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Waldorf Handwork Educators Blog


Learning Fair Isle Knitting - A Living Family Tradition
When we make garments for those we care about, or when we follow the well-trodden path of traditional stitches as we think about our loved ones, they are ‘doubly-clothed’ – both with the warmth of the garment, and with the love we put into every stitch. Invisible but enduring messages of care and love are passed through the ages through the work of our hands. This is what makes it so worthwhile to teach and pass on these traditional and practical skills.

Elizabeth Seward
3 min read


Planting Seeds of Confidence
Confidence is a word whose root meaning comes from ‘con’ meaning ‘with’ and ‘fidere’ meaning ‘faith or trust.’ In other words, confidence means “with faith.” We have the chance to develop faith or trust in one’s self. What an honor; what a task!

Penni Sparks
4 min read


Threads of History: Resist Dyeing from Ancient Civilizations to the Waldorf Fifth Grade Pentathlon
For Waldorf handwork teachers, resist dyeing offers far more than a beautiful finished object—it is a way to bring history, artistry, movement, and meaning together in a developmentally appropriate and deeply memorable way.

Shellie Smith
3 min read


Shut Down? Overwhelm? Or True Learning?
What if the children we label as "struggling" are actually speaking a language we haven't learned yet?

Ann Swain
4 min read


Is There Only One “Right” Way to Knit?
In knitting, as in education, there is rarely only one correct path. Across cultures, centuries, and landscapes, knitters have developed a wide variety of techniques—each shaped by environment, materials, physical needs, and tradition.

Shellie Smith
3 min read


Sunlight, Plants, and Color: Bringing Botany to Life with Turmeric Anthotype Solar Printing
Turmeric anthotype solar printing video tutorials!

Shellie Smith
3 min read


Michaelmas - A Festival for our Time
In our society today we live in a time of polarity & divisiveness. But, the legend of Michael & the dragon is not an “us against them" story

Shellie Smith
3 min read


Michaelmas Stars - Project of the Month
These hand-stitched shooting stars can be made in any grade level and are a wonderful example of spiraling handwork skills throughout grades

Shellie Smith
4 min read


Teaching Them to Fish
We acknowledge our rightful role of constant ‘questing’ through the activity of ‘quest-ioning.’ Ideally all teaching – in any ‘classroom’ – serves the child best when ‘questing for the truth’ begins with a worthy question.

Penni Sparks
4 min read


Deep Roots, Strong Branches: Reflections on a Week of Collaboration Among Subject Teachers
Subject teachers often move between the cracks of school life. We carry rhythm from one room to another, adapt lessons on the fly, and hold dozens—if not hundreds—of students in our care.

Shellie Smith
3 min read


Meeting the Child Through the Doorway of Relationship – Child Development and Its Essential Milestones
Ultimately, all learning is a form of relationship building—it kindles inspiration and encourages students from within.

Chiaki Uchiyama
5 min read


Though This be Madness, There be Method in It!
A colleague of mine recently plonked themselves down in the staff room and, with a big sigh, said: `I do my best, but I’m not sure I’m Steinery enough’.

Alan Swindell
3 min read


Experiencing Form as a Living, Functional Reality - 4th Grade
4th-grade handwork is a dynamic process that nurtures spatial awareness, fine motor skills, and a deeper connection to form.

Shellie Smith
4 min read


WHE’s Place in the Global Textile Community
We are so proud of our international student body, and the wide diversity of our conference attendees. We are also glad to be stepping...

Waldorf Handwork Educators
3 min read


Make Your Mark - 4th Grade Handwork
Waldorf education is both practical and artistic; both functional and authentic. This can be seen in design principles through the grades.

elizabeth
3 min read


Nurturing Peace in Community
By coming together through handwork, we can foster peace, respect, and dignity in our communities. 1 stitch, 1 story, 1 connection at time.

Waldorf Handwork Educators
3 min read


Honoring Our Friend and Colleague, Betty Staley
You will be both greatly missed, and ever-present in our work with colleagues and children.

Shellie & Elizabeth
3 min read


Hope and Healing Through Weaving a Story Cloth
How can weaving a story be a powerful act of compassion, and a catalyst for growth and self-awareness?
Brecia Kralovic-Logan
3 min read


Growing With Little Holiday Hands
Having children wrap their own gifts for their loved ones provides a wealth of developmental benefits while fostering the spirit of giving,

Shellie Smith
2 min read


You Are the Weavers of the Future!
You are the artists. You are the innovators. You are the teachers, and the weavers of the future.

Shellie Smith
3 min read
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