I’m Lisa Brzezniak, and I believe beautiful objects can provide an antidote to the stress around us by comforting our body, mind and spirit. In 2018 I started The Green Goat Project as a personal challenge to design something useful and elevated from recycled materials.
As a graphic designer and illustrator I had been working digitally for years and wanted deeper satisfaction by working hands-on with my medium. Sewing and embroidery were my hobbies since childhood, so working with textiles was a natural extension of my design work.
After experimenting with different wools I became obsessed with cashmere. Its a fussy wool to work with, and not all cashmere responds well to being processed. But when it works, the softness and vibrancy is amazing.
My first attempts were blankets, and from their scraps I was inspired to create something smaller. This opened up a much more creative canvas to work with and my scarf collection was born.
No two are the same.
Each piece is a unique color study.
Sustainability
All of my material comes from existing garments. My recycling process converts dry-clean-only cashmere into more natural washable material, also reducing future use of toxic chemicals. I strive to eliminate waste by using as much of my material as possible — scraps are treasured sources of inspiration. Textile manufacturing is one of the most resource intensive industries on the planet, so I’m continually looking for ways to refine my process and reduce the energy and water needed.
My Process: Fulling
Have you ever accidentally washed a wool sweater on warm in your washing machine and seen it shrink? That’s essentially a round of fulling.
The cashmere used in Green Goat Project scarves has been processed through multiple rounds of washing and drying in high heat, with additional friction and natural additives. This process is known as “fulling” and results in tightening the knit stitches of the original garments and shrinking their overall size. The fabric resulting in this process resembles felt, and doesn’t unravel. Its a unique material to work with and takes a good deal of time and experience to successful machine sew. But the investment in time and skill results in the unique scarves you see here.
Here’s a more formal definition, from the Encyclopedia Brittanica:
FULLING: Process that increases the thickness and compactness of woven or knitted wool by subjecting it to moisture, heat, friction, and pressure until shrinkage of 10–25% is achieved. Shrinkage occurs in both the warp and weft, producing a smooth, tightly finished fabric that is light, warm, and relatively weather proof.
Design Inspo
I’m inspired by an eclectic collection of sources. My approach and philosophy is strongly influenced by Natalie Chanin’s work with Alabama Chanin. From slow-fashion, to local sourcing and handcrafting, I continue to learn from her evolution.
My design heroes include Emilio Pucci, Piero Fornasetti, Josef Albers, Alexander Girard, Ray Eames, Ruth Adler Schnee and Missoni. I study mid-century and arts and crafts color theory. And I find constant color inspiration from travel, antique markets, gardens, and clothing combos I see on the streets.
