Tuesday, April 28, 2015

Project Complete






Little hands have been finger knitting around here for about two years. Over that time bracelets, necklaces, scarves for gnomes, and so on, have been knit. In the fall Reece and I decided that a larger project was something he could handle, and he got started on finger knitting a skipping rope. The skipping rope requires three strands of single finger knitting about 10 feet long. He began with gusto in the fall, finger knitting as much as he could. When his interest faded a little, we made time in our regular rhythm to finger knit ten minutes here and there throughout the winter. Last week as he completed the final stitches of his third strand, the biggest smile crossed his face. He was so very happy and proud of finishing that last strand. Together we braided the three strands into a skipping rope, and he proudly showed his completed project to his daddy. Of course he promptly wanted to try it out, and we did just that, with mom and dad holding each end, and Reece jumping in the middle.

The very next day, right after lunch, came the request to learn how to two finger knit, and I happily obliged. He picked it up quickly and easily, and spent a good hour patiently moving the yarn between his fingers. Over the weekend, with much excitement, he asked about four finger knitting, and there was no way I was going to say no. I set him up, showed him how to move the yarn between his fingers a few times, and he has been knitting away ever since. I am not quite sure what he is making, but he is so very happy about all this knitting, and that makes me one happy mama.

There is something pretty special about watching your child see a project through from start to finish. Witnessing the joy received from the day to day work required to complete it, and then seeing the big smile at the end, upon final completion. It is pretty darn awesome.

And do you know what else is pretty darn awesome...rope vessels! You see while little hands have been busy knitting, my hands have been busy at the sewing machine. Goodness what fun I am having!

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For those of you who were interested in my coltsfoot honey, here is herbalist extraordinaire Susan Weed talking about coltsfoot. She also shares how to make coltsfoot honey. Enjoy. 

58 comments:

  1. I love the vessels, do you use a special kind of needle and sewingthread and do you use a regular sewing machine? I would like to make some too!

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    1. Thanks Karin-Ida, they are so much fun to make. I use my denim needle, and regular cotton thread on my regular sewing machine. You, my friend, will love making these and have no trouble at all with all your talents :) Have fun!

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  2. I have admiration for you creative family... I need to know how to learn them to knit with fingers...

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    1. Awe, you are too sweet Sandra, thank you. Super easy, there are many videos online, do a little search, will be easy to find.

      Single finger knitting is fun to begin with. Make a loop, and knot it, exactly as if you were going to knit, slide it on your index finger, and pull it snug, but not too tight. Then wrap the free yarn around the index finger, and pull the first loop over the new loop. You have to hold the free yarn between your index finger and middle finger as you pull the first stitch over. And then you just keep going. I hope that isn't too hard to understand :)

      Have fun, I bet Issa would love it!

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    2. Oh thanks a lot Kim, you are so kind! I'll try it with issa tonight or tomorrow!!!!! I'll let you know!

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    3. You are most welcome my dear friend. Have fun!

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  3. Yay for Reece learning how to finger knit and being so patient with it! I have to say, looking at your gorgeous baskets makes me want to run to the store to buy rope and make some baskets myself. The really are fantastic Kim!!

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    1. He loves it Anke, and keeps asking when he gets to knit with needles :)

      Run, as fast as you can...so much fun!

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  4. I need to try this with my little one. She has been begging to knit for months now. I think this will be something she will enjoy!

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  5. Great job, Reece! What great fine motor skills he must have. Thanks for this post, Kim. Sometimes these days I need to reminder to take quiet moments and teach my kiddos new things.

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    1. Thanks Kristen, and you are most welcome. We all need little reminders at times :)

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  6. Oh wow well done Reece!! I think your baskets are absolutely beautiful, I love the ones with the swirly handles!

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  7. Wow- he is a real pro!! We just started finger knitting with my son zain and he really enjoyed it for a couple days:) anyway, way to go you- and Reece! Your such a good mama!

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  8. Wonderful handy work you two!!! Your rope vessels are gorgeous... did you hand paint the biggest one? Enjoy your tuesday xo

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    1. Thanks Erica! Yes, I painted it before I sewed it. Just kinda spread the rope out and randomly added paint.

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  9. Wonderful job to both of you! :-)
    Thank you for the link. I found a field full of them today. We will be going foraging very soon.

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    1. Thank you Yanic. And no problem at all. I love Susan Weed, she is my go to for herbal information. Her books are pretty amazing too!

      That is awesome. We went out this morning to check on the ramps and they are ready! We are so excited. The plan is to head out Friday to collect both ramps and coltsfoot. I love this time of year!

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  10. Great projects! I absolutely love your baskets! The blue and white basket with the swirl on the front is making me swoon! Love it!

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    1. Thank you, I have to admit, that one if my favourite so far :)

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  11. Oh man I remember finger knitting as a child for hours!

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    1. Good times! I don't think I finger knit, but I did have a knitting tower, and remember doing that for hours on end.

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  12. he gets his talents from his parents :) Beautiful finger knitting and love your baskets!

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    1. Awe, Karen, you are too sweet, thank you.

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  13. love!!!! a skipping rope... what a fun project! and it turned out soooo lovely! and those rope vessels... i've been seeing them around and can't wait to try that out myself. yours are absolutely gorgeous! that swirl on the side and the beautiful handles!! oh my! it looks so tricky though... is it tricky??

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    1. Thanks Jenny. He is pretty happy with his skipping rope, and he loves all the colours together.

      You have to try them, you will have so much fun! Not tricky at all, super easy, and so quick. It is like instant finished project, which is always nice. I whipped up the painted one with the handles, and the green one while my hubby was bathing Reece one night.

      Have fun!

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  14. Good for him, I love how colorful it is! Nice job!

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    1. Thanks Carlin. He picked all the yarn himself, and really loves all the colours. He is having fun with it, and slowly getting the hang of skipping :)

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  15. "I will not start rope baskets until the spring planting is done, I will not start rope baskets until the spring planting is done, I will not start rope baskets until the spring planting is done...." ;)

    The finger knitting is very exciting indeed. My mother-in-law (retired Waldorf kg teacher) just taught Mattheus about a month ago. He can do it, but is still a bit young yet. Next year he'll be up for a proper project, I think. Reece must be so satisfied! Love to see that satisfaction on their little faces.

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    1. Awe, come on, you know you want to :) You will love making them Coco, so much fun!

      Yes, in our early days Reece only knit little things, bracelets, necklaces, little scarves for his peg people, etc. Short, quick project that were done in one sitting. He felt very satisfied, and so very proud of himself when he finished the skipping rope. It is incredible to see, totally incredible!

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  16. Those baskets are amazing! I bought rope this weekend while I was picking up supplies for the chicks. Tomorrow is a home day so I will try it out!

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  17. I love Reece's cheery rainbow skipping rope!

    I do love your rope baskets.

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  18. I really love these rope baskets! I should try it too. My husband would love it if I started making things from rope instead of yarn. Probably a little easier on the budget. :) I used to finger knit when I was a child! I loved it. Has Reece ever tried kumihimo? It's a Japanese form of cord-braiding. My kids really like it. Even my six-year-old has mastered it. Hope you're having a good week so far, Kim.

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    1. You definitely should, so much fun! Ha, yes a little easier, although you do go through a lot of rope and thread :)

      No, but you have me curious, I am going to look it up later, it sounds very interesting. Thank you.

      We are having a great week so far, thanks, hope you guys are too. xo

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  19. Finger knitting!!!! It just goes on from there.... soon enough he'll be showing you up on those gorgeous rope baskets :)

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  20. Congratulations Reece, that is a wonderful accomplishment. I will be tucking the jump rope idea away to use with Emerson
    And Kim, your baskets are beautiful!
    PS- I checked, we don't have coltsfoot around here.

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    1. Thanks Tracey, he was pretty proud. And yes, I bet Emerson would love this!

      That is too bad, you will just have to come north one spring to harvest some :)

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  21. Beautiful, mama and Reece!

    I need to try those rope vessels - what a great project!

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    1. Thanks Julie. Yes, you do, they are awesome!

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  22. Love them. Never thought of a skipping rope, good idea. I also like that Reece knits. My mother taught me how to crochet and knit when I was a young lad too...sadly, one of those useful (and fun) skills that boys are not encouraged to learn. Good job.

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    1. Thanks, I was looking for a bigger project for him, and his little friend, and it seemed perfect. It is too bad that boys are not encouraged to do more handwork, one of the reasons we really love the Waldorf lifestyle, it is part of the curriculum.

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  23. How wonderful! What a great idea to make with finger knitting. I am intrigued to see what he might be making next.........your rope baskets are lovely, I love the different shapes you have made.

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    1. Thanks, it was the perfect little project. I am intrigued too, he just keeps knitting, but won't share what he is making :)

      Thank you, I am having so much fun with them.

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  24. Yay for Reece! And those rope bowls are amazing! Absolutely gorgeous and oh-so practical!

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  25. Exciting for Reece!
    Your bowls are wonderful.
    xx

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  26. How fun!! What a fun thing to make yourself! A jumping rope!
    And your baskets are divine!! I keep seeing them all over the web. I'd love to try my hand at one sometime soon as well!

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    1. He did have fun making it, and now has fun skipping with it :)

      Thank you, they are so much fun to make Summer. You will love it!

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  27. Gosh those bowl are beautiful.
    My eldest can knit and crochet a bit but my youngest can’t seem to grasp it yet. Hope Reece will share some pictures of his créations.

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    1. Thanks Emma! How wonderful. Reece is excited to give knitting a try with needles, but we will wait til the fall for that.

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  28. Finger knitting- that is the first start after then they are unstoppable!
    Kim, your baskets are truly lovely- how talented you are.

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    1. I know, he has been knitting (two finger is his favourite right now) quite a bit. He loves it, and is excited to try knitting with needles.

      Thank you Camilla, I am having fun making them.

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  29. Your baskets are looking gorgeous - I've found a couple of possible ropes, one I think might be a little thin and lightweight and the other was a bit too pricey to be able to use much, but I haven't had a proper experiment yet! Reece's skipping rope looks great, so lovely and colourful. Does it have a good enough weight to work well for skipping? I can imagine how much you must love to see his enthusiasm for knitting.

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    1. Thanks Sally, I am having so much fun with them. Looking forward to seeing what you come up with.

      Yes, it does, although I am thinking a little knot in the center, or even a little weight of some sort will help it work even better. I have to admit my heart does a little back flip every time he asks to knit. We have had a few times over the last week sitting together and knitting, and it just makes my heart sing.

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