Knitting for Self-sufficiency

For the starting steps towards self-sustainability, I figure it would be best off to start with something simple. The three basic needs for human survival are clothing, food, and shelter. Since I can’t cook to save my life and it’s the dead of winter, we’re going to talk about clothing. And the best way to achieve self-sustainable clothing is through knitting (or crocheting).

Knitting is one of the best skills to have for self-sustainability for a couple of reasons. The resource (yarn) is highly renewable, from either animal or plant material. Cotton and even hemp is some of the most desirable plant material for yarn making, though I don’t recommend growing marijuana in your backyard (unless it’s legal, then go right ahead).

As far as animal material, just about any animal with longer, luxurious hair is fair game. Some of the more common yarns that you hear about are alpaca, wool, and cashmere (which is from different breeds of goats), though I have heard of yarn made from angora rabbits and even dogs.
And the greatest thing about all the animal yarns is that they require no animal sacrifices for your sweater. Though some animals like sheep, goats, or llamas might need to be shaved for their wonderful fur (or wool), other animals like the angora rabbit or that lovely golden retriever down the street can have that future yarn just brushed out of their coats. Perfect for anyone a little nervous with the combination of hair clippers and live animals.

I have yet to actually spin my own yarn, though that is on my bucket list for the new year, so I’m not quite ready to share any experiences on that. However, learning to knit might not be a bad thing to do in the meantime. I’m doing fairly well myself, although all I have been making are various rectangles, from scarfs to handbags. Not stuff exactly needed for self-sustainability, but it’s a start.

For all those wanting to learn how to knit, the internet is some of your best resources. I caved and bought a couple of books to help me get started, but for any of the problems I have run into so far, I have found the best website for answers is ehow.com.

So for now, I will leave you with a task at hand. Learn to knit for that self-sufficient lifestyle you desire. While you may start with some more frivolous things to learn all the basics, it will be worth it when you can curl up with that afghan in winter made with your sheep’s wool. Or dog
hair. Whatever fits in your yard/apartment.

Till next time, keep the environment in mind, Happy New Year,
and find yourself a designated driver (got mine already).

Sincerely,
Jenn :)

The First Step in the Journey...

All great journeys begin with a single step, and I am beginning mine. Ok, so I began mine close to a year ago when I specifically wrote down my new year's resolution to become a more environmentally friendly person, and actually got my family to start recycling. Well, a lot has happened since that fateful moment, *no comment now*, but hey, lifes about the journey. Which I hope reflects in this blog. As I grow older, I'm slowly learning that things don't just happen over nite, but the longer it takes, the more it's worth the wait.

So therefore, the self sustainable journey to happiness has at last begun. I hope to make posts at least 2-3 times weekly, putting either a piece of my journey up there for all to see or advice on how to make the journey yourself.

Whatever inspires you to make the journey to self sustainability, wether to help protect the environment, or your wallet, I hope that I will be able to help you with your own personal journey. And just like my own, it all begins with a single step...