Patience….
I’ve been thinking a lot about patience as I wait for the Nurturing Fibres to come from South Africa. I think knitters and crocheters are normally patient people, our craft teaches us patience. After all, for the same amount of money or less, its possible to go to a store, and buy a garment made from wool, cotton etc rather than take hours to make the same (ish) thing. So why do we spend time, and money, creating something which ostensibly we could buy? I think there is an element of unwinding (pardon the pun) and slowing down, relaxing and being patient for the stitches to work their magic on you and on the garment. In the end, your patience is rewarded with something unique, hand made and more beautiful than anything you could buy. OK, its taken a lot more time, and perhaps more money, but what value is there in something mass produced versus something you can proudly wear and say “I made this, isn’t it lovely”. Have a look at The Knitting Goddess, a book by Deborah Bergman and the chapter on Rachel’s wild patience, now she was a woman who knew how to wait for what she loved. (This book is still available from a major online bookstore)
I’m patiently waiting for the Nurturing Fibres from Carle, Cape Town, South Africa to arrive www.nurturing fibres.com I know they are on their way, I have a tracking number and they are now in the UK, have cleared Heathrow and are expected on Tuesday! I’m trying to remember that “all good things come to those who wait” etc but the yarns are so gorgeous, I’m excited about sharing them with you through the shop and its a long wait until Tuesday.
While I have been waiting, I have been researching cotton…. did you know it’s Latin name is Gossypium? Cotton bolls are almost 100% cellulose and aid distribution of cotton seeds, and cotton has been cultivated for millenia. The best cotton fibre is considered to be Pima because it has a “long staple length”, this means each tiny strand of cellulose cotton on the boll is longer than 3cm, and means the cotton fibre makes smoother, finer yarn, most commonly used for fabrics. Cottons and bamboo fibres, as well as other plant based fibres are ideal for warmer months because they “breathe” so you don’t get too hot, but they are still warm when it gets chilly of a summer evening.
Why choose Nurturing Fibres…?
Nurturing Fibres cottons are grown ecologically, and spun locally to Carle near Cape Town, then dyed in small batches by Carle and Nolundi. I have chosen Nurturing Fibres cottons and cotton bamboo mix for Gorgeous Yarns because of the quality and beauty of the yarns as you use them. I have tested them as samples, as I do before choosing any yarns, but this time, I loved the yarns so much, I gently pulled out the samples, and crocheted them into the green band of this bag I have made! (Normally samples hang around on my desk, destined for the “I’m going to be a blanket one day” bag!)I have ordered a very wide range of colours in Eco-cotton and Eco-cotton/bamboo mix, they are DK weight, in 50g balls and have a beautiful depth of colour and silky feel, the stitch definition is great, and the yarn is smooth and soft to use. The name suits the yarns perfectly, they really are nurturing fibres.
I will have these lovely yarns available as soon as I can, and your patience will be rewarded if you use them in a garment or accessory; it will beautiful and unique. Keep checking the website this coming week for when they are available. If you get the chance to go to Proper Woolly www.properwoolly.co.uk at the end of May, I will be there and you can see these gorgeous yarns, and others from our range for yourself. Come and treat yourself to some South African colour!
I’m just off to check where the parcel is… trying to be patient!
Bye for now,
Caroline
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