No, it is not the title of an ode by the Bard, it is the name of the new organic wool from the Vermont Organic Fiber Company. This wonderful company promotes and supports sustainable agricultural and business practices that minimize the negative ecological impact to the earth.
"By using O~Wool hand knitting yarns, knitters and crocheters are directly increasing the acreage under organic management and offsetting the negative effects of conventional cotton production, effectively contributing to a truly sustainable environment. On average, for every pound of organic wool produced, two acres of land are sustained under organic management. Each pattern developed using O~Wool has the skein equivalent to acreage so the knitter or crocheter can see how much land is being supported by each garment."Is that cool or what?! We currently have 8 colors with 9 more on the way. The Classic is 100% certified organic merino and is sold in 198 yard skeins, 16-18 sts = 4" on a size 8-9 US, for $14.25/skein.
If you are anything like me, and I sincerely hope you aren't, you might be asking yourself "what the heck is organic wool?" Well, here is how they qualify certified organic wool production:
- Livestock must be fed 100% organically grown feed and forage
- Synthetic hormones and vaccinations are prohibited
- Synthetic pesticides on livestock and pastures are prohibited
- Genetic engineering is prohibited
- Healthy livestock is promoted through good management
- Organic fiber must be handled separately from non-organic
- Detergents for wool scouring shall be readily biodegradable
- Must practice appropriate treatment of waste water
- Oils used in spinning shall be of vegetable or animal origin
- All dyes must be free of heavy metals and aromatic amines
- Recyclable or readily biodegradable finishing materials are used
- Carbonizing fibers using acid baths is prohibited
- Organic facilities must practice structural pest management
