And finally, it's a reality. Last year I started designing a collection of wraps including a shawl, shawlette, scarf, cowl, and sweater using plant-based fibers. While wool holds a special place in my heart, I must admit that linen is one of the most incredible fibers on this planet.
Linen comes from the plant, Linum usitatissimum commonly called flax. This little plant can be used as food, fabric, fuel...the list goes on. I'll be posting more about the production of linen and it's multi-faceted uses in the future. For now, I simply want to bring an awareness that linen has played an important role in our evolution and deserves great respect. Often we view linen as a rough fabric that wrinkles or a rigid and stiff yarn that is difficult to knit with. Au contraire, this fiber is magic, maybe a little bit of a diamond in the rough. With time it really does soften and provides the most elegant knitted fabric that drapes like a dream. You just need to know what it can and can't do...no complicated stitch patterns. It's a minimalist's dream fiber.
Each of the patterns in the collection uses a yarn that is either 100% plant based (e.g. Little Pebble) or a plant-fiber blend (e.g. Bee Kind). The patterns will be released between mid-July through September culminating with the perfect fall sweater made of organic cotton and merino wool for that transitional time of year. You will have the opportunity to purchase them on Ravelry individually or as a set and they will be automatically sent to you as they are published.
There will be GIVE-AWAYS! Universal Yarn Company and Shibui Knits have generously provided yarn to promote the PLANT-BASED PROJECT. As an added bonus there will be some information posted on the blog about the benefits of eating a plant-based diet plus a few recipes here and there. Stay tuned for eligibility regarding the give-aways.
Here's to summer knitting filled with easy summer knits, great yarn, and some easy, nutritious recipes!