#i have spun a lot of silk blends but treated them all like 100% wool.

[milkweedman]

Do cotton and linen yarns get finished the same way as wool yarns?

Definitely not ! Linen needs to be finished by boiling and then by beating or otherwise roughing up (is that the right term ?) the finished yarn. I usually rub it briskly over the arm of a chair or the edge of a table (as a hank, stretched taut), rotating it so that I get all of it. This softens it a lot. Linen will continue to get softer but it can be sort of wiry otherwise at the start. Hemp is finished the same way--I believe nettle can be as well, but haven't had the chance to work with it yet.

Cotton is debatable--some people say you need to boil or steam cotton to set the twist (altho usually not beatle it like linen), others say you can just let it rest to temporarily set the twist, then launder the finished item, etc. You'll find lots of different opinions online and in books. I haven't spun or finished enough cotton to have a real opinion here, but I boil it to be safe.

Wool of course, is typically soaked in water (opinions on the temperature and duration of soak differ immensely as well) and then thwacked, snapped, or just squeezed and left hanging to dry. I've read you can boil wool yarn as a finishing technique--to intentionally felt the singles. (It seems thwacking would be much safer but is also a lot more physical work, so I could see its use.)

[designstreaamester2]

Week 2 Class 1

I changed my mind about educating people why straws are bad for the environment, I was having a lengthy conversation with one of my flatmates about how socks are really hard to recycle and are often just dumped in the trash. I wanted to find out more on this topic and educate other people too.

How long does it take the average sock to decompose?

1-5 years for woollen socks

What fabrics are biodegradable?

Cotton, Silk, Wool, Cashmere, Hemp, Bamboo, Linen

If Eco-fashion brands want to label themselves ‘compostable’ 60-90% of the product must break down into C02 within 180 days in a commercial composting factory.

Usually, you can trust fabrics that are natural because they can compost. Bamboo and 100% (ethically made) cotton fabrics are best.

What fabrics are non-biodegradable? 

Polyester, Spandex, Nylon, Rayon

These fabrics will eventually break down but it can take up to 200 years.

what are the different materials socks can be made of?

- cotton

~ Cotton is a lightweight, moisture-absorbing fibre. It's breathable, washable and durable, so it is the most common fibre in socks. Because it is so great at absorbing moisture, it is generally blended with nylon, a nonabsorbent material, to help move moisture away from the foot.

If your socks are not labelled as "preshrunk cotton," they are likely to shrink in the wash if you use hot water or a hot dryer cycle. The best way to avoid this is to wash in cold water and drip dry on a line. 

Cotton is grown all over the world, but droughts, pests and the weather can impact production, sometimes driving up the price. Cotton fibre is gathered from around the seeds of the cotton plant and is 90% cellulose.

organic cotton:  is grown with non-genetically modified plants, without pesticides and without fertilizers. This method of growing cotton is thought to allow for more biodiversity, benefitting the environment. One sock brand we carry, Zkano, specializes in organic cotton socks. 

recycled cotton:  (recovered cotton) is usually spun from scraps that would have been discarded after the spinning, weaving or cutting processes.

mercerized cotton:  is a cotton yarn that is put through an additional finishing process called mercerizing to provide great lustre and softness to the yarn and to intensify dyed colours.

combed cotton:  is treated more than standard cotton to remove short fibres and impurities. The cotton is literally combed, leaving long, straight cotton fibres only. These are wonderful for weaving fabrics because they don't fray as easily and feel softer against your skin. Generally, combed cotton is more expensive than regular cotton. One of our most popular brands, Stance, specializes in combed cotton blends.

- wool

~Wool from sheep and other animals is the original easy-care fibre. Each wool fibre is made up of millions of coiled springs that stretch in use but bounce back to their original positions. Wool naturally has wrinkle resistance, colourfastness and shape recovery, and it breathes with your body. Wool yarn, when knotted into a thicker sock, tends to be bulky and lofty. Air becomes trapped, making wool an ideal insulator. Wool socks also keep feet drier because wool absorbs as much as 30% of its own weight in moisture before it begins to feel damp. Thanks to these properties, wool socks are great for hiking.

Here are a couple of common kinds of speciality wool:

merino wool:  is a special, fine grade of wool that originally came from Merino sheep. It shares all of the characteristics classic to wool that is listed above, but what makes Merino wool different is the luxurious softness and comfort provided by the fine diameter Merino fibres. Unlike traditional wool, Merino wool does not itch and is shrink-treated to hold its size and shape even after repeated washings.

SmartWool:  is actually a brand name of a clothing company, and we are proud to sell their popular socks. The company came up with the term Smartwool to distinguish its speciality wool, which has the small barbs removed from the fibres to make them exceptionally comfortable.

- nylon

~ Nylon is a very strong, versatile, hard-wearing fibre. Socks made of nylon can be thin and silky or bulky and highly elastic. Nylon is often used with other fibres in blends to give added stretch or to improve durability.

- acrylic 

~  Acrylic is a highly durable man-made fibre that provides softness and warmth with little weight. Acrylic's inherent properties enable it to hold brighter and more brilliant colours than natural fibres.  

- polyester

~ Polyester and stretch polyester are two hydrophobic (water-repelling) fibres that are known for their durability and are extremely colourfast for vivid colouration.

- olefins (polypropylene)

~ Olefin is a superior water-repelling synthetic fibre that won't accept moisture. In socks, it is commonly used in a blend with absorbent outer layers that work together to wick moisture away from your body. It is very strong, and it is the lightest of any man-made fibre. In 1962, Italian scientists won the Nobel Prize in chemistry for developing the process of making Olefin fibres.

- spandex, elastane 

~  The terms elastane, Lycra and spandex all refer to the same style of synthetic fibre made from polyurethane. Spandex is the commonly used term in the U.S., which was marketed under brand name Lycra, while the term elastane is used worldwide. First produced by DuPont in 1959, the fibre has elastic properties so it is often used in place of rubber. Used with other fibres, it provides elasticity, comfort and a close fit, which makes it a common choice in socks to help them stay up and in the arch and ankle to provide extra support.

- silk 

~ Silk is a very smooth, soft and moisture-absorbing fibre. It boasts high tensile strength and acts as a natural thermal retainer that does not conduct heat. It is woven from the cocoon material of special caterpillars.

- elastic

~ Elastic is a rubber or spandex core covered with nylon to provide extreme stretch.

- rubber

~ Rubber latex, which comes from rubber trees, is used in socks for added elasticity and stretch.

- rayon

~ Rayon is a natural cellulose filament fibre known for its sheen, its soft feel and its high moisture absorption properties. The term rayon is sometimes used as a generic term for “plant fibre.”

- mohair

~ Mohair is the long, soft, silky hair of the Angora goat. It is stronger than wool and dyes more easily than any other speciality hair fibre. This makes it a luxury fibre.

- modal

~  Modal is a natural fibre, typically made from beech trees. It's more water-absorbent than cotton and holds on to colour better. Modal is a natural fibre, typically made from beech trees. It's more water-absorbent than cotton and holds on to colour better.

- lurex

~ Lurex is a synthetic fibre that incorporates a glittering metallic thread. It is often used for detailing in intricate sock patterns.

- flax

~ Flax is one of the oldest fibre crops in the world. Flax fibre is extracted from the skin of the stem of the plant and is very soft, lustrous and flexible. It is stronger than cotton but less elastic.

- DryMax

~ DryMax is a brand name of speciality Olefin fabric. DryMax fibres are infused with an anti-microbial treatment to stay moisture- and odour-free.

- CoolMax 

~  CoolMax is a brand name of a polyester blend designed to wick moisture away from the skin.

- cashmere 

~  Cashmere is a fibre from the soft hair of a Cashmere goat. It provides natural, light-weight insulation with bulk and is considered a luxury fibre, mostly because of how soft and comfortable it is.

- bamboo 

~  Bamboo fibres are taken from the natural, fast-growing plant. Bamboo is softer and more breathable than cotton and has a natural sheen to the surface, so it almost feels like silk or cashmere. Bamboo is hypoallergenic, naturally microbial and very durable, making it a luxury choice for socks.

- angora 

~  Angora is the soft hair of an Angora rabbit. Used with other fibres, it provides a lot of comforts and a fluffy look. The rabbits moult their fur, and farmers pluck the hair.

Types of different socks:

1. toe cover, mute socks

2. invisible, no-show socks

3. liner, extra low cut socks

4. ped, low cut socks

5. quarter, anklet socks

6. midcalf, crew socks

7. over calf, crew socks

8. knee high socks

9. over the knee socks

How long it takes the average sock to decompose: https://www.junior-report.com/how-long-does-sock-take-to-decompose/

All about what socks can be made from: https://sockdrawer.com/pages/fiber-content

Wiki socks: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sock

Socks made from plastic bottles: https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/swaggr-socks-made-from-recycled-plastic-bottles#/faq

What fabrics are biodegradable: https://www.1millionwomen.com.au/blog/how-compost-fabrics/

Straws and why they are bad for the environment.

I want to create a website that teaches people about how single-use straws are really bad for the environment.

Who

Who 

Who do single-use straws affect? 

Ocean life

Land/Environment

What 

Where

America uses 500 million straws per day.

Wellington restaurants give out 800 straws each week.

When 

Why 

How

Do’s:

Don’ts:

References:

https://www.nationalgeographic.com/environment/2018/07/news-plastic-drinking-straw-history-ban/

https://www.1millionwomen.com.au/blog/straws-why-they-seriously-suck/

https://get-green-now.com/environmental-impact-plastic-straws/

https://www.stuff.co.nz/environment/99293514/council-aims-to-curb-use-of-plastic-straws-in-wellington-restaurants