Anchorage Daily News

Ah, it's good to see the green leaves of summer. I have mentioned before that one can see green everywhere -- even in your local yarn store.

It seems that everyone is using the term, and this has taken on so many meanings that you might be confused. Big companies want to make a buck on our good intentions, but that doesn't mean those goods are organic, biodegradable or even gentle on the Earth. Some companies have begun to use the term as a way to market products with little or no claim to the true meaning of the word "green" by using the term to "greenwash" an ordinary product.

The true designation "green" refers to the "immediate" and "residual" impacts of products and practices to ensure that both are environmentally and socially responsible. Often these products will demonstrate care for the people who produce these goods such as Fair Trade policies or Cooperative Cottage Industries.

"Sustainability" is a term you might hear frequently these days, and yet most of us don't know what it means. It is the practice of using substances derived from the Earth that can be produced into goods for their usefulness until they degrade back to the Earth. Ideally, it leaves the Earth in the same shape as before the goods were made.

This view of responsible consumerism looks toward the long-term health of our planet and societies. The ideal sustainable commerce gives more back to the planet than was taken. To buy goods that support sustainability is to nurture our planet and for many is one way to connect to our source. This practice will often support the idea of "buying locally" as less fuel is needed to transport the goods. But more importantly, this practice supports local people and shows your intention to create a healthy community while also supporting their business practices.

Alaska offers us good opportunities to buy sustainable fiber. The wool industry is a perfect example of how to produce a product -- the wool fiber -- without harming the planet. This product will biodegrade naturally when it is no longer serviceable. If the sheep, bison, alpaca or musk oxen are raised without harmful chemicals and hormones, and if they are allowed to graze in open fields, they will offer wool for use in the sustainable production of fiber without harm to the animal or to the planet.

Several Alaskans have small herds that allow for the production of fleece into spun fibers. Many growers hand-paint or dye the fibers and offer them for sale in local yarn stores. One company, the Musk Ox Producers' Cooperative, Oomingmak, supports many local economies by its practice of a Cooperative Cottage Industry. The fibers are from Alaska musk oxen herds, and only cooperative members may knit them and offer them for sale. These experienced knitters make fair wages through their carefully managed and well-run sustainable industry.

Recycled goods are a statement about our intentions to support the health of the planet, and for some that might mean using one product for another use. I have mentioned how you could take an old sweater and reknit it by unraveling the yarn, washing and rolling it into balls of usable fiber. You might also try washing an old sweater and cutting it. A pattern for mittens can be placed on the surface of the sweater, cut and sewn into mittens, then washed and felted. These recycled sweaters can see many years of wear because someone was thoughtful enough to reuse the fiber rather than throw it into the garbage.

There are many fiber companies that have begun to respect our environmental and are socially responsible. Organic fibers have popped up under several labels, and because they don't use chemicals they support a healthy planet while offering us a healthier fiber to wear, use in our bathrooms and even in our bedding.

The Vermont Organic Fiber Co. has beautiful wool called O-Wool, which I have knitted. It is soft, supple and a pleasure to work with. Other companies that have organic wools or cottons in a wide variety of colors and price points are Blue Sky Alpacas, FibraNatura Cottonwood, Rowan Purelife Organic Cotton, Green Mountain Spinnery's New Mexico Organic and Lion Brand, to name a few.

However you decide to get on the "green" band wagon, you can be sure that your local yarn stores will support you with beautiful yarns for a more beautiful planet.

Catherine Hollingsworth, interior designer, artist and professional knitwear designer, has lived in Alaska for 18 years. She is interim president of the Alaska State Yarn Council and past president of Knitters of the North. To reach her, e-mail twosticks@adnmail.com.

Knitters of the North

• MASTERS AND MENTORS, 1-3 p.m. July 5, Kaladi Brothers, 6921 Brayton Drive.

• OPEN GUILD MEETING, 1-3 p.m., July 12, Pioneer School House, lower level, Third Avenue and Eagle Street.

• FOR MORE INFORMATION, call Janice Chulick at 561-3933 or visit the Yahoo group page at groups.yahoo.com/group/knitters_north.

ADVERTISEMENT