wool – NaturalKids Team

Posted on May 30, 2013

Recycling & Upcycling the Kenyan Way

After Jess’ account earlier this week of thrifting the American way, here’s a brief update on the Kenyan way.

Living in Kenya provides a whole different perspective on the consumption society. Recycling and reinvention of items are the matter of the day especially since new goods are generally very expensive.

The solution for the average person here is to shop for used goods. From toys, to shoes, to furniture, clothing, etc., basically everything you can find in a thrift shop in the Western World. It is that world where most of the items here come from. Kenya is among the largest recipients of used goods, especially clothing and cars. I am sure that we all have seen containers placed in certain parts of large cities in Europe and the USA inviting us to throw in our unwanted clothes, shoes and even other items. Most of what we would throw into these containers finds its way to Africa – and most often to Kenya. The charities, who collect clothes in the containers sell the goods (=funds raised for the charity) to an intermediary, who then sorts and sells the goods to vendors here in East Africa. The goods are packed in large bundles, which then find their way to the Mitumba (which literally translates into Bundle) markets across Kenya. At a Mitumba market, the average person can pick up a nice outfit for a decent price. Depending on the quality of the item, you can get a shirt for 10 Kenyan Shillings (US$ 0,11), or spend as much as 1000 Kenyan Shillings (US$ 11). The latter items would be rather upmarket and brands of high recognition.

Impressions of Toi Market - A Mitumba Market in Nairobi — Impressions of Toi Market – A Mitumba Market in Nairobi

As a crafter the Mitumba market is ideal place for me to find nice fabrics and materials to upcycle and use in my creations. For those who know my Etsy shop, you can immediately find a combination of traditional East African materials with upcycled materials. The yoga mat carriers as well as the pencil rolls are a perfect example. My personal love for jeans as well as colourful kikoy is reflected in those items.

The ziezo Designs bunting baby dolls were born on the Mitumba Market by seeing a pile of wonderful wool jumpers, some felted, others not. The felted wool was the perfect material to make lovely soft baby dolls children across the world would enjoy.

On my most recent trip to the market I picked up some lovely flower fabrics in the form of a skirt, some pillow cases and a dress. I have plans to create a fabric bunting with these great fabrics, a different take on my traditional bandanna buntings like these:

Keep your eyes on the ziezo Etsy shop! Soon there will be more upcycled products made with the donations that started in the Western world, which were then commercially passed on to those shopping at the Mitumba markets. It might actually be made out of something that you donated!

Interested in learning a little more about living in Kenya? Visit my personal blog “ziezo – Crafting and Living in Kenya“

Posted on May 28, 2013 August 9, 2017

New Designs for Spring by broodbaby

With the Arrival of Spring, New Designs Break Ground

When I first met my husband we quickly made scavenging the local flea markets a favorite past time. He’d routinely select some item from a vendor’s cache and ask me what I saw. I’d respond shoe form, wrench, or whatever else the item happened to be. “No,” he’d say. “That’s what it is. I want to know what it could be.” Such a simple statement that became the cornerstone of my point of view in all my ensuing design challenges.

We live a pretty earth friendly life. My husband spends a good part of the year chopping the wood we use to heat our home through the New England winters. I manage the kitchen; cooking and baking our breads, snacks, meals with an emphatic keeping to organic and local ingredients. We know our farmers. We are fanatic recyclers. We drive a hybrid. So, it should come as no surprise that when I started my fiber and textile business my materials would continue in the vein in which we live our life. The fabrics and yarn I work with are all organic, natural, fair trade, recycled, and/or re-purposed. With a steady eye on quality of both my designs and my materials, my constant challenge is to eek out the best of possibilities from my cottons or woolens. What shape will my collected treasures take next in their recycled evolution?

Quite honestly, I can’t even recall how I first started working with sweaters, but somehow I started collecting beautiful wool, cashmere, fair isle, aran—exquisite sweaters that for some reason or another were being discarded. Sifting through thrift shops and rummage sales became a favorite activity. And my husband’s first questions that he posed during our courtship became a constant echo. What’s next? What’s next? And then one day designs started falling from mind’s eye to my pencil and paper to my cutting table. Cashmere bunnies, and fair isle elephants all started to take shape. Pigs and starfish and puppy dogs began to fill the studio. My little gallery now hosts a community of little friends to join the community of our littlest treasures: our kids.

This incredibly soft Cashmere Bunny satisfies her sweet tooth with Cupcakes, which are also made with bits and pieces of recycled sweaters.

A gentle elephant springs to life with cheery thanks to a wool fair isle sweater.

Everything starts with the washing and felting of the sweaters and very frequently some design detail in them–be it a placket or a seam–will inspire the Sweet Critter that it will become.

Jess Wrobel: A lifelong creative type, my studio is filled with an enormity of wonders from the fiber world from which I create my knitwear and pattern designs and textile art pieces. With my husband as my cohort, we reclaim, repurpose, and salvage old pieces into new functional home decor and furniture works. I teach, and write, and enjoy meeting everyone in person at artisan shows. Please visit www.Jwrobel.com <http://www.Jwrobel.com> or follow me on www.facebook.com/JwrobelStudio <http://www.facebook.com/JwrobelStudio> to learn more.

Posted on March 26, 2013

MamaWestWind, Stories…

Once there was and once there was not, a magical meadow on the edge of an enchanted forest. The forest was home to many magical beings. MamaWestWind knew them all…

I fell in love with story when I was little. As a child I loved nothing better than to lay outside under my favorite horse chestnut tree, feel the cool breeze on my skin, smell that green earthy smell of the grass, wildflowers & trees and be carried away by a book. In my books I could travel to distant times and places all over the world.

When I became a Mom I really wanted to impart my love of story to my children. One of the books that has captured our hearts is “Old Mother West Wind” by Thornton Burgess. My boys and I really love the creative way in which the forces of nature are personified. There is Old Mother West Wind who is the wind, her children the Merry Little Breezes, Old Dame Nature, Old Mother Moon and many others.

So when I began making peg dolls for my three year old son and couldn’t stop, I knew an etsy shop had been born. I didn’t have to look very far for the name of my shop, MamaWestWind. I loved the idea that “Old Mother West Wind” being the wind, the very air around us, would know every creature in the forest. She would know the animals, the gnomes, fairies & all. My littles call me “Mama” & so MamaWestWind became my alter ego, my friend, my creative outlet & so began her story.

Since that time my little shop has grown and I am so ecstatic to be doing what I love. I get the privilege of creating little playthings, friends. that children then take into their worlds and imagine the most wonderful stories. And so the circle is complete.

(picture by a happy customer & photographer Jacqueline Leigh)

Please visit me at my blog, Chocolate Eyes where I blog about crafting, homeschooling, gardening , just life with three boys in the sunny Southwest. I recently wrote a post about my brand new studio, so come for a tour! Also check out my shop MamaWestWind on etsy. For shop updates and giveaways “like” my MamaWestWind Facebook page.

Posted on November 20, 2012

Dyeing Wool with Kids

In our family we love rainbows, and once in a while we wish for rainbow colored wool. While pure wool yarn is not difficult to obtain here in Kenya, the colored part is the challenge, unless you are into some DIY and crafting with kids. . .

A few years back I learned that it is rather easy to dye your own wool with food color of all things. Food color easily dies protein fibers (e.g. wool and silk), but not others like cotton and man-made fibers. This makes it a great craft project to undertake with your kids as most spills in clothes will easily wash out again.

What you need for this project:

Wool yarn
Food coloring
Vinegar
Plastic gloves (food dye can stain your hands for a day or two)
Cling wrap and/or old towel
A microwave (alternatively use a steaming pot or the sun)

First, in the event that your wool is in a ball, unwind it and create a skein. It’s easy to use the back of a chair to do this. Tie the skein loosely in a couple of places with some left over wool, or another string.

Soak the skein for an hour or longer in a solution of half vinegar and half water. This vinegar bath is the mordant for the dyeing process and it is important to ensure the bath is completed before starting this craft with your kids.

Select the colors in which you want to dye your wool and mix them with some water to the desired shade. The amount of ‘dye’ depends on the number of colors and amount of wool you want to dye. I used five colors and each color was less than half a glass of fluid.

Cover your work surface with cling wrap, or if you are eliminating the use of plastic an old towel will also work well. Take the skein out of the mordant and squeeze excess fluid gently out of the wool. Place the skein on the work surface and carefully spoon the dye onto the wool. Gently squeeze the dye into the wool, ensuring that it gets absorbed well. Work color for color and be aware that the colors might blend.

Then carefully transfer the wool to a microwave safe dish or plate and cover it loosely with cling wrap. Microwave the wool for 5 minutes, check on the progress and then microwave it on high for another 3 minutes. This cooking of the wool will help set the color.

If you do not have a microwave you can also steam the wool in steamer pot, or have the wool covered with the cling wrap steam in the sun. Do an internet search for the timing and instructions for these steaming methods.

Place the wool in an area where it can dry, but make sure it is not in the direct sunlight.

Once the wool has dried, you can wind it into a ball and it is ready to use.

A fun project to undertake with kids, and there is more fun to be had in deciding together on a new project in which to use the yarn!

Happy dyeing!

Andrea

Posted on November 15, 2012

Handmade Holidays: Tutorial for Sweater Pants

Pants made out of sweater sleeve is a classic in our house. They are comfortable, cheap and easy to make. I always get compliments on them when my little guy is wearing some. When I explained how easy it is, they all say : What a great idea!

This is a very easy and quick project that the even the I-barely-ever-touched-a-sewing-machine beginner can do.

You’ll need:

Sweaters
Thin or wide elastic for the waist.
The recipiant children’s pair of pants for a guide.

Cut out the sleeves of your sweater. The older the child, the bigger sweater you’d like to use.

Fold guide pants in half and place over sleeve. Cut.

Turn once sleeve inside out. Put the right side out sleeve into the inside out one.

Sew along.

For the waist, Method 1:

Serge the waist or double fold it. Sew along leaving a place to insert the elastic.

The elastic should be the circumference of the waist. Insert, sew both ends of the elastic and close the whole.

Method 2 : this one is less pretty, but it’s useful when you know there won’t be enough room for the butt if you fold at the waist. Some might want to use a coordonating color one. You can easily dye elastics. Ultimately it doesn’t show when there’s a shirt over it.

Take a wider elastic and sew ends together. Place wrong side facing elastic over right side facing pants and sew or serge around.

Now you know what to make of that pile of sweater people always give you ( I know I’m not alone! Someone even gave me only the sleeves…) I always make a pair of those for the Winter Solstice morning and they are always a hit.

Posted on August 24, 2012

Felted Wool Cell Phone Case Tutorial

My cell phone is forever getting lost at the bottom of my purse. I wanted to make a pretty cell phone case that would make it easier to keep track of.

First I knit a rectangle with easily felt-able wool yarn. Knit it larger than you need because it will shrink when felted. I simply guess-estimated making it about twice the size as I needed on size 8 needles. I knit 30 stitches across which ended up being too wide. Make sure it’s a wool yarn that can be felted. Stay away from yarn that says “machine washable” or “superwash” as it will not felt. You can knit it or you can upcycle an old wool sweater by felting it in a hot wash cycle.

HOW TO FELT OR UPCYCLE WOOL:

To do this, take your knitted wool rectangle or wool sweater and add it to the washer tied in a pillow case. (this is to save your washer from wool fuzz.) Wash on hot with other sweaters or a few thick towels or pairs of jeans. These will help agitate the wool. Add a small amount of detergent. Wash once or twice in hot water. Check your sweater or knit piece to see if it’s tightly felted. If it it’s felted well then dry it on high. Check often to make sure it doesn’t wrinkle while drying. Once it wrinkles it’s wrinkled for good. Now, when you cut your wool the stitches won’t pull apart or fray. If it does fray then repeat the felting process.

My felted rectangle ended up a little large so I cut it to size. Use one long rectangular piece. The bottom of the case will be the folded edge.

Now the decorating begins. I used some scraps of wool yarn I had on hand. I needle felted a single strand of green wool to make a leaf design.

Needle felt it well so that it does not pull off when rubbing against things in your purse.

Next I chose a brighter peach/pink wool for my flower. I simply started in the center and wrapped it around and around to make a spiral or circle.

Then I needle felted the stem.

Blanket stitch the sides together. Begin by hiding the knot inside at the bottom of the case.

Blanket stitch all the way up on both sides. You can add a string so you can wear it by finger knitting the string and sewing it on. Or you can finger knit a latch and button. Mine works well without a button and surprisingly doesn’t slip out in my purse. I wanted to be able to easily pull it out in a hurry with out having to fumble with a button. Though if you want to add a strap to wear it a button might be wise.

I think I’m going to have to make another with a strap for when we go on our walks. How decadent of me! Enjoy your lovely, new cell phone case! And if you make this please link back to us here at Natural Kids so we can see.

Posted on June 20, 2011

What’s new, and, well, natural from the Naturalkids Team on Etsy

Welcome! I continue my trek backwards through the alphabet to bring to you the most wonderful and imaginative treasures. They are all handmade with natural materials from…yes! the NaturalKids Team on Etsy! This week, we feature wonderful variety of artists who work in either wood or wool, bug and love working with sustainable, natural materials.

Friendly Skunk Toy

Woodmouse‘s Amber creates Eco-friendly wooden toys handmade from sustainably harvested USA poplar. All the wooden toys and figures in the shop are designed, cut, woodburned and sanded by her. Her water-based paints have been independently third-party tested for safety. They are AP Certified non-toxic and bear the ACMI non-toxic label. Amber seals with organic jojoba oil and beeswax from a local beekeeper. Here is her Friendly Skunk Toy.

Wood Phone Toy

The Wood Toy Shop is run by Mark, a stay at home dad, who just installed new solar electric panels to power the workshop! His toys are built to last from hard woods and are finished with non-toxic mineral oil. Most of the wood he uses are mill ends and scrap from cabinet shops. Here is his Wood Phone Toy.

Sea Horse Wool Diaper Cover

Angela, of Wild Child Woolies is a stay at home/work at home/homeschooling (I guess she’s HOME a lot!) mom of 5 awesome kids. In her shop you’ll find unique, top quality, handmade wool interlock diaper covers for cloth diapered infants and toddlers. Here is her Seahorse Wool Interlock Pull Up Diaper Cover/Soaker.

Wet Felted Pocket Mirror

Kim of Viltalakim crafts all of her household decor items, wearables and and other treasures, by the wet felting technique with super soft merino wool. She does this all by hand, without sewing/ knitting first. No washing machine, just her own hands… Here is her Wet Felted Pocket Mirror.

From imaginative wood toys for storytelling and play to natural baby necessities to wet felted wool treasures, these are just a few of the natural creations you will find from our shops hailing from all over the world.

Thanks for joining us this week! Please do return again next Monday as we continue to feature all the wonderful members of the NaturalKids team on Etsy. Until then, I invite you to browse all our wonderful shops.

Warmly,
Rebecca aka Nushkie
Nushkie on Facebook

Posted on May 17, 2011

A Knitted Friend Born from Love!

Every child loves to have something to snuggle and love. I still have my first teddy bear a hand-me-down from my brother but my bear was so loved he hardly has any fur left. For my own children I wanted something that was a little different. I didn’t want something born from a factory.

For my daughter I wanted something made with love, something she would cherish and keep forever. I wanted something born from the love and imagination of the maker. Something made with loving hand that gently took some beautiful yarn carefully selected and then lovingly stuffed with the same care.

Etsy is a great place to find such items and Sara was just the right artist to create this toy for my daughter. Words from the artist; “Knitting is my passion – the colors, the textures, I love it all and hope that you do too! My favorite things to knit are animals…” If you don’t know these wonderful toys from sight, then you must take the time to look in a lovely shop, Woolies by Sara.

I highly recommend these wonderful woolies for your next gift giving. Need another reason? Just check out Sara’s feedback to know how much her customers, not just me, love her work. Read what some of her adoring fans have said…

“Cutest sheepie I have ever seen! They dont have a button for how positive this sheep is! Thank you so much. She will be loved for years and years :0) she turned out wonderful!”

“The best, softest, sweetest monkey! He looks lovely in his purple overalls and he is dearly loved by his new owner! Thank you! The best things do come in brown paper packages tied up in string!!”

“He is so adorable I can hardly stand it! He really has so much character, he’s a welcome addition to our home :)”

This is a true and honest product review, all items reviewed were purchased by the writer of this post. Beccijo Neff

Posted on April 4, 2011

What’s New, and, Well Natural from the Natural Kids Team on Etsy

Welcome! I continue my trek backwards through the alphabet to bring to you the most wonderful and imaginative treasures. They are all handmade with natural materials from…yes! the NaturalKids Team on Etsy!
This week, we feature an international array of artists from the United Kingdom to Canada to across the United States, who have one thing in common besides having their shops begin with the letter L – they all work with natural materials!

Love A Little is a three generation family of creators from the United Kingdom. Grandma, “mum” and daughters work with wool, cotton, and other natural materials to make Waldorf inspired dolls, brooches, and this, just for mommies…The Peace Flower Pouch is a cheerful 100% cotton flower print zipped tetra pouch. It is made to fit a Mooncup or other menstrual keeper when clean and in need of a safe 3D style pouch. It features a twisted thread pull to assist in opening and shutting the pouch.

Jade is a stay at home mommy creator from Canada. She is the loving engine behind …Little Lily Baboo. “I love being a stay at home mom to Addison, Tegan and Myka, and spending any free time sewing for my Etsy shop! Inspired by my girls, Little Lily products are a natural, gentle way to care for the most precious people in your life!”

Her blankets, wipes, towels and onsies are made from the organic and renewable fibers of bamboo. Here is her latest…the Cars Bamboo Hooded Towel for baby…

Making natural treasures for children Little Elfs Toy Shop is at the hear of Kelley from Oregon. “I love kids and making kids happy and have wanted to be a toy maker ever since I was a little girl. All of my toys are double sewn for best quality and are made with lots of love and care. I want these toys to last a long time so they can be loved for many, many moons.”

She specializes in natural dolls and toys, each doll is lovingly hand made of natural materials and are great for imaginative play. The dolls are all double sewn and stuffed with 100% sheep’s wool which will retain the body heat of one who holds them close. Here is her most recent treasure…a yummy Waldorf inspired cloth 12″ girl doll wearing an adorable light blue, hand sewn outfit.

Joe and Amy from Ohio are the creators and crafters behind Little Alouette‘s beautiful Montessori and Waldorf Wood teethers, organic blocks, safe infant and toddler toys, modern traditional rattles.

“In 2007 Little Alouette reinvented a way of thinking of natural toys. We breathed life back into the wooden teething industry by creating the first modern and fun shapes that the country had seen in a long time. Modern families want natural {old school} toys but they want them funky and gorgeous and safe. We do that at Little Alouette. We do it best.” Here is their Gigi Giraffe Ohio Maple Wood Sweet Teether.

That’s it for this week…. from pouches for mommy to bamboo baby hooded towels, Waldorf inspired wool stuffed dolls to wooden teethers …this is just a tiny sampling of the quality and variety our customers enjoy from the fine crafters and artists of the Naturakids team.

Thanks for joining us this week and please do return again next Monday as we make our way through the alphabet, featuring all the wonderful members of the Naturakids team on etsy! Til then, I invite you to browse all our wonderful shops.

Creatively yours,
Rebecca aka Nushkie

Posted on March 28, 2011

What’s New, and, Well Natural from the Natural Kids Team on Etsy

Welcome! I continue my trek backwards through the alphabet to bring to you the most wonderful and imaginative treasures. They are all handmade with natural materials from…yes! the Naturalkids Team on Etsy!
This week, we feature an international array of artists who have one thing in common besides having their shops begin with the letter M – they all work with natural materials!

Kate of Merino Me hails from Auckland New Zealand She describes herself as “a kiwi mother who loves to design and sew.” She creates merino wool garments for all ages. Garments that allow your body to move and breathe, naturally. She uses the finest, softest merino wool available, sourced in New Zealand. NZ merino wool is machine washable (yay!) and does not irritate the skin. Wash and wear it like your favorite cotton. Here is her newest cozy treasure –
Cowl Scarf.

The creative mind behind Maple Shade Kids is Wanda from New Hampshire, who lives there with her husband, 10 year old daughter and her 7 year old twin boys.

“I unleashed my passion for designing and creating when my family and I moved into our New England farmhouse. It was an open canvas for me. With lots of imagination, a bit of wood, fun papers and earth friendly paint, I was able to transform our rooms and furniture into creative, fun designs that my children/family adore. I haven’t stopped since.” Here is her lovely Brown Bear Peeking Large Collage.

The creative force behind Mama4earth is Linda. Sweet knitted animals and treasures from Johannesburg, South Africa. “I am a stay at home mother of four delightful children, who inspire me to create these wonderful knitted treasures consisting of Waldorf inspired knitted and wooden farm animals, gnomes and toys.” Here is her Labrador Dog Knitting Pattern.

Mamaks is a mama of 2 little ones living in Seattle, WA. “I started this whole crazy play clay thing while pregnant with my second baby. I was making it so often for my eldest daughter and her friends, and getting so much good feedback I thought why not put it out there and see what happens? So here I am, fledgling play clay maven of Etsy bringing my yummy smelling play clay to the whole wide world!” Her clay i s gluten free, all natural and biodegradable. Here is her latest: Geranium scented gluten free play clay in 4 oz.

That’s it for this week…. from sturdy, environmentally friendly merino wool clothes to wooden artwork and toys to knitted toys and patters to delicious smelling an natural play clay…this is just a taste of the quality and variety our customers enjoy from the fine crafts folk/artists of the Naturakids team.

Thanks for joining us this week and please do return again next Monday as we make our way through the alphabet and begin with the Ls, featuring all the wonderful members of the Naturakids team on etsy! Til then, I invite you to browse all our wonderful shops.

Creatively yours,
Rebecca aka Nushkie