>>There really is no excuse for fake fibers :)<<
I spin, use natural fibers, I knit, I use lots of
homespun, lots of natural fibers. I agree that
petroleum products are using up a non-renewable
resource and that we need to think about what we do,
what we use, whom we vote for to represent our
interests...
That said, after several years of mostly lurking and
keeping my mouth (keyboard) shut when comments like
the above (which is actually fairly mild compared with
some of the things I've read on this list) are made, I
admit without shame that I also use manmade fibers,
primarily in novelty yarns that I have no interest in
spinning myself, for garments that may not be as
durable as a utilitarian sweater for mucking out the
barn but which are fun--to make and to wear. And, I
might add, to sell. My biker husband, who likes wool,
mohair, silk, etc., and wears my handmade sweaters,
hats and scarves with pride, would not even consider
parting w/ his various manmade garments in favor of
those with the Groovier Than Thou Seal of Approval
because his chosen garments are more compact, more
efficient and more comfortable when he is biking or
working out.
I don't consider myself to be the ideal
conservationist or the ideal person. I do the best
that I can while dealing with the stresses of my life.
I figure most people--at least on this list--do the
same. In many cases their best is better than mine.
I guess I can live with that. I try to be thoughtful
about my choices and my actions. I try not to judge
other people's choices (although I am against murder,
child abuse and cruelty to animals). If someone
chooses to use only natural fiber, natural dyes, etc.,
I say more power to them. Many such fiber people to
absolutely beautiful work. (I've also seen some that I
consider absofrigginlutely hideous, but again, I try
to keep my mouth shut.) If someone loves to knit but
uses only acrylic yarn, I might suggest some natural
yarns, but I would no more impose my opinions of Red
Heart on them than I would try to turn them into
Democrats.
Many folks consider me an expert knitter, but I am
not, not even close. Nor do I care. Life is not a
contest. I spin and knit because I love it. If I
knit something and someone wants it I either give it
to them or sell it cheap. I have a strong aversion to
snobs, whether they measure their own worth and that
of others in terms of money, cars, jobs, religion or
fiber.
I have learned a lot on this list and I appreciate it.
Visiting various websites and listening to your
descriptions and explanations I have been blown away
by the talent and craftsmanship obvious among the
list's membership. However, I have also spoken and/or
corresponded w/ people who have basically withdrawn
from participating on the list because they felt that
they had been judged and found unworthy (not
specifically, but because they did or liked something
that had been roundly condemned on-line). For good or
ill, I have a healthy enough ego that no one's
condemnation persuades me of my inferiority, so I've
stuck with the list for the considerable good I find
in it. But the self-righteous, self-congratulatory
tone of some of the posts does irritate me, and
occasionally (usually right around the end of the
semester) I succumb to a rant.
Back to lurking...
~BinnieLula
"Well behaved women seldom make history."
(Laurel Thatcher Ulrich)
KARL ROVE, Bush's long-time political guru and White House advisor:
"As people do better, they start voting like Republicans...
...unless they have too much education and vote Democratic,
which proves there can be too much of a good thing."
"[A]s you know, these are open forums, you're able to come and listen to what I
have to say."Washington, D.C., Oct. 28, 2003
And oh, so much more: http://bushisms.com/
Just $16.99/mo. or less.
dsl.yahoo.com
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