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GreenOur favourite colour!We are happy to advise that we have taken delivery and are busily knitting with certified Tasmanian grown and non-mulesed 20.5 micron Pure Merino Wool for use in all our pure wool products. There is no tangible change in the feel of the yarn or end product, as we have always demanded the highest quality. Only now we have “sheep to shelf” or “farm to foot” traceability. A scarce and luxuriously soft fibre, Tasmanian Merino is the product of nature, careful environmental stewardship, and over 180 years of knowledge and experience. Tasmanian wool growers produce the highest quality merino wool in the world. Since 1829, Tasmanian wool growers have consistently produced some of the world’s finest merino wool, admired for it’s unique natural qualities. More than 40% of Tasmania, a remote island below mainland Australia, is either World Heritage listed or National Park, recognising and protecting the vast natural wilderness areas. Officially boasting the world’s cleanest air, pure, fresh water and four distinct seasons, Tasmania provides the ideal conditions for growing luxury fine merino wool. Happy sheep = good wool. Tasmania is free from GMOs in food and fibre production. Wear our pure wool stuff with a warm fuzzy glow. We source the yarn for our Tuff Mongrel heavy duty socks from Schoeller Spinning Group - Germany. The Climawool* they produce is the best we have found for replicating the qualities of Pure Wool but also adding a lightness and longevity making this a true high performance yarn. Schoeller's hard won G.O.T.S and Blue Sign (see below) certification demonstrates their commitment to getting it right for the planet too. In our workshop we are committed to improving our own production practises to minimise our impact on the environment.
These four letters identify those products which are produced in such a way as to fulfil the ecological criteria of the “Internationalen Verbandes der Naturtextilien e.V. (IVN)” (International Association Natural Textiles Industry). The key aspects of this standard, amongst others, are a sustainable production, upholding social responsibility as well as the exclusive use of non-harmful materials in the dye works. www.naturtextil.com Bluesign This certification guarantees the highest possible exclusion of damaging substances as well as ensuring the highest quality and functionality. Bluesign is a sign that the worldwide strict EHS criteria (consumer protection, water emissions, air emissions, industrial health and safety, resource efficiency) are being kept to. www.bluesign.com Bamboo Socks have arrived! We are so proud of these babies. They are good to wear and good for the planet. We've impressed even ourselves, with these ones. The feel and silky softness of these socks is just what we had hoped. The wonderful characteristic's Bamboo fibre provides like its high absorbancy and antibacterial properties along with our comfort top and hand linked (seamless) toe seam make this sock a winner in our eye's. The OEKO-TEX and BSCI certification ensures that these Mother Natures beauties are free of harmful chemicals and made by off shore workers who are employed under international standards of pay and conditions. NO sweat shop labour for us. It was a big decision to have these socks made oversea's for us, a lot to consider. The tipping point came after we investigated the raw material production processes. The Bamboo fibre is grown in China so it made sense to have the socks manufactured there too. We love the fact that bamboo when it is under cultivation is so friendly to the planet. Bamboo is nature’s most sustainable resource. It is grown without pesticides or chemicals, is 100% biodegradable, and is naturally regenerative. Compare this to cotton which uses approximately 25% of the world's fertilizers and insecticides and more than 10% of the pesticides for only 10% of the agricultural land mass. Why wouldn't you choose Bamboo? Bamboo fabric is completely biodegradable. Bamboo fabric is made out of Moso bamboo - this is NOT the type of bamboo that pandas eat. Bamboo generates more oxygen than equivalent stands of trees - if we planted more bamboo more photosynthesis would help to cut the globally rising levels of carbon dioxide. How much more do you need to know? Coming Soon Having sourced the amazing Tasmanian grown, non-mulesed Pure Merino Wool - knowing there are only so many sock making hours in the day. We have turned our attention to developing a range of scarves. We’ve settled on two sorts the garden variety and a wide joined cowl. We have enlisted the help of a local Disability Enterprise. Prototypes have been knitted, experimenting is underway on the finish, and we’re excited. The scarves are incredibly soft, light weight and warm. We will be breaking our neck to get the first run completed and up for sale, to see what our customers think. Fingers Crossed. In this age of disposable fashion it is such a good feeling to be producing a quality product that is so very all-round good. Locally grown top quality Merino wool. Locally knitted by a supported employment local company. Certified Non-mulesed fleece Supply chain tracability Hand finished at the Mongrel Sock HQ. Then straight to you. |
