Being eco-friendly is becoming more of a topic these days. It has gained even more popularity as crafters have more of a desire to be more conscious of the environment.
Having knowledge of sustainable yarns that are available, will help in building confidence in knitting or crocheting a project successfully. I know personally that as I continue on in my fiber journey I want to know what fibers work best with the projects I’m creating, whether it be a garment or blanket etc.
Here are 5 Sustainable Yarns you can learn about:
Bamboo Yarn:
This yarn is soft and smooth to the touch, which is perfect for those warmer temperatures. Also, it has a lovely sheen that allows an item to pair well for special occasions. If you’re looking for yarn for a summer shawl or a warm-weather tee, a bamboo option may be the way to go.
Being known for it’s biodegradable and antibacterial properties, bamboo is also perfect for garments.
Organic Cotton Yarn:
Using cotton in garments or blankets can make all the difference. Being a breathable fiber will allow the piece you’ve made to be used more often and easy to care for. With its hypoallergenic properties, organic cotton will allow room for those uh-oh moments when situations get a little messy.
Using a material like organic cotton as a yarn choice is great especially if you are making baby gifts. Baby garments, toys, blankets and such, can be gifted with less worry since there are no synthetic materials, pesticides or fertilizers used in growing and processing of the cotton. So items made with such a material can be at it’s cleanest.
Recycled Yarn:
Re-using materials that still have life in them is another way to be sustainable as a crocheter or knitter. Recycled yarn is a great combination of taking post-consumer waste materials and re-purposing it into yarn. Though the yarn that is created from recycled materials can vary, it can add to the beauty of your project. Even better, you would be reducing landfill waste and supporting conservation.
Hemp Yarn:
This is a material I personally have not used yet, but I’m looking forward to trying it out. Due to it’s durability, hemp yarn is a great yarn for those heavily used projects. The lovely thing about hemp is that it softens with use. So it will feel nice against the skin.
Hemp is known to have a fast growth rate. So once it harvested, it will start it re-growing soon after. Also, rather than depleting the soil of it’s natural resources, it improves the soil health.
Tencel (Lyocell) Yarn:
This is a great yarn alternative to using silk. It has beautiful drape and has great moisture-wicking properties. So, a lovely blouse or shawl would pair perfectly with this yarn. Tencel is basically wood pulp usually from eucalyptus trees. It is produced by way of a unique looping process that I’m sure adds to it’s texture. Summer tank tops, or a wedding shawl would look amazing for sure.
When looking for yarn for your next knit or crochet project, consider a sustainable yarn. For one, if you’ve never used any of the yarns mentioned above you will then have gained experience and skill. Another reason is that you will be adding variation to your wardrobe. Third, you will be supporting the earth’s resources.
Just curious, which yarn are you interested in trying?
