The Trail of Roses

Advent Felting Calendar | December 1–24

Follow the trail to Bethlehem, one little handful of wool at a time.

Please choose from the drop-down menu: online class only or online class & kit!

This year's Trail of Roses Advent Felting Calendar is inspired by an old German Advent song I have loved for many years: Maria durch den Dornwald ging — Mary Walked Through the Thornwood.

The song tells of Mary traveling through a barren forest of thorns while carrying the Christ child. As she passes through, something beautiful happens: the thorns begin to bloom with roses.

That image stayed with me.

For this Advent calendar, I imagined Mary continuing her journey toward Bethlehem, riding upon the donkey while Joseph walks beside her and leads the way. Around them, the landscape begins to bloom. Roses appear along their path, turning their journey into a trail of hope, beauty, and quiet anticipation.

And over the 24 days of Advent, we will bring that journey to life together in wool.

Beginning December 1st, you'll open one little package each day to discover the wool for the next part of our picture. In the accompanying online class, I'll guide you step by step as the scene slowly takes shape beneath your felting needle.

Perhaps we begin with the stars.

Then the evening sky.

The distant town of Bethlehem begins to appear. Roses bloom along the path. Mary and the donkey take shape, with Joseph walking ahead and guiding them onward.

Day by day, color by color, we travel with them until Christmas Eve and the picture is complete.

Choose the option best for you:

KIT INCLUDED	ONLINE CLASS ONLY
You'll receive:	You have access to:
• 24 days of online instruction, beginning December 1st	• 24 days of online instruction, beginning December 1st
• Step-by-step guidance so you can follow along	• 24 days of online instruction, beginning December 1st
• All the fiber needed to complete The Twelve Days of Christmas design	• A complete supply and color list so you can gather your wool before we begin
• Felting Needles in various gauges


Not included: a felting mat, multi-tool, internet access, a little ambition to learn felting.	Not included: The Online Class does not include wool, felting needles, a felting mat, or other physical supplies. Don't worry if the colors in your stash aren't exactly the same as mine. Choose the closest colors you have—or make the picture completely your own. That's part of the fun of working with wool.

I especially love creating an Advent project this way. We aren't rushing to finish Christmas before it arrives. Instead, we allow the picture—and the season—to unfold a little at a time.

A few quiet moments each day. A handful of wool. The gentle rhythm of the felting needle.

And with every passing day, a few more roses bloom along the road to Bethlehem.

Twenty-four days. One beautiful journey. A trail of roses leading us toward Christmas.

A limited number of Advent Calendars will be available, so once they're gone, they're gone for this Christmas season. Because wool is a beautiful natural material and each batch has its own character, colors may vary slightly from those shown in the photographs—but I think that's part of the charm of creating with wool.

Third Annual Felting Advent Calendar Online Class or add Kit - Mary on the Trail of Roses

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