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Waldorf toys

First grade handwork ~ Satchkin Patchkin

Waldorf handwork

This week my son brought home his Satchkin Patchkin.

It was a super proud moment for Max and for me. Because for the better part of this year, Max carefully and slowly knitted his Satchkin Patchkin doll.

First grade handwork

Before the children started knitting, they were presented with their own beautiful wooden knitting needles. They then carefully used beeswax to buff them ready for knitting.

And during their two handwork classes each week, as they sat and knitted, their handwork teacher told them the story of Satchkin Patchkin.

Satchkin

In the telling of his story, and in his creation, Satchkin Patchkin took on a life of his own… almost like a Waldorf Pinocchio *grin*

For months I had heard tales of Max’ doll.

Satchkin on the chair

About his little hat, his little pocket (to hold treasures, of course!) and his adventures. How Max had sewn along the edges of his body to create his arms. How he had chosen purple for his pants.

So when he finally came home we all loved him already. Teddy even stole him away as soon as he had the chance!

Waldorf Satchkin Patchkin

I found a copy of Satchkin Patchkin too, just so I could read all about him *grin*

And how wonderful for the grade one children to have the joy and knowledge of creation! And as Judy Forster explained in her article about handwork on The Parenting Passageway, Steiner thought of thinking as a kind of ‘cosmic knitting’

When you take ideas and put them together to form more complicated thoughts, it is similar to the process of knitting where one thread is pulled up again and again to create a fabric.

Satchkin Patchkin

Pretty special huh!

Blessings, Kelly

 

Crafting for the children’s tent

gnome peg doll2

Children enter the Children’s Tent with their parents remaining outside. They can take a little time to look at the small treasures displayed within. And when they are ready, they may choose whichever speaks to them.

royal peg doll

This is a magical tent only for our wee folk. And only for when they are ready to enter alone. Giving them space to explore and choose.

The line to the Children’s Tent at our Waldorf school Spring Fair is always long. The children stand as patiently as they can, holding their dollars ready to enter for the price of three. The tent is covered in veils holding the mystery within.

butterfly peg doll2

And as the children leave with their treasure held carefully in their hands their joy is a beautiful thing.

Each family with children in grade one create special little items for the Children’s Tent. A gift to the school community.

childrens' tent

My offerings are simple and sweet. Little gnomes, fairies and kings or queens. As well as some Rainbow Wind Wands *smile*

Happy crafting, Kelly