If your child has participated in STEAM’s Hand Works elective offered on Wednesdays this spring, you may have seen or heard about a creation that looks something like this:
I was pretty impressed when my eight year old was able to show me how to weave on one of these cardboard looms when I visited STEAM in March. Having been through some craft projects at home requiring a lot of adult assistance, she was able to weave solo on her loom. She worked on it for weeks, and even brought it home to finish it with zero encouragement (nagging) from me.
She is envisioning dolls blankets, mini table cloths, Calico Critter rugs, and more!
What would your child create with a hand-woven creation?
My sources tell me that Mrs. Beth helped the kids create these simple and inexpensive looms using cardboard and string, and showed them the weaving process. From there, they were free to create their own patterns using a variety of different yarn colors and textures.
No worries about pricked fingers! Since kids have an option of using a blunt plastic needle, or their fingers with this weaving project, it is accessible for even the youngest weavers.
Have your kids pre-cut yarn pieces to appropriate lengths, and bring their looms along for a road trip, or entertainment for those days when they have to come along to that appointment where the dentist fixes the front tooth you chipped on a fork (I’m a voracious eater).
I had a chance to weave alongside STEAM kids, and definitely found it to be a relaxing and satisfying activity — definitely something you can enjoy along with your kids.
Interested in doing this at home? It is super easy.
Here is a great video that will get you started in just a few minutes!
STEAM Homeschool Co-Op 