Telling Yarns
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What Makes Merino Sustainable?
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Merino wool is often praised as a sustainable material, but what makes it so environmentally friendly? In this blog post, we'll explore the various ways in which merino wool is sustainable and why it's a smart choice for conscious consumers. -
How Cotton Gets Recycled Into Yarn
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Cotton is one of the most popular materials used in textile manufacturing. It's a soft, breathable, and versatile fiber that's widely used in clothing, bedding, and other household items. However, cotton production can be resource-intensive and environmentally damaging. That's why cotton recycling is becoming increasingly popular as a way to reduce waste and promote sustainability. In this blog post, we'll explore how cotton gets recycled into yarn. -
What Makes Pima Cotton Sustainable?
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Pima cotton is a type of cotton that is known for its softness, strength, and durability. It is also a sustainable choice for those who are concerned about the environment. In this blog post, we'll explore what makes Pima cotton sustainable and why it's a responsible choice for clothing and bedding.
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How to Tell if a Clothing Brand is Really Sustainable
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As more and more people become aware of the environmental impact of fast fashion, many are turning to sustainable clothing options. However, with so many brands claiming to be sustainable, it can be difficult to determine which ones are truly walking the walk. Here are some tips for how to tell if clothing and accessories are really sustainably made. -
What is Pima Cotton?
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Pima cotton is a luxurious and durable type of cotton that is prized for its softness, strength, and long fibers. In this blog post, we'll explore what Pima cotton is, how it's grown, and why it's a popular choice for clothing and bedding. -
What is OEKO-TEX Certification?
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Because we live in a web of interbeing, making sustainable choices gets complicated. It's a matter of knowing one's values, recognizing that limited choices that mean compromising on those values, choosing the best out of no good options, and being aware of how one choice can affect much more than one thing. It's tricky and overwhelming. While we can't always make the perfect choice that results in perfect sustainability, there are guidelines we can use to make better choices. One of those guidelines that can help is checking for is OEKO-TEX certification. -
Peruvian Highland Wool!
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Fall is coming, and with it some warmer hats! One new yarn coming this fall is The Petite Wool from We Are Knitters, and I’m excited to share what makes it a sustainable and perfect-for-autumn choice! -
Getting Sustainable in Your Closet
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I’m sure you’ve felt the difference, holding a handmade gift in your hands. One of my favorites is a necklace, a simple wooden ring, hand carved by a friend. I’m sure hundreds of similar designs exist, but knowing this was made by hand over the course of days specifically for me changes everything. I don’t believe that fast fashion is the most beautiful world we can create. There is a growing push towards slow fashion, in which garments are made from natural and non-toxic materials, in safe and healthy working conditions where workers have fair wages and use construction methods that last. Rather than meeting the latest trend, slow fashion pieces are designed to be classic and timeless. Here a few ideas to consider:
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Why Wear Merino Wool?
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Most of the hats offered at Joining Yarns are made with merino wool. I love working with merino because its soft and luxurious, and I know it will feel cozy for my customers. But merino wool has so much more to offer than softness. -
Why Acrylic Yarn?
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When I was teaching, it was important for me to facilitate a global perspective, recognizing our connectedness beyond our immediate communities. In one such conversation, my class began talking about Toms Shoes and the good they do. I acknowledged the good, and then suggested to my students that we need to think critically about it because of the ways Toms impacts and undercuts local markets in places where they give. One of my students raised his hand and, demonstrating critical thinking, said, "Wait, Bodnar, didn't your old laptop have a Toms sticker on it?" Busted.
