What do labels mean???

I have a long journey of things to write about! To begin, I will say this will be a series of entries over the summer months. I have been traveling a lot across Wisconsin. I have been asked at different times why knitting with fair trade, organic, and or eco friendly fibers is important to me.
I decided on my trips to sidetrack a little and go to the little towns on my route.  I have learned a lot about the fiber industry and what it means to third world countries. I have learned and absorbed with a full heart that some of my purchases support villages, schools, farmers, and sometimes the down right ability to feed a family. This entry will explain the meaning behind the labels! So with out further delay here I go!

1. Fair Trade = Fair trade is an organized social movement and market-based approach that aims to help producers in developing countries to make better trading conditions and promote sustainability. The movement advocates the payment of a higher price to exporters as well as higher social and environmental standards. For a product to carry either the International Fairtrade Certification Mark or the Fair Trade Certified Mark, it must come from FLO-CERT inspected and certified producer organizations. The crops must be grown and harvested in accordance with the international Fair trade standards set by FLO International. The supply chain must also have been monitored by FLO-CERT, to ensure the integrity of the labelled product. ( From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia )

What does this mean really? When you purchase with a Fair Trade certified product you are supporting the farmer, the family, the growers, the mills. Each penny earned supports towns, underdeveloped areas, and brings local harvest to the forefront!

BE SWEET YARN!

Be Sweet yarn is a fair trade yarn with an amazing story! Did you ever think when purchasing this bundle you would be supporting schools in South Africa. Did you think that by purchasing this bundle you would be helping a depressed rural area with a 75% unemployment rate.
You are doing both of these things when using BE SWEET.  This yarn is hand dyed and balled locally by women in South Africa!
You know that old saying "what can I do?" well,, YOU ARE!

2. Eco-friendly =  Environmentally friendly (also eco-friendly, nature friendly, and green) are terms used to refer to goods and services, laws, guidelines and policies claimed to inflict minimal or no harm on the environment. ( From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia )

What does this mean really? Using environmentally safe means of producing a product. The use of a sustainable products! Have you eaten corn on the cob? Is it good? Do you think you can knit with corn?

Kollage Corntastic Yarn

I bet you thought I was kidding? It is made 100% from corn fibers. Machine washable and dryer friendly. Great for kids clothes.

3. The big O word Organic Cotton = 

Organic cotton is generally understood as cotton and is grown in subtropical countries such as the United States of America and India, from non genetically modified plants, that is to be grown without the use of any synthetic agricultural chemicals such as fertilizers or pesticides.^[1] Its production also promotes and enhances biodiversity and biological cycles.^[2] In the United States cotton plantations must also meet the requirements enforced by the National Organic Program (NOP), from the USDA, in order to be considered organic. This institution determines the allowed practices for pest control, growing, fertilizing, and handling of organic crops. ( From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia )

Pakucho Monarch from Peru

Next up will be an entry on the shops I have visited and there amazing stories! Thank you for reading my blog and supporting my knitting!