Knitting, crocheting, spinning, sewing, weaving, and quilting are all old-fashioned skills that are still very much alive in modern times despite the fact that machines can do all of the above much quicker and cheaper. 

So why should we even bother to teach kids these skills? What’s the point?

The simple answer – it’s good for them. Let’s look at some reasons for incorporating some old-fashioned skills into your homestead life.

It Helps Build Important Skills

Early childhood educators, pediatricians, and occupational therapists always talk about the importance of helping children build fine motor skills, eye-hand coordination, encouraging focus and cognitive development.

Fiber arts, in particular knitting, has been extensively studied. They have found that knitting has profound effects on those who engage in it. 

In fact, the many positive effects knitting has on children is the reason that knitting is taught in Waldorf Schools. 

Knitting helps children build math skills, teaches patience and it improves their confidence. Children also learn to set goals, it calms them and many notice an improvement in academics. 

It builds community and can encourage charity. Once a child learns how to do one or another of the old-fashioned skills like knitting or sewing, they want to make gifts for everyone they know. Trust me on this one.

Making Connections

We homeschool our children. But, even if you don’t homeschool, using fiber arts in your home can help a child make important connections.

When we studied pioneer times, there were so many old-fashioned skills to try and incorporate into our studies. We did some hand spinning, weaving, quilting, sewing, and knitting. These are all things that the pioneers would have done.

During our studies of WWII, my daughter found a pattern for a Classic WWII Watchcap and made herself one. This pattern was originally printed and widely distributed in a booklet that was dated 1940. It was said to have been knit over 1,000,000 times during WWII.

When we studied the Civil War, we made a small doll quilt using Civil War reproduction fabrics and talked about the significant role the quilts played during the war. We used Kathleen Tracy’s American Doll Quilts Book to make the Underground Railroad Quilt.

These are just a few examples of making tangible connections between modern times and a specific period in history.

3 Ways to Incorporate Old-Fashioned Skills Into Homesteading Life With Kids

1. Make it an After School Activity

It deserves a space alongside maths, grammar, and music. You can plan to learn together by visiting a local knitting group for lessons. Many fabric and yarn stores offer beginner lessons. You could also sign up for classes in person or online.

As I have mentioned before, I have taken several classes on Craftsy.com. I like that you can take notes in the classroom and that you can ask the teacher questions and receive a reply. 

They now offer so many beginner classes in their Startup Library, many of which are child-friendly.

2. Incorporate It Into Your Lessons if you Homeschool

You might find it easier to incorporate fiber arts studies into your lesson plans, much as you would incorporate food into your lesson plans.

For example:

If you are reading The Tale of Peter Rabbit to your children, you might have chamomile tea with a bowl of milk and blackberries.

And when they are finished, you could teach your children how to sew a button onto a piece of fabric. Peter’s mother was often having to repair or sew Peter some new clothing.

If you have older children, you can attempt more difficult projects like making a hat, mittens, socks, doll clothes, or quilts. Children old enough to knit were encouraged to knit socks for the soldiers during both WWI and WWII. 

When we were studying the Revolutionary War a few years ago, my daughter and I made her 18″ doll some Colonial-style clothing. 

We used the pattern for the 1774 Colonial Elegance Dress. Pixie Faire has quite a few patterns in its historical collection. My daughter and I found that most of their patterns are easy to follow, even for a beginner.

3. Fiber Arts – A Quiet Activity During Read Aloud Time

Now obviously, you aren’t going to be teaching knitting or sewing to a child while you are reading aloud. However, once a child has some mastery of the skills taught, handiwork is a fantastic activity to do during a read-aloud.

I like to prepare a little basket for my kids to use. Each child has their own project to work on while I read.

I have all of the tools they need, gathered together so that no one has to run off looking for a pair of scissors or a needle while I am trying to read to them.

Some of the things that I include in the knitting basket are knitting needles, yarn, a darning needle, scissors, and a pom-pom maker. The toddler likes it when an older child helps them make pom-poms while the other children knit.

If they are sewing, then we have fabric, needles, a needle threader, a pair of sharp scissors, buttons, and thread. I often include embroidery thread and dull needles for the younger children. An embroidery hoop is added to the basket by one of the children.

If a 2 or 3-year-old wants to join in, I have some Melissa and Doug Trace and Lace Cards for them to practice sewing. My five-year-old likes to spool knit or make Kumihimo bracelets or on occasion weave on a cardboard loom.

I want to be real here and let you know that we don’t do fiber arts every time I do read-aloud time. I also don’t want you to think that my kids are little angels the whole time because they are not. 

There are occasional meltdowns over dropped stitches or a full-on panic attack if someone drops a needle. It doesn’t always go smoothly, but for the most part, it is a welcome quiet activity during read-aloud time. 

It makes it so that I don’t have to cram it in like it is ‘another’ subject to check off the list and they reap the benefits that I mentioned above.

But I’ve Never Learned Myself – How Can I Teach It?

Learn it with your children. Many of the skills that I have picked up over the years are a result of my daughter wanting to know how to do something. 

Believe me – I was terrible at making things with my hands and many projects ended up unfinished, in the donation bin, or in the garbage. It’s part of the learning process!

We have fond memories of the fun projects that we worked on together. Who knows when it will come in handy? 

A couple of years ago at Christmas, my neighbor commissioned my daughter to knit mittens for Christmas gifts. She got paid to knit several pairs of mittens. Imagine that? 

Teaching children how to sew and knit is a blessing. My daughter has blessed our family with baby clothes, quilts, hats, and mittens. My son has knit everyone in our family at least one scarf and made the two quilts that are on his bed. 

If you need help choosing a sewing machine for your child, check out the blog post: Ultimate Guide to Buying a Sewing Machine for Kids.

You never know what will resonate with your children and how many blessing these old-fashioned skills will bring to your family and to others. 

For those of you who are just learning or have children who are ‘taking their first stitches’, I made some index cards with the Waldorf knitting and crochet rhymes for you. 

If you say the rhyme while doing it, it will make perfect sense and will help you or your child to memorize the steps.

Let me know if you are a maker and if handiwork has a place on your homestead. What is your preferred way to incorporate it into the day? Leave a comment below.

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Christmas Lacing Cards Printable for Kids

Today’s lacing cards printable is meant to help young children practice sewing as well as encourage hand-eye coordination, fine motor skills, and attention.

Preschool and kindergarten-aged children benefit from a variety of activities and games that involve a multi-sensory approach.

Lacing cards are a great activity for young children.

This printable includes 6 different Christmas cookie-themed objects to print. They are large and easy for little hands to handle.

I printed our Christmas cookie lacing cards printable on thick cardstock and laminated them for durability. We used laces from a Melissa and Doug Lacing Cards set that we had. But you could easily use twine or yarn.

To prevent the twine or yarn from fraying, cut the twine or yarn in 2 to 3-foot lengths and dip the ends in Mod Podge and let dry. Store the laces and cards in a freezer bag or suitable container. A label is included in the printable.

If you enjoyed this printable activity for children, you may be interested in making felt balls with your daycare, playgroup, or at home with your children.

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Homemade Dishwasher Detergent

The reason we started making dishwasher detergent here on the farm was actually pretty lame. The kids use the dishwasher and they failed to tell me that we were out of dishwashing liquid and we live almost half an hour away from the closest grocery store.

Living out in the country has its benefits, but when it comes to grocery shopping there are not a lot of options. We don’t drive to the store for a single item. I had always wanted to try to make dishwasher detergent. As a busy mom, I often opt for the convenience of using store-bought items.

However, the kids aren’t the greatest dishwashers. The dishes get much cleaner in the dishwasher or when I do them by hand. I wasn’t about to let the kids away with not doing their dishwashing duty, so I dug through my recipes and made a quick batch of detergent.

Much to the chagrin of my kiddos, dishwashing detergent was born and they could right back to scraping and loading dishes. The added benefit to the homemade dishwasher detergent was that it actually got my dishes cleaner than the liquid detergent I was previously using.

The Cost Breakdown

Let me begin by saying that we are located in Alberta, Canada. As I worked through the cost breakdown of the homemade detergent, I used the cost of the ingredients that I used in the video above.

Washing Soda = $6.49 for 3 kg 1 cup = $0.41

Borax = $5.99 for 1.84kg 1 cup = $0.66

Total Cost for 3 cups of Dishwasher Detergent = $2.32 CAD

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Print

Homemade Dishwasher Detergent

This homemade dishwasher detergent is quick and easy to make.

Prep Time 5 minutes minutes

Cook Time 0 minutes minutes

Servings 3 cups

Author Under Three Acres

Cost $2.50

Ingredients

• 1 cup washing soda
• 1 cup borax
• ½ cup citric acid
• ½ cup kosher salt

Instructions

• Mix all of the ingredients together in a lidded container. Stir or shake to mix thoroughly.
• Add 1 TBSP per load to your dishwasher.

Optional:

You may choose to use Lemi Shine Dish Detergent Booster in place of the citric acid or add lemon essential oil to give your detergent a little bit of lemony fresh scent. I have not tried these, but have heard that these are great options if you prefer a scent.

If you use this recipe, I would for you to tag me on Instagram @underthreeacres. Share and tag me if you feel so inclined.

Homemade Items Around the Home:

• Making Felt Balls – Easy and Fun Craft for Kids (size them up for dryer balls)
• Natural Dyeing – Try These 3 Simple Ways

// AFFILIATE DISCLOSURE This blog and YouTube channel will occasionally contain affiliate links, which means I receive a small commission on a purchase without additional cost to you if you buy something through my links. The purpose of this blog and channel is to educate the viewers and share everything I know about homesteading, homeschooling, and gluten-free living, and that sometimes includes product recommendations. I do believe in the products I mention in my videos and have experience with them. I will never promote a product I haven’t tried or think you’ll benefit from. If you purchase through my affiliate link, thank you so much for your support.

If you have smaller children that aren’t quite ready for a sewing machine, be sure to grab the free printable Christmas Cookie Lacing cards.

A child wishing for a sewing machine is a wonderful thing! A child who learns to sew is a blessing. But if you haven’t got the first idea of what to buy or what to look for, buying a sewing machine can be overwhelming and intimidating. 

I want to give you the information you need to buy a machine that will bring your children joy and success in their creative endeavors. 

Buying a Sewing Machine? – Some Things to Consider

Child-sized vs. Full-Sized

Sewing machines come in many different sizes. If you go online or into a store you will see that sewing machines are often marketed in a specific way. 

Some are marketed as all-purpose or for everyday usage. Others are marketed for quilters, some can do embroidery and some are directly marketed for use by children.

Child-sized machines are generally smaller, weigh less, and have fewer features and gimmicks than your standard general-purpose sewing machines.

Whether you choose a full-size or child-sized machine will ultimately depend on the features discussed below.

New vs. Used

When you are not sure how long your child will be interested in sewing, it is tempting to find the cheapest option possible. I am sometimes called ‘cheap’, so I totally understand. 

If you see a deal on Marketplace or Craigslist go ahead and check it out. Ask lots of questions. A lot of people buy sewing machines with full intentions to learn how to sew, never get around to it and then try to salvage some of the money they spent. Those machines are virtually new.

Be sure to ask to try the machine. You want to make sure that all of the functions are working, that no pieces are missing and that it isn’t a lemon.

Unless you know someone who sews and can help you in a pinch, I would refrain from buying vintage machines. We have owned a few. Most times there are no instructions for them. 

If there are no instructions, it might be a nightmare to just get it set up and running. Not every machine is threaded in the same way. If you can’t thread the machine, you can’t sew.

Some shops offer trade-ins. This can be a great way to get a really good machine for less than retail. They will likely have been fully serviced and the sales clerk can answer your questions.

A new machine is not necessarily the cheapest method, but you have other perks. Most new machines will come with a warranty,  instructions and there won’t be any pieces missing.

Watch for sales. Sewing machines do go on sale. New models are brought in from time to time and the old models are then sold for a bargain. 

Just because a fabric shop has the reputation of being more expensive than the big box stores, don’t dismiss shopping there when you are shopping for a machine. Even if you don’t buy one of their machines, it is worth a look.

Fabric shops often have machines set up so that customers can try them out. You would be surprised to know that their least expensive models rival the big box store prices. Sometimes their deals are even better than the big box stores.

They have knowledgeable staff that can answer questions and some places even offer a free “getting to know the machine” session with the purchase. My local fabric shop does this. They help you learn how to thread the machine, adjust the settings and show you all of its features.

Mechanical or Computerized

Most sewing machines are either mechanical or computerized.

A mechanical sewing machine will likely have to be oiled from time to time and its overall maintenance is less fussy. It has fewer knobs and buttons and is generally more robust.

A computerized machine can be easier to operate. The push of a button is all it takes to change a setting. However, if it needs maintenance, you will likely have to have it serviced.

I have found that mechanical machines in the entry-level price range can handle thicker fabric and rougher treatment than similar priced computerized sewing machines.

Weight

If independence and portability are important to you, you will want to take the weight of the sewing machine into consideration. 

There are some really lightweight machines on the market. Beware that some of the lightest models have a lot of plastic parts. If a crucial plastic part is broken, that could be the death of your machine. 

There are lightweight machines (under 15lbs) with a heavy-duty metal frame. The main mechanism is made of metal. They are generally considered to be more durable than those with a plastic skeleton.

Stitches

Sewing machine manufacturers will stamp on the box and sometimes the machine itself how many different stitches it offers. It’s a marketing gimmick. Your child will most likely only use a handful.

Make sure the machine you chose can do a straight stitch, backstitch (reverse), and a zigzag stitch. With those three stitches, they can sew almost anything. 

Presser Feet

A presser foot is the part of the machine the helps feed the fabric through the machine to be sewn. Presser feet are attached either by screwing them on or are snapped on.

If you choose a machine that has snap-on feet, take a moment to see that they snap on tightly. If they fall off easily, this can be potentially dangerous. It can cause the needle to snap and break. 

I’ve had this happen a few times. This is something no one warned me about. I really like my machine with the snap-on feet, but occasionally a foot will fall off mid-sew.

The other type of presser foot has to be screwed on. It takes a bit longer if you want to change the presser foot than the snap-on foot. You will want to make sure your child can get the screw on tight enough or ask you to tighten it for them. 

If your child sews a lot, be sure to check that the screw hasn’t vibrated itself loose. That happens on one of my machines if I sew a lot. A little turn of the screw and it is all good to go again.

Presser feet are also used to market sewing machines. The presser feet that you will want to make sure the machine comes with are: an all-purpose or straight stitch foot, a zipper foot, an open toe, or satin-stitch foot (for zigzag stitch), and if your child plans on making clothing, a buttonhole foot.

Bobbins

Bobbins are either made of plastic or metal and are either drop-in or front-loading. The first picture has a drop-in bobbin casing and the second picture is a front-loaded bobbin in a metal casing.

My kids all prefer my machines with a drop-in bobbin. It is easier to load and less likely to cause them trouble.

Automatic Needle Threader

An automatic needle threader is a must-have feature in my opinion. I didn’t realize how important this was until we were sewing on vintage machines without it.

A needle threader will save you and your child a lot of headaches and frustration. 

Adjustable Sewing Speed

When my children are first learning, I teach them to sew on the machine with a speed control dial. I know that this isn’t a standard feature, but it is something to look for and to consider.

A friend of mine told me about this feature when I was looking to buy a machine way back when we first moved to Canada. 

My kids like that they have more control. The speed is controlled by pushing the foot pedal. It can be hard for kids to not “floor it” when they are first learning. The speed control adjusts the maximum speed. 

This feature is not a deal-breaker if a sewing machine doesn’t have one. Kids can learn to sew without one, but it is something to keep an eye out for.

Accessories

You will want to check what accessories come with the sewing machine you are looking to purchase. 

Most come with some kind of cover, a few needles, cleaning tools, some feet, and some way to power it (AC adapter or batteries).

Some sewing machines come with an instructional DVD.

Other Considerations

Not all sewing machines have the option of a ‘free arm.’ If your child wants to sew clothing, this is a must. 

A ‘free arm’ is used for hemming, sewing sleeves, and cuffs. Usually, all you need to do is detach a piece around the needle plate to reveal the free arm.

Look for a sewing machine with good lighting. If you can’t try out the machine in person, read online reviews, and don’t be afraid to ask around. 

Most sewists have a favorite sewing machine brand. Don’t worry so much about the brand, choose value and functionality. 

Are you still feeling confused or overwhelmed? I hope you are feeling knowledgeable and confident. I made a printable checklist for you to take along on your shopping trip so that you don’t have to remember all of the details.

My Recommendation

I was debating whether or not to offer a recommendation. I really think that it is best to try different machines out and base your decision on what works best for your child and fits in your budget.

I understand, however, that you may not have the time to go to a store to try out all the machines. You just want to buy a machine that has good reviews and doesn’t break the bank.

I have been looking around for you and found the following machine to be a great machine for any beginner. It is probably more than a child needs when they are first learning, but they won’t outgrow it anytime soon. 

It has a speed regulator! It is one of the only machines that I found around $200 that has this feature. It is pictured above.

At the time of posting the Brother CS6000i cost $209.99 US.

If you have any questions about choosing a machine, drop me a message. I would be more than happy to help.

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When my 2nd was about a year old, we joined a Waldorf playgroup. Waldorf education is based on the teachings of Rudolf Steiner. Children are introduced to toys in a gentle manner and all of the toys are to be made of natural materials if possible.

This playgroup was a wonderful gift to our family. We enjoyed the time we spent together in the community with the other young families. The other mothers and I would do handiwork for part of the time. We would knit or crochet toys for the children to play with while at playgroup. 

We made doll blankets and clothes, balls, knitted animals, and Schneckenbänder a very versatile toy used for pretend play.

One item that I had never made, that is often seen at Waldorf school fundraisers is a doll pouch. This is a big hit with the 3 to 7-year-old crowd. My kids are obsessed with Peg dolls. They carry them around everywhere.

I figured now would be as good a time as any to crochet little pouches for them and share the pattern with you. It is a very simple pattern that requires very little knowledge of crochet. 

Honestly, I only know a few stitches and consider myself a novice crocheter. This pattern is simple enough for a beginner, that even an older child could attempt to make one with a little help and perseverance. 

About the Yarn

This can be a heated topic among fiber artists. Some people will only use acrylic yarn because it is washable, doesn’t fade, is colorfast, and is cheaper than natural fibers. Others wouldn’t dare to use synthetic fibers.

In the Waldorf playgroup, we only used 100% wool that had been dyed naturally. To be completely honest, I prefer to work with natural fibers. Try both and see what you like better.

I personally don’t mind if the yarn is dyed with acid dyes or natural dyes. I like to dye yarn with natural dyes and have shared some simple ways to dye using pantry items.

I prefer to use yarns that don’t split (when the individual strands untwist) and are easy to handle. Yarns that split are annoying because the needle is constantly getting caught.

The yellow doll pouch is made with a yarn that is discontinued. The new line of yarn is now called “Babyull Lanett by SandnesGarn“. The purple peg doll pouch is made with a yarn that I handspun. The pink yarn is made with “Quince and Co.’s Chickadee yarn in Dogwood“. This is one of my all-time favorite yarns.

When you make the pouch, be sure to choose a fingering or sport-weight yarn. This pouch fits a 2-inch peg doll perfectly.

Crochet 101

Until I make a video tutorial of this darling peg doll pouch, I will share with you a few YouTube videos that I found. I hope that these will be helpful to anyone who has no previous crochet experience, but really want to make a little doll pouch. They cover the techniques used in the pattern.

How to Crochet For Absolute Beginners

Invisible Decrease for Amigurumi 

The Peg Doll Pouch Pattern

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If you give my pattern a try, I would love to hear how it turned out. Send me a photo in an email or tag me on Instagram.

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Long before textiles were being dyed commercially, people were foraging to source dyes that are found in nature. Now you don’t even need to forage, you can open your pantry to begin natural dyeing.

Natural Dyeing for the fun of it…

I recently experimented with different pantry items to create play cloths and yarn for my children’s playtime. Over the years, our Waldorf playthings have been misplaced or played with beyond repair.

I felt the urge to make toys and backdrops for the toy buckets. Flour sack towels and some natural colored yarn were going to be given some new life. The dyed yarn is for a project that the kids and I are working on.

I have been wanting to try natural dyes for a long time. I purchased yarn over a year ago with the intent to dye it. All of the yarns that I used for this project were from the KnitPicks.com bare yarn series.

Now that I have had success with it, I can share with you how easy it is and encourage you to give it a try.

Preparing to Dye Your Fibres

I use a dedicated pot and wooden spoons for all of my dyeing projects. This is advised, especially if you pre-treat your yarn with a mordant like alum. Mordant is used to help increase colorfastness and/or to create a different shade.

Prepare your fabric.

• If your fabric is new, wash it but don’t dry it. If it has already been washed, scour it by hand washing it in water and a drop of dawn dish detergent and rinse it.

Prepare your yarn.

• Soak your yarn in lukewarm water for at least 30-60 minutes. Make sure to fully submerge the yarn. It will absorb the dyes better if it is wet.
• Optional: Pre-mordant your yarn. This is the method I use. 

NOTE: Some of my yarn was pre-treated in an alum mordant. The two yellowish skeins were a failed attempt to solar dye with Golden Marguerite flowers. I dyed over the old dye. You can dye over other dyes and yield amazing colors.

Orange Pekoe Tea

We are big tea drinkers at our house. A couple of us love orange pekoe tea. I normally wouldn’t sacrifice orange pekoe tea for a dye project, but this one happened to be decaffeinated.

We order our groceries online and during a pick-up, we didn’t realize that they had given us decaf. It just doesn’t taste right and I am not one to throw things out. So this huge box of tea sat in the pantry underappreciated until this week.

I used the following method to dye one flour sack towel, about 60g (2oz.) of wool, and one (3-6 month) baby onesie.

To dye fabric or yarn do as follows:

1. In a large enamel or stainless steel pot (aluminum pots can change the outcome), bring 3 quarts of water to a boil.
2. Add 30 tea bags to the pot and allow it to steep for 30 minutes.
3. Remove all of the tea bags and throw them in the compost.
4. Add fabric or yarn to the pot. Be sure to use a wooden or plastic spoon to push out the air bubbles. You want it to be as submerged as possible.
5. Simmer over medium to low heat for 30 minutes.
6. Leave the pot on the stove, but turn off the heat. Let soak for a minimum of 4 hours. I let mine sit overnight. You should push the fabric and yarn underwater every once in a while to keep it submerged.
7. Once it has reached the desired color, pour off the tea and rinse the fabric or yarn. Remember that the fibers will lose a few shades when rinsing.
8. Fill the sink with enough tepid water to cover your fabric or yarn. Add about a quarter cup of vinegar. Submerge the fabric or yarn and let it soak for 10-15 minutes. This helps to prevent the color from bleeding.
9. Rinse until the water is clear.
10. Wash by hand with wool wash. Squeeze out as much liquid as possible and hang to air dry.

TIP: Use an old salad spinner to remove the water from the yarn or fabric. It won’t felt the yarn and helps your yarn to dry faster.

Nettle Tea

I read several blog posts about dyeing with stinging nettles and several about dyeing with tea. We have snow right now, so fresh nettle is a tad difficult to source.

However, I had a box of nettle tea in the pantry that nobody drinks and thought I would try to get green dye from it.

I used the same method that I used with the orange pekoe tea and it barely amounted to anything. If I were to do this again, I would probably double the amount of tea bags that I used.

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Avocados

This method requires a little more patience and time. You need to eat avocados and save the pits. It helps if you wash the pits and save them in a freezer bag until you are ready to use them.

I have been wanting to try this for so long and have been making asking my kids to help me with this. Everyone who eats an avocado is supposed to save the pit for mom. Unfortunately, only one of my kids and I actually do this.

I used the following method to dye one flour sack towel and approximately 60g (2oz.) of wool. I could have added more to the dye pot since the color was pretty intense.

To dye fabric or yarn do as follows:

1. In a large enamel or stainless steel pot (aluminum can change the outcome), bring 3 quarts of water and 10 avocado pits to a boil. 
2. Boil for 30 minutes and turn off the heat. Allow the pot to cool overnight.
3. In the morning, remove all of the avocado pits and any debris and throw them in the compost.
4. Bring the water to a boil. In the meantime, prepare the fabric or yarn as mentioned above.
5. Add fabric or yarn to the pot. Be sure to use a wooden or plastic spoon to push out the air bubbles. You want it to be as submerged as possible.
6. Simmer over medium to low heat for 30 minutes.
7. Leave the pot on the stove, but turn off the heat. Let soak for a minimum of 4 hours. You should push the fabric and yarn underwater every once in a while to keep it submerged.
8. Once it has reached the desired color, pour off the tea and rinse the fabric or yarn with hot water. Remember that the fibers will lose a few shades when rinsing.
9. Fill the sink with enough tepid water to cover your fabric or yarn. Add about a quarter cup of vinegar. Submerge the fabric or yarn and let it soak for 10-15 minutes. This helps to prevent the color from bleeding.
10. Rinse until the water is clear.
11. Wash by hand with wool wash. Squeeze out as much liquid as possible and hang to air dry.

TIP: Use an old salad spinner to remove the water from the yarn or fabric. It won’t felt the yarn and helps your yarn to dry faster.

Turmeric

This is the best dye for the first time dyeing. The color turned out to be so intense.
I used the following method to dye one flour sack towel, about 20g (1/2oz.) of wool, and one (3-6 month) baby onesie.

To dye fabric or yarn do as follows:

1. In a large enamel or stainless steel pot (aluminium can change the outcome), bring 3 quarts of water to a and 3 tablespoons of turmeric to a boil.
2. Prepare the yarn or fabric as mentioned above.
3. Add fabric or yarn to the pot. Be sure to use a wooden or plastic spoon to push out the air bubbles. You want it to be as submerged as possible.
4. Simmer over medium to low heat for 30 minutes.
5. Leave the pot on the stove, but turn off the heat. Let soak for half an hour or longer. You should push the fabric and yarn underwater every once in a while to keep it submerged.
6. Once it has reached the desired colour, pour off the tea and rinse the fabric or yarn. Remember that the fibres will lose a bit of colour when rinsing.
7. Fill the sink with enough tepid water to cover your fabric or yarn. Add about a quarter cup of vinegar. Submerge the fabric or yarn and let it soak for 10-15 minutes. This helps to prevent the colour from bleeding.
8. Rinse until the water is clear.
9. Wash by hand with wool wash. Squeeze out as much liquid as possible and hang to air dry.

TIP: Use an old salad spinner to remove the water from the yarn or fabric. It won’t felt the yarn and helps your yarn to dry faster.

Digging Deeper

Once you and your children experience dyeing your own textiles, you may want to dive in deeper. There are a great number of books that explore dyeing with natural materials.

You might also want to consider growing your own dyer’s garden. This is a fun project for the whole family. Some plants to consider are black nebula carrots, calendula, marigolds, coreopsis, blackberries, beets, red cabbage, and onions.

Depending on where you live, you can also forage for dye plants such as tansy, goldenrod, pokeberry, and lichens. Lichens produce lovely colors.

My favorite Dyer’s handbook is Wild Color. It is well illustrated and explains how to achieve different shades from the same plant. 

Recommendations

Every time that I feel the urge to dye, I head straight to the library and pick up the following books. There are several others that I have looked at, but these are the ones that I grab first.

I have yet to try dyeing play silks for the children. In the past, I have dyed cheap white sheets and yardage from Ikea. It isn’t as nice as the play silks, but it is a frugal alternative. The kids love the sheets for building forts.

You can use any wool or animal-based fibers with these recipes. I may have had more success if I had used soy milk to prepare the cotton flour sack towels. The book Botanical Colour at your Fingertips is all about dyeing plant-based textiles like cotton, linen, and flax.

I get all of my bare yarns from KnitPicks. The price point is excellent and the quality is great. If you are interested in using the same yarn, I used Bare Hare and Wool of the Andes Worsted.

I would be interested to hear from you if you’ve ever tried natural dyeing. Tag me on Instagram  @underthreeacres or send me photos by email.

If you enjoyed this post, be sure to check out similar posts like Making Felt Balls or my Free Peg Doll Crochet Pattern.

Making felt balls is the type of craft that even little ones can make with a little help and a bit of encouragement. The felted balls can be strung into a garland or used to play any number of games.

Wet Felting – Making Felt Balls

I haven’t felted anything for at least a decade until this week. I forgot how much patience and perseverance making felt balls requires. 

Honestly, I found myself wanting quick results and was slightly irritated. 

This is NOT for you if you are in a hurry or if you or the kids are hungry. It takes time. 

I admit my impatience came from expecting the baby to wake at any given moment and having to leave the kids to their own devices with tubs of water. 

What I’m trying to say is that although making felt balls is a calming activity, it is probably best not a good idea to attempt when you are pressed for time.

Now that that is out of the way, you need to know that wet felting is good for children. 

Some advantages of wet felting are:

• It is sensory play which plays a crucial role in brain development.
• It is calming and relaxing.
• Encourages the development of fine motor skills.
• It encourages creativity.
• The child can keep their project and use it for play or decoration. This is advantage over paper crafts that often end in the landfill.
• It is fun and keeps a child’s attention span for a significant amount of time.
• It can be enjoyed by a wide age range.

*A Piece of Advice: 

If you are wet felting balls with very young children it is a good idea to pre-felt the balls. This will save you a lot of headaches. The teachers at my kids’ Waldorf Kindergarten did this for the children. 

Very young children want to be involved but it takes them a lot longer to felt and the project is a little delicate to start. 

I wet felted my toddler’s ball until I was sure it was felted just enough for her to work with. She didn’t care at all. She mostly wanted to play in the water anyway.

Products Used for Making Felt Balls

How to Make Felt Balls

Required Items:

• wool roving
• a basin of hot water
• bowl of cold water
• soap (I used German Kernseife, but Castile or olive bar soap are good alternatives)

This step is optional, however, I include it because it is more frugal and doesn’t alter the end results. I use un-dyed carded wool or un-dyed wool roving for the center of my balls.

This isn’t necessary if the balls you are making are small. Un-dyed wool is usually cheaper and can be bought in large quantities inexpensively.

1.  To make a golf-ball-sized ball, take about a 5-inch long piece of white carded wool or wool roving. Roll it into a fairly tight ball.

2.  Take this ball and dip it into the basin with hot water. You want the water to be quite hot to the touch. Squeeze out the air and water.

3.  Lather your hands with soap. I prefer to use bar soap, but you may use liquid soap. I have read that you shouldn’t use Dawn dish detergent to felt wool, but I haven’t personally tried it.

4.  Roll the ball gently in your hands covered in soap lather. You are trying to get the fibers to lock into each other. Keep agitating the fibers to encourage felting.

5.  Now you can add colored wool. Carefully prepare the roving by pulling off a 3-5 inch piece. 

6.  It is important to keep the fibers lined up while splitting the roving a few times lengthwise.

7.  Take a piece and wrap it around your white ball in one direction, take another piece and wrap it in the other direction making a cross. You can alternate colors or use a solid color. It is up to your creativity.

8.  Lather your hands again with soap and gently roll the ball in your hands as if you are forming meatballs or bread rolls. Be careful to go slow at the beginning. 

9.  Periodically, dip the ball in water and squeeze out the liquid. Repeating the lathering and agitation process. If the white is still showing, repeat step #7. 

10.  Keep dipping the ball in the hot water and lathering until the ball is fairly dense and tight. You can test this by squeezing it between your thumb and fingers. You don’t want the ball to have too much give.

11.  Once it is the desired density, dip the ball into the cold water to shock the fibers. Roll it again in your hand. You can put it in the hot water and alternate with the cold water a few times to finish it. 

12.  Allow the balls to dry and use them for play, garlands, decorations or to make jewelry. 

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I would love to know if you have ever tried your hand at wet felting. If so, how did it go? 

For those of you who are more visual, I found a YouTube video for you. It shows you how to make felt balls in a step-by-step manner. Rachel uses a slightly different approach than I do. 

Her method of making felt balls is better suited to older children or adults. My kids like the water basins and they are less likely to tip than the Rachel’s measuring cup.

Needless to say, my toddler was good and clean after felting with us. 

If you like handmade gifts, be sure to check out the post on 25 Handmade Hat patterns for the whole family. I’ve included are complimentary printable ‘handmade with love‘ gift tags. I also have a free pattern for Peg Doll Pouches for 2-inch dolls that your kids will love and you won’t want to miss.

Over the years, I have learned so many neat and fun techniques while making hats. They are small projects that make a great introduction to the fiber arts.

Learning cable stitches, decreasing, knitting-in-the-round (on 3-4 needles), and stretchy cast-on methods are a few of the knitting skills that can be learned while making hats.

Crocheting a hat is a simple beginner project that builds skills and confidence. I like that mistakes are easily camouflaged. Can you tell that I am not a master crocheter?

You can even try sewing hats. Fleece hats and ones made of knit fabrics are modern and fun accessories. 

When you are first learning to sew with fleece, jersey, or bamboo fabrics you will notice that they do not behave the same as woven fabrics such as cotton or linen. A hat is a great first project to learn about these types of fabric.

We love to make felt balls. Making felt hats is another creative way to master wet felting. It is a lot more work-intensive than knitting and crocheting and it involves a bit of math. However, with a little perseverance, handmade felted hats are a great way to be creative. 

I am the first to admit that large fiber arts projects are not something I do a lot of. For most of my married life, we have lived on one income. Like most folks, we don’t have money to waste.

For that reason, I have always used smaller projects to fulfill my need to be creative. Handmade hats don’t break the bank. I think perhaps that is why we have so many in our house. 

Over the years, I have been known to make hats as gifts. You don’t need to know the recipient’s exact measurements to get a good fit.  Furthermore, there are many opportunities to make hats for those in need, veterans, and for hospitals.

Making hats for charity is a great way for you or your school-aged child to brush up on their skills and do something wonderful for another human being.

Below is a list of FREE patterns for handmade hats that I have either used myself or plan on using in the near future. 

Like what you see and want more?

Join the Under Three Acres community and sweeten up your inbox with new recipes, helpful gardening, and homesteading tips, and lots of gluten-free goodness.

Your information will not be shared with or sold to a third party. This subscription is free of charge and can be canceled at any time.

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Handmade Hats – Knitting Patterns

Barley Hat (charcoal & burgundy striped hat)

Joko Knits (green hat)

Twisted Trails

The Conversationalist (grey & blue hat)

Classic WWII Watchcap

Ribbed Watchman’s Hat

Shadow Stripes Hat

Gingerbread Hat (bright pink hat)

Basic Toddler Hat 

Space Invaders Earflap Hat (see below)

The following patterns are pictured but are not FREE

Bubble Bonnet (beige hat)

Trafalgar Hat (my purple hat)

Handmade Hats – Crochet Patterns

Sock Monkey Hat (on the toddler)

Crochet Owl Hat (on the baby)

McKinley’s Springtime Hat  (light pink with a flower)

Mom and Baby Cameleon Hat Set

Pixie Elf Striped Newborn Hat

Bulky and Quick Elf Hat

Cold Day Cap

Back in Brugge Beanie

Handmade Hats – Sewing Patterns

DIY Baby Hat Pattern 0-12 mos.

4 Free Knit Hat Beanie Sewing Patterns

Double Top Knot Baby Hat

Easy Fleece Hat Sewing Pattern

Free Beanie Pattern (4 sizes)

Learn to Knit, Sew, Crochet…

Many people tell me that they regret not learning how to knit when they were a child or that they wish that they could knit. The same goes for crochet and sewing.

Over the years, I have taken quite a few courses with Craftsy. You may have heard of the platform.

They have 1000s of courses and patterns to choose from. I love that you can pause their videos, ask the instructor questions and you can access their courses on any device. 

If you have ever been frustrated with YouTube videos because you ended up with more questions than answers, or couldn’t find exactly what you were looking for, give Craftsy a try.

Before you run off and start making hats for everyone, don’t forget to pick up some FREE “Handmade with Love” gift tags to attach to them, and let me know which hat pattern is going to be your next project.

Grab your FREE Printable Handmade with Love Gift Tags!

My recipe for rhubarb apple jam is a tribute if you will, to my grandma. My grandmother passed away a little over 4 years ago and I miss her so much. She was a great cook, a wonderful storyteller, and an amazing gardener. My love of gardening was probably born out of the hours spent chatting with grandma in her garden.

Rhubarb Apple Jam

Every spring, when I see rhubarb in the markets and shops, I get totally nostalgic and crave rhubarb jam. It is the first batch of jam of the season in our home. Rhubarb apple jam has the perfect blend of tart and sweet and makes a kick-off to the new canning season.

If you’ve been following the blog for a while, you might know that I love to garden and spend hours in my backyard garden with my kids. However, no matter how hard I try, I can’t seem to grow a decent amount of rhubarb at our current home.

Our local farm outlet store sent out emails last week announcing that the first harvest of rhubarb was ready. It was included in their ONLY LOCAL Freshbox along with a few pounds of ambrosia apples.

If you have never ever made jam before, this rhubarb apple jam is the perfect beginner recipe. It is so simple and straightforward and yields amazing results every time. If you don’t have any apples, you can swap them out for strawberries.

The only thing that I would advise is to make sure that when you dice up your rhubarb and apples, that you cut them into fairly small pieces. The apples I used were not completely softened after cooking for 20 minutes. I ended up using a potato masher to mash them up a bit, but you can leave them chunkier if you prefer or puree them with a wand-type blender. It is totally up to you to choose the texture your family prefers.

Let’s get started…

This recipe uses very minimal tools and utensils. You will need a cutting board, knife, measuring cup, measuring spoons, a saucepan, a spoon to stir with, and some sterile half-pint canning jars with new lids and a basic water-bath canner with canning utensils.

When I made this current batch of Rhubarb Apple Jam, it yielded 4 half-pint jars with a little bit to taste leftover.

Rhubarb Apple Jam Recipe

Ingredients

• 4 cups diced rhubarb
• 2 cups diced apples
• 1 3/4 cup sugar
• 1/2 cup water
• 1 Tbsp ground cinnamon
• 1 2oz. package of dry pectin

Directions

1. Prepare your ingredients. Wash, trim and cut rhubarb into small 1/2″ cubes. Peel, and dice apples into small pieces.
2. In a large saucepan, mix together the rhubarb, apples, water, sugar and cinnamon. Over medium heat, bring to a boil and then cook for 20 minutes or until the fruit is quite soft. Add the dry pectin and continue to boil for 5 minutes.
3. Fill sterile canning jars leaving a 1/4 inch headspace. Wipe rims with a clean cloth or paper towel, and close with canning lids and rims. Process in a water-bath canner for 10 minutes, or as recommended for your elevation.

Note: Let jars cool for 24hrs and store in a cool dark place. Refrigerate jam after opening.

If you are looking for labels to add to your jars, be sure to grab my free Farmhouse Jam Jar Labels.

We have huge plans for our garden and the upcoming canning season. I encourage you to get on our mailing list and be sure to follow us on Instagram, and YouTube so you don’t miss a thing. We will be sharing lots of photos from our garden, our chickens, and the resources that we use, and not to mention, lots of gluten-free recipes.

Do you have a favorite jam recipe that you make every year? If you try the Rhubarb Apple Jam recipe, be sure to grab your free Jam Jar Labels and leave a comment below.

Nothing tastes better than homemade jam on a thick slice of bread. There is something about eating a bit of summer out of a jar in the middle of the winter. For as long as I can remember, I have been preserving jams, pickles, applesauce, and other yummy things.

Printable Farmhouse Labels

Originally, I made these labels to stick on my Rhubarb Apple Jam jars. It is the first batch of jams that I make each spring. It is one of our family’s favorites. Make sure to grab a copy of my Rhubarb Apple Jam Recipe before you go.

Farmhouse-style interior decorating is so pretty. When I designed these, I was living in the suburbs of a large city on the prairies and where there was no farmhouse in sight, BUT decorating with burlap and painters drop-cloth and white walls are my jam, pun intended.

These farmhouse labels can be paired with some twine, a little burlap, or if you prefer, some gingham to make a trendy little gift or decor for your pantry.

At first, I created these to say ‘HOMEMADE Jam’. But, if you like to make things in jars, jams are likely not the only thing you can make. There are labels for different types of jam as well as blank labels with ‘HOMEMADE Jam’ and ‘MADE WITH LOVE’ so that you can personalize them with your favorite canned goods.

I have a slight obsession with labels and label making. I am a bit of a neat freak and like to have things in their place. I love my little label maker, but homemade goods sometimes need a little something more to make them special.

So I decided to make two styles of Farmhouse labels and will let you choose between those that have ‘HOMEMADE jam’ and those that have ‘HOMEMADE with love’ written on them to don your jars. There is enough space to write the name of your canned goods right on the label.

You can print these labels on letter-size sticker paper like this one from Amazon that will allow you to print with a laser or ink-jet printer. Cut them out and stick them on your jar. They fit perfectly on most canning jar lids.

However, if you are like me and ran out of sticker paper or don’t have any on hand, these are perfectly usable if you print them on regular paper. Simply cut out the farmhouse labels with scissors or a 2-inch lever punch and use a glue stick to stick the label to your canning lid.

Decorate your jar with a little twine, jute, or gingham ribbon and it is ready to give as a little gift.

Be sure to download your farmhouse labels and let me know in the comments what you’re planning to can this year.

Also, be sure to grab my Rhubarb Apple Jam Recipe. It is sure to be a hit! Be sure to tag me on Instagram if you make some.

Also, I would love it you would head on over to our YouTube channel. I have recorded several canning videos to inspire folks looking to fill their pantry with homemade goods. Our kitchen is gluten-free out in the country, so I also share lots of gluten-free recipes, gardening, and homesteading videos. I can’t wait to see you there.

The following is a video of the kids and I picking Saskatoon berries and making jam.