This cube is a tactile and musical sensory toy of Montessori inspiration.

Montessori is an educative method developed by Maria Montessori, this method is based on the freedom to choose the educational path and on the respect for the natural development of the child. Children must be left free to explore the world. It‘s in this context that sensory materials take shape, they aren’t just games but tools to help the child in the initial period of his life in which he has a particular need to perform sensory activities.
With Montessori materials children develop their cognitive powers through direct experience: seeing, hearing, tasting, smelling, touching, and movement. I designed this cube so that it could reflect the characteristics of Montessori materials: natural and quality materials, simple and realistic shapes, each cube face dedicated to a single activity linked to a precise sensation to give to the child. A simple and safe toy with which the child can interact freely and that will grow with him.

The cube consists of 6 faces crocheted separately and then joined wit a round of simple crochet stitches.

I made this cube for my 8 month old niece, since she is attracted by any sounds and she likes rattles then I inserted a rattle box inside the sun and the cloud but you can quietly not put them, it’s your free choice

This cube is of 12 cm/ 5” in side and 24 cm/10 “ in height. The dimensions are approximate and may vary depending on the yarn and the number of crochet used.

Not: this pattern corresponds to 9 patterns in one:

1. Basic square of each faces of the cube
2. Handle face
3. Rabbit face
4. Sun face
5. Apple face
6. Flowers face
7. Tree face
8. Carrot
9. Cloud

With these pattern you can do not only this sensorial cube but a lot of other things: you can use the basic square or any other cube face to make a simple potholder or a baby blanket and so on.

Materials:

• Schachenmayr cotton yarn ( 50g~125m / 1.75oz~137yds ) in colors indicated in the pattern;
• crochet hook nº2.5 mm
• polyester fiberfill
• needle
• pins
• scissors
• stitch marker
• Optional: 12x27 mm rattle box insert

GAUGE: not essential.

The pattern is suitable for an intermediate level of crochet knowledge. You should know basic crochet stitches including chain, slip stitch, single crochet, half double crochet, double crochet, decrease or sc2tog and how to start with a magic ring.