I love wool, although cashmere is easier on the skin. However, I had no idea that sheep farmers and especially British farmers, were in a crisis. Etsy UK highlighted their plight in a blog post today. If I could have used it in my attic insulation I would have, but recycled cotton denim was locally available as one of the newer ‘green’ insulation products.
This week is the Campaign for Wool – Give Fleece a Chance, sponsored by the Prince of Wales (yes, that Charles) Wool Project.
The event hopes to highlight the plight of sheep farmers around the world and in Britain, where the cost to shear a sheep now outweighs any profits from selling the fleece. Certain fleeces can be worth as little as £1, resulting in a great number of farmers loosing money. Today’s leading producers of wool are Australia and New Zealand where prices are at a 50-year low. This price collapse in wool production began in 1966 and has continued in a downward trend since, sadly forcing many of the world’s sheep farmers out of business.
Ecotastic
As naturally grown fibre, the eco-credentials of wool are immense. It generally lasts longer than artificial materials and can be grown with minimal use of pesticides and fertilisers, unlike many other natural fibres. Wool can be produced on a small scale within small holdings and even in back yards. It can be reused and recycled easily and is a great insulator for the home and the body.
The disposal of synthetics can cause huge problems, whereas a natural wool fibre only takes a few years to fully decompose. Most synthetics are extremely slow in this process which has helped increase man-made textiles in UK landfill to more than one million tonnes in recent years. By comparison, wool decomposes so quickly and safely that you can even pop it in your compost bin.
Wool in the Designer/Maker Communities
Independent makers and designers have been at the forefront of new design for generations, and with a renewed incentive for keeping traditional crafts alive, crafters and artisans have a huge part to play in the revival of wool. The tailors of Savile Row are also making an immense effort to keep the trade of this luxurious textile from collapsing.
Savile Row hosted the first leg of the Tweed Run in 2009. Photo via M.J.S on Flickr
Wool Week runs from October 11 – 17, and to kick off the event, Savile Row has been closed, greened over and made into a temporary home for Exmoor Horn and Bowmont breeds of sheep — be sure to drop by for this amazing sight!
The Covent Garden Piazza will also be holding The Sheep Parade hosted by Lyle and Scott tomorrow (October 12). Look out for more promotions and events from world famous brands who aim is to make wool something desirable to own and use. Let’s pull together and shout about an incredibly valuable crafting industry this week. Viva wool!
Further Resources:
The Campaign For Wool website
Follow The Campaign For Wool on Twitter
Woolpedia
British Wool