Nature Babies: Natural Knits and Organic Crafts for Moms, Babies, and a Better World offers a wonderful, holistic approach to caring for our babies, ourselves, and our planet. Author Tara Jon Manning has created the ultimate guide to treating babies and mommies to the joys of nature and the pleasure of crafting. Explore how to combine handcraft and gift making with the philosophy of living lightly. Practice the adage reduce, reuse, recycle while creating handcrafted, one-of-a-kind treasures. The inspired designs are supplemented by information about holistic approaches to raising baby and the stewardship of your baby's world.

What better way to welcome a new life into the world than with a soft, luxurious, handmade gift of organic fiber? Ecologically sound, buttery soft, and tender-skin-friendly-and made by you with love and care-the toys and clothing featured here are perfect for mommy and child to enjoy together. Over thirty projects are included, in three types of handwork: knitting, sewing, and felting. The first-time crafter will discover expert guidance and easy-to-follow instructions, while the seasoned will delight in the beauty of the patterns and the texture of natural fibers and yarns.

The wide selection of projects is made up entirely of organic materials. Make a bath suite-including a washcloth and robe-out of high-quality natural yarn. Use hot-water hand felting to turn your old, gently loved sweaters into soft blocks. Detailed schematics and full-color photographs accompany each project, guiding the reader through the creation of one beautiful design after another.

Nature Babies includes knitting, sewing, and felting projects that are all created with safe and soft fabric or yarn — perfect for little ones to cuddle or wear. Projects for more than 30 items are included, complete with expert guidance for beginners and easy-to-follow instructions for all. 75 color photos. 30 line drawings.

Tara Jon Manning has been captivated by all things fiber since she was a child, having started knitting at age eight. Her designs can be seen in knitting magazines, books, and collections from major yarn companies. Tara holds a master's degree in apparel/textile design and fiber arts and a bachelor's degree in drawing and painting. Tara's former retail store, Over the Moon, was named one of "America's Most Loved Yarn Shops" by Interweave Press's Knitter's Stash. She has lived in Boulder, Colorado, for more than twenty years, and organic products and holistic care are a part of Tara's everyday life. The mother of two, Tara finds her biggest inspiration in her children. This is her fifth book.