Fall Homeschool Handwork | Wednesdays

Class Details

Dates: Wednesdays, September 9–November 18
No Class: October 14
Time: 10:00–11:30 AM
Grades: 1 and up (typically ages 6+)
Instructor: Melissa Mott
Full Session: $275 for 10 regular classes
Tuition and Supplies: Registration includes $250 in tuition and a $25 handwork supply allowance
Drop-In: $35 per class, available as space permits; basic materials for that day are included
Location: Handcraft Revival, 1365 S 1100 E, Salt Lake City
Experience: New and returning handwork students are welcome
Included Supplies: Up to $25 in yarn, embroidery, cross-stitch, and other instructor-selected handwork materials
Make-Up Class: Wednesday, December 2, from 10:00–11:30 AM
Homeschool Funding: Itemized receipts and course descriptions are available for Utah Fits All and other homeschool payment programs

Please note: The booking calendar displays only the first class on September 9. Registration includes all 10 regularly scheduled classes.

What is Homeschool Handwork?

Homeschool Handwork is a mixed-level fiber arts class where children learn traditional handwork skills through guided instruction, repetition, and meaningful projects.

Newer students will build a strong foundation through knitting, while returning students may continue with more advanced knitting projects or begin learning crochet. Students will also have opportunities to explore embroidery, decorative stitching, and introductory cross-stitch as they are ready.

Because handwork skills build gradually, projects and instruction will vary by student. Not every student will work on the same skill or complete the same projects during the session. Melissa will help each child choose an appropriate next step based on their experience, confidence, and readiness.

Our Class Rhythm

Inspired by the Waldorf handwork tradition, each class follows a steady, nourishing rhythm:

• Opening verse and class welcome
• Focused instruction and project work
• Nature walk and snack
• Open work period for handwork and complementary projects
• Clean-up and care of tools and materials

This rhythm gives students time to focus, move their bodies, connect with others, and return to their work feeling refreshed.

Weather may occasionally require us to replace the nature walk with indoor movement or another complementary activity.

Educational Focus

Homeschool Handwork combines fiber arts instruction with practical opportunities to develop:

• Fine-motor control and hand-eye coordination
• Bilateral coordination through the use of both hands
• Visual-spatial awareness
• Counting, sequencing, and pattern recognition
• Planning and following multi-step directions
• Problem-solving and flexible thinking
• Concentration, patience, and perseverance
• Proper use and care of tools and materials
• Creative decision-making and personal expression
• Independence and confidence through completed work

Knitting, crochet, embroidery, and cross-stitch each reinforce these skills in different ways. Students learn to observe carefully, recognize and correct mistakes, follow patterns, and persist through a project over time.

A Progression of Handwork Skills

Newer Students

Newer students will focus primarily on foundational knitting skills, which may include:

• Making a slip knot
  
• Rolling a yarn ball
• Holding and managing yarn and needles
• Creating the knit stitch
• Maintaining consistent tension
• Recognizing and correcting simple mistakes
• Binding off
• Simple shaping
• Completing small, confidence-building projects

Returning Students

Returning students may continue strengthening their knitting skills, complete more advanced projects, or begin learning crochet when they and their instructor feel they are ready.

Introductory crochet instruction may include:

• Making and holding a foundation chain
• Holding and tensioning yarn
• Basic crochet stitches
• Counting stitches
• Recognizing the structure of crocheted fabric
• Following a simple pattern
• Completing a small beginner project

Embroidery and Cross-Stitch

Students will have opportunities to explore simple embroidery and use stitching to embellish knitted projects, handwork bags, or small pieces of fabric.

Embroidery instruction may include:

• Threading and safely handling a needle
• Beginning and ending a thread
• Running stitch and other foundational stitches
• Following a simple line or design
• Creating decorative details
• Planning color and stitch placement

Cross-stitch may be introduced to students who are ready for the additional counting, pattern-reading, and fine-motor work it requires.

What Students May Make

Projects will vary according to each child’s experience, interests, and pace. Possible projects may include:

• Knitted balls
• Small knitted cats or bunnies
• Simple gnomes or dolls
• Small bags or pouches
  
• Crochet treasure pouches
• Embroidered handwork bags
• Small embroidery samplers
• Introductory cross-stitch projects
  

Handwork develops through repetition. Students may spend several weeks strengthening one skill before moving into another, and some projects may continue across multiple sessions.

The emphasis is on skill development, thoughtful work, and growing independence rather than completing a specific number of projects.

New Handwork Students

New and returning students are welcome in Homeschool Handwork.

The 90-minute class provides time for foundational instruction, allowing new students to receive step-by-step guidance as they learn basic knitting skills and begin their first projects.

Private handwork lessons are available and encouraged for children who would benefit from additional one-on-one preparation, but they are not required before joining the homeschool class.

Returning Handwork Students

If your child has participated in Handwork Club, Homeschool Handwork, or another fiber arts class, please tell us about their current skills during registration.

Returning students who are comfortable with foundational knitting may be ready to begin crochet. Others may benefit from continuing their knitting practice, completing a more advanced project, or exploring embroidery before adding another skill.

Readiness will be based on the student’s current skills, confidence, and ability to work with some independence during the group class.

Tuition and Materials

Full-session registration includes $250 in tuition and a $25 handwork supply allowance.

The supply allowance may be used for yarn, embroidery floss, cross-stitch fabric, and other instructor-selected materials needed for the student’s projects. This is an included material allowance and is not a refundable deposit.

Students may also use shared studio tools during class, including:

• Knitting needles
• Crochet hooks
• Tapestry and embroidery needles
• Embroidery hoops
• Scissors
• Measuring tools
• Other basic handwork supplies

If a student would like materials beyond the included $25 allowance, we will contact a parent before approving an additional supply cost. Students are also welcome to bring suitable yarn or materials from home.

If your student would like their own knitting needles, crochet hooks, embroidery hoop, or other tools to take home and keep, an add-on option may be available during registration.

Snack and Nature Walk

Weather permitting, students will take a short nature walk and enjoy a snack as part of the class rhythm.

Please send a simple snack and water bottle with your child. Let us know during registration about any allergies, dietary considerations, accessibility needs, or other information that will help us support your student.

Homeschool Scholarship and Program Funding

Homeschool Handwork may qualify as an educational expense through the Utah Fits All Scholarship and other homeschool education programs.

The class provides structured instruction in fiber arts, fine-motor development, pattern recognition, sequencing, practical skills, problem-solving, and creative expression.

Handcraft Revival can provide families with:

• An itemized receipt
• Proof of payment
• Class dates and instructional hours
• Instructor information
• A detailed course description
• Educational objectives and learning outcomes
• A description of included materials
  

Families using Utah Fits All may be able to pay through the Odyssey marketplace or submit a reimbursement request through their scholarship account. Reimbursement requests are reviewed individually by the program administrator, so eligibility and approval cannot be guaranteed by Handcraft Revival.

Families should confirm current requirements through the Utah Fits All Scholarship Program or the Odyssey Utah Fits All Handbook.

We are also happy to work with other homeschool funding programs when possible. If your program requires a purchase order, direct invoice, vendor registration, or specific documentation, please contact us before registering at contactus@handcraftrevival.com.

Families paying personally may register through our website and use their itemized order receipt to request reimbursement. Requirements vary by program, so we recommend confirming eligibility before purchasing.

Drop-In Registration

Drop-in spaces may be released on the Sunday before each class based on remaining capacity.

The $35 drop-in rate includes instruction, use of shared studio tools, and basic materials for that day. A drop-in student may bring a suitable project from home or work on an instructor-approved project appropriate for the available time and materials.

Because projects and materials require preparation, please email contactus@handcraftrevival.com to inquire about availability. 

Drop-in students are not eligible for the full-session $25 supply allowance or make-up class.

Make-Up Class

If your child misses one regularly scheduled class, they may attend the make-up class on Wednesday, December 2, from 10:00–11:30 AM.

Each full-session student may use the make-up class once during the fall term. Please notify us in advance if your child plans to attend so we can prepare appropriate project materials.

The make-up class is included with full-session registration and is not available for drop-in registrations.

Cancellation Policy

Cancellations made at least one week before the beginning of the full session may receive store credit. Within one week of the session start, registration is nonrefundable but may be transferred to another eligible student.

Missed classes are nonrefundable. One missed class may be made up during the designated December 2 make-up class.

Drop-in registrations follow our standard class cancellation policy. Store credit is available when canceled at least one week in advance. Within one week, registration is nonrefundable but may be transferred to another eligible student.