Weaving Coasters:Camp How-We-Luv-2-Crafta!

Teaching handicrafts to children is an essential key in a Charlotte Mason education.  I love introducing my children crafting that they can develop over time and use in adulthood.  Not that gluing a "foam piece" to a construction paper doesn't have it's practical value, but long term beauty?  I just don't see it.  The potential of passing a handicraft on to the next generation and the generations after, just blesses this mother's heart.  

Camp How-We-Luv-2-Crafta will be my summer wind-down series featuring handicrafts that you can easily create with your kiddos.  Here are some of the handicrafts I will feature: Weaving Coasters, Rag Dolls, Yarn Dolls, Stick Rafts, Making Butter, Spool Knitted Scarves, Macrame, Loom Weaving and Spool Spinning.


Today's Tutorial: Weaving Coasters
Materials needed: Paper Plate, Scissors, Black Yarn (for preparing loom), Various colored yarn of your choice (at least 3 different colors) cut in 2 - 2 1/2 feet strands (the younger the child, the shorter pieces of yarn so they don't get frustrated having them in tangles).

1.  Prepare your paper plate.  Punch hole in the center of paper plate.  Next, cut slits around the edge of the paper plate (every 2 - 2 1/2 inches around the scalloping on plate).  YOU MUST HAVE AN ODD NUMBER of slits.

2.  Now use your black yarn to construct your paper plate loom before beginning weaving.  Thread the black yarn through the center hole in paper plate, securing it with a knot.  Proceed by threading your black yarn up through an "edge slit" and then back through the center hole until all the "edge slits" are threaded with black yarn.  Black is easier for your child to see as they are weaving.  Secure last thread by tying a knot in the back of the plate.

3.  Turn plate around to begin instructing your child in how to weave their coaster.  Choose your beginning colored yarn.

4.  Thread yarn under a black yarn loom piece to begin.  Secure for your child by knotting the colored yarn to the loom yarn.

5.  Demonstrate and assist your child in weaving in an alternating pattern.  It is best when weaving a circle to begin with your fist few rows 2 under and then 2 over.  The remaining rows will simply be a 1 under, 1 over pattern.

6.  Be sure to tighten your weaving yarn during the weaving process.  Teach your child to pull, but not too tightly.  When they pull too tight the coaster while have snags.  When they don't pull tight enough the weaving will come loose easily.  Stop the weaving at lease an 1 - 1 1/2 inches from the end of black loom yarn.

 7.  Peel back the paper plate loom and rip away all paper from the yarn.

8.  Clip the ends of the black looming yarn in half.  Tie ends together and secure with a knot.

Remember: When instructing a child in handicrafts you need to encourage them in their work, while helping them to endure to the end result.  Teach them the importance of patience in achieving excellent.  Most handicrafts will need to be taught in small 20 - 30 minute increments and then resumed at the next instruction time.

Happy Crafting!

The Joyful Socks Mom  

This post is part of the Camp How-We-Love-To-Craft-A: Generational Handicraft series

Where we are at?  We are linking up this week at 3boysandadog for Homeschooling on the Cheap! 

Here are some more homeschool resources we recommend:

• Bright Ideas Press - The curriculum that Moms Love!  Home of Mystery of History.
• SHAPE Academy - SHAPE offers excellence in home education: Christian, classical, affordable, original and fun!
• No falling behind on Homeschool organizing!  Get the Weekly Homeschool Planner today!

Statement of Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links.  The blog owner receives a small portion of sales generated from these links, which helps to support this blog.  The blog writer does not receive compensation for thoughts or opinions expressed on this blog.  Thank you for your kind consideration.