Turning Mushroom Waste into Leather: Researchers at the University of Vienna have developed a new leather alternative made from mushroom waste (stems or misshapen mushrooms). First, a pulp is created by washing, blending and treating the material with sodium hydroxide, before itโs processed into sheets โ a process similar to conventional papermaking. While not without noted limitations (moisture absorption, batch variation, potential glycerol leaching), the research highlights how agricultural byproducts could create a potential pathway toward more sustainable alternatives to animal and petroleum-based leather. | Read more at MycoStories
One Black Sheep Can Change a Flock: Richard Felipe shares his journey of turning away from the practices he learned as a fourth-generation farmer to venture down the path of sustainability and soil health education โ a journey that led him to invest in his own flock of sheep, who play a critical role in cover crop and weed management. Heโs now toying with creative ways to use the wool from the 125 head of sheep he runs to support the health of his crops. โIโm excited about the future,โ he said, โand not a lot of farmers can say that these days.โ | Read more at Fibershed
Swapping Screens for Stitches: A group of primary school students in South Australia is learning an age-old fiber skill thanks to volunteers from the South Australian Country Women's Association (SACWA). Ongoing projects with the kids have included a classroom blanket with every student making a square. In addition to the students, SACWA is encouraging everyone to pick up their needles (or hooks!) for a cause as the Yarn for Good campaign gets underway to raise funds for charity. | Read more at Adelaide Now
๐Fiber Events๐
Yarn for Good: A knitting fundraiser in South Australia aims to raise funds for those experiencing homelessness by encouraging crafters to sponsor their work. Participants are encouraged to cultivate community by gathering in living rooms, community halls and schools to craft and raise money that supports charities Hutt St Centre and Catherine House. | Read more at Yarn for Good
Photo by Eleonora Albasi on Unsplash
๐Fiber Feature ๐
Bamboo Yarn: Sustainable Wonder or Greenwashed Fiber? Bamboo yarn is often marketed as one of the most eco-friendly fibers available โ itโs a fast-growing grass that
requires little irrigation, it can thrive without pesticides and it absorbs significant amounts of carbon. But there can be more to the story once it reaches the mill, where the plant is dissolved using chemicals and regenerated into a rayon or viscose fiber. While newer manufacturing methods are emerging that recycle chemicals in closed-loop systems, consumers should look beyond the word “bamboo” to understand how the yarn was produced. When shopping for bamboo yarn, look for lyocell bamboo. Typically made from wood pulp, lyocell production processes involve this closed-loop system that minimizes impact. | Read more at Fairware
๐งถ From the Studio ๐งถ
Grab your pattern for my farmers market/beach day tote!
Silk Wove Together an Empire: For thousands of years, silk was a symbol of power, diplomacy and economic strength in China. Ancient Chinese rulers closely guarded the secrets of silk production, allowing the fiber to become one of the most valuable commodities in the world. The demand for silk helped establish the Silk Roads, a vast network of trade routes connecting China with Central Asia, the Middle East and Europe. Through these exchanges, people shared silk, along with ideas, technologies and cultural traditions. | Read more at Asian Art Newspaper
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