Fall is my favorite season, for the weather and the colors, and even though we put up a Christmas tree in the house on Thanksgiving Day, I can’t bring myself to start decorating it yet. I’m reluctant to give up the pumpkin and bittersweet theme we’ve got going. I’m not sure what it will take to push me over the green and red edge. Maybe when all of the pretty amber and gold fields are completely covered up with snow, I’ll feel a need to pull out the sparkly garlands and glass globes. I just hate the rush to get Christmas up in the stores and streets – everyone looking in the windows and missing the most beautiful outdoors. Nevertheless, Christmas preparations are in full swing here at the farm as we make yarns, jewelry, decorations and woolcraft kits that we’ll both give as gifts and sell as Maidmarion Cottage Industries this holiday season.

Skeins of handspun wool and mohair yarns.

It’s slow going, this making stuff from scratch, and just like intensive vegetable farming, it requires the labor of many hands. Some of our summer CSA (community supported agriculture) farm members have pitched in on the wool processing, and so have our kids and their friends.

I’m the primary wash-and-dye girl, which those of you who knew me in my pink-hair days in Chicago will understand. The bulk of that work happens out in my garage studio, where I’ve had wool bubbling in colored vats on the stove for a month. Now all the wool is dyed and dried, and I’ve brought in the troops to clean and card. This step takes the most time, but is fun work as the carding machines are in the warm house, in front of windows with a view of the animals. Pigs playing in mud, sheep perched on top of haybales, cows cuddled up in their houses, chickens strutting by in a line – you can see it all from the dining room work area.

Jake and Yaeger comb tangled wool with the drum carders.

Carded wool batts ready to become yarn and jewelry.

This week I’ll be taking all the combed-out wool and making it into yarns, felted jewelry, and holiday garlands with wool flowers strung on silk ribbons. I’ll put together kits for crafters to make their own versions, as well. And finally, I’ll take the craps of wool I have left and embellish recycled-wool-sweater purses with pretty needle-felted roses and leaves. By Friday, I should have a colorful stash of fluffy stuff to take into Madison and sell at the Holiday Craftacular – a funky art show that used to be held at the High Noon Saloon, but this year has moved to a larger venue at the Masonic Center at 301 Wisconsin Avenue. Come visit me between 10am and 6pm there this Saturday, December 6! Mention the blog and I’ll give you 10% off your entire purchase.

I’m sure I’ll be in the mood to decorate for Christmas when I get back from the Craftacular. And I’m certain I’ll be inspired by the other artists to design all sorts of new woolly treasures when I get home, too. In the next two weeks, I’ll be posting images of what I’m making here, and if you are still in need of unique Christmas gifts for your loved ones, you can leave a comment and order something you’ve seen or have something custom-made to your specifications.

Happy Christmas-making to you and yours!