I’ve begun crafting for holiday gift fairs. I think I’m only going to do the Green Gifts Fair (November 15) and Craft Saturday (November 21) this year. Here’s a sneak peek at some of what’s going to be available. I’m still working on lots more goodies, too.

Alright, so I made another pair of longies. Actually, I started these when we were on vacation in July, and then hibernated them for a bit while I waited for another skein of yarn - this particular pattern just EATS up yarn. It’s the Itchy Fingers pattern, which I’ve used once before. Both times, even though I follow her directions as far as measuring, etc., the end result is really kind of big. I felted these down a bit, but they’re still really roomy.

The yarn is Philosopher’s Wool. (Well, the brown is just leftover Paton’s Classic Wool.) I love this stuff. It’s got some lanolin left in it, plus it’s just kind of yummy. You can see that it kind of fuzzed up on me when I washed it - I should’ve turned it inside out, but I forgot.

I improvised the design on the legs. I knew my next project to cast on was going to be a hat for Randy in stranded two-color work, which I’ve never done, and I wanted the practice. Happily, the stranding turned out to be much easier than I realized.

So, at the suggestion of customers, I decided to start making the little baby shoes out of recycled wool sweaters. After cutting up a bunch of sweaters for pants and other goodies, I dug through the leftovers to find enough pieces to make a pair of shoes. Oddly, the pieces I have left when I’m done with sweaters aren’t necessarily big enough for shoes, so out of 8 sweaters, I found pieces for two slightly mismatched shoes. Which is fine just to give it a try, right?

But then, as I was sewing, I completely forgot how I make the heel. And so totally ruined that pair. Nice one.

Actually, the way I make the heel for cotton shoes works fine for cotton shoes, but will be REALLY bulky for wool shoes, so I need to figure out a new way anyway. Just, clearly, the way I did it is NOT that way.

I only took a washcloth, as my other project at that time was a bit bulky to drag to the game, but it was nice to have a chance to enjoy a game with a sleeping baby and be able to get some knitting done.

Ok, I seriously LOVE the felted DNA. I hate the way acrylic feels, but wool feels so, so nice. I’ve never felted anything stuffed before, but it worked out. I just lightly stuffed it, and then kept rearranging the stuffing during the felting process to keep it even and lump-free. Awesome.

So a gal on Etsy wanted me to make some small items for Advent gifts for her three kids.

Pins featuring some of their favorite things.

Rainbow Soaps

I also made bubble magnets, but apparently did not photograph them before shipping them off.

I love doing little custom jobs like this - searching for just the right thing, making small surprises for people. Part of what makes my job fun!!

I’m so excited about this! Natural Living Des Moines will be hosting the first annual Des Moines Green Gifts Fair in November!

The fair will be November 15, 10-4, at the Des Moines Social Club downtown. It should be an excellent opportunity to purchase eco-friendly gifts for the holidays - or for any event - or just for yourself!

We are currently accepting vendors for this awesome, unique event.

We are looking for vendors to sell items that are eco-friendly and that would make good gifts. We will be choosing vendors based on the items they plan to sell at the fair. Obviously, items should be eco-friendly in some way. Additionally, we will have a bias towards localism - items made from locally-sourced materials, items made locally, etc - but are not excluding non-local items/materials. Items do NOT need to be handmade, as this is not necessarily a craft fair. Additionally, food and wine vendors are welcome, as long as no alcohol is sold to be consumed onsite. Green service providers would also be a welcome addition, if there is some sort of “gift” component to what you do (even if it’s just gift certificates - who wouldn’t love a gift certificate for a massage for Christmas?).

Each booth will be 10’ x 10’ and will cost just $20. Please just let me know if you’d like an application! (sarahtar1@gmail.com)

I hate to admit it, but I’ve started the winter knitting.

Wally’s mittens are just a variegated blue wool. Simple. They knit up pretty fast. I made a long crochet chain to fasten them together so they don’t get lost.

Genna’s mittens are pink and brown. Also fast. Faster, of course, since they were smaller. Same crochet chain to fasten them together.

Both knit with just leftovers - unlabeled, but in the Superwash Leftovers bag, so they should be OK in the laundry - using the mittens pattern on this page from Sandy’s Needle Nook.

Wally doesn’t need a hat - the hat he’s been wearing for the last 2 years still fits him. Genna kind of needs a hat. She has three, but only one of those has a tie under the chin, which she definitely needs. The one with the tie is the Yoda hat.

Randy gets a hat. It’s double knit. I’m scared to start it, lol.