Lovin it!
I was reading Clara Parkes’ article in Twist Collective (www.twistcollective.com) and just had to post a quote from the article.
Variety is the Spice of Life
Nature has its own checks and balances system that relies on genetic variety. Our focus on softness, whiteness, staple length, and strength has put many older breeds at risk of extinction. What remains—highly bred finewool Merinos—has an increasingly limited genetic base lacking untold traits for everything from disease resistance to adaptability to changing climate conditions. As with heirloom versus genetically modified seeds, we risk not knowing what we’ve lost until it’s too late. Knitters can slow the trend by seeking out and supporting other breeds. If we keep going for the white flour, we’ll lose the other grains entirely. But if we open our minds and hands to variety, who knows where it may lead us?
Reprinted from The Knitter’s Book of Wool by Clara Parkes. Copyright (c) 2009.
Published by Potter Craft/Publishers, a division of Random House, Inc.
This may seem like an odd item for me to post however….regardless of the fact that almost all the yarn I sell is superwash merino…what Clara says is still true. I so miss the days when yarn other than the softest yarn was desired! It is great that we have such soft “nice” yarn available however…the truth is…that with such focus on softeness genetic diversity is lost and also mass exploitation happens - all for profit.
I hope to be a dyer long enough to see people fall in love with the heartier wools once again. And although it’s unlikely that I will offer much of my handspun for sale, I am always on the look out for locally raised sheep with amazing fleeces.
Until then …knit on with merino!
cheers