The Art of Handwork in a Simple Life

There’s something about the rhythmic motion of a needle pulling thread through fabric or the soft clickety-clack of knitting needles that just soothes the soul. In today’s fast-paced world, we often look for ways to slow down, to reconnect with ourselves and our roots, and handwork is a beautiful way to do just that. It’s practical, creative, and—let’s be honest—there’s just something deeply satisfying about making something with your own two hands.

Listen in to learn more about the ‘old-fashioned’ skills embraced in handwork. (And one only requires having a needle, some yarn, and your thumb!)

Transcript

The Art of Handwork in a Simple Life

Welcome back to the porch! Grab a cup of coffee or tea, settle into your favorite rocking chair, and let’s have ourselves a good old-fashioned chat about something near and dear to my heart—handwork. Now, I know what you’re thinking—handwork? Isn’t that something our grandmothers did while sitting by the fire, stitching away at a quilt or darning a sock? Yep. That’s what I’m talking about. 

There’s something about the rhythmic motion of a needle pulling thread through fabric or the soft clickety-clack of knitting needles that just soothes the soul. In today’s fast-paced world, we often look for ways to slow down, to reconnect with ourselves and our roots, and handwork is a beautiful way to do just that. It’s practical, creative, and—let’s be honest—there’s just something deeply satisfying about making something with your own two hands.

Let’s start with two of the most basic handwork skills - sewing and embroidery. These are skills that used to be second nature in households, passed down from mother to daughter, grandmother to grandchild. And while today’s world may have given us the convenience of fast fashion and store-bought everything, there’s still a lot of value in knowing how to stitch up a torn seam or sew on a button without calling in reinforcements.

Embroidery is one of those handcrafts that has stood the test of time, and for good reason. It’s decorative, meditative, and downright charming. Whether it’s adding a little floral flair to a kitchen dishtowel or monogramming a set of pillowcases, embroidery is a way to put a personal touch on everyday items. And let’s not forget cross-stitch! Who doesn’t love a good cross-stitch sampler hanging on the wall, reminding us to “Bless this Home” or to “Mind Your Manners” (because Grandma always had a way of getting her point across without saying a word)? 

I have a fun cross-stitch sampler my Aunt Dot did many, many years ago. It has an image of a farmer on it, and says, “Sooner would I single live, than to my wife my britches give.” I always laugh when I see it – but the Country Boy always rolls his eyes.

Now, if you really want to take a step back in time, let’s talk about spinning. Spinning wool into yarn and weaving it into fabric is as old as time itself. Before the days of big textile mills, if you wanted a new dress or a warm blanket, you had to make it from scratch. And I don’t mean running down to the fabric store—I mean shearing the sheep, carding the wool, spinning it into thread, dyeing it with plant-based colors, and then weaving it into cloth. Makes that quick trip to the store sound downright luxurious, doesn’t it? 

This is a skill I am diligently working on learning. It isn’t the easiest one, but I’m finally getting the hang of it. And if you can’t afford a spinning wheel just yet, but still want to learn, you can use a drop spindle. I’ll share links to some, as well as a great book to get you started, in the show notes.

Weaving is another one of those skills that, while not necessary in today’s world, is still an incredible craft to learn. Whether it’s making a simple potholder on a small loom or tackling something more advanced like a handwoven scarf, there’s a real sense of accomplishment in creating a piece of fabric from nothing but yarn and patience. 

I have a deep love of weaving and have a collection of looms – from pin looms and potholder looms, to triangle looms, four shaft floor looms and many other shapes and sizes. 

If you think you may enjoy learning to weave, I highly recommend either a pin loom or a small rigid heddle loom, such as a Cricket loom. And if you aren’t sure what you can do with small looms, you can really get inspired by checking out some of the issues of Little Looms magazine. I think I have every issue that was ever produced! To help you with your research on learning how to weave, I added links in the show notes. But just be forewarned – if you ever do love to spin and weave, it may just become an obsession! 

And then there’s nålbinding. Now, unless you’re a period reenactor, a Viking enthusiast or a fiber arts aficionado, you might not have heard of this one. Nålbinding is an ancient form of looping yarn and is very possibly the ancestor of knitting and crochet. The fun part is, all you need is yarn, a needle, and your thumb! The technique creates a fabric that is warm, durable, and—let’s be honest—a bit of a brain teaser to learn. But once you get the hang of it, you’ll have yourself a unique skill that dates back over a thousand years. Not many people can say that about their hobbies!

Now, if none of those handwork ideas tickle your fancy, there are plenty of other old-fashioned handcrafts worth exploring. Tatting, for example, is a lace-making technique that uses a series of knots and loops to create delicate designs. It’s like crocheting’s sophisticated, slightly more complicated cousin.

Then there’s rug hooking, a craft that was born out of necessity when folks needed a way to make warm, sturdy rugs out of scraps of wool fabric. The results? Beautifully textured, one-of-a-kind pieces that add warmth and charm to any home.

Basket weaving is another one—practical, beautiful, and a skill that has been around for thousands of years. A well-made basket can last a lifetime and making them yourself means you can customize the size, shape, and design to suit your needs.

And let’s not forget quilting. Oh, the stories that are stitched into those colorful squares of fabric! A quilt isn’t just a blanket—it’s a piece of history, a labor of love, and sometimes even a work of art. Whether you’re piecing together scraps from old dresses and shirts or carefully selecting fabrics for a coordinated design, quilting is a wonderful way to preserve memories while creating something useful and beautiful.

You may have already learned some of these skills as a child, but life got in the way. Maybe your grandmother taught you how to crochet, but you haven’t picked up a hook in years. Well, there’s no time like the present to dust off those skills and get back to it. Handwork is like riding a bike—you might be a little rusty at first, but before long, the rhythm comes back, and your hands remember what to do.

And if you’ve never tried any of these crafts before, what’s stopping you? There are plenty of tutorials, books, and even local craft groups where you can learn from others who share the same passion. Plus, there’s something incredibly rewarding about sitting down with a skein of yarn or a piece of fabric and turning it into something useful with your own two hands.

At the end of the day, living a simple life isn’t about going without—it’s about finding joy in the things that truly matter. And handwork? Well, that’s one of those things. It slows us down, teaches us patience, and connects us to those who came before us. Whether you’re stitching up a quilt, weaving a basket, or trying your hand at nålbinding (go ahead, impress your friends with that one), you’re keeping traditions alive while adding a little beauty and craftsmanship to your world.

So, as the sun sets and that last sip of coffee gets cold in your cup, think about what handcraft you might want to revisit or learn for the first time. Who knows? You might just find yourself falling in love with the art of handwork all over again. And if nothing else, at least you’ll have a good excuse to sit down, slow down, and enjoy a little porch time. After all, isn’t that what a simple life is all about?

If you want to learn more about living a Simple Life, just visit my website at www.thefarmwife.com/ . If you’re enjoying listening to these podcasts, please consider supporting the show by clicking the SUPPORT button in the show notes. When you do, you’ll be helping me continue bringing you fun and helpful ideas for living the Simple Life you love!

If you have questions or just want to stop in for a visit, you can do that through email at thevirtualporch@gmail.com. And be sure to subscribe – you don’t want to miss a single conversation. I'll be sitting on the porch every Monday morning waiting for your visit!

Thanks again for stopping in. I will see you next week on Living a Simple Life with a Back Porch View. And while you are waiting for the next episode, grab that glass of refreshment, pull up a rocker, and sit back for a while. It’s time to relax and enjoy.