Yarn Notes The Brand Noro Magazine Issue 16 - Spring/Summer 2020 This gorgeous magazine is jam-packed with 31 wonderful new knitting projects. (That works out t o a crazy £0.19p per pattern!) This issue is all about Springtime Colourplay and new stitchwork. Patterns include ponchos, wraps, scarves, jumpers and beautiful accessories. The magazine features touchable texture in and making wearable art with textured yarns. "I have come to believe that these yarns are as close to art as we have in the industry. The man behind them is an artist himself, and these yarns are an expression of his spirit rather than just a commercial product." Cornelia Tuttle Hamilton The World of Nature In recent years, the yarn industry has been actively promoting awareness of ecological sustainability, but this concept has been part of the Noro philosophy from the very beginning. The preservation of nature is such an important concept of his business that Mr Noro leaves nothing to chance, personally overseeing every aspect of production from sheep to yarn ball, including all machinery, labelling, yarn bags, boxes and even the garbage that the company produces. All the animal fibres used in Noro yarns are Organic. Most of the wool comes from a special breed of sheep called Polwarth, raised especially for Noro on a non-mulesing farm in Australia. Other fibres from from the Falkland Islands and South Africa, from Organic Farms. The Production Process "Friction, rubbing and heat during processing weaken the fibres in direct proportion to the length of time they are processed. By dramatically shortening this process, we are preventing damage to the enzymes in the fibres and simultaneously profiting the environment." Mr Eisaku Noro Environmental considerations are at the forefront of the dyeing process, with each step being carefully controlled. The natural fibres are dyed using a pH balance that is compatible with the fibres. Noro's modifications to the blowing, carding and spinning processes reap a total energy savings of 46% as compared to typical yarn industry standards. The unique manufacturing process that results in the exceptional colourways and textures have always been closely guarded secret in Japan. Brand Concept Harmonise natural unevenness, asymmetric pattern and complex colour to portray the beauty of the nature. Taking sufficient time to dye yarn Tenderness of materials to preserve their original characters and deliver them into the hands of the crafter “BE FREE FROM EXISTING CONCEPTS AND LIMITATIONS” “PURSUE THE IMAGE IN OUR MINDS” Noro yarns have longer spans of colour in the runs than many other yarns, causing distinctive striping patterns, as well as being spun by hand versus being produced completely by machines. There have been plenty of attempts to imitate the magic of Noro, but in the world of self-striping yarn, nothing compares with Noro.