Recognizing Natural Fibres and tiny knits.

Look at this logo carefully, isn't it the most creative expression of our natural fleece world. (I particularly like the bunny up in Greenland).

2009 has been designated by the United Nations to be the International Year of Natural Fibres.

And this is the official logo of the effort and celebration. Now this designation is no small potatoes, not like national Kiss your Teddy day, or Regional Rompers' Regatta. This is a big deal that the United Nations has recognized the importance of the interconnectedness of our environment and the importance of the role that natural fibres play in our world.

Check out the website at http://www.keepthefleece.org/ . What a creative bunch these people are on the steering committee. They have set up a design competition with categories such as "Camelot" using fibre from camel, llama, alpaca, etc. Another category is "Inch by Inch" for designers using pure silk. Isn't that fun?

They are also aiming to create the world's longest scarf (which will later be divided into sensible lengths and donated charity.) The altruistic aim of the scarf exercise is to find knitter/sponsors who will contribute $1/row to participate in its growth. The funds will then go to Heifer International which supports the raising of flocks in developing countries.

I love this idea, and it's such a lovely gentle way of contributing to the world in this time when we feel that many small things can come together to create more permanent solutions to our larger problems. I'm sure you'll be hearing more about this from us in the future.

Now for another cool knitting story. Coraline, the new young adult fantasy horror 3D movie filmed in "stop motion" didn't really make a lot of sense to me as I wasn't quite sure what "stop motion" was. Isn't that what they used to do in the olden days and what my nephew does on You Tube with Lego? In fact it is exactly that. And one of the features of this beautifully dark movie is that the star (and several other characters) who are only a few inches tall wear hand knit sweaters that are created by Althea Chrome in size XXXS. Go to her site www.bugknits.com to see a video of her methods. You will never complain about knitting 4 ply socks again.

Coraline's sweater here is about 1 1/2 inches long.

I was thinking that this may be the way to go for people who are easily bored...knit a garment that is about an inch long until I realized that Althea gives a 12 hour workshop to knit a cardigan!!! That's a big commitment of time to knit 1".