Milkweed is a useful plant that grows throughout much of Canada and the U.S. It is edible, used in natural healing and its filaments can be used in place of down for even greater warmth. For handwork, the teardrop shaped pods left behind when all of the filament blows away in the fall provide a wealth of craft possibilities.
These sweet babies are a lovely gift for little ones. They are simple to make: Just fold a pipecleaner in half and glue the pointy ends into the hole of a wooden bead. Glue on an acorn cap for a hat and then wind wool roving around the body to give the baby a swaddled look. Tack down the ends of the roving with a felting needle and tuck the baby into its milkweed cradle.
For a more grown up gift, babies can also be glued into the milkweed cradle and strung to be used as ornaments.
