Wool-less Wednesday: Fiber Art Blogs

Okay, technically I'm still blogging about wool. But, I swear wool has not touched my hands in the creation of this post! I've been discovering some interesting fiber blogs this past week. A couple of my new faves are these blogs.

The Student Knitter is an upbeat blog with a nice mix of topics including of course knitting. Blogs with lots of the author's own work for all to see are the ones I look to visit. The Student Knitter's compendium of finished projects are here. Great ideas for your needles!

A humorous blog is Knit with Snot for You. I enjoy blogs that make me giggle. Why does this blog have such an "unusual" name? You can find out at this funny posting. Does it make you giggle?

Happy fiber blog reading!

Ecofriendly Yarns: Buyer Beware

As the name implies, ecofriendly yarn is good for mother earth. Unlike synthetic fiber, ecofriendly yarn is made from natural fibers like wool, cotton, bamboo or soy. Synthetic fiber, like most acrylic yarn, is derived from by-products of the petroleum industry. If you think you are being green by using natural fibers for your knitting or crocheting, think again. Natural fibers are not necessarily ecofriendly. To be ecofriendly, your yarn must come from a sustainable source and be grown or harvested in a way that does not damage the earth.

Organic yarns are ecofriendly as they are produced according to industry standards which require sustainable green practices in their production.

Organic wool must be harvested from animals that are hormone free and fed on organic feed. These animals must not be dipped in insecticides to rid them of pests or be crowded on over-grazed pastures.

In 2005, Canada and the United States produced 19, 152 pounds of organic wool. Think of all the sweaters you could knit!

Organic cotton is grown without the use of earth damaging chemicals, pesticides, herbicides and fertilizers. These growing practices leave the soil nutrient rich and water resources uncontaminated. India produces about half of the world's organic cotton. Syria, Turkey and China are also large producers.

Bamboo and soy yarns are the newer entrants into the world of ecofriendly fibers. The bamboo plant is known for its rapid growth after harvest which lessens the need for fertilizers and pesticides. However, the harvesting of bamboo is not regulated and the process of turning it into fiber uses harsh chemicals.

Soy yarn is produced from the waste products of tofu making which is why it is seen as an ecofriendly yarn. However, there are environmental issues with the production of soybeans.

Then there is the issue of the dyes used to color these yarns. Buy yarns in the color naturally produced by the the animal or the plant. You may also buy yarns dyed with environmentally friendly dyes.

Yes, these ecofriendly yarns are more expensive and may be seen as a luxury. But, choosing wisely for your yarn stash helps mother earth. Happy yarn shopping.