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Fiber and Textile Arts
What is it all about?
Youth will explore different fiber art techniques, including weaving, knitting, crocheting, felting, and embroidery. This project will help them develop fine motor skills, creativity, and an appreciation for the diversity of fiber arts.
Macramé | Rug Hooking | Tie Dyeing | Wearable Art | Creative/Cross Stitchery | Needlepoint | String/Wire Art | Handmade Dolls | Knitting | Crocheting | Ropecraft | Wool Spinning | Weaving
Grow in Your Project
Beginner
- Create a simple cardboard loom by cutting notches along the top and bottom edges.
- Learn basic weaving techniques (over-under pattern) and create a small woven piece, such as a coaster or bookmark.
- Learn to cast on stitches to start their knitting project.
- Practice the knit stitch to create a simple knitted square.
- Learn crochet terms and abbreviation and how to read a crochet pattern
- Learn to chain stitch and crochet a foundation chain
Intermediate
- Explore more complex weaving patterns (twill, basket weave).
- Create a larger woven piece, such as a wall hanging, using these advanced patterns.
- Learn the purl stitch and how to combine it with the knit stitch.
- Create patterns using knit and purl stitches (ribbing, seed stitch).
- Knit a scarf or headband incorporating these patterns.
- Learn how to increase and decrease the stitches in a crocheted row
- Learn how to fasten off a crochet project
Advanced
- Learn needle felting techniques.
- Create a felted object, such as a flower or animal, by shaping and bonding wool fibers with the felting needle.
- Learn advanced embroidery stitches (satin stitch, French knot).
- Create a detailed embroidered design on the fabric square, incorporating these advanced stitches.
- Learn crochet stitch variations like groups, shells, and clusters
- Learn how to join seams
Member Resources
Exploring Fiber Arts
1 level (grades 3-12)
Not Just Knots
1 level (grades 3-12)
Free Downloads
- The 4-H Knitting Handbook (1 level, grades 3-12)
- The 4-H Crocheting Handbook (1 level, grades 3-12)
- Yarn: The Essential Element of Knitting (1 activity, grades 5-8)
- Plarn Mats Service Learning Project (1 activity, all grades)
- Knitting Project Sheet
- Crocheting Project Sheet
- Ropecraft Project Sheet
