One standard
I have always had is that I would only buy yarn bases from what I believed were
ethically-treated sheep. For over a year now, I have been using one base in
three different weights (sock, DK, aran) that was certified organic. However, yesterday
I was told that the source I buy my yarns from is no longer able to get this
wool. They have found a replacement that they believe will be almost identical
to what I am using now, but it would be a few months before they would be able
to get any to me. There will also be a small price increase with this new
source of organic wool.
So I was in
a bit of a dilemma yesterday. How will I get through the next few months until
this new yarn is released? What if I don’t even like the new yarn? After some
conversations with a few people whose opinions I trust, I believe I have come
to a solution, and honestly, it could lead to some exciting things.
I have found
another source that gets their merino from ethical sources. Are they certified
organic? No. Do they still care about the welfare of their sheep? Yes. What has
always been important to me and my company is not a certification, but just
that the animals that we receive wool from have been treated well and are cared
for. This new source would allow me to add things like superwash bases, nylon
blends, even some blends with a bit of sparkle. If, once I examine this new
organic yarn, I decide that it is on par with what I have been selling, I will
continue to have organic yarns in the shop as well.
One thing
that is for certain is that the Gynx Sock, Gynx DK, and Gynx Aran lines will no
longer be produced once my supply runs out. Because of this, I will no longer
be taking custom orders until I have everything figured out. While this new
organic base may very well be indistinguishable from my current bases, I just
can’t know for sure, so I can’t promise anything. If you have enjoyed working
with these bases or have wanted to try them, it would be highly recommended
that you get what you want now.
I want to
know what you, my customers and supporters, think about all of this. How do you
feel about non-organic, but still ethically-sourced wools? The possibility of
superwash or other additions? Please feel free to tell me your opinion either
on the blog, on Ravelry, or email me at gynxyarns@gmail.com
I look
forward to seeing what the future holds for Gynx Yarns, and I thank all of you
who have helped me get to this point.
