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by: CaleyWalsh
I have recently fell in love with free crochet flowers patterns as a way to embellish garments, bags and accessories and to decorate my home with bursts of color. Crochet flowers make for quick and easy craft projects, and the materials cost next to nothing. With a spare hour, some scrap yarn and my favorite free crochet flower patterns, I can make a bouquet of crochet flowers for a gift or home accent.
In my opinion crochet flowers are far superior to traditional cut flowers as a gesture of celebration, affection and amends. I've never really understood the appeal of watching cut flowers wither and die on the counter. While many of my friends continue to demand fresh cut flower bouquets from their significant others, I have demanded the absence of such silly bouquets in favor of more more enjoyable books or chocolates. Lasting crochet flowers, especially if they are homemade, would make a much better gift.
The superiority of crochet flowers over traditional cut flower is evident when we examine the impact of the industry of environment. Here in America, the cut flower industry is huge, amounting to 6.4 billion dollars worth of cut flower stems and bouquets purchased by Americans annually. The vast majority of these cut flowers are imported from South American greenhouses and must be refrigerated on their long journey from the Andes. With extensive carbon emissions produced by these greenhouses, long transportation, distribution and constant refrigeration for up to 10 days, cut flowers have a huge carbon footprint.
Hardly requiring extensive transportation, crochet flowers can be made inside the home with free crochet flower patterns or purchased from a local crafter. Crochet lovers can purchase yarn for crochet flowers from local craft stores or ideally from independent yarn spinners. Etsy provides a good resource for finding yarn spinners near you. Many big-name yarn manufacturers also produce environmentally friendly yarns made from sustainable resources such as bamboo, soy silk and hemp. These yarns are also a good choice when trying to reduce your personal carbon footprint.
Unlike cut flowers, crochet flowers do not require dangerous chemicals for their production. Pesticides, fertilizers and other chemical agents are used extensively in the production of cut-flowers imported to the U.S., almost 80% of which come from Columbia or Ecuador. In fact, flower greenhouses in these countries use chemicals deemed too toxic for use within the U.S. or E.U, such as infamous DDT. According to a 2007 study from the International Labor Rights Fund, more than 66 percent of Ecuadorian and Colombian flower workers suffer from work-related health problems stemming from prolonged exposure to toxic pesticides and fungicides.
Cut flowers are hardly an innocent gesture of love and appreciation, unless they happen to come from your own garden. Instead of cut-flower bouquets, people can make crochet flower bouquets to give as gifts or decorate their own homes. Crochet flowers satisfy the need for color, but are guilt-free. With free crochet flower patterns and a touch of craftiness, crochet flowers can save you loads of money too. Ill be making a cheerful bouquet of Daisies for my kitchen.
About the Author
Visit FaveCrafts.com for thousands of craft projects and decorating tips, including free crochet flower patterns.
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