Waldorf craft books

Waldorf-crafts-books1
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For me, crafting was my path to discovering Waldorf… {and a very lovely path it is *wink*}

I was drawn to the whimsy, simplicity and beauty of Waldorf crafts. Made generally by hand, using beautiful natural materials.

So entranced by rainbows, gnomes, sprites and the other trappings of Waldorf, I have re-discovered the joy of handmade toys and clothes. Knitting, woodwork and hand sewing have become my favourites, but I also dabble in needle felting and even dying my own play silks!

And the wonderful thing is, because of the simplicity of the Waldorf approach, the patterns and techniques are easy to learn! And so here are some of my favourite crafting books…

#1 The Gnome Craft Book

Dipping into the pages of The Gnome Craft book is such fun! It includes wonderful patterns and simple instructions for making gnome finger puppets, stick gnomes, cuddly gnomes and gnomes for the nature table.

Many of these gnomes could be made by children too.

#2 Creative Play for Your Toddler

This lovely book introduces toys to make for your children for different stages of play, including imaginative play, interactive play and discovery.

It includes patterns and instructions for many classic Waldorf toys like Waldorf dolls, ribbon wands, knitted rabbits, felt horses, blocks, fishing sets, wooden rafts and parachute people. I often return to this book for ideas for gifts, and enjoy revisiting the description of the different stages of children’s play.
#3 Natural Wooden Toys

I love flicking through the pages of this book and being inspired to craft with wood. It includes helpful explanation about how to cut wood for toys and options for painting them with natural paint.

There are many wonderful patterns for trees, animals, rainbows, castles and dragons! Ohh, I can’t wait to get the scroll saw back out!!

#4 The Nature Corner

For inspiration for your nature table, this is a great book! It includes beautiful photos of nature displays through the seasons and many patterns with helpful instructions.

I’ve used a number of the patterns when making animals to go with the knitted farm that the children received at Christmas. And I’d love to try my hand at making the Mrs Thaw *grin*

#5 Knitted Animals

This book includes some very sweet and simple to knit animal patterns, which was really handy when making my knitted farm.

I also pull it out when making toys for babies… such as gorgeous knitted horses!

#6 Gifts from the Garden

And this inspiring book is not so much a ‘Waldorf’ craft book, but one that complements the ideas of Waldorf to use items from your own backyard to create with.

It was a gift from my mum, and I must admit I adore it and would like to make everything in it! From body scrubs, preserves, bath bombs, milk bath mixtures and edible sugar flowers… love, love, love ~ a book for mama *grin*
I think the further I wander down this path, the more awakened and creative I feel I am becoming…

What Waldorf crafts are you drawn to?
And what are your favourite Waldorf craft books?

Happy crafting,
Kelly

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11 Comments

  • Reply Lenka October 4, 2013 at 12:31 am

    Hello! We recently had our book of Waldorf-style crafts published- Forest Fairy Crafts. We love felt and fairies. It’s also inspired by our years of teaching handwork to young children, so lots of support for children learning to sew :). I love all of the books that you shared, thank you!

  • Reply sunflowerchilde October 4, 2013 at 6:01 am

    I love ALL the Waldorf crafts! I especially love wool and wood crafts. I’m hoping to make some Christmas peg dolls this year. I also do crochet and lots of sewing.

  • Reply sunflowerchilde October 4, 2013 at 6:49 am

    I love ALL the Waldorf crafts! I especially love wool and wood crafts. I’m hoping to make some Christmas peg dolls this year. I also do crochet and lots of sewing.

  • Reply sunflowerchilde October 4, 2013 at 6:49 am

    I love ALL the Waldorf crafts! I especially love wool and wood crafts. I’m hoping to make some Christmas peg dolls this year. I also do crochet and lots of sewing.

  • Reply Jodie Clarke October 4, 2013 at 8:21 am

    These all look lovely Kelly. would love to flick through all of them! I actually brought the knitted animals one a few months ago but am yet to find the time to try one! Thanks for putting together the list to inspire us….you do such lovely crafting work too.

  • Reply Kelly October 4, 2013 at 10:33 am

    Nothing beats the joy of Waldorf crafts. Natural Wooden Toys is a book I haven’t come across before. Shall look at it!

  • Reply Carrie October 4, 2013 at 12:34 pm

    Kelly, when I have time I’ll send you the names of some of the craft books I got at the Waldorf School here. I have them all downstairs right now, but will try to remember to do it tomorrow. There is a whole series that you will probably like and I know I bought at least one of them.

  • Reply Bekka Joy October 4, 2013 at 1:17 pm

    These all look delightful! 🙂 Your wooden handcrafts were one of the first things that inspired me to search more into Waldorf 🙂 <3

  • Reply Carmen Pérez Coscoja October 14, 2013 at 3:14 am

    We are a couple of artisans who have educated our children in the Waldorf School “Escuela Libre Micael” in Madrid, Spain. That’s why we have known this pedagogy and developed a Waldorf toys line in our workshop.
    Now, along with other artisans, have a website with which our products can be delivered to any part of the world. You can see it at the following link:
    http://www.spanishands.com/taller.do?id=1
    For large quantities, please get in touch directly with the workshop. In those cases shipping costs can be studied.

    Kind regards

    Carmen

  • Reply Waldorf (inspired) Moms October 15, 2013 at 8:32 pm

    Hi Kelly,
    Like you I was immediately drawn to Waldorf crafts made with beautiful natural materials. My first (and favorite) Waldorf craft book is “Toymaking with Children” by Freya Jaffke. It was my bible in making a selection of handmade toys for my young children. I also love the “Knitted Animals” book that you featured! Now that my kids are older, they are using that book to make their own little animals. Thank you! Lori

  • Reply Waldorf books for inner work ~ Happy Whimsical Hearts June 20, 2016 at 12:43 pm

    […] For more inspiration, you can see my Waldorf book list here and some of my favourite Waldorf craft books here. […]

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