Going out of my way to buy eco-yarn
In time of writing this, I’ve recently visited Isokummun Kehräämö, a spinning mill in Northern Ostrobothnia. It was a one-and-a half hour road trip there, and that might seem like wasted time. I could’ve just as well went to any other yarn shop nearby. But I am a stubborn creature, so when i a couple months ago was researching sustainable clothing choices and what is best to do and don’t do, I found this place. I am a fiber arts enthusiast, and an environment lover, so when I found this eco-spinning mill it was love at first sight.
And let me say, it was so worth it. When you entered the shop you were met with the smell of wool. And the man we talked to let us go look at all the machines they used! It was very interesting, my mother who had very kindly driven me there had to translate most of it for me (since I’m not fluent in Finnish) but it was at the same time good listening practice. The mechanism that weighed the amount of wool in the carder the man had built himself!
They have around 800-1000 sheep nearby (we did sadly not go look at them) but everything else (except for the washing of the wool because of high water bills at that exact place) is done in that one hall, by only two people! They also use heavy metal-free dyes.
Although because of this the yarn was, of course, expensive. But that was expected. For yarn made with such good care and love I would’ve payed any price. With the yarn I bought I’m currently making Maja Karlssons Bore-sweater. (Exists only in her book Vinterstickat)
I also got to learn about, and bought, lamb wool. Lamb wool comes from a lambs first shearing, when it has yet not eaten anything other than the mother’s milk. Because of the fat in the milk, the lamb’s wool is much softer than the wool from an adult sheep, which wool grows from the sheared end. Really interesting!
Now I just need to find some nearby eco-linen growing and making place. But that is surely impossible. Although if anyone knows, Do tell me!