Last month, it was National Recycle Week. This has prompted me to write about how, as crafters, we can be environmentally friendly, while still enjoying our hobbies to the full.
Why choose natural fibres?
All the yarn I use and sell within Yarny Bees, is made from natural fibres. I have consciously made the decision not to use man-made fibres within my business. This is because almost all of them are made from plastics, which, when washed, release microfibres into the water system. My feeling is that there is enough of this going on around the world, without me adding to it!
The brand I have chosen to stock, Drops, have a great reputation for being sustainable and fair. I also love that their pricing makes them accessible to most people, allowing good quality, natural yarns a place in the market, to compete against the cheaper acrylic and polyester blends.
What are the other benefits of choosing natural fibres and skin-friendly dyes?
Although sustainability and concern for the environment are important factors in yarn choice, there are other reason to choose natural fibres too. It’s important that our clothing is comfortable. Man-made fibres can cause irritation or friction for people suffering with skin conditions, such as eczema or dermatitis.
‘Polyester, acrylics, rayon and nylon are common fibers that can have a negative impact on people with skin conditions. These fibers are hydrophobic and tend to trap moisture which can irritate your skin……. The interaction between textiles and skin has led many brands to improve their sustainability standards by designing garments that are healthy for your skin microbiome.’ (today.com)
Another consideration is to avoid the use of toxic dyes, which can also be harmful to the skin. Companies like my supplier, Drops, make it their priority to use suppliers who have OEKO-TEX standard 100 certification, which confirms that ecological practices are in place for the safety of textile products.
More about my supplier
I buy the yarns I use and sell, from Drops Designs, as they have a strict code of conduct, which fits with my values, beliefs and principles. They are a company who seek to support sustainability, protect the environment and respect animal and human rights. They are meticulous about their choices, examples of which can be found on their website, including:
‘We focus on wool from South America where it is guaranteed that the sheep are not subject to mulesing. We have chosen not to source our wool from Australia because we know mulesing occurs there and we avoid controversial fibres, such as angora, because of the way the animals are treated. (Drops Designs)
Recycling hand-knitted and crocheted items
Recycling isn’t just aboutbottle banks, green bins and charity shops. One of the things Ilove aboutknitting and crocheting items, is the ability to re-use the wool, when my children grow out of their knitted jumpers, or if I change my mind mid-project or later!
Creating a style of my own
With fashions ever-changing, the waste created and the impact that has on the environment is immense. I love creating my own patterns and clothes, which I will treasure for years and which will never be out of fashion; pieces which reflect my personality and colour choices and coordinate with my staple bought items. Through Yarny Bees, I provide high quality, natural and sustainable yarn and patterns, to help others to do the same. Here is the link: https://yarnybees.co.uk/product-category/make-yourself/
Craft Hive
If you’d like a bit of company while you are crafting, I also run Craft Hive in-person groups in Lichfield and an on-line Craft Hive group too, as I love to meet like-minded crafters. Here are the links, for more information and to join: https://yarnybees.co.uk/product-category/craft-hive/
Check out my next blog post, for last-minute craft-based ideas for Christmas gifts and decorations.
References
‘Sustainability’ Drops Design
Article from today.com by Jannely Espinal, December 2021 https://www.today.com/shop/best-fabrics-fibers-sensitive-skin-t242078