Hi everyone,
We are well into the new year but still wishing our holidays weren’t over.
At the moment, South Africa is sunny, dry and hot with many areas praying for rain on their parched land. I was shocked when I returned home to see the grass almost black and the leaves of the indigenous trees wilted and desperate. My garden, except around the house was in a sorry state and offering its usual challenge to go out and replant and give love and water, water, water.
I was privileged to spend Christmas in Vietnam with my daughter and her husband and to celebrate the arrival of my grandson. A very special event and one to be treasured forever. Thank heavens for WhatsApp and digital photography. News and pictures come daily, as leaving is such a wrench.
I explored Ho Chi Min City (Saigon), where I was based, and tried to find local craft. Unfortunately, I didn’t find much to excite me except Bamboo straws made in Da Nang.
I was thrilled and excited to find these for a couple of reasons:
- Did you know that about 500 million plastic straws are used and thrown away EVERYDAY. The volume of plastic going onto our planet is frightening. These bamboo straws are reusable, washable and sturdy. (We are doing some dishwasher tests and I’ll keep you posted on how it goes. Personally, I’d rather wash by hand. They can be kept in your handbag and we, the knitters of the world, can help set the trend. After all, we carry our knitting everywhere – why not a couple of bamboo straws!
- The organisation called Mang Non, have a Facebook page and I was attracted to them as they collect the straws from the villagers and do the marketing for them. This is music to my ears and gladdens my heart when marginalised folk get to have dignity through their work and products.
I could not resist buying lots and bringing them home and I will be selling them – so you can order some and we will include them with your yarn. They will be in packs of 2, 5 or 10. I’ll include them as gifts in our boxes to some lucky customers. As you know, I am passionate about recycling, upcycling, protecting the environment and living as “green” as possible, so jump on the bandwagon and lets do this together.
It’s been a cold winter in the northern hemisphere with lots of snow. It appears the knitters are having a ‘ball’. Our mohair gift boxes have found their way into Russia and America! In Australia, despite the warm weather Australians are loving them too! I’m so enjoying the photos of different items that have found their way onto Instagram. Keep going folks, it’s just wonderful to see.
Our boucle yarns have, for several years, been used as dolls hair but it excites me to see how beautifully dressed the homemade dolls are and the wonderful ranges they make. These are not only a little girl’s dream but also for us big girls. The workmanship and skill in the craft is exceptional and to be greatly admired. The revival of crafts, the attention to detail, the hours of love and passion that go into them -this is our playing field. Enjoy and share.
For the northerners – keep warm and enjoy your knitting and for the southerners find a shady tree and a cool drink but don’t give up!
Until next time when we share what’s hot off the knitting needles. I wish you a prosperous and crafty 2019.
Kind regards
Adele