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Our mission is to educate and promote all aspects of the natural fiber industry with special emphasis on sustainable practices and responsible use of natural resources throughout the world. We believe fibers represent an important chapter not only to artisans and cultural development, but an increasing sensitivity to environmental impact as well.
Spring Pattern Feature:
Create this unique “Goat Love” sweater made from 100% American cashmere from Black Locust Farm
Create this unique “Goat Love” sweater made from 100% American cashmere from Black Locust Farm
Knitting Patterns Fall 2010 Issue
Three and a half million and counting, that’s how many alpacas there are in the world and prior to 1984 none of them were in North America. Well, maybe a few but they lived in zoos where everyone thought they were indescribably cute and deeply exotic. They're still cute. Not quite as exotic. But their past is a remarkable tale of survival. Perhaps we should have called this issue "Against All Odds" but we didn't. You will also learn about a modern-day tale of survival in Tibet, where a 7.1 magnitude earthquake shook-up an entire city, and a yak yarn manufacturer as well. Typically we don't think of natural fibers and natural disasters in the same breath, but our feature on "Changing Lives" poignantly shows how all things natural are inevitably connected.
Not only do we step back in history to the days of the Incas, but we casually visit the rule of Louis XVI in Rambouillet, France. "Vive Le Wool" would make his Royal Highness proud. And you will be absolutely fascinated by some very eco-friendly ideas taking place in the U.S.A that look at maximizing the potential of fuel and fiber.
If I Were A Rich Man
There are currently more than 60,000 alpacas in the US and some believe the alpaca market potential may someday rival Peru’s. We certainly don’t know, so we’re not saying. But this issue of Wild Fibers looks not only at the alpaca’s history in Peru but the shepherds who have raised them and died beside them for centuries. In today’s world of fair trade “everything,” shouldn’t the alpaquero be given his due as well? Changing Lives
This issue also takes a very unusual twist as we travel to Tibet for a story on an American company that produces traditional Tibetan textiles and a new line of yak yarn. Tragically, an earthquake struck the town of Yushu where the company is headquartered only a few weeks before our arrival. What was intended to be a wooly tale among the yaks rapidly turned into one of survival and hope. We cannot say enough about the work that Ken Shackelford and Philip Buys, managers at Jade Tree Co., are doing for the nomads in this town where 90% of the buildings were destroyed in less than a minute.Vive Le Wool
It’s time to celebrate European breeds of sheep and so they did under the watchful eye of Louis XVI. Thanks to the tenacity and dedication of Marie-Thérèse Chaupin of ATELIER, the Nigel Thompson of Consorzio Biella, The Wool Company; the first exhibition to feature nearly 90 European sheep breeds along with fleece samples and finished products premiered in Rambouillet, France. With striking names like Walliser Schwarzenasenkschaf, otherwise known as one of the Swiss Black Nose breeds, the French certainly know how to wrap-up their wool with panache. Even Marie Antoinette was there in all her wooly spendor. Made in the U.S.A.
From the hills of Amish country in Ohio, Morning Star Fiber Mill and Becca Smith of BagSmith, have created the most beautiful, bold, and Big Stitch bump imaginable. We are happy to bring you the second story in our new feature of fibers from America. Becca’s new yarn will have you clamoring for the cold!