Sari Silk

I've been going through my stock preparing for fairs and discovered a gorgeous bag I knitted from recycled sari silk. The word "recycled" might sound a little off putting to some - we can all develop mental images of sari's that have be worn to the extent the silk's decaying - but here, that's not the case! What happens is that when silk garments are woven "thrums" are left over. A thrum is the left over warp threads from silk weaving. Skilled local women then take these thrums and spin them into a silken thread which is then plyed and wound into balls.

What I love about using spun sari silk for bag making, is the rich colours and rich textures it produces. Each bag then becomes totally unique, with a style all of its own. Its also relatively quick to work with as its not a yarn that demands pattern - it looks its best in stocking stitch, as the wide variety of hues are shown to their best. I also like to think that this provide income for women in India and Nepal - although its not easy to find out how much they get paid relative to the cost of the finished product. And even though India is becoming one of the worlds richer nations, many of its people still live in absolute poverty, often without homes or in shanty towns and I suppose any pay is better than none - although it would be good to know that the women receive a fair percentage of the sales cost as spinning all day has to be a pretty back breaking job, leaning over the wheel etc.

Here's the bag:

Bits and Bobs Crafts - Recycled Sari Silk Bag

And now for some equally "jewel tones" offerings from the July Jewels:

Amyurgumis - Fiery Phoenix

Adien Crafts - Green Glass and Wood Necklace

J Austen Jewellery - Lapis Lazuli Necklace

Diomo Glass - A Rainbow of Spiders

Court and Spark - Liberty Print Coin Purse

Becky Leigh - Beaded Silver Hair Comb