Handicrafts in the Charlotte Mason Home

Charlotte was a big believer in the tradition of teaching a child to study a "useful" craft in addition to the other lessons on his slate.  We encourage that tradition today, by teaching the children such crafts as:

Bobbin Lace Making, Carpentry, Car Repair, Cookery, Crocheting, Cross Stitch, Ironmongery, Knitting, Needlepoint, Quilting, Sewing, Smocking, Spinning, Tatting, Weaving.

Of course, there are other crafts, and you may wish to teach them that, but it is well to keep in mind that the craft should be suitable to the age of the child.  For the younger children, we recommend sewing (all decorative forms), knitting and crocheting.  AS they get older, they may be introduced to the other crafts.

It is the considered opinion of the people on the list, and many in the homeschool community that boys in particular should learn alongside their father or a father figure. This is not to say that he should not learn knitting or sewing, because he may, but that he should ALSO spend some special one on one time with his father, and the handicraft lesson is a unique opportunity.

Crafts take place once a week in the Charlotte Mason Home, and ongoing projects are highly encouraged.  When sewing, you might like to try creating a toy or keepsake that the child may keep.  When knitting or crocheting, there are numerous charities that the child might like to make something for... burial gowns for babies, premature baby hats, blankets for the homeless, and prayer shawls for the needy.  Whatever you do, it is your choice!

Whichever craft is chosen, the idea is that it should be useful. Miss Mason was most insistent on the practicalities of the craft. Being as you are introducing a useful talent, you might consider supplying your child with the appropriate tools. The child should also be taught the care and handling of their tools as second nature. This helps decrease inopportune curiosity as well!

A boy may be provided with a toolbox, and a few basic tools. Broken electronics may be supplied so that he may take them apart, investigating the inner workings.

Similarly a girl should be provided with her own toolbox... whether this be like the boys, or contain sewing, knitting, crocheting or gardening tools is entirely up to you. The only requirement is that her craft be somewhat useful

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