Lion Brand Yarn Organic Cotton
Photo by Lion Brand Yarn
I nearly sprayed my morning tea on my computer screen when I got Lion Brand’s e-mail announcing their foray into the realm of color-grown organic cotton. From the company:
Many of us choose organic foods at the grocery store or farmer’s market, especially when it comes to feeding babies and children. Why? Organic methods are great for both people and the environment—improving the soil’s health, the water’s purity and the health of wild animals like birds, bugs, and bunnies, too.
Lion Brand’s new yarn, Organic Cotton, comes from that same soil. Harvested and sorted by hand, the cotton is free of pesticides and herbicides. This cotton grows in 4 natural colors, right on the plant, so dying is not necessary. Now these subtle earth tones are available to you. This all-natural, soft and versatile new yarn is ideal for all sorts of projects, from baby clothing to luxurious clothing and items for your home.
Start a new baby out right. Craft with Lion Brand Organic Cotton with a clear conscience. It’ll do our environment, and the new baby, a whole lot of good.
Bunnies, people. WON’T SOMEONE PLEASE THINK OF THE BUNNIES?
You even get three free patterns to go with your new organic loot. Don’t be fooled by the company’s cheapie rep, though—at $6.99 for 82 yards, you’re better off buying Blue Sky Alpaca’s line, which costs less per yard at $8.50 for 150 yards.
Still, as the Wal-Mart of yarns, Lion is providing increased sustainable-fiber access and face time to a wider clientele, which isn’t a bad thing, but don’t ask me to stretch the Wal-Mart metaphor further by going into organic-fiber standards, because it’s way too early in the a.m. to do anything more complicated than poke the metaphor. And maybe name it Squishy. But THAT’S WHERE I DRAW THE LINE.
Also, if this turns out to be one elaborate punk’ing, I will hunt you down and cut you.
Also, also, it snowed a bit this morning, but admittedly that’s neither here nor there.
pixie said,
January 19, 2007 at 11:47 am
lionbrand big time over charges for their more fancy yarns. I remember the cashmere they came out with I nearly fainted because the yardage was SO pitiful. It’s not like the ply was all that pretty or anything. I love the direction they are going in but the price is just silly.
juanita said,
January 19, 2007 at 12:11 pm
Yah? I received that newsletter too and saw the price ($6.99). Wasn’t sure if that was expensive for organic yarn. Thanks for the heads up.
Brianne said,
January 20, 2007 at 9:50 am
I got this newsletter too and waggled my eyebrow at it thoughtfully. I’m not sure what to make of it myself yet. And mmm, snow, delicious.
marie aka the FertilityBitch said,
January 21, 2007 at 1:08 pm
Ooh, if this is true I so hope it comes to the Ocean State Job lot in RI!!!
Av said,
August 24, 2007 at 4:06 pm
Lion Brand doesn’t give a s*** about organic or sustainable. They are interested in profits and “organic” is a market to overcharge and make money. Much better to buy organic yarns from companies that are committed to a nontoxic earth even if you have to pay a little more. Do are search and you can find them on the internet. Big corporations — first they co-opt then waterdown. It is happening in the organic food/fair trade arena, e.g., Whole Foods or General Mills which now owns Hains/Celestial Seasoning. The list gets longer and longer. To think that these corporations which are driven by the profit at all costs paradigm will help create a sustainable or organic market is naive. To key is to create alternative markets. Refuse to participate in the farce.