Thursday, November 6, 2008

More Charity Knitting and Less Carnivorousness

I finished My So Called Scarf for charity yesterday. I still have to weave in the ends, all two of them.... I would love for someone to come up with a tool that makes weaving in the ends unnecessary. I think that person could make a small fortune off knitters, because I'm pretty sure I'm not the only one out there that loathes this process. I think this might be the fastest scarf I've ever knit. It is so amazing to go from size 4 needles to size 11! Under two weeks to finish a project is great.
My current WIP is an Amanda Hat. This charity knitting thing has made me uncover an embarrassingly large stash of acrylics; many mill ends. For awhile I was part of a prayer shawl group at my church. I think I now have enough Lion's Brand Homespun to knit about 13 prayer shawls. Anywho, I'm uncertain that this color choice is appropriate for a woman's hat. It looks a little too busy and bright. Oh well, maybe I'll use the rest of it to do some children's size hats.

Because I have been unable to exercise lately, I though of going a bit veggie until I can exercise again and require the extra protein, fat, and iron content that is so easily bio available in meat. I'm not going to be crazy about it, but I've been reading some Barbara Kingsolver, and being that I was an Animal Science major, I intimately know the factory farming system that our country is based on and the more I think about it, the more I don't want to contribute to the continuation of that system. In the summer I support local agriculture through a local CSA, or farm share, but while I was incredibly impressed by Jericho Settlers Farm system of raising swine and chicken and beef (their pigs graze on pasture that is rotated with the chickens, and most incredibly don't stink!) I haven't been able to get over my stingy side that doesn't want to pay more than double the price per pound for most cuts of meat and chicken. But it costs more to raise animals and vegetables sustainably, and deal with less hearty, but more genetically diverse breeds. And I think during my time of eating mostly no meat, I'm going to pay more for local and organic vegetables, and when I decide to start cooking meat again, I'll seek out local sources. It's time to put my money where my mouth is, and I think the price will only serve as a reminder of appropriate serving sizes.

I've already volunteered to bring the turkey for Thanksgiving. I'd rather pick up our bird from the local farm where I can see how the turkeys are managed. And I know Butterball turkeys don't get to live a good life. And yes, I'm pretty sure I made up the word carnivorousness. Just like my spelling of cankle :)

4 comments:

allisonmariecat said...

Hee! I'm adding "carnivorousness" to my vocabulary immediately. I have lots of veggie recipes on my blog in case you're looking. Good for you on working to make a change. I've had to overcome some major stinginess to start buying organic, free range eggs and dairy products. It's so easy to put out of your mind where your food comes from, especially when looking at the prices.

The scarf is lovely! The recipient will be so lucky. And the hat is great!

Unknown said...

I so hear ya on the better treatment of animals as a food source. I try to purchase food that has been raised well - and you're right it does cost more. The upside of it is that it also tastes better so less really is more. Will be looking forward to how this experiment goes.

Love the scarf. Charity knitting is good. g

Turtle said...

I actually only atarted eating meat about 4 years ago, raised on a farm and as an only child i noticed very young my playmates disappearing, lol. So i still tend to eat veggies over meat and am oh so picky about the meat i eat. I just saw the sign go up at the local farm for turkey orders so think i need to do this in the next day or two as family all come to our house for holiday dinner. love the colorways of your charity knitting!

Unknown said...

Lovely! (just catching up on my bloglines)
Great job, I'm sure the recipient will enjoy it!