Due to digitalisation and interest in global events we have been spending more and more time in front of a screen in recent years. The Internet offers us a wealth of opportunities and we can learn a new hobby in the twinkling of an eye, whether it is embroidery, dressmaking or crochet - with one click everything is available. Nevertheless it is more than ever important that we and our children make sure that our use of the media is healthy and deliberately take time offline. This is why handicrafts have become increasingly popular, because you do not only feel pride in completing your very own project, you also feel happy and it trains your motor skills.
How do you teach handicrafts to children
The first point you should consider is concentration. A child, who is rested and with a clear head, will learn handicrafts more easily than in the evening after a long day at school. The best way is for you and the child to decide on a small project, which is connected with the child's favourite toy. Make sure that the suggested project will be produced using basic techniques. Quick success is important for children, otherwise they are put off the idea of handicrafts.
Many start with knitting. The difficulty here is that stitches can easily slide off the needle and then have to be picked up again. Therefore, when knitting with children, we recommend that you use a fairly thick yarn or knit the first few rows for the child. On one hand it is quickly back on the needle and on the other there is a rapid sense of achievement and the doll's scarf or the action figure's cape is quickly knitted.
A knitting dolly is also a good idea for younger children. To start a little help may be needed, but very quickly long knitted cords are produced. Possibly you are asking yourself what you can do with all these knitted sausages. You can make vegetables for the toy grocer's shop, decorations for the child's bedroom or even crochet a little bag.
Crochet is basically easier than knitting, since only one needle is used to pick up the stitches. Also, stitches do not slide as quickly from the needle and it is easier to see where you should insert the needle. Start with chain stitch. The chains make marvelous tentacles for paper octopuses or decorations for lamps, for example.
When they begin sewing on a sewing machine children should always be supervised. One advantage of sewing on the sewing machine is the rapid sense of achievement, since the results are quickly visible. If you are looking for inspiration for that first sewing project or other handicraft projects for children, you will find a wealth of inspiration on Kinitti.
Set up a handicraft circle
Handicrafts are twice as much fun together and when there are little disasters, you motivate each other to keep going. You interact with others and escape from your own four walls and the screen. If you are wondering how to organise a handicraft meeting, ask your local authority whether they can make premises available and place a notice on your community or supermarket notice board. Groups on online platforms, such as Facebook can be helpful in finding interested people.
Another possibility is to simply enquire within the family whether anyone wants to meet regularly to do handicrafts. In this way different generations can be brought together and you also may learn one or two new things.
Set up a YouTube channel or share your knowledge on social media
You are looking for an opportunity to share your knowledge, without meeting people? Then set up a handicrafts channel on YouTube or open an Instagram channel for your ideas. If you are a little anxious about the technical challenges, watch a couple of tutorials on YouTube on how to maintain channels of this type. Basically it is not difficult and all you need to get started is your smartphone. At the beginning it takes a little time until people see your contents, but as soon as your videos are listed, interested people will come across them in increasing numbers.