Organic Tweed Kilts!

[McMurdo]

Having seen the kilt in person I must say it is wonderful although the pictures are great seeing it live is really the ticket. Matt just had to show me the swatch book for these tweeds and thus one has been put near the top of my wish list.

[tyger]

I take it that the remaining mills must be producing INORGANIC tweed?

When it comes to the missconceptions, and outright hoax regarding "organics", or "climate change", you and I won't find much to disagree upon. I have never seen an inorganic apple either.

From what I can see, the UK soil association is much different from ours. I think any of us would be on the right track by farming a species in this case sheep- that promotes wise husbandry and land conservation. That has pretty much become more than just a fashion now because....it works so well! I have no trouble recognizing and supporting the fact that certain species are better farmed on certain land types. For grazing animals, this usually means sheep, goats, or bison rather than cattle. As I understand the UK organization, they have extended 'organic' to include this practice.

Like others, I don't agree with the broad and loose "organic" label. Nor do I agree with the other medical and agricultural missnomers, but nobody asked me to come up with a better word or term. (If I ever get diagnosed with prostatic hyperplasia, I am going to ask: "Well, how many prostates do I have?")

I like the fabric, I don't care what anybody else calls it. Now, about all that 100% synthetic wool................

[M. A. C. Newsome]

Glad to see this thread is getting attention. Just a few points.

1. Just to clarify, the stripe in the kilt I'm wearing is not woad dyed. It's natural undyed wool, and actually a light grey color. The dark brown main color of the kilt is also undyed wool.

2. Thanks for the compliments about the way the kilt, sporran, buckle, and hose all go together. I'm very pleased with the overall look, as well. :-)

3. Regarding the use of the term "organic," I remember in my high school chemistry classes that "organic" simply meant "carbon-based." :-)

What I like about the practices of this mill are the fact that the mill is right there at Ardalanish farm that not only grows crops such as turnips and things according to the Soil Association's organic standards, but also rears sheep according to those standards. They raise native breed sheep, that were bred for centuries specifically to thrive in their island climate. They follow practices that are not only good for business, but good for the sustainability of the land, as well. And they make product from the wool (knit and woven) right there on site.

Moreover, they purchase wool from other small farms in the region that also raise native breen sheep, and they pay fair trade prices for the yarns.

Their cloth is more expensive, but I know that the people who raise the sheep, who process the wool, who weave the cloth, etc., are all getting paid living wages and are not cutting any corners to try and get their product to market cheaper. I like promoting those practices. :-)

I see this as a specialty cloth that won't necessarily appeal to everyone, or be within everyone's budget.

But there is something about it.... when I was making this kilt for myself and I put the hot steam iron to the wool, I could smell the sheep and the land -- what I could smell was the Isle of Mull!

That's something special.

[Bugbear]

You are correct about the term "organic,," Matt, and several pestocides and crude oil are "organic," being even compostable etc. Not that I'm exactly an expert!

I can not claim my crops are "organic" by most standards,mostly because I use some chemical fertalizers, though there are very good reasons for being very careful about what is used.

But there is something about it.... when I was making this kilt for myself and I put the hot steam iron to the wool, I could smell the sheep and the land
-- what I could smell was the Isle of Mull!

I think that says it all.

[McClef]

I have been to Mull and can't remember it smelling that different to the rest of Scotland!

I recall that when it first came into usage in the UK it referred to the growing of crops/vegetables etc that had not been sprayed with insecticide or chemical fertilisers and that the fertiliser was supplied by manure only.

Then the labelling guys saw ways of using the word to make the produce sound more environmentally produced than it actually was along with other meaningless phrases like "low fat", "no added sugar", "made in the UK" which produced a lot of confusion. Regulations vary considerably and no assumptions can be made that all synthetic additives are banned.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Organic_certification makes interesting reading.

Having said that, I am Jonesing with Hamish anyway!

[kennethrmc]

I just want to say that our visit to Ardalanish Weavers was the highlight of our time on Mull. The people were wonderful to visit with. They had a herringbone 8-yard kilt already made, which was the most beautiful thing I've seen in a long time, and unfortunately (or fortunately for my savings account) was too large to fit me.

Matt, I love what you've done with their wool!

I'm waiting to see what they can do with Mull Tartan, though I like some of the designs they already make.

[Rob Wright]

Whimpers.

Oh my, look at all those luscious tweeds. *Sigh* When I finish school. Looks at empty wallet.

Lovely material Matt.

Rob

[tyger]

I just want to say that our visit to Ardalanish Weavers was the highlight of our time on Mull.

I want to go to Iona, and one goes to Mull to catch the ferry to Iona (visitors can only travel to Iona on foot, or on bicycle). I will have to add a stop at Ardalanish to the itinerary.

[kennethrmc]

Tyger, that was exactly what we did. Iona was a fantastic experience...and Ardalanish Weavers made our time crossing Mull even more special. The whole time on both isles was very worth it.