New Plan: Buy Less, Buy Responsibly

Slow Fashion:

I've been harping on about slow fashion for years, since I was studying for my Fashion degree. The concept is having a bit of a zeitgeisty moment right now which I am completely behind, and it has got me really thinking again about what it means to be an ethical consumer, as well as helping me think about what I want to use my blog for. See Slow Fashion by Safia Minney as a prime example. 

Sustainability

Wikipedia tells me that "Despite the increased popularity of the use of the term "sustainability", the possibility that human societies will achieve environmental sustainability has been, and continues to be, questioned- in light of environmental degradation, climate change, overconsumption, population growth and societies' pursuit of indefinite economic growth"

So, that's cheery: we talk more about sustainability but in fact we are getting further from it. 

It's a Beautiful World, lets protect it!

Why is it important?

As I see it, there are two main strands to the argument for ethical fashion. Firstly, there is the human cost: people all over the world are exploited in order to make cheap clothing. Sometimes it is working in exploitative conditions which even causes their death (remember the huge factory collapse in Bangladesh?). This is unacceptable. I totally don't buy the argument that an exploitative job is better than no job. No, what is better is a supported community, where nobody's health has to be damaged by the job that they do, children are able to receive and education, and workers are fairly paid. 

The second strand is environmental: copious amount of chemicals are used in garment production, from plant growing, to dyeing, printing and distressing fabrics. Many of these are not exactly environmentally friendly, and this is just the tip of the iceberg- for example what about the emissions used to transport all those garments that we don't even need...? What about the amount of water required to grow crops? Not to mention pesticides... 

Ethical Fashion

Isn't it limiting to buy eco fashion?

Yes, in some ways it is- it is difficult to find absolutely everything you need from a responsible source. It is also more pricey. I won't say it is too expensive, as I feel we have got used to unsustainably cheap garments, and the prices asked by ethical companies are much more in line with what is fair. Higher prices are also likely to limit the amount of stuff that you acquire, and this might be a good thing as many of us have bad habits when it comes to the quantity of things we own. Another plus about a heftier price tag is that as a consumer I feel if you have more invested in an item then you are more likely to hang onto it for longer, and use it until it really does wear out. 

Having said that, there are some really exciting brands producing wonderful ethical fashion. This brings me neatly back to the subject of my blog: keep an eye out for more posts about these in future... I am going to buy ethically if at all possible from now on, and I look forward to sharing my finds with you. 

Organic Stripes from Seasalt

Home Making:

I've long believed in the make-it-yourself ethos. I feel lucky that I have the knowledge required to make my own clothes and accessories, and this is something that I have really loved passing on to other people over the years I have been teaching. It does take a lot of time to make your own clothes, and sometimes it can be an unsatisfying process. I know I am still learning whenever I make something to wear, but when I have come up with something really successful it is thrilling, and I am proud to wear homemade often now. 

If you have never sewn a garment of knitted a jumper, let me tell you it is an eye opener: the amount of time you will have to invest may shock you. I know domestic methods are not exactly comparable with industrial processes, but even so, you might be surprised just how many seams there are in a jacket!

I know not everyone is able to make their own clothes, but if you can, I urge you to. I am planning to share some general tips, but if you are stuck on a project please consider asking me for virtual help. I am not an expert, but if I can put my education and experience into assisting you then I will. 

A Hardy Handmade Skirt

But this brings me to an important question: 

Is it green to be a crafter?

I have a stash of fabrics and yarns. It isn't exactly a stock pile, but it is more than I can use in the short term. In my defence, this is from when I was designing a lot, and I did genuinely believe I was going to be able to use everything up imminently, but life happened. I know I am not alone in stashing crafting supplies. The briefest of glances through the ravelry forums will vouch for this, as will any chat with a keen crafter. 

But... surely there is the same problem with over-consumption of raw materials as there is in over-consumption of anything? I suppose it is unlikely that small children have been employed in sweat shops to make yarns in the way that they can be exploited for other industries, but can you be absolutely sure that the people who looked after the sheep for example were fairly treated by the supply chain?I know there has also been an outcry in the past over the production of angora- any industry involving animal products must naturally lead us to question the treatment of livestock. And what about fabrics? Do you know for sure what has happened along the supply chain of that pristine bolt of cotton? The answer in short is that I do not know. Some of my fabrics are made or printed in England, where I am pretty confident in the welfare of the factory workers, but what about the environmental concerns? Again, I just don't know. I'd like to look more at this, so I am on the hunt for ethical craft suppliers as I write. 

So, here is my plan: I stopped acquiring new things for intended projects some time ago, which I feel good about. And now, when I have an idea to make something I am really strict with myself about whether I can make it from the materials I already own. Then, if I really do need to get hold of something, I will try to source ethical fabrics, yarns and even threads. I'm really looking forward to sharing my discoveries in this area with you too. 

Giveaway Winner!

Thank you so much to everyone who entered the giveaway, it was really lovely to hear from you all. This yarn and needle were won by Vipera- congratulations! 

If you've enjoyed this then don't forget to check back on the blog as I might have something else for you to win quite soon.

If you're making the free pattern I hope you enjoy it, and don't forget you can add it to your ravelry makes, then I will be able to see all your pretty pictures too (I always love that as a designer). 

Spring Cowl, Very Easy to Knit!

Free Knitting Pattern plus Yarn & Needle Giveaway!

'Coast Path' Cotton Cowl

Spring Cotton Cowl Free Pattern:

This cowl is knitted loosely in a shiny mercerised cotton, giving a light and squishy result which is perfect for spring. Not too warm, but great when there is still a little chill in the air, this is a really useful layering piece for under your coat or over your jumper. Will be a perfect transitional piece too, as it could be great for stopping sunburn if you are hiking in the sunnier months. 

Wear in any number of ways!

Instructions: 

Use 5mm 40cm circular needle, and 50g 4ply cotton. 

Cast on 108 stitches. Don't cast on too tightly, and it is preferable to use a stretchy cast on, such as long tail. 

Join in the round, taking care not to twist the cast on stitches.

Round 1: *knit 2, purl 2* repeat to the end of the round. 

Round 2 and every other round: Work as Round 1 until snood reaches about 9" (or desired length).

Cast off in rib and sew in ends. 

Enjoy! 

Don't forget to add this to your ravelry projects too! 

Cornwall-inspired

Perfect for layering

The Giveaway:

To celebrate Easter, I'm giving away a Knit Pro knitting needle, and a 100g skein of this gorgeous cotton yarn in indigo blue: that will make you two cowls if you're careful with the weight. Quite apart from being my absolute favourite, indigo blue is a really hot colour at the moment, and flattering on every skin tone. I also find this size needle is super useful for all sorts of hats and things. 

Win this!

How to enter:

To be in with a chance of winning, just leave me a comment below, and I will pick a lucky winner on Easter Sunday. This is open to all of you, wherever you are in the world- I am happy to post internationally, because I am feeling generous! Make sure you tick the box to follow replies to the comments, so that you will know if you've won. 

Good luck! 

Indigo-blue cotton yarn

Ethical Dressing from People Tree

Feel Good Fashion

Way back when I wrote this post, I was already thinking about how to dress more ethically, more rewardingly and more sustainably... or how to dress 'better', if you like. 

Well, I've done ok since then; I've made quite a few items, picked up the odd bit from a charity shop or a boot fair, or second hand on eBay. Of course, I haven't totally stuck to my rule of not buying anything (I'm not that strong willed), but I don't routinely head to the shops either. 

My hand-making has had to take a bit of a back seat for a while now though, so when I discovered that I could order this gorgeous parcel from People Tree, and actually feel like I was doing something positive for the world at large then I was thrilled. Plus, it was in the sale and I had a discount code too- did I need a further excuse...? I thought not.

Ethical Fashion

Judging a Book By Its Cover

The first thing that I loved about this happy package was the brown paper post bag with cute brown paper tape. There was no help for it: I was predisposed to love the contents. 

Fashionable Stripes

Here's a confession: I have no real interest in fashion. As I mentioned above, I don't go shopping, I don't consume the fashion press (or, shockingly, very much press at all), I don't listen to style icons, self-appointed or otherwise, I don't care about 'on trend', and I don't care about the celebrities. 

Don't get me wrong, I have a fashion degree! I love the art that is high-end couture, I'm intrigued by the semiotics of what we wear, I love clothes, I love design, I love colour, I love interestingly-cut patterns, I am intrigued by how things are made, I really enjoy seeing someone with fantastic style, I love feeling that something is a great-quality garment, I love interesting contrasts, and I'm extremely fussy about what I wear... but that's not really fashion is it? 

The reason I mention this is that apparently stripes are fashionable. They must be I guess, as they are everywhere- including People Tree, hurrah! I sense a whole other blog post about stripes coming on at some point, but I'll just mention here that I love them (if you're a regular reader you might even have noticed a few on my blog before), and I feel they are particularly appropriate for my Cornish life. 

People Tree Stripey Dress

A Happy Dress

Needless to say, I love my People Tree stripey dress. It is the perfect weight to wear over tights on a sunny March day, and I anticipate wearing it many times to wander around Cornish harbours and suchlike. 

The dress is beautiful quality, and I am over the moon that is ethically made: fairly traded and made from organic cotton- you can even find out who by on their website.

It is extremely comfortable: the loopback jersey is quite plushy and the fit is great. Two of the key features as far as I am concerned are the pockets (LOVE pockets!), and the full-length sleeves (so much easier to put a jacket over). 

I have long and sloping shoulders so not everything fits over them, but this is just roomy enough to be comfortable without being baggy. My go-to petticoat slip which I wear under most dresses was too long, but that didn't matter as it didn't seem to get caught on my tights like many others do (to my great chagrin). 

The neckline was flattering and neither too high or too revealing, and the sleeves were a great length and diameter. I feel like I could work layers both underneath and over the top if I needed to. I love that being quite snug, this dress will fit well under my longer waterproof parka-type coat for inevitable Cornish rain showers. I also love that it is not encumbered by those annoying back-neck zips which seem to have plagued beautiful clothes like this for a while now.  

Another feature I love is the blue/black colour of the stripes themselves. 

People Tree Organic Cotton Dress 

Accessories

I completed the outfit with my vintage Levi's jacket (from a boot fair many years ago), my Zerelda shawl which I designed and made for 'Knit Now' a couple of years ago, and leggings from GudrunSjoden, plus plenty of Celtic silver.

Stripey dress with Accessories

Crochet Shawls

Cornwall has been bathed in spring-like weather this week. I've really enjoyed going for a less-coat-more-shawl vibe. This one is my Abellona. It's stripey...

Crochet Shawl: Abellona

Lovely Things Linky

Lovely Things!

I've been approaching both of my blogs with fresh interest over the last few weeks, and consequentially I've decided to take part in a couple of 'Linky' events. When selecting which ones to join in with, the fantastic positivity of 'Lovely Things' really appealed to me! so, here are my first three 'Lovely Things', listed with gratitude:

Thing 1: Cornwall

If you have read my blog before you will have seen my snaps of the area I live in. I am so unspeakably grateful to be able to exist in this paradise, that my first 'Lovely Thing' just has to be Cornwall.

Cornish Sunset

Thing 2: My Family

Everyone loves their family. Everyone knows their partners and kids are really something special, there are thousands of blogs devoted to the topic, so I'm well aware of this fact. But these guys, well they really are something!

I never blog about them, or put them on instgram... I figure that their lives and their privacy are their own, and I'd rather tell them in person than over the net how awesome I think they are. But maybe a little public shout out once in a while really won't hurt: these two are the best company imaginable, and they give me so much that is positive. They always, without fail, cheer me up, they make me laugh so so much, they show me that they appreciate me, and they believe in me. I consider myself extremely blessed to have them both, as I am in complete awe of them both. 

The best guys in the world

Thing 3: Paws

This member of my family, on the other hand, is something that I do plaster all over instagram. After 5 years I am still completely besotted with her! Before I had a cat I never knew what funny, charming, entertaining and loving little personalities they have. She definitely enriches my life: having a purring, lolling, and at times demanding little heartbeat for company is another gift. Usually to be found asleep on my work table, she never lets me forget that the purpose of being a crafter is to make cosy beds for her, whether I am in the middle of an urgent project or not. 

So there are my first 'Lovely Things'. I look forward to reading yours, and I promise that next month they will be more frivolous and fun! 

Handmade, Homebaked and Cornish

Knitting:

Hello, sock!

I'm excited that this week I managed to do a little sneaky knitting: on this sock, which I started in November. I'm so close now- about half way up the toe. But, it is only the first one, so there will be its partner to make too. 

I'm using Araucania 'Ranco' yarn which is lovely to knit with, in a beautiful turquoise colour (which doesn't show up too well here I'm afraid). I find the brighter colour with minimal variegation a lot easier to work with that some other sock yarns I've tried. Plus of course my trusty Knit Pro dpn's. The turquoise looks like it has sold out everywhere, but here is a link to some other colours, available at a discount on Black Sheep Wools.

Cornwall:

St Michael's Mount

The highlight of my Cornish week was probably this trip to Mount's Bay. There is such a draw to the beautiful mount itself, and the approach around the bay is so full of admiration and anticipation. It really is such a privilege to live in Cornwall!

Baking:

I had prepared an epic picnic, which we were all glad of by the time that we got close to the mount. I included a Saffron & Seed Cake (which I thought was a nice twist on Cornish saffron buns), and I'm delighted that I can share the recipe from Asda here. 

More Cornwall:

But living in this stunning part of the world we are spoilt for beautiful views and exciting skies, so here are another couple of snaps from earlier in the week when a dramatic hailstorm swept in and then out again early one morning. 

Hail Storm Over The Gribbin

Quayside Architecture

Crochet:

And finally, you may remember my crochet bedspread, the one which took me a whole year in between other projects to finish (it is 4-ply after all!)... well, I thought I'd share a snap of it in its new Cornish home. You can see its humble beginnings right back in this old post: here. 

My Happy Place! 

Grateful for Magic Cornish Days Out

Polperro Harbour

Whilst I work pretty intensely on another sort of project (see my other blog if you're curious about where my energies are going just at the moment), there doesn't seem to be a lot of time for designing and making. I am missing my sewing machine- which looks all forlorn under its dust cover- just as I am missing putting my design ideas to the test, and curling up with hooks, needles and yarn. 

Typically, my mind is still active with design ideas... but they'll have to wait just for the moment. 

Thankfully, there was time for a day in Polperro: a beautiful drive, ambling round the tiny streets, watching the river rush through the town, a picnic in the winter sun, exploring the caves, marvelling at cottages built into rock, gazing at the beautiful woods above the town... bliss! There is so much that is enjoyable about Polperro, and so much which seems to be the distilled essence of Cornwall. 

Unfortunately we did not see the Ryder Lifeboat in the harbour, which we had looked forward to. Not only is it a beautiful mini-piece of maritime history, but it was built in Thames Ironworks. Unless you are partner to a dyed-in-the-wool West Ham fan like I am, that probably means nothing, but if you are you will understand the significance. 

Such Pretty Rust!

I am also really grateful for the short trip down to our beloved Charlestown- a wonderful place to be, especially in the early morning. We met up again with this friendly chap: just another of the fortuitous encounters we are blessed with in enchanted Cornwall!

Lucky Black Charlestown Cat