Colonial and Victorian Early American Crafts

Early American Crafts

Crafts were essential in the early days of America,

more for the useful products they produced than for

their enjoyment. Then, as now, a well-wrought item

brought a sense of satisfaction and accomplishment.

Most crafts practiced in early America are as

familiar now as they were then -- crafts such as

spinning, weaving, knitting, and sewing.

These domestic pursuits have been in continual

use for centuries, and are enjoying a dramatic

rebirth today.

Homestead Folk Toys offers a variety of craft

activity kits for all ages and skill-levels. Activities

such as weaving on small hand-held looms, knitting,

or crocheting, quilting, stitching a small sampler or

bookmark, or using a lucet to make a braided cord.

These kits teach age-old skills that can be passed

down from generation to generation.

Made in USA

#601 LUCET~ Make a single-strand braided cord with this historical craft tool. Includes a 6 1/2" hardwood lucet, cotton yarn, detailed instructions for use and complete history. There was a time in our history that almost every sewing basket included a lucet.

#603 DROP SPINDLE SET~ Learn to hand spin wool into yarn , just as the early colonists did. Comes complete with balanced, hardwood low-whorl drop spindle, natural wool roving and complete instructions.

#604 DROP SPINDLE ONLY~ We offer our low-whorl Drop Spindle as an independent accessory or craft tool -- for those who either desire a drop spindle only, or want to purchase additional spindles for teaching this timeless craft.

#605 NATURAL WOOL ROVING~ We offer extra wool roving for museum or crafting needs. Use with our Drop Spindle, or use it for doll hair or for other craft ideas. Our wool roving is offered in a length of one-yard ,packaged with a nostalgic hanging card.

#606 COTTON SPINDLE SET~ Spin cotton into thread with this smaller low-whorl hand spindle. Set includes hardwood cotton spindle, approximately 1/2 oz. of natural cotton sliver, complete directions and history.

#607 COTTON SPINDLE ONLY~ Our hardwood Cotton Hand Spindle is approximately 11 1/2" tall and features a 1" low whorl. The cotton spindle is useful for educational programs and hand-spinning workshops. An excellent addition to your collection of craft tools.

#608 NATURAL COTTON SLIVER~ Our domestic cotton sliver is available in a 1 yard length and is packaged in a poly bag topped with a nostalgic tag to hang in your gift shop. Use with our Cotton spindle, or use it for doll hair or other craft ideas.

#613 SPOOL KNITTER~ Also known as a 'colonial corker', this popular craft tool produces a tubular cord, known as horse reins. The cord can then be used to make a variety of craft projects, such as a belt, small rug, coaster, etc. Includes knitting spool, yarn, lifting tool and complete directions.

#617 BEGINNING WEAVING PROJECTS~ Written for the beginning weaver. Excellent companion to use with our Colonial Loom and My First Weaving Loom. Includes history of weaving and instructions for basic weaving as well as patterns and projects. Excellent resource material for museum educators.

#615 COLONIAL LOOM~ Large frame loom, designed for young adults and older to learn the basics of frame-loom weaving. Includes a hardwood loom frame, measuring 11 " x 13", wooden shuttle and separator, card comb, detailed instructions, and colorful acrylic - blend and cotton yarns.

#616 MY FIRST WEAVING LOOM~ Our smaller, hand-held loom includes a hardwood frame loom, measuring 8 1/2" x 9 1/2", wooden shuttle and separator, card comb, acrylic-blend and cotton yarns, larger print instructions and history.

#621 MY FIRST TATTING KIT~ Learn to make lace edgings the old-fashioned way, using a tatting shuttle. Our kit includes detailed illustrated directions, quality tatting shuttle and colorful pearl cotton.

#618 MY FIRST KNITTING SET~ Learn the basics of knitting with this easy-to-work craft set. Includes a pair of our exclusive knitting needles, acrylic-blend yarn and complete instructions. Works with either 2 or 4-ply yarn.

#618-A PAIR OF KNITTING NEEDLES~ Our pair of knitting needles are made for us in the USA and are packaged with a history card. Easy to use with either 2 or 4-ply yarn. Excellent for workshops.

#619 MY FIRST CROCHET SET~ Our beginning crochet includes our original hardwood crochet hook, easy-to-follow directions and colorful acrylic-blend yarn. Makes the art of crochet easy for beginners.

#619-A WOODEN CROCHET HOOK~ Our original hardwood crochet hook, designed for easy of use and for individual or group activity. Packaged with history card. Ours exclusively.

#620 WEAVING SONGS & GAMES~ Colorful collection of such weaving songs as 'Weaver In The Middle' and weaving games such as

'Pass The Yarn Ball.' All contributions were gathered from England, Scotland and Ireland and brought to the new world. 32 pages.

#624 BEGINNING QUILT KIT~ Our Beginning Quilting Kit includes materials to make a pillow, doll blanket and a potholder. Excellent kit for those who wish to learn the basics of quilting.

Complete instructions included.

#625 BUTTON LOVER'S SET~ Our original button set includes a colorful assortment of standard buttons and our own " Button Book" . Includes button projects, games and crafts.

#638 WOODEN WEAVING DOLL~ Ours exclusively. Historical wooden doll on which the child changes the clothes by simply wrapping and unwrapping the different yarns. Popular since the days of early America.

#643 HOMESTEAD PEG LOOM~ Peg loom weaving is considered to be the fastest way of weaving on a frame loom. Our set includes a jointed peg loom, measuring "6 x 10", flat weaving needle, jumbo yarn, and detailed instructions The slanted pegs make it easier to keep the weaving in place.

#643-A PEG LOOM KIT~ Assemble your own peg loom! Creative group or individual activity! Includes assembly directions, weaving instructions, jumbo yarn and flat weaving needle.

#627-B "A CHILD'S FIRST SAMPLER"~ Small, easy-to-stitch mini-sampler. Includes 6" x6" 11-count aida cloth, tapestry needle, embroidery floss, graph and history. An excellent beginner's cross-stitch project.

#646 PEG LOOM PROJECT BOOK~ Learn the basic of peg loom weaving with this easy-to-follow instruction book. Designed as a basic project book for both our Homestead Peg Loom and our Little Hamlet Peg loom.