Anyone else making things for Christmas fairs?

Yes, I was thinking the same thing Billybob - someone gave me some balls of glittery yarn so I was going to add a bit of that in with their cloaks.

Never thought of glitter yarn, , but I think all my kings look pretty splendid anyway, particularly the red king (Balthazar) - especially his headdress! Though I diverged from JG's colours and gave him a purple body, since the lighter red I'd ordered turned out rather garish and cheap looking - not at all regal.

My friend gave it to me and I wondered what on earth I could use it for - no-one would wear it!

Except a King

My DS knitted the whole Nativity for me when I ran a small nursery. My BiL made the stable (huge) and I still get it out every year at home now I no longer work with children (yippee) (oops). My donkey also has knobbly knees and he looks on the verge of collapse but I wedge him up and he's lasted well. I am in awe of anyone who could have so much patience, well done to all who are knitting these, they are wonderful.

I'm thinking about a stable now. A lot of the online demos involve carpentry, but I've found a tutorial that uses cardboard cartons, brown paper, paint and glue, and dried moss. Plus a few twigs! Shall have to ask the corner shop for boxes - they're usually happy to offload them.
Found some small glittery stars in Sainsbury's today - one of those will do nicely on the roof.

I have so much assorted yarn left over, I'm mad enough to be wondering whether to make another next year and offer it to either Gdd's primary, where she'll be in reception, or Gds's pre school - both C of E, so I don't suppose they'd turn their noses up.

I cheated and bought two knitted sheep but DGD1 said one of them looks more like a cow.

Nowt wrong with that, Jalima - there was supposed to be an ox in the stable, wasn't there?

It looks more like a Friesian cow

I may take its head off and knit another one from the JG pattern!

How are you all getting on?
Having run out of suitable ribbon, and finally worked out how to make twisted cords, I've finished my twig tree for the school fair.
It's been a brilliant excuse for neglecting housework and ironing - shall have to think of something else now! Apart from the donkey - still have old Eeyore to do.

How are you all getting on?
Not very well! But it was half-term last week and I was out a lot.

And, despite having bags of yarn, there doesn't seem anything that suitable for shepherds' bodies.

They're all lovely Witzend

I see that your shepherds 'bodies' are brown and fawn - I was trying to find a tweed mix like the one in the pattern, but I have brown and fawn so I'll use those - yours look good.

I couldn't find a tweedy mix either, at least not one that wasn't ££££ in John Lewis, so just mixed up what I had - grey body, brown robe, fawn body, grey robe, etc.

I tried making the mermaid's chair as per the JG pattern, but it wasn't a success so have binned it. First JG item that hasn't been worth the effort, but heigh ho.

Your twig tree looks great Witzend, very nice. I am knitting 'hats' to cover Ferrer Rocher chocs, easy to do and popular at bazaars etc., Shame about the Mermaids chair, perhaps you can make a big cushion for her to sit on.

I don't think tweedy mixes are 'in' at the moment

I did see one in JL, Jalima, but it was ££££, daft for the purpose.

BB, I thought the Ferrero Rocher hats were in crochet, which I never learned to do. Not that I'd probably get around to any now - too much else to do, presents and whatnot, and I have guests coming to stay in the not too distant, and the house needs a really good blitz.
Just as well we have guests fairly often - not sure it would get much blitzing otherwise...

I thought the shepherds would have been wearing sheepskin anyway!

Witzend, I managed to find a FR hat to knit, I cant crochet unfortunately, also knitting tiny hats to go on top of bottles plus matching scarf to go around the neck of the bottle, knit these in football colours for friends who are footie supporters, useful way of using up my rainbow collection of wool.

Yes, Jalima, especially 'in the bleak midwinter, when frosty wind makes moan...'!

BB, you have made me think of a man-size scarf in Oxford United colours for a dd's partner. I will never get around to it now - haven't a clue about their colours, now I come to think of it. Maybe next year....

Put it on your "to do" list Witzend

Well, I've finished my donkey. His mane looks a mite scruffy, but otherwise I'm pleased with him.

'Only' the stable now. I just wish I had some really detailed, JG type instructions!

DIL asked me to knit so am doing the Christmas pudding covers with Ferrero Rocher chocs. In the previous village I lived in I made mini dog bones, entirely natural, rice flour, wholemeal oil and herbs. They sold well.

That's good Witzend I think my donkey will need the kiss of life before I display him this year, just knitted a sheep, managed to get the legs all the same size this time, gdaughter thought it was a polar bear! oh dear.
Lily - like the sound of your mini dog bones good idea.

I've been knitting "hats" for Ferrero and chocolate oranges. Just wonder please, if anyone has done them before, how much do they usually sell for ? They are easy enough to do (which is why I can do them!) and hope they raise lots of money for the charity I'm involved with