There is such a wide variety of yarn to choose from. Where to start?
Acrylic Yarn
This yarn is easy to find in all craft shops. One of the reasons for its popularity is its affordability. Natural yarn can be expensive; look on eBay or Preloved for a more economical way to buy natural yarn. In a video, I saw a retired gentleman shopping for woollen jumpers in charity shops. He would unravel them to knit hats and scarves. They were lovely, and he would gift them to friends and neighbours. It is crucial to look at the seams carefully to see if you can undo the jumper. This is a beautiful example of upcycling quality natural yarns.
Bad for the environment
Like many synthetic yarns, acrylic is not environmentally friendly. Manufacturing acrylic yarn has a significant carbon footprint, and the petroleum products produced are unsustainable and pollute. Washing acrylic releases tiny microplastic particles into the ocean, which is terrible for wildlife and sea life. It isn’t biodegradable or recyclable; it will spend decades in landfills.
Acrylics are highly flammable and will melt in contact with heat. Synthetic fibres are less breathable and hold onto sweat and body odour more.
Polyester
Polyester breaks down into tiny microfibres, polluting the oceans and affecting wildlife. Garments knitted with this yarn are uncomfortable to wear as they don’t allow the skin to breathe.
Nylon
It is made from crude oil, consumes high levels of energy, and doesn’t break down as it’s like plastic.
Viscose
Viscose uses too much energy, water, and toxic chemicals in the manufacturing process, which has a devastating impact on workers, local communities, and the environment.
Dyes and Bleaches
Dyes and bleaches are harsh chemicals that cause pollution in waterways.
Wool
Wool, as we know, comes from sheep, goats, alpacas, etc. Sheep dip can be a problem as it’s toxic. Undercover video footage from some years ago now shows some shearers severely mistreating sheep. Awareness has improved conditions. Today, as hand knitting and crocheting have become more popular, many small wool yarn producers in Britain have cropped up. These small farmers produce quality yarn from their own sheep, goats, and alpacas, some dyed with natural plant dyes.
Check out eBay for British-produced wool yarns at reasonable prices.
Cotton
If you buy cotton, buy organic cotton if you can, it’s always better for the environment. Normal cotton growing can take its toll on the environment. It needs a lot of pesticides and water. Cotton is the most pesticide-intensive crop in the world! This practice ruins the area and takes large swathes of agricultural land that local farmers need to grow their food.
Organic cotton is grown and processed without the use of toxic chemicals. The various processing stages of growing cotton must remain chemical-free to be organic, including land preparation, non-GM seeds, soil, weed and pest management. Also, the cotton manufacturing process must remain free of toxins.
Please buy organic cotton if you can for the planet’s future, and follow a cwtch lifestyle.
Bamboo
It’s fast-growing, needs fewer pesticides and less water, and produces more oxygen on average. That sounds good. Unfortunately, the manufacturing process requires toxic chemicals that harm the environment.
Rayon
Produced from wood pulp and uses hazardous chemicals like caustic soda and sulphuric acid in manufacturing. To make way for these plantations, mature trees are cut, forests are cleared, or subsistence farmers are displaced.
Linen
Made from the flax plant and is extremely hard-wearing. It’s sustainable, uses less water and pesticides, and is manufactured using non-toxic chemical compounds.
Tencel
Made from wood pulp from sustainable trees. The fibre is completely biodegradable or compostable. Non-toxic chemicals are used in making Lyocell, and most importantly, the wastewater is recycled. The excellent news is that washing Lyocell fabric won’t contribute to waterway pollution either.
Silk
Silk fabric is made from silkworms. It is controversial, as thousands of silkworms are killed to make a relatively small amount—approximately 6,600 silkworms are killed to make just 1 kilogram of silk. If you want silk yarn, thread, or fabric, you can buy vintage or upcycled silk from eBay or charity shops.
Read more The Silk Industry
Knitting or buying knitwear
Whatever yarn you use or knitwear you buy is your choice. Please think carefully.
Sustainable fabrics to watch out for the next time you shop for clothes.
