A much anticipated yarn line has arrived! Becka and I had spotted these yarns when looking for something new and interesting to bring into the shop. The yarns themselves produced instant must-have, must-stash, must-knit, lusting. And that was before we knew the story behind the entire line.
The Mirasol yarns are extraordinarily soft, luscious fibers in beautiful colors, all produced in the highlands of Peru. Through the Mirasol Project, a portion of the sale of each Mirasol yarn contributes to the building and supporting of community centers for the farmers and their families who tend the fiber animals. The project is named after a young Quechua girl who works with her brother to tend 350 alpacas. The project is currently focused on building a boarding house for the children of the farmers so that they will not have to travel to receive an education. They will provide an infant and child-care program, after school care, and health services.
Knitwear designer Jane Ellison (many of you will recognize her for her gorgeous Noro sweaters), has committed herself and her work to the project. She has designed the pattern books that accompany the yarn line, and has traveled to Peru to see the progress of the project.
To quote from the Mirasol website:
"The designer, Jane Ellison, has recently made a visit to the Mallkini ranch to see for herself what the project is all about. "It was the first time I had been to a developing country so the poverty I saw when I arrived in Lima was a bit of a shock," she explains," but even more so when we travelled into the mountains where the ranch is situated. You are in the middle of nowhere with no radio signals and the nearest phone being an hour away." She also suffered from altitude sickness but saw this as a positive thing, forcing her to slow down and see life as it is for the indigenous people. She comments, "Although the poverty is extreme, you get a sense of community and peacefulness. There was none of that anger you associate with city life. It is also very humbling, things I would normally worry about at home seemed unimportant." She found that seeing the foundations of the boarding-house already in place and imagining the future for the children was very exciting. She explains, "Education is a basic right that some of us take for granted. I feel it is very important that families should grow and learn together. Every society needs to educate its members for its historical continuity and cultural development." She looks back to her own education and remembers a time when her best friend at school was a girl from Guatemala who had been sent to England to get a good education, even though it meant she was away from her immediate family for many years. She comments, "That was how important education was to my friend and her mother. This is why I feel this project is so important.' "
The story is inspiring. But what of the yarns?
Short of inventing a way for you to reach through the computer to touch them yourself, the best I can do to tell you how truly incredible they are, is to say that we were so impressed with the quality, feel, and colors, that we decided to bring in ALL the colors in each of four of the main yarns.
Hacho and Miski are now in-stock, and the other two (stay tuned!) will be arriving in time for fall.
Even though Mirasol is sending us some sample garments, Becka and I couldn't wait. I cast on for a baby top out of Hacho, a hand painted, 100% merino wool.
It is fabulous to work with because it is so springing. It is almost like it has elastic in it! I'm on the lookout for a good sock pattern to try with it next.
Becka cast on for a sweater with Miski, the 100% baby lama. Yum.
I can't wait till I get to play with it too.
Both projects will be traveling with us to the Fiber Frolic this weekend. For those who have never been, check out the website - you won't regret it.
I know we'll see many of the KAN group there. By the way, to everyone who was at KAN last night - thank you! It was a BLAST. Awesome conversation. Good times. =)
Even the boys made it for a little while, and the ever-enterprising Connor negotiated for a job:
Have a great weekend!