Weaving is a traditional craft art that can also be adapted for children. It may sound difficult, but it's relatively harmless and works well as a finger dexterity exercise. Weaving with children promotes fine motor skills and a natural willingness to learn. There are also really beautiful accessories such as small carpets and rags that can be used as decoration or in the dollhouse.
Get to know traditional weaving art
When weaving aspecial wooden frameand at least two threads. The warp and the end are crossed at right angles - the warp threads form the support and the end threads are pulled in one after the other from one side to the other, through the entire width of the weave. The result is a piece of woven fabric.
Learn to weaveWooden loom
A very simple wooden loom is used for weaving with children. This consists of a wooden framework and two metal rods. We recommend using warp yarn for weaving. Wool also works, but due to its rough surface, it is a little more complicated to handle.
Instructionsfor children
The metal rods that come with the set are inserted into the first gaps and tightened with the small screws. Then the loom is covered. First knot the beginning of the yarn in one corner and then pull it through all the gaps. Bring the thread through the first gap and then to the opposite one. The whole thing is repeated over and over again as long as the loom is completely covered.
When covering the loom, you should make sure that the thread is stretched tightly enough. At the end it is knotted and cut with scissors. Then you can proceed to the actual weaving. To do this you need yarn of any color, a thick needle or darning needle, shuttle and a comb. The yarn intended for weaving is first rolled on the shuttle and its end is attached to one of the many corners of the frame. From there the weaving process will also start.
Textilesurface structuremake yourself
You start weaving with the metal rod and weave it in. You skip over the next yarn thread and pass the shuttle over it. Then you push the shuttle under the next thread of yarn and skip the next one again. You repeat the up-down transition until you reach the other side. You start doing the same thing in the other direction.
HimselfHang up crafted fabrics
After each row, the woven yarn is pushed down using the comb and briefly pulled to the side to tension the thread. If you wantexercise some creativity, several colors can be incorporated. For this you need several boats. To create even stripes, you have to keep the same distance between them.
Crafts with yarn for children
Finally, the weaving piece is tensioned. First loosen the metal rods and slowly and carefully remove the workpiece from the loom. It's better to start on one long side and then take care of the other. All open ends must now be knotted so that the fabric can no longer unravel.
*DIY project byMolly Moo Crafts
Weaving with children on homemade cardboard looms
The procedure is similar if there is no wooden loom available. Then you make one out of cardboard. It is advisable to use thin yarn and a darning needle. This way of working is very suitable for relatively small woven pieces. For larger products you definitely need a sturdy wooden frame that is specifically suitable for weaving.
Materialsand aids
Required:
- Scissors and cutter
- sturdy cardboard
- tape
- Stop disadvantage
- thin yarn
- Yarn for weaving
Instructionsfor children
Cut a piece of cardboard to the desired size of the woven piece. Make small slits with the cutter on both long sides of the cardboard. You have to measure the distance between them precisely. Then take the thin yarn and pull it through all the slits alternately. This creates the warp threads. You should leave a little space underneath so that weaving is easier.
After the last slit, cut the warp thread and knot it on the lower side of the cardboard and secure it with a piece of adhesive tape. Now you can weave. Take a long piece of grain and thread it into the needle. Then just pull the warp threads up and down, up and rounder. In between you have to push the tissue down with your fingers so that a dense, even structure is created.
When you have finished weaving and the piece is already finished, turn the frame over and cut the threads in the middle on the lower side. Take the threads lying next to each other out of the slits and knot them together in pairs. Shorten the remaining thread ends. Finally, the starting and ending threads are sewn on the back.
The woven piece can be attached to a branch and hung up as a small wall decoration. Or perhaps it simply serves as a small blanket or colorful rug for a doll or small cuddly toy.
*DIY project byMade by Joel
Great idea for weaving with children – instructions
The size and the loom can of course vary. However, the number of slits should always be even so that two warp threads can ultimately be knotted together. In addition, the conventional yarn can be replaced with fabric cord you produce yourself. You can easily make these yourself from leftover fabric and old T-shirts.
Sois it okay
For thick wool yarn or fabric cord, you can replace the darning needle with a chopstick. You just have to drill through it on one side to create a long needle with a thick eye. For large woven pieces, one of these is really comfortable to work with.
To make the woven piece really lush, you can incorporate small beads or sequins while weaving. The procedure works wonderfully not only with yarn or wool, but also with all leftover fabric, even plastic bags and strips of paper from old duplicate copies.
A paper plate is also suitable as an alternative loom for circular weaving, or you can cut cardboard into circles.
Children train their fine motor skills in the first years of life through play. They are an important prerequisite for many learning processes that occur later. Safe handling and hand dexterity are supported when stretching, braiding and weaving.
Small exercises and mini-courses promote children's natural willingness to learn. However, these should be individually adapted to the age and performance level of the respective child.
*DIY project byHello, Wonderful
