eNewsletter
May 2010

Recycled Sari Silk

Have you ever enjoyed the vibrant colors of Saris that Asian women wear? The colors are wonderful to watch, touch, and wear.

Recycled Sari Silk is the yarn produced from remnants of the weaving process of these Sari fabrics that are handspun into yarn creating a unique yarn that is a pleasure to work with. Since each skein of yarn is unique, the projects created with these yarns are unique too. The yarns are spun on drop spindles and have the rough inconsistency of homespun in the final products that make them more unique.

The remnant silk is collected in India. Women cooperatives in Nepal spin them into yarn generating extra income for these women and their villages. As a result, not only you can enjoy a unique experience with these vibrant colored yarns, you can feel good considering the fact that you are producing income for women a world away and stopping a huge waste by recycling a product that is so beautiful. Most of the companies that work with these cooperatives invest part of the money back to these women's villages and spend it for the betterment of their society by providing educational programs for their children.

Another yarn produced from Sari remnants is silk ribbon yarn. The leftover fabric from producing Saris is cut into ribbons and the edges are sewn to create beautiful ribbon yarn. These ribbons have the same wonderful colors, and knit unique garments.

For more information check out: http://www.recycledsilk.com/patterns.html

Nazanin S. Fard

Needlecraft University