by Lesley Allen

Created on: January 19, 2008

The word 'cotton' usually conjures up an image of a natural, pure fibre. But, in fact, conventional cotton production is exceedingly detrimental both to the environment and to those who work in the industry. It makes great demands on the soil, water and air where it is grown.

Some of the facts don't make for easy reading. For example, for every pound of cotton harvested, one-third of a pound of fertilizers will have been used. In addition, at harvesting time herbicides are used to defoliate the cotton plants to make picking easier. It is also bleached with chlorine, heavy metals or formaldehyde.

Thankfully, there is an environmentally friendly alternative, and that is certified organically grown cotton. As the name suggests, organically grown cotton is produced without the use of chemical pesticides, fertilizers or herbicides. Just as with all organic gardening methods, the emphasis is on sustainable farming methods such as crop rotation, planting cover crops, improving the quality of the soil with the use of compost, and using natural methods of pest control such as introducing beneficial insects.

Organically grown cotton is hand-picked, without using any defoliants, heavy machinery or chemicals. It might be more labour-intensive this way, but it's worth it. And of course, unlike conventionally grown cotton, the organic variety isn't manufactured using petroleum scours, silicon waxes, anti-wrinkling agents, formaldehyde, or other equally scary materials.

For knitting or crocheting purposes there is no difference in the characteristics of organically grown cotton compared with conventional cotton yarn. It's just as light, strong and durable.

And it's much more satisfying to know that the yarn you're using has been produced in a more eco-friendly way so as to have a lower impact both on the environment and on people.

Many of the organic cottons you can buy are not dyed but come quite unashamedly in their natural colours, such as light brown, dark brown, avocado, cream or grey. This is wonderful news because it means that your carefully knitted cotton sweater won't fade with washing.

In fact, the colours will become richer and brighter with each wash, especially if you add a little baking soda to your mild detergent. (Of course, as the fibre properties of each crop of cotton grown organically are unique, the colours will vary from harvest to harvest.)

Organically grown cotton is, as you would expect, ideal for people with sensitive skins, and it is especially kind to small babies. A baby's blanket knitted in 100% organically grown, pesticide free cotton would make an extra special christening gift.

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