Organic, Sustainable, & Recycled Yarn Sources

Written by Elisabeth on January 12, 2009

I'm an avid knitter and always looking for ways to leave a smaller carbon footprint as I tread through the beauty of our glorious planet. As with clothing, the thread and yarn industry has many poly based options and so often the softest, frilly, and fun yarns are made from polyester.

I struck gold and found several more earth friendly options. purlsoho.com offers may organic cotton and renewable bamboo based yarn options. If you haven't tried knitting with bamboo, you'll love it; soft as silk yet as strong as linen.  

Lanaknits.com offers a wide selection of hemp yarns, a very durable and earth friendly fiber. It requires very little water and is naturally pest resistant. Hemp can be grown in dense patches producing more fiber, using less water and pesticides per acreage than cotton or soy.

Mangomoonyarns.com offers 100% and partially recycled yarns -- some are silk from recycled saris! Some of the recycled and hand spun yarns offered also support  the Nepali Women's Empowerment Group and a spinners' co-op in Indonesia -- improving the lives artisans and women and their children seeking shelter.  

These are all wholesalers who offer retail locators on their sites; check them out! Next time you visit your favorite yarn shop be sure to ask for these recycled, renewable, and organic fiber options.

Happy stiching!