Needle crafts for young kids ?

[peg2001]

DD7 has been handsewing for about a year. She has made several pillows and stuffed felt animals. Over Thanksgiving, her grandmother showed her how to cross-stitch. She is very excited about this and has made a few very small patterns and is now working on a slightly more ambitious one of Santa Claus.

How age appropriate would be: knitting, needlepoint, weaving, machine sewing? I'm not skilled in these areas but I'd be willing to learn along with her.

Also, our second DD, who will soon be 4, very much wants to join in. I've let her try and she gets VERY frustrated when she can't do it to her satisfaction. I even got those cardboard cards that young kids can "sew" with yarn but she's not humored by these. She wants to sew for real. Any suggestions for her?

Many thanks,
Peggy

 

[Rajah]

For the younger DD, try plastic canvas. It's similar to cross stitch / needlepoint, but everything's bigger and easier for smaller hands to handle. Or there are some kid's cross stitch patterns out there that are very easy, and if she's stitching on AIDA, it might be fun for her. Check Michael's and Hobby Lobby.

For your older DD, IMHO knitting, needlepoint, and weaving would be difficult, but I was doing basic crochet when I was not much older than that (of course, I don't remember how to do any of it now. LOL!!). Also look into latch-hook and embroidery.

 

[MerryPoppins]

Your youngest should be able to learn to weave on a cardboard "loom" if you set it up for her. She might also be able to learn to do quick point (large canvas needlepoint) it would just depend on how quickly she picks up on things. They make large plastic needles that are easier to thread and would be good for her.

If your older daughter can cross stitch she can probably learn to crochet, knit, weave or do needlepoint. Just chose simple patterns. (In fact with crochet or knitting I wouldn't even use a pattern, but just have her practice the same stitch over and over) I'd be a little more concerned about her trying the sewing machine. It's easy to sew your finger and that wouldn't be too great.

I'd start with something easy like scarves to wear around their necks if you go with knitting, crocheting or weaving.

 

[klmklm]

If your youngest wants to sew on "real" cloth, try burlap (using a plastic craft needle).
I also had my kids sewing on cheap rubbery placemats from KMart that had a burlap-like weave.

 

[peg2001]

These are great ideas. Thank you for your suggestions. It is neat to see these interests developing in my children since I never really learned many needlecraft skills myself.

Peggy