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New free web resource to help knitters go earth-friendly

Eco-Knitting is a newly launched free website to promote earth-friendly knitting and crocheting, with some of the best-known eco-friendly designers, suppliers and producers as founder members.

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16^th August, 2007

Eco-Knitting.org is pleased to announce that well-known British knitting designers Judy Furlong and Jean Moss, yarn suppliers Cornish Organic Wool and Shokay, together with Robynn Weldon of the on-line accessory shop Purlescence, have all become project founders. The new website is intended to grow into a useful free resource for knitters and other fibre-crafters, offering a forum to help promote those providing relevant earth-friendly products or services, including organic or fair trade/cooperative yarns and sustainable equipment.

There is a natural link between hand-crafts and an awareness of where the raw materials involved come from and how they are produced, particularly in today’s environmentally conscious world. The new renaissance of knitting over recent years has bolstered the number of people currently involved in the craft, many of whom also share strong green principles which they would like to bring to their knitting and crocheting.  The problem has always been getting reliable information about what broadly earth-friendly options are available, which is precisely what this website sets out to address. Listing is free for any supplier, wool shop, designer or manufacturer actively supporting the site’s broad aims.

The involvement of some of the designers, spinners and suppliers who already do their bit for the environment as Founders is intended in part to give credit where credit is due - and also to try to inspire people to view craft work as a way to make a positive difference by selecting the products, patterns and so on that they use, for "eco/ethical" reasons. Polar bears and rainforests can seem a bit remote to most people, but a lot of knitters seem to be tuned into green issues.

For more information see www.Eco-knitting.org

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Notes for Editors

Eco-Knitting.org is a free web resource intended to bring things together in one place for eco-conscious knitters and other fibre crafters.  Listing is free for any supplier, wool shop, designer or manufacturer supporting the site’s broad green/organic/fair trade position. Some companies and individuals who have substantial connection with the aims of the project have been invited to become Founders.

Judy Furlong was the First Founder designer. She has a well known preference for natural fibres, both for her knitwear and her hand weaving, she is a member of the Shokay Design Circle , a practical supporter of traditional Shetland wool and knitting, and uses bamboo/wooden needles exclusively.   A PhD biochemist, her eco-credentials are further enhanced by having lectured for many years in Durham University's  Environmental Sciences Dept and co-authored a book on the subject.

Jean Moss is one of the best known British knitting designers and enjoys a long-term relationship with Artesano Alpaca, a fair trade company importing yarn and finished alpaca goods such as scarves and ponchos from Bolivia - one of the poorest countries in South America . Artesano suppliers are specially selected to ensure that only co-operatives and companies that have a good record of looking after the people that work for them get through. Jean is a committed vegetarian and enthusiastic cook of her own home-grown organic produce.

Cornish Organic Wool - licensed by the Soil Association - source organic wool from local farmers and supply the spun wool to customers with minimal impact on the environment. All of their farmers are Soil Association accredited or are certified with Organic Farmers & Growers Ltd (OF&G). The wool is spun in the only Soil Association accredited spinning mill in the country. Their range of kits are supplied in bags made from sustainable forests and any additional non-wool items needed being sourced from fair trade or local suppliers.

Shokay source yak fibre directly from Tibetan herders, enabling them to earn a living and preserve their traditional – and environmentally-friendly –  lifestyle. Their long term goals include increasing the raw fibre value on the world market, so that herders in yak-dependant regions ( Tibet , Sichuan , Qinghai , Yunnan , Inner Mongolia , Mongolia , India , Nepal ) enjoy more income for the same amount of fibre sold. Shokay also intend to plough a portion of their profits back into a community development fund that will serve the communities in areas of greatest need.

Purlescence offers knitting/wool craft supplies online, following eco-principles throughout the business, using recycled materials where possible and applying a careful approach to sourcing the products sold.  The company’s biggest lines are Brittany wooden needles – from sustainable forests – and baskets, bags and accessories from Lantern Moon – a co-operative venture in Vietnam .