Ann Budd

This is a lovely book. The patterns are well chosen and well-photographed. The book is punctuated by essays on sustainability which I intend to read (they look interesting). I doubt I'll seek out any of the yarns specially; I've used and appreciate Cascade Eco Wool but for the rest, probably not. I have a somewhat different approach to earth-friendly knitting: I attempt to keep fibre out of the waste stream by turning t-shirts and jersey sheets (once so popular for waterbeds) into hand-cut yarn, by unravelling ageing sweaters and reusing the yarn of which they are made, by buying used knitwear and mending the knitwear my family owns, and by buying yarn from thrift stores. Buying new yarn is not my first resort. There is a good essay on the value judgements involved in buying new yarn, but to me that rather begs the question, ie. assumes as a first principle that if one wants yarn one *should* buy new yarn. (There's one project in the book made from jute rope. Probably a killer on the hands, but absolutely fits my idea of alternate yarn! And a scarf made from ... a silk garment cut into strips!) However! It's a good essay. And I plan to make at least one garment from the book this fall. Maybe a jute carryall too.… (more)