November 22, 2006

The Sweetest Thing

Be Sweet Products

Lately, the sweetest deals you’ve found are dollar beer nights at the neighborhood pub (well, it’s someone’s neighborhood) and half off a car wash before 8 a.m.

In other words, not all that sweet.

For something that lives up to its promise, look to Be Sweet, a line that brings South African knitwear to socially conscious consumers. The company creates jobs for artisans in Cape Town, giving them economic opportunities for their skills.

No frumpy do-gooder buys here: Choose from styles like a fluffy tube collar that creates an instant cowl-neck effect; a mini shawl with ostrich feather trim and a ribbon tie; a cozy shoulder-wrap capelet; and plenty of sweaters, shrugs, wraps, scarves, throws, and hats in colors like buttercup, lichen, amethyst, aubergine, and hyacinth.

Made from soft mohair, wool, and boucle, the hand-knitted goods already sell themselves. Throw in the knowledge that a portion of proceeds from your purchase goes toward job programs and local schools in Capetown, and one thing’s for certain.

A scarf by any other name would not be as sweet.

Available online at besweetproducts.com.