I get great satisfaction in teaching any handcraft. I actually come from a line of teachers; my maternal grandmother and two of her sisters were teachers and my mother teaches basketry making, knitting and works at a Rudolf Steiner Waldorf nursery school. I just teach the neighbor children which is gratifying enough. It is wonderful watching them go from fumbling to mastery.
So I am teaching some of my favorite neighbors how to knit. Taznin and Abby (shown here) immigrated from Bangladesh to Norway with their family about a year ago. I taught Taznin to cast on and then she taught Abby. I love that it is so easy for one person to pass the skills on to another.
Now I want to show you what I have been working on this week. I am having a ball making babushka softies!
This small project is perfect for playing with fabric
colors and patterns. I have made various shapes and sizes to find one I
am happy with.
I am still working on it. It gives me the opportunity to use my Heather Bailey fabric. Want to play dolls anyone? (My husband is flying his helicopter tonight so it is only fitting that I play dolls, right?)
Oh yes playing dolls is a great thing to do-Did you paint on the pretty face, its so cute...
Posted by: Jodie | January 18, 2008 at 11:30 PM
How exciting to teach these young ones! I too get great satisfaction from passing on what I know and just had this opportunity last Saturday. I have a friend who has a 6 yo daughter that I tried to teach basic crochet to. I don't have children of my own, so I thought, OK, download the info and she'll do fine. Not so. Hum, I need a different plan. She is so excited to learn it though, I don't think this hurdle will stop her!
Posted by: Penny | January 18, 2008 at 11:49 PM
Thank you Jodie. Yes, I bought some fabric paints on sale and had a lot of fun painting it.
Posted by: Ravenhill | January 18, 2008 at 11:50 PM
The dolls are just so cute!
Posted by: Inka | January 19, 2008 at 12:12 AM
Yes, I want to play with dolls!
Posted by: Mette | January 19, 2008 at 12:25 AM
Oh, more matryoshka gorgeousness - I love them!
How lovely to have taught your neighbours something like that. The will no doubt always remember you for that. When I was about 4 years old, my sister and I lived next to an old lady who taught us to make lace...I will always remember clicking over her bejewelled bobbins under her watchful eye, despite the fact that my efforts were rather poor!
Posted by: Florence | January 19, 2008 at 12:48 AM
Heh heh. But since we're grown ups, we get to eat yummy food and drink good wine while we play dolls, right? :) That's so great, that you are passing on craft- it's a memory they will always treasure.
Posted by: Sarah | January 19, 2008 at 12:50 AM
A real life helicopter?! ...or a game perhaps? I love it when children are enthusiastic about learning a craft I enjoy, passing on the skills.
Posted by: French Knots | January 19, 2008 at 09:17 AM
You are so generous Emily and I'm sure these lovely girls appreciate your time, advice and good company! Those babushkas are just adorable. I have just used all of that fabric in my mum's quilt so now I know what to do with the scraps!!
Posted by: Louise | January 19, 2008 at 12:43 PM
oh, I like these with the wonderful fabrics. It is also so gratifying to teach crafts to young people!
Posted by: Sara | January 19, 2008 at 04:02 PM
oh my,love the dolls and fabric choices.
Now about that Etsy shop...............when did you say you were going to open it???? :0
.Don't make me wait too long now:0p
I think it is wonderful that you took the time to teach Taznin to knit.They are blessed to have such a kind and generous neighbor.
I am off to check out that fabric link now and I had better not buy anymore fabric...
take care
Posted by: natasha s | January 19, 2008 at 09:33 PM
When can I get one of these sweet dolls? It sounds like you have the teacher gene in you. I come from a long line of teachers as well and, of course, it was my chosen path before my children. Montessori Kindergarten was my passion for 4 years.....until I found Waldorf. Taznin and Abby will always remember who taught them to knit and will be forever grateful for it.
Posted by: Mrs Hammerwig | January 20, 2008 at 04:31 AM
i do love your lovely dolls! they are great!
Posted by: adele | January 20, 2008 at 12:06 PM
These are soooooooo cute, and I mean it. Glad you had a sunny two days!!! Cheers us all up, doesn't it, after the Winter doldrums.
Posted by: Laurie | January 21, 2008 at 05:33 AM
what a great post, e! i love the look of concentration on those girls' faces. they're so lucky to have you as their neighbour.
and your babushka dolls are fantastic. such pretty faces!
Posted by: melissa | January 21, 2008 at 09:07 AM
Hello, just thought I would drop a quick note... so nice of your to share your talents with the neighbors! Knitting, crochet is something I never learned... I probably ought to... but that would mean I would have to give up one of my other time taking pursuits? Maybe not! Hang in there and enjoy that talent!
Posted by: Jean-o | January 22, 2008 at 07:12 PM