many benefits. Besides the satisfaction of actually creating something new, it increases our interaction and understanding of the world on a number of levels (see article on curriculum). It has been shown to increase intelligence in seemingly unrelated areas. Recent brain research has shown that knitting and crocheting actually produce much of the same beneficial stress reductions physiologically in the body as meditation or yoga practice. Wow!

It doesn't have to be hard to start. On this page, we've compiled in one spot what we offer for kids and beginners. Pick a simple knitting or corking kit (Corking is the British word for spool knitting). Many of our books offer wonderful projects to do with your children. "Toymaking with Children", is especially good and are below, as well as on our 'Books' page to the left. We have some new titles in on felting with kids.

I'd recommmend starting with any of the felting kits, or the knitting spool and "Corking" book. By second grade age, your child is probably ready to knit and do simple sewing projects. Our knitting book and yarn kit is a good start - offering explicit knitting directions, project ideas, and a starter pack of yarns.


Books for kids and handwork


NEW! Creative Wool: Making Woollen Crafts with Children

by Karin Neuschutz

If you are interested in teaching your children handwork, this is the book! This lively full-colour illustrated craft book shows how to make a range of handicrafts from fleece and yarn, including toys, friendship bracelets and braids, balls, pompoms, dolls, dolls' clothes and animals. With clear diagrams and step-by-step instructions, the book starts by introducing children to basic methods of spinning yarn, crocheting, knitting and felting. There is a broad range of projects for children of all ages to complete, working together with adults.

#728 - Creative Wool - $19.95

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TOYMAKING WITH CHILDREN

-by Freya Jaffke. A wonderful book addressing the meaning and progression of play through childhood development as well as instructions for many toys and playthings. Projects cover a wide range of toys from play stands, play clothes, woodcarving, making a variety of dolls, dollhouses and doll accessories, knitted animals, working with roving and nature items. 159 pages, softbound.

#706 - $24.95

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Wool felt bead bracelet kit

These felted wool bead bracelets are fast, fun, and simple to make. Special premium elastic cord eliminates the need for clasps.
Small glass beads are used a spacers in between the wool felt beads.

  • The bracelet kit includes twelve 1 cm wool felt beads, instructions, a half yard of elastic for stringing, and small glass beads of your color choice to complete one bracelet.

  • Choose color bracelet.

  • Beading needle included.

  • Each kit completes one bracelet.

#818 - felt bead bracelet kit - $4.99


Green colors bracelet kit

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Pastel colors bracelet kit

How many with pastel beads:

Warm colors bracelet kit

How many with warm beads:

Neutral colors bracelet kit

How many with neutral beads:

Blue colors bracelet kit

How many with blue beads:


Select the colors you want, then press here to add to cart:


Easy felting kits


RAINBOW JEWELRY KIT:


Colorful roving, yarn, soap and a tapestry needles (all included in kit) are all that's needed to make this lovely necklace and bracelet. For ages 7 and older. By Feltcraft.

#965 - Rainbow jewelry kit - $13.99

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LITTLE FELT PEOPLE KIT: a WET felting kit

This award winniing kit uses a simple technique to create little people from all over the world.. Three skin colors and five hair colors are included in the kit along with colorful wool for clothing. The kit makes 12-15 people. You will need water, scissors and one of the following: sewing needle and thread, low temperature glue gun, or craft glue. Winner of 1999 Parents' Choice Gold Award. By Feltcraft. Ages 8 and up with adult .supervision.

#973 - little people felt kit - $14.99

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NEEDLE FELTED sports car:


A fun, can't miss 6" car to please all the car lovers in the household. Another kit from Europe with a styrofoam base in the shape of the finished object. Place the wool over the form and felt the colors in to the base. Styrofoam form, all wools and embellishments, and felting needle included.

#946- Needle felted sports car - $18.95


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WET FELTED HEART FLOWERS KIT:

(Click on picture for larger image)
Wet-felting heart shapes out of wool roving, parents and children can easily create a beautiful bouquet. Kit includes step by step photo instructions and materials to make three flowers.
Flowers are intended for use as a decoration only, not as a toy. Keep away from pets.

This project was first published by Living Crafts Magazine, Fall 2008 issue, www.LivingCrafts.com.

#960 - felted heart flowers kit - $14.99


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WET FELTED PUMPKIN KIT KIT:

(Click on picture for larger image)
Created by wet felting, this quick and easy project combines the delights of water play and bouncing balls.Kit includes step by step photo instructions and materials to make 2 pumpkins. Acorns are not included.You will need a 3" bouncy ball, needle, and thread.For ages 6 to adult.
Pumpkin is intended for use as a decoration, not a toy. Keep away from pets.

This project was first published by Living Crafts Magazine, Fall 2008 issue, www.LivingCrafts.com.

#961 - felted pumpkin kit - $13.99

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Braiding


kumihimo BRAIDING

Notched high density foam board for making kumihimo braids. Includes instructions for various braids. For ages 7 and older.

#110 - Braiding Disk - $3.95

Option: add a color palette to play with. 36 ten yard skeins of perle cotton, perfect for braiding card projects - $5.50.

Also available with pack of 25 plastic bobbins to keep your threads from tangling - add $1.50.

Optionally you can add a printed copy of our free online disk instructions. Well illustrated and step by step guide to various braids.
(Click here for kumihimo book information).


Add 36 skein perle cotton assortment?

no thanks   Yes - 36 skein pearl cotton assortment: add $5.50

Add 25 floss bobbins?

no thanks   Yes - 25 floss bobbins: add $1.50

Add Braiding disk instructions?

no thanks   Yes - Braiding disk instructions: add $2.25

Quantity:


Knitting and spool knitting


The first two kits include "how to knit" instructions, knitting needles, and all materials to complete garter stitch projects for beginners. The spool knitting kit introduces the principles of knitting in a traditional way.

RAINBOW BALL KIT:

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The Waldorf version of the nerfball. Kit makes six small balls and one larger multicolor ball. For ages 7 and older.

#995 - Rainbow Ball Kit -$15.95

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POUCH PALS KIT:

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Makes two simple dolls and a carrying pouch. For ages 7 and older.

#998 - Pouch Pals Kit - $16.95

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KNITTING SPOOL & YARN:

Make bracelets, pins and other fabulous hair and fashion accessories with yarn. Kit includes yarn in 5 colors, a wooden French knitting tool, wooden buttons, and pony beads. Knits a long 'tail'. For ages 5 and older.

#996 - Knitting spool and yarns - $12.95

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CORKING:

from Kids Can Easy Crafts
Corking is the English word for spool knitting. An idea book for the knitting spool with simple finger puppets, hair scrunchies, and much more. 32 pages, softbound.

#707 - $7.95

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KNITTING:

from Kids Can Easy Crafts
Complete knitting instructions with large illustrations. Explicit directions to make, hats, scarves, mittens, a book bag, headband, socks, and blanket. 40 pages, softbound.

#712 - $7.95

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KNITTING BOOK & YARN KIT:

Everything you need to begin knitting: the above knitting book, along with a set of knitting needles and six colors of brightly colored worsted wool yarns to knit projects from the book. For ages 7 and older.

#997 - $18.95

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