This is the time of year when we can get all wonderful, fresh produce we want and find it “locally grown”. In our town we have had a farmer’s market for over 75 years and my own personal shopper (Kent) goes every Saturday. As he was unloading this week I couldn’t help but noticing that we have a human link with every single thing.
The “bean lady” has the best beans and kohlrabi and when I once went to buy Kent’s weekly kohlrabis she saw my purchase and asked if I was buying for him even though she didn’t know we were related. She is also the “go to” place for small potatoes and zucchini.
The onions come from a truly kind gentleman named Ben who in a past life ran a jail, but now runs a small farm and helps the 4H kids with sheep and lambs that are shown at the county fair. He also provides us with the best popcorn for use during the long winter here.
The gladioli come from the Stiles family from whom we have bought for many years, The really cute young girl from the 3rd generation who worked the booth is now a woman with a family of her own. She was touched when Kent told her: “When I pick the glads Cathy always says they are beautiful, but when YOU pick them she says they are spectacular.” So she hand picks them for my pleasure.
The tomatoes are REALLY locally grown. Kent has a tiny unused dog run behind our garage. The heat sink of the bricks and his loving care make for an unbelievable jungle of plants. We are just starting to pick and soon we will have our own deluge.
Here in the office we have our own “locally grown” new bundle of joy.
Many of you have spoken to Val, who is an integral part of Signature and Bothe. Her son and his wife recently welcomed sweet little Eli into the family.
I have been interested lately in the meanings of some of the Aran stitches and wanted to incorporate some into a sweater for him. The honeycomb wishes a sweet life and the diamonds a prosperous one—I think that pretty well covers everything.
This is from a washable cotton called Schachenmayr Nomotta Laluca Cotton Color 50% cotton, 50% acrylic. I used some prototype US 3 circs, and like the glads, they were spectacular. Those stiletto points really did the job on all the cable stitches.
Of course I can’t help but think that the jobs we provide for the folks who make the needles are the most important “locally grown” product we have. We all deeply feel the value of that, and we are not alone. A customer named Jennifer, who is part of a family-owned medical equipment company, sent me this very eloquent email:
I know I’ve blathered on and on about your needles. But, I have to say, when I’m pimping them out to my knitting friends, I tell them of the intrinsic value that the needles represent. To me, they are more than just knitting needles. They represent the very foundation of our country.
I feel as though, buy buying from companies like yours (and mine), I am voting with my dollars. I am telling other companies that I want manufacturing HERE. I want jobs HERE. I want a finished product that has been held by human hands, and inspected with human eyes. I want trucks rolling in and out of American buildings. I want the sound of banging and grinding and squeaking to come from industrial parks on OUR soil. I want to support OUR people buy buying from companies who provide a living wage and decent benefits. In return for this, I am rewarded by the joy of using a product that is far superior to its competitors. These are the thoughts that cross my mind when I am wrapping string around my shiny metal sticks.
“Locally grown”….some pretty powerful words.
August 5th, 2010 at 5:08 pm
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August 10th, 2010 at 2:24 pm
I would echo Jennifer’s sentiments. That is one of the many wonderful things about Signature Needles – they are truly made in America. I really appreciate your commitment to that – it is getting more and more difficult to find American made goods.