In praise of wool

Just a quick post today. I'm offering you a short but peaceful break from the overwhelmingness (is that a word?) of Christmas.  By now you've probably eaten your bodyweight in sweets//roast potatoes/pigs in blankets/cake/After Eights ... whatever your festive indulgences are.  You're under-exericsed, over-stimulated, feeling broke and possibly guilty about an argument with a relative or friend you've never entirely got on with.  So, here's something to take your mind off all that.  

I've two videos to refresh and revive, and they both concern wool.  

Interesting fact.  Well, I found it interesting.  About 1% - yup, one per cent - of the world's textiles are made of wool.  Out of curiosity, I also googled how much is made of cotton.  That's higher, but it's only about 24% and that's heading downward instead of up.  Synthetic fibres are the bulk of all textile manufacture.  Anyway, back to woolly wonders.  

My first recommendation is 'Forgotten Fibre'.  

This is a gorgeous ten minutes, featuring photogenic sheep and a lovely bit of singing.  The message about sustainability comes across loud & clear, but it's not made in a doom laden we're-all-hurtling-to-Hell-in-a-handcart kind of way.  I think you're left with a sense of hopefulness, that there are solutions out there if we're willing to listen and learn.  

This second recommendation features a lady called Debbie Zawinski, a.k.a. the feral spinner.  She's a knitter and self-taught spinner, and also works with natural dyes.  She also has one of those arty homes where you just know you could spend hours.  Looking at what's she made.  Hearing the stories behind her creations.  As with the first video, Debbie Zawinski places a huge value on the handmade, on home crafting, and what should be but isn't always our strong connection with the land and with nature.  

The You Tube algorithm can be immensely frustrating, at times but occasionally it works perfectly and presents you with little treasures.  Enjoy!