A Gander at a GANSEY

I have a thing about natural fibres.  I can't even claim that this arose as a result of all the publicity relating to microfibres in the oceans; I've been fanatically checking the labels on clothing for as long as I remember.

So for a long time now, on the rare occasions I treat myself to new clothes (and I do love new clothes - it's not very eco, but the feeling of having something new is pretty special), I've aimed for wool rather than acrylic or nylon, cotton or bamboo instead of polyester and leather instead of PVC.  They're often much more expensive, but I've found they last longer and actually, I cherish them more and tend to hang onto them.

It's a tough cookie to explain this (obsession) to anyone else but I fortunately have a partner who understands.  So I was utterly overjoyed when he recently treated me to a pure wool, hand knitted, locally supplied gansey!  I don't think there was a box that wasn't ticked.

It's a garment that has a history and heritage that's special to the area I call home (a gansey is a traditional fisherman's jumper) - check.  It's from a small, local business - check.  It's hand knitted with love and care - check.  It's entirely and successfully functional (I will be 'bloody warm' in the depths of winter!) - check.  And it's all natural fibres - check.  I know it will almost certainly outlive me, and when its time has come, it will compost and return it's goodness back to the Earth.