New found Yarns

Finally, spring decides to pop up, but only after many days of heavy rain and strong winds.  Thankfully, the forceful conditions left behind some glorious sunshine to revive our senses.

For crafters, spring means that it’s time to declutter the yarn stash and cleaning your hooks, knitting needles and scissors.  So, put on the Marigold gloves and those floral aprons that have been hibernating comfortably throughout those winter months.  First, wash the steel crochet hooks with warm soapy water before drying them with a clean cloth.   Second, to preserve the quality of bamboo hooks, simply clean these hooks with a wet cloth.  This would restore them to their original condition.

Manos del Uruguay

Now, it’s also a good time to swap working with chunky yarns to the light and bright colours of cotton yarn, so that you’re ready to craft as soon as you catch sight of the summer sun.

Last year, I came across some fabulous yarn by Manos del Uruguay ‘the hands of Uruguay’.  The spectrum of colours is utterly attractive, which makes you want to dive into a new project straight away.  Just to see the stunning results.  For Manos, their yarn is mostly hand-dyed in large kettles and without dye lots, which means that each hank is unique.  After which the yarn is sun-dried in a back garden at the local artisans’ workshop.

The space-dyed colours are my favourite, because the trial of different tones provides a stunning effect while working with it, the heathery finish would bring a warm smile to any gloomy day.  In contrast, solid colours offer a classic look, with bold and muted tones that can easily compromise with existing garments.  There are free patterns for both crochet and knitting on Fairmount Fibers.  You’ll be spoilt for choice!

Manos del Uruguay

Manos del Uruguay (the hands of Uruguay) is a non-profit organisation, the operation was developed over 45 years ago to provide rural women with jobs in local villages.  The ethos and aspirations continues until today, where women are still committed to the same beliefs. To provide cost-effective and collective developments that will continue to improve community life for women in Uruguay’s countryside.

Since 2009, World Fair Trade Organisation (WFTO) welcomed Manos to join other Fair Trade members, so by using Manos del Uruguay you are supporting sustainable trade.

 

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