04.22.08

Earth Day 2008 - Eco Baby

Posted in Crafts, Family at 10:30 am by rachel

Greetings from London, where I am spending two weeks with Seth (who is working here weekdays until the end of June). The trip over on the Eurostar was quick, comfortable (Seth reserved us both seats in leisure select - my second time ever riding in a seat other than coach! yippee!), and apparently carbon-neutral - a far cry from my first visit in 1996, which involved a French tour bus full of high school students on an hours-long ferry.

In honor of Earth Day, I thought I would share a few of the eco-inspired sites and craft ideas that inspire me. Did you know we are in the middle of Use What You Have month? I was already trying to use up my stash in preparation for our eminent move from Paris, so when I found out that other crafters were on the same quest to find projects using materials either recycled or leftover, I felt like I was ahead of the game! First, you must check out the Crafting a Green World blog. Sometimes I (and perhaps other crafters) get so involved in making things ourselves that we just assume we’re doing the planet a favor…but craft supplies are a huge industry that is leaving quite a carbon footprint of its own. How those supplies are produced and their material composition are just as important to check as any other consumer item. This blog keeps me aware (with a conversational and non-preachy tone!) and also has some really awesome ideas for projects.

My current craft obsession: using up ball after ball of cotton yarn. In just 18 months or so, I’ve collected a dozen skeins of blue, yellow, and red yarn that has taken over my craft boxes. It seems to be multiplying! I’ve decided to use up this stuff for baby crafts before buying anything else. We don’t know yet if we’re having a boy or a girl, but no matter: I prefer to ditch the pink and baby blue for primary colors anyway. But what to make with it all? My solution: a “patchwork” baby blanket made of blue and yellow squares (I’m over half done; photos to come soon), a red sweater using the free “Marinière” pattern from Enfant Magazine (really beautiful designs, available only in French, hélas), and a couple of new baby bootee patterns. I’m working on creating a cross between a sock and a bootee (sockootee?) and hope to have a pattern up soon. Bootees are darling, but I think the stretchy ankle of a sock could make them easier to put on (and stay on?) a squirmy baby… The blanket and the bootees are perfect for stash-busting because you can just craft and craft until you run out. Bootees don’t take much yarn, and whether the blanket is crib-sized or queen-sized, it will be useful!

I will never get tired of this excellent bootee pattern.

In preparation for our new arrival in September, I’ve done some research on ecological baby products and am trying to do my best to create a healthy environment with as few toxins as possible. This little one will be born in the middle of Manhattan, so anything I can do to make his/her environment as clean as possible is worth it! We’re planning to use non-toxic, flushable gdiapers (a middle-ground alternative to disposables or cloth ones) and glass bottles (this daughter of a toxicologist has always been plastic-shy). My dad is going to brush up his toy-making skills and make some wonderful wooden toys (it’s what my sisters and I grew up with and cherished). But there is a lot more to think about.

My new favorite blog is ohdeeoh. It’s not particularly environmentally-focused, but like so many of us these days, there is a clear effort to find products that are better for the planet – and by extension, better for baby. The design inspiration is beautiful as well! One thing I appreciate on ohdeeoh is that every few days they post findings of used products on sites like craigslist. Having a baby sends many of us into a buying frenzy, but reusing or repurposing objects can mean a lighter load on the wallet and the planet. Of course, safety should always be the primary concern, so be sure that anything used (especially furniture) isn’t covered in lead paint and that they meet current safety standards.

I am setting the bar high but am also a realist: because this is my first adventure into motherhood I don’t know how much I can stay on plan once baby is here. But at least I’ll try!

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