Resources

Materials

You need an old box, scissors or box cutter, and scraps of yarn or 1/2-1" strips of upcycled fabric. Use markers or crayons to decorate. A ruler and plastic needle with a large eye are helpful. Warp threads (black) in the picture are 1/2" apart. It is easier to weave with an even number of them!

Making Connections

Tailor to meet your students' interests, needs and ages!

• Check the labels on clothing and other textiles in your home. What are they made of? Where were they made? What plants and animals do humans depend on to make textiles?  What role do geography and climate play in the availability of resources and choices humans make? 

• How do traditions both sustain communities and change over time? What textiles traditions have been passed down or newly created in your family or larger community? 

• How can you use color and found materials in your weaving? What patterns do you notice or can you create? Where or whom can you turn to for inspiration?

Interdisciplinary Connections 

art, math, science, language arts, social studies

• Human Rights

Poster: Textile workers occupy a confusing array of habitats, from large chemical treatment facilities to basement sweatshops... 

• Environmental

The textiles industry is one of the largest polluters. Dyeing is the second largest polluter of water globally. 

• Fast Fashion

The US is the largest exporter of used clothing. How does diverting them out of our landfills impact other countries? 

https://www.nytimes.com/2017/10/12/world/africa/east-africa-rwanda-used-clothing.html

Zen: https://www.lionsroar.com/zen-mind-knitting-mind/

Meditatation: https://www.interweave.com/article/knitting/therapeutic-knitting-medknitation-part-1/

Health: https://well.blogs.nytimes.com/2016/01/25/the-health-benefits-of-knitting/

Montessori: https://www.montessorihandwork.com/why-handwork