1. Subtle Acts ~~ 2. Glamourpuss Creations ~~ 3. Forest and Fin ~~ 4. Stuff by Nicole

5. Phydeaux Designs ~~ 6. Bluebird by Lucie ~~ 7. Finest Imaginary ~~ 8. The Venerable Bead

I first learned how to knit when I was in middle school. My grandmother—the goddess of all textile arts—taught me, and I’ve been striving for greatness ever since. But I’m stuck in the rut of scarves and more scarves, without the patience to learn anything more complicated.

Solution? Knit Green: 20 Projects & Ideas for Sustainability. Author and artist Joanne Seiff came out with this amazing book last year that features eco-friendly knitting ideas for all skill levels—even mine! Plus she realizes that even though lots of us want to do something to create a sustainable world, we don’t all know what to do. So she adds simple tips and facts that help us take steps towards environmentalism. (Did you know that hemp doesn’t need any pesticides and can even be used for knitting yarn?)

One of my favorite projects is the zafu, which is a cozy round floor cushion using Navajo-Churro rug yarn. The skill level is easy (perfect!) and it’s a gorgeous addition to a den or family room.

I’m also excited to try the knitted curtains, something I never would have thought of making. Joanne’s pattern makes an airy and soft window covering using sportweight wool. It’s a creative way to use up extra wool and make something that you would normally purchase.

The best part of Knit Green is that it isn’t just a project guide. I learned so much about fair trade practices, buying local, sustainable farming, and more from Joanne’s research and stories. In the end, it’s really about being mindful about your purchases, even with your craft supplies. Host a yarn swap with friends, check thrift shops for supplies, and reuse old clothes for projects. Like Joanne says in her conclusion, “every little bit makes a difference.”

About the contributor: Amy Anderson is one of  the Indie Fixx interns and is also a student at Northwestern University. Amy has wanted to be a journalist since she was just 5 years old and she is also into the indie design and crafting scenes as well. In addition to writing the occasional post, she also helps me with a variety of projects.

Mine Kurtulmus is an example of why following your heart can bring great happiness. Her Etsy shop, LoveandKnit just opened in September after Kurtulmus decided to leave her job and focus on her knitting and crafting full time. Her knits have fun, unique designs and her sister shop, LoveandDream, has lovely intricate clothes and accessories. Enjoy Kurtulmus’ story straight from Istanbul!

1. What do you create and how did you get started?

Knitting is my meditation. I love knitting so much, so I knit all the time. I have two Etsy shops. For LoveandKnit, I make stylish sweaters, cardigans, scarves, beanies, shawles, gloves…everything for winter. And for my LoveandDream shop, I make apparel, accessories and some jewelleries inspired by gypsies. I’m a fashion designer–I worked for big brands for many years. To be a fashion designer was my childhood dream. My dream came through but after years in the textile sector, I began to feel tired. My life was just like the movie “The Devil Wears Prada”! I wanted to change my lifestyle. I quit my job and found Etsy with a magical coincidence. Working at home and independence! That was definitely what I wanted.

2. Why do you sell on Etsy? Do you sell elsewhere as well?

I sell on Etsy because Etsy is my first sweetheart. Everything is going perfect on Etsy, everything is clear. I trust Etsy as a buyer and also as a seller. I think this is why I sell on Etsy.

3. Where do you get the ideas for your pieces?

I make my designs like I’m making them for myself. I never make a thing that I don’t like to wear.

4. Where do you go or what do you do when you need inspiration?

If I don’t know what to do and need some inspiration, movies help me. I have a DVD collection and some of them are really speacial for me.It’s really hard to catch the images flying over my head after I watch them. And I get my inspirations from the materials I use.

5. Where do you see your work going in the future?

Just better and happier!

6. Describe your artistic style in three words.

Unique, well made, special.

Here’s what I came up with.

1. Poppies from Dutch – Dutch Felt Art
2. Roses – Nestings
3. Daisies – Hey Miemie
4. Flowers -felt by ingermaaike
5. Flower Bouguet – Richmade
6. Orchids – Nestings

By guest contributor Alexa Carey

It seems that just as we find that ideal summer dress, the colors in the trees deepen and it’s time again to pull out those turtleneck sweaters. If you aren’t ready for the change just yet, maybe these wool accessories well help change your mind.

1. Once the weather cools, wool scarves are ideal accessory. They can be practical or more fashionable, like the  Secret Forest from Evelda’s Neverland  – $125. It’s made from crocheted wool and cotton ferns, pine cones and acorns, which adorn the tree branch neckpiece. The acorns are even filled with wood shavings.

2. The nuno felted Victorian Scarf from Fullenstar Studio – $50 will maybe keep you a little warmer and was created with sage, burgundy, and cream merino wool roving.

3. As will Fringe’s Sangria scarf – $74 which is a lovely deep burgundy soft wool blend scarf with a white blossom decoration.

4. And nothing really says fall like the changing of the leaves, so why not embody that in a scarf?  Enchanted Forest Lariat by Kanokwalee – $98

5. Scarves aren’t the only fashion accessory for fall. Check out Kjoo’s fiber necklace – $120 which is felted with aubergine and mustard colored wool.

6. Ticked Pink Knits creates all sorts of beautiful knits including this Cashmere Collar – $72.

7. Accessoire makes felted flower brooches and hair clips just perfect for autumn, like this Urbane Flower Brooch – $22 .

8. How about a felted bag to tie your outfit together made by Elena Makes Things – $45?

At least when the chill of wind blows, we’ll have a stylish wool wardrobe fit for the season!

I love fiber. I love to knit with it, I love to fondle it, I love to horde it, and I even love to smell it. Seriously, there should be a twelve step program for this addiction I’ve got. I especially love to know the story of fiber; where it came from, how it was grown and how it was produced. There is something quite magical when you knit with a dream skein and you know the tail of how it got to your hot little hands. It makes a good story and when people ask you about your creation you have a little bit more to add to it. So here are a couple of amazing yarns and companies that you can feel good about using, knowing the where and how of its production.

Fox Fiber  is a wonderful organic cotton yarn that comes in numerous colors. No chemicals where used in the production of the cotton and the best thing about this yarn, beyond the fact that it is organic cotton, is that the colors are naturally occurring! That’s right, no dye was used to produce the amazing shades of greens and browns that Fox Fiber offers. The natural colors came about after many years of careful cross breeding to get the fiber and colors just right.

Thirteen Mile Lamb and Wool is one great yarn company. They look at the production of their yarn from all angles and are happy to share their fiber story. They carefully consider the health and well being of their flock and are certified organic as well as certified predator friendly. The yarn they produce is processed start to finish right in their barn and is offered in a variety of undyed skeins as well as several plant dyed skeins. And for extra cool points, their hot water is from a solar hot water heater!

If you’re looking to add a dash of luxury to your knitting you can’t go wrong with silk. Aurora Silk offers a wonderful tussah silk yarn that simply glows from its beautiful luster and is a dream to knit with. Tussah silk is often called “peace silk” due to the method of production, which waits for the moth to emerge from its silk cocoon before processing. Tussah cocoons are collected from around the trunks of mulberry trees, which is the preferred food of the silk worm.

Ever dream of running away to a farm to raise sheep? Well if reality keeps you where you are, you can now buy a share of farm with a yarn CSA from Martha’s Vineyard Fiber Farm. A share will buy you farm updates, invites to shearing day and a portion of the clippings from sheep and goats spun into yarn. The folks at Martha’s Vineyard Fiber Farm are very dedicated to their flock and take special care with their tending; feeding them an organic diet and keeping them safe in predator friendly ways. So hurry, Marth’s Vineyard Fiber Farm is now taking orders for the fall share.

Folktail Fiber is a small fiber company that handspins magical yarns. I don’t think I’ve ever met a skein of hers that I didn’t like. Folktail gives a very detailed and well thought out rational for fiber use and it is much appreciated. She prefers to use fiber from mill ends and sources direct from the farmer whenever possible. She is also wading into the world of natural dyes and it is a real treat if you ever get the chance to see her spin.

About the contributor: Kelly Rand is staff writer for DCist.com, lead writer for Crafting a Green World, and is co-founder of Hello Craft, a non-profit trade association dedicated to the advancement of indie crafters and the handmade movement. Kelly is a compulsive knitter and avid maker who believes that handmade will save the world.

I’ve already told you about some of my purchases here + here, but I also wanted to let you know that I bought an extra large deer tote from Bubble Dog (hanging up here on the left). And, I got a Circle Deer necklace from Figs & Ginger as well.

It was a great show and I gotta tell you that I wish Erin and Megan would think about doing a holiday show…hint, hint.

Dreamy ceramics from Robert Siegel Ceramics. I really fell for this golden yellow glaze and the irregular shape of these vases. The flowers smelled delish as well!

I have been eying the work of Penelope Rakov in the Art Star Gallery & Boutique ever since 1st discovering it there last year and I was so happy to get to meet the artist in person. I bought this little number.  Will be making many more purchases, I believe.

Vintage fabric large wristlets from Lolo + Gretch.

Blood Milk had a really cool display.

Pretty peacock pillow from JennyJen42.

Timmy Tadpole is just too cute.  I like the little guy with the glasses. I hope someone gave him a good home. From So Softies.

All the yarn from Traveling Rhinos was bright, beautiful and just asking for knitting!

I’d spent all my money by the time I got to Olaria Studio.

More lovely handmade pottery jewelry from Olaria Studio.

I can never get enough of the handmade ceramics from Little Flower Designs. Love all of her new designs…don’t you?

More Little Flower Designs loving.

by guest contributor Brenda Lavell of Phydeaux Designs

Bazaar Bizarre kicked off San Francisco’s indie holiday shopping season with packed crowds!  Shoppers enjoyed live and DJ music, workshops, goody bags, and incredible wares.  I vended at the San Francisco/Bay Area Etsy Team table with several teammates during the afternoon and couldn’t believe how many shoppers there were!  Despite the crowds and business, I was able to grab a few photos to share with you all.

Mahar Drygoods – They offer seriously cute kid-oriented goodies, but I have to be honest … I wanted those cute felt ornaments for myself!

Joie Studio  – Beautiful letter press stationary and paper goods!

Mary Jane’s Attic – Fiber goodness!  Seriously!  I treated myself to three skeins of the most gorgeous mohair ever.

I Heart Guts – This table was just across from ours — I loved the bright colors!  Very creative — I wished I’d had these goodies back when I worked in direct health care.

Starshipmates  - Space Pirate Octopi?  Love them!!!

Baz Biz was great fun.  I loved meeting so many of my indie design colleagues and hope to participate again next year!