An important post, Louise. I am in the US (say a prayer for us!) and go out of my way to purchase wool and cottone yarns that are grown and processed in the US. I have also been learning how to dye my yarns using plants and to buy fibers that are not dyed. The dye houses in many countries is a very toxic process, polluting waterways and toxic to many species, including the workers. On several occasions, I have found 100% wool sweaters in thrift shops and have frogged and reused. Lastly, the superwash process uses toxic chemicals and polymers so superwash is off my list. I recommend the book, To Dye For: How Toxic Fashion is Making Us Sick by Alden Wicker. She is also on Substack. Thank you, Louise.
You inspired me. A sweater I knit with nice yarn sits in the giveaway pile. I considered frogging it and reuse the yarn but didn't because here are so many beautiful yarns out there. It's now coming out of the giveaway pile and the yarn will be reused. Thank you
I've tried to use natural fibres for my clothes for a while, having started the menopause road quite early and realising that synthetic fibres were just making things worse. I don't even like viscose. A now defunct podcast opened my eyes to the UK yarn industry and I try to source all my wool from the UK, it's really not difficult. I try to avoid superwash as I really don't like it, not the feel of it or the environmental impact. However I will use sock yarn with nylon (as little as can be gotten away with) as socks that just last one or two wears are not viable and a waste of resources. I'm beginning to shop my stash more but I'm not always successful - I do love a good souvenir yarn from my travels :)
Oh Knit British was a joy - Louise did a brilliant job of advocating for the UK wool industry and I learned a lot from her. I'm with you on the superwash thing. It always sets my teeth on edge slightly when I work with it and I dislike it's habit of growing when you wash it
The podcast was Knit British (rebranded as WoolWork). UK Yarn Industry? Still here. There are some wonderful mills doing excellent work. Some of the more well known are John Arbon, Natural Fibre Company and their sister company Blacker Yarns, Laxtons, West Yorkshire Spinners. Garthenor Yarns have recently bought their own mill. There are lots more, these are just off the top of my head. Some really good yarn shops sell British wool too. Again off the top of my head Northern Yarn in Lancaster, Fine Fettle Fibres in Northumberland (Judith's newsletters are a good source of information), Ewe and Ply in Shropshire. The 2 mid range knitting magazines - The Knitter and Knitting - usually have at least one article per issue on the indie scene and at least one issue per year with primarily British yarns.
Thank you, Louise! We all need to be thoughtful about choices we make in all areas of our lives. Each time we choose natural fibers over synthetic we add a drop to the ocean of change that is needed. And every drop counts.
Thanks for this lovely reminder Louise! Mindful buying and using what I have is my general approach to crafting. I take it from there to decide on a project by project basis.
The organza bags I find helpful because we have such a moth problem (locally, not just our house!) but I’m far better now at shopping my stash, which I really only add to with yarn from a dyer who’s local to me.
This is such an important part of the crafting industry and of course, knitting for this group here. I’m trying to knit through my stash and not be tempted by all the lovely yarns out there, especially when you go to craft festivals and want to support local independent dyer/spinners, etc. One thing we have here which absolutely love is a creative center where you can donate your things you’re not using, especially yarn, and others can pick them up at a very reasonable price. It’s a great way to keep items out of the waste stream. https://www.recraftgvl.org/
I love the idea of a creative centre - like a swap between friends but without having to organise it. I'll have to check and see if we have something similar
Chipping in to say that I think there are a few here in the UK! Didyoumakeityourself on IG uses lots of materials from a reclaim centre for her shop makes.
It can be difficult. On my most recent purchase (of British wool) I ticked the box to say I did not want an organza bag but they sent one anyway. Only a small thing I know but irritating nevertheless. Although I know I really do need to reduce my stash before buying anything else new.
I am here in the states. Lots of various players with unknown agendas, and a whole lot of yarn related businesses closing up shop.
Brooklyn tweed, has discontinued making yarn. This dates back to COVID when supply chains were upended. Knitting patterns will still be designed and sold
Churchmouse yarns and teas will no longer sell yarns, is closing their store and just designing and selling patterns.
Too many small and independent yarn stores, mills, dyers have decided to close their doors. A variety of reasons; retiring, health related, family, tariffs, farms no longer viable, economy. It’s bad here, really bad. The truly frightening thing is it is just the beginning. Our incomes are shrinking, housing and food prices through the roof, and the only jobs are low paying. Work twice as hard for 2/3 less pay. The perfect storm of bad decisions is now coming to fruit. Lys are telling customers to expect at least 40-60%increase due to tariffs. Most yarn stores are not carrying anything British, and we are looking at the labels trying to figure out the tariff. One yarn store owner has already told me it will be a very hard year for her to survive.
While I can knit my stash, share what I have, and knit quietly, my knitting group is a bunch of older women and we look out for one another. It is going to be a rough year. We have support your local yarn store this weekend. Most yarn stores for me are an a hour and a half drive one way. I might ask if their sales are online as well.
This is when I miss living on the east coast. Big sheep and wool festival in May, in Maryland. Got to get back to my swatch and audio book. Sorry to be the bearer of bad news.
Times are certainly very challenging that's for sure. It seems like a perfect storm as far as small businesses are concerned and I just hope that some can hang on. Sending love 🩷
I had a huge stash but after grad school and 2 kids my productivity slowed so I gave my whole stash except items with a specific project to my friend who is a fiber artist. My yarn has been in installations all over now. And it’s been a great excuse to keep in touch with her and her art
After examining my stash recently my plan is to use what I have. I have a number of WIPs to finish including a couple of second socks from test knits.
I definitely need to go through some of my old WIPs and reclaim the yarn
An important post, Louise. I am in the US (say a prayer for us!) and go out of my way to purchase wool and cottone yarns that are grown and processed in the US. I have also been learning how to dye my yarns using plants and to buy fibers that are not dyed. The dye houses in many countries is a very toxic process, polluting waterways and toxic to many species, including the workers. On several occasions, I have found 100% wool sweaters in thrift shops and have frogged and reused. Lastly, the superwash process uses toxic chemicals and polymers so superwash is off my list. I recommend the book, To Dye For: How Toxic Fashion is Making Us Sick by Alden Wicker. She is also on Substack. Thank you, Louise.
Oh thank you. That sounds fascinating. I'll definitely check that out
You inspired me. A sweater I knit with nice yarn sits in the giveaway pile. I considered frogging it and reuse the yarn but didn't because here are so many beautiful yarns out there. It's now coming out of the giveaway pile and the yarn will be reused. Thank you
Oh fantastic. I love the idea of giving new life to a yarn. Fingers crossed it works out OK.
I've tried to use natural fibres for my clothes for a while, having started the menopause road quite early and realising that synthetic fibres were just making things worse. I don't even like viscose. A now defunct podcast opened my eyes to the UK yarn industry and I try to source all my wool from the UK, it's really not difficult. I try to avoid superwash as I really don't like it, not the feel of it or the environmental impact. However I will use sock yarn with nylon (as little as can be gotten away with) as socks that just last one or two wears are not viable and a waste of resources. I'm beginning to shop my stash more but I'm not always successful - I do love a good souvenir yarn from my travels :)
Oh Knit British was a joy - Louise did a brilliant job of advocating for the UK wool industry and I learned a lot from her. I'm with you on the superwash thing. It always sets my teeth on edge slightly when I work with it and I dislike it's habit of growing when you wash it
What was the podcast? Or, can you say more about the UK yarn industry? Thanks!
The podcast was Knit British (rebranded as WoolWork). UK Yarn Industry? Still here. There are some wonderful mills doing excellent work. Some of the more well known are John Arbon, Natural Fibre Company and their sister company Blacker Yarns, Laxtons, West Yorkshire Spinners. Garthenor Yarns have recently bought their own mill. There are lots more, these are just off the top of my head. Some really good yarn shops sell British wool too. Again off the top of my head Northern Yarn in Lancaster, Fine Fettle Fibres in Northumberland (Judith's newsletters are a good source of information), Ewe and Ply in Shropshire. The 2 mid range knitting magazines - The Knitter and Knitting - usually have at least one article per issue on the indie scene and at least one issue per year with primarily British yarns.
Thank you!
Thank you, Louise! We all need to be thoughtful about choices we make in all areas of our lives. Each time we choose natural fibers over synthetic we add a drop to the ocean of change that is needed. And every drop counts.
Absolutely. It really is a case of every little helps.
Thanks for this lovely reminder Louise! Mindful buying and using what I have is my general approach to crafting. I take it from there to decide on a project by project basis.
I'm definitely in a use what I have mode. For both yarn and patterns!
Absolutely, it’s so easy to overlook what we already have
Yes yes yes 🙌🏾
The organza bags I find helpful because we have such a moth problem (locally, not just our house!) but I’m far better now at shopping my stash, which I really only add to with yarn from a dyer who’s local to me.
This is such an important part of the crafting industry and of course, knitting for this group here. I’m trying to knit through my stash and not be tempted by all the lovely yarns out there, especially when you go to craft festivals and want to support local independent dyer/spinners, etc. One thing we have here which absolutely love is a creative center where you can donate your things you’re not using, especially yarn, and others can pick them up at a very reasonable price. It’s a great way to keep items out of the waste stream. https://www.recraftgvl.org/
I love the idea of a creative centre - like a swap between friends but without having to organise it. I'll have to check and see if we have something similar
Chipping in to say that I think there are a few here in the UK! Didyoumakeityourself on IG uses lots of materials from a reclaim centre for her shop makes.
Thank you for this Louise. You’ve inspired me to frog a jumper I crocheted a few years back and never used.
Oh fantastic. Do let me know how you get on
It can be difficult. On my most recent purchase (of British wool) I ticked the box to say I did not want an organza bag but they sent one anyway. Only a small thing I know but irritating nevertheless. Although I know I really do need to reduce my stash before buying anything else new.
Ooh, that's annoying. I know we can reuse them for other things but honestly there's a limit to how many we need 😂
Thank you for this most excellent list of ways to make knitting more sustainable!
I am here in the states. Lots of various players with unknown agendas, and a whole lot of yarn related businesses closing up shop.
Brooklyn tweed, has discontinued making yarn. This dates back to COVID when supply chains were upended. Knitting patterns will still be designed and sold
Churchmouse yarns and teas will no longer sell yarns, is closing their store and just designing and selling patterns.
Too many small and independent yarn stores, mills, dyers have decided to close their doors. A variety of reasons; retiring, health related, family, tariffs, farms no longer viable, economy. It’s bad here, really bad. The truly frightening thing is it is just the beginning. Our incomes are shrinking, housing and food prices through the roof, and the only jobs are low paying. Work twice as hard for 2/3 less pay. The perfect storm of bad decisions is now coming to fruit. Lys are telling customers to expect at least 40-60%increase due to tariffs. Most yarn stores are not carrying anything British, and we are looking at the labels trying to figure out the tariff. One yarn store owner has already told me it will be a very hard year for her to survive.
While I can knit my stash, share what I have, and knit quietly, my knitting group is a bunch of older women and we look out for one another. It is going to be a rough year. We have support your local yarn store this weekend. Most yarn stores for me are an a hour and a half drive one way. I might ask if their sales are online as well.
This is when I miss living on the east coast. Big sheep and wool festival in May, in Maryland. Got to get back to my swatch and audio book. Sorry to be the bearer of bad news.
Times are certainly very challenging that's for sure. It seems like a perfect storm as far as small businesses are concerned and I just hope that some can hang on. Sending love 🩷
I had a huge stash but after grad school and 2 kids my productivity slowed so I gave my whole stash except items with a specific project to my friend who is a fiber artist. My yarn has been in installations all over now. And it’s been a great excuse to keep in touch with her and her art
I pass on all the organza bags to a friend who uses them to collect seeds from native plants.