Bamboo yarn - NOT needles!

[brendajos]

I'm going through the same thing with my mom and sister. They think that shaving the sheep is 'torturing' them

there are some people who do it in an inhumane manner but i think the majority of sheep farmers would like to keep their critters as happy as possible. ask them if getting their haircut is torturous to them!

[Jenelle]

there are some people who do it in an inhumane manner but i think the majority of sheep farmers would like to keep their critters as happy as possible. ask them if getting their haircut is torturous to them!

I think the sheep like it... Just think of how much dirt and particles get trapped in that fur :( I think I'd rather see a shaved sheep that can feel free rather than a unshaved sheep. Plus I think that it's alot healthier for them too, isn't it?

But don't they HAVE to be shorn? I know they try to do it themselves if no one does it for them (rubbing on trees and fences and whatever).

[brendajos]

lol i meant ask your mom and sister if getting their haircut is torture.


i believe they do have to be shorn or they will fall over from the weight of the wool. I can't recall where i read that but i do think i read that somewhere.

[quirky]

I have always wanted to try the cellulose fibers. They ARE soft.
There are also yarns and rovings made of corn, soy and banana leaf.

Hm...sounds like a salad!

[acmesarah]

It's probably best to at least handle the bamboo yarn prior to buying it. I saw some at The Point in NYC and one color (red) was gorgeous and silky. THe others (which were from the same manuf. but slightly different lable) were scratchy and not so supple.

[quirky]

I had another though in regards to cellulose fibers.
I dont want to offend anyone but I probably will.

The point I want to make is that in harvesting all fibers there is a human element that may experience extreme discomfort, a harsh enviroment and even strict and unnessicary punishment while doing their job.
Silk is a prime example of a industry that does not put the workers needs first. And sheering sheep can not be done entirely mechanically - meaning someone is breathing in fine wool dust, enduring kicking hooves and sharp cuts from the sheers.

In all there is no really cruelty free fiiber. If it isnt an animal with 4 feet suffering (though I personally dont think sheep suffer) its an animal with 2 feet enduring the cruelty.

[Rennagayle]

I have a friend whose family raises sheep for shearing, on a ranch in Colorado. I wish I got treated as well as her sheep! :rollseyes: :rofling:

Oh, and Mer, that scarf is beautiful! :D

[countingsheep]

:thinking: OK, here's what I'm getting so far:

Julie has felt it up but has yet to tell me what her reaction was.

Mer used it for a fantastic looking scarf but it wasn't as soft as I'm thinking. (Thank you so much for your honesty! The scarf is so pretty though!)

Acmesarah advises feeling before buying - I'm liking this idea!

I have started a debate about sheep and natural yarn products! Um... sorry. That kinda caught me off guard.

So... anyone else? I am hoping that this yarn is silky and cool to the touch and would work for a summer sweater but... I'm still looking for advice from people who have used it. Did Mer get a wonky batch or did Acmesarah find some red that just happened to be super silky? What's "normal" for this yarn?

I did not make a mad dash to the LYS today but... tomorrow is always an option! I will hope to get some more input!

Ang

[brendajos]

I have started a debate about sheep and natural yarn products! Um... sorry. That kinda caught me off guard.

That made me giggle!