spinning wood into gold

Drops Cotton Viscose yarn https://www.garnstudio.com/news.php?catid=1&cid=17 Global output of pulp for textiles is expected to grow by 30% by 2020 in anticipation of increasing demand for viscose and local, as cotton production peaks (and of course water is the primary culprit in production even when organic) according to Oliver Lansdell at forest products industry consultancy Hawkins Wright. No coincidence that the Norwegian firm pro ducting yarn for hand knitting, Drops already has a cotton/viscose yarn available for hand knitting. According to the Organic Trade Association's recent Organic Industry Survey, the market for organic textiles is rapidly expanding, partially resulting from the 2011 US Department of Agriculture's policy requiring companies labelling their textiles as "organic" to certify their products to the US organic food standard (GOTS). "The figures show that GOTS is credible and independent certification of the entire supply chain is an important driver for the business case for sustainability--in contrast to ere self claims," according to Claudia Kersten GOTS Marketing Director.

Cotton prices continue to increase--in 2011 it was dramatically higher due to the massive rains and flooding in Pakistan and other countries, destroying cotton crops the previous year. Climate change continues to exert effects on agriculture in the midst of shifting to organic cotton cultivation. 

While the use of cotton generally continues to decline (note such designers as Stefano Mortari have been combining various fibbers to diminish cotton use for years) as the result of cost and consumers' ethical and environmental concerns. Nordic  countries are reactivating wood pulp mills which had declined over the past two decades. Anxious to meet increasing demand for replacing cotton with viscose, or fiber produced from timber, the Nordic forestry ad pulp indiscries are increasing viable, especially as their manufacturing now conforms to environmental regulations. Additionally, Ikea, Hennes & Mauritz (H & M), Filippa K and others would like to source locally to meet their own sustainability goals.

photograph: courtesy BOF Channel 2016 tweed Unfortunately Rowan's Felted Tween is apparently now vintage, but it is a wonderful combination of viscose & wool, and still finable on Etsy & Ebay.