Blog Action
Did you know that today is Blog Action Day? The idea is: “On October 15th, bloggers around the web will unite to put a single
important issue on everyone’s mind – the environment. Every blogger
will post about the environment in their own way and relating to their
own topic. Our aim is to get everyone talking towards a better future.”
So, let’s talk about organic yarn, shall we?
Just in general terms, there are traditionally-processed yarns that can fill our environment with leftover chemicals from the processes used to create and dye the yarn to begin with. Not to mention the chemicals used to treat the sheep, goats, cotton crops and other, fundamental sources before the yarn even gets to the factory in the first place. There have been articles in knitting magazines (Interweave Knits devoted most of a recent issue to it), and books, such as Barbara Albright’s, The Natural Knitter. Being “green” is very trendy in the knitting/spinning world these days. And, of course, there are books and articles about natural dyeing as well. Then, of course, there are bamboo knitting needles, eco-friendly buttons and knitting bags.
It’s easy to forget that industrial fabric-producing processes caused massive amounts of pollution when the Industrial Age kicked in back in the 18th-19th centuries. So many of us focus on the fact that we’re using time-honored methods to make warm, cozy garments for our loved ones, and feel so warm and fuzzy about the fact that we’re connecting with our sock-knitting ancestors, that we forget that our craft can harm the environment just as much as any other. Obviously, there is a trend afoot to shift this–buying “green” yarn as well as local, organic vegetables, turning the heat down, saving electricity and so on. All good things.
I just wanted to do my part to remind everyone that this is the only environment we’ve got. Which is ironic, I know, because some of you are so much more environmentally-conscious than I am, but at least I’m trying!
Here are some articles for you to read:
Houston Chronicle
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Ok, I totally missed that it was Blog Action Day! Whoops.
I had no idea about this today. Thanks for reminding us.
i actually wrote a review on a new yarn green mountain spinnery has called new mexico organic. quite soft, but tons of VM. not hard to pick it out, though, and it’s not twigs like noro. something to look at for going green.
Thanks for the call to action! I bought some organic yarn at Rhinebeck at few years ago. You are so right about feeling warm & cozy but not htinking about how the processing of the yarn can be not so warm & cozy for the environment.
Oops, I missed it. I was at an environmental action meeting! Green yarn is a great idea. I’ll post some others.