With the cost of living rising, it’s natural for us to be more cautious about what we are spending our money on. In spite of this, however, many of us still want to look stylish and fashionable and so we may be instinctively drawn to the fast fashion stores on the high street, or to the cheap clothing available to us online. But are we aware of where our clothes come from, or the pay and conditions experienced by the workers who create them?
‘In order to manufacture things quickly and inexpensively, sweatshop workers – often women and children – suffer grueling workdays and meager pay that does not cover basic expenses, while offering them cruel working and living circumstances…Working conditions are poor, unhygienic and unsafe since a large number of sweatshops are located in poor nations with weak labour laws and little government control.’ Earth.org
So, is mass producing clothing a recent development, or has it been going on for centuries?
Knitting machines and sewing machines
The history of the knitting machine actually began in 1589, although sewing machines were invented much later, in the late 1700s. Mass producing clothing, meant that items could be created more cheaply than before, but workers were forced to work long hours in oppressive and often dangerous conditions, with low pay. Most of the mills in the 19th century were known for their poor working conditions and unsafe practises, with many people maimed or killed. While working conditions in the UK have changed, due to more stringent laws, companies get around this by exploiting overseas workers (adults and children) and then shipping in the clothing instead. Fashionable clothing is often viewed as disposable and with the speed at which fashions change, relatively new clothes can often end up in landfill.
While knitting still continues to be a hobby enjoyed throughout the world, mass-produced, machine knitted garments, now dominate the high street.
Do you know that crocheted items are exclusively handmade?
In stark contrast to knitted garments, crocheted items are exclusively handmade. There is no way of mass-producing crocheted clothes, due to the intricacy of the stitches, so every piece involves a skilled craftsperson working on it by hand. Such work involves a great deal of time and effort and overseas workers are grossly underpaid for the quality craftmanship involved in making crocheted garments.
So, should we avoid buying crocheted clothes? Not at all! They are beautiful and durable and I’ve loved seeing them become more popular. However, it’s also important to recognise the skill involved in making them and to buy ethically sourced clothing or to make our own.
What are the benefits of making our own clothes?
I love crocheting and knitting – the texture of the yarn, the versatility and durability and the feeling I get when I have created something new to wear. I enjoy creating patterns myself, knowing that I’m making my own, unique garment to use and enjoy for years.
Yarn craft is great for our mental health too, helping us to truly be present in the moment, to relax and to unwind.
How will I know if the yarn I use, or the clothes that I buy, are ethically produced?
- Look out for words like ‘Fairtrade,’ ‘ethically sourced’ and ‘organic’
- Ask the company about their sources and processes – if they are an ethical and sustainable brand, they will want to share that information
- Do your research on the internet and on social media
- Buy 2nd hand clothing, do clothes swaps, or upcycle old clothes or yarn
I stock yarn from Drops Design, as they have a great reputation for being sustainable, fair and affordable, as well as producing high quality, natural yarn, that I love to use when knitting or crocheting items for myself, or for my online shop.
If you are looking for inspiration, please see my website for yarn, patterns, knitted and crocheted items and for my online and in-person workshops: https://yarnybees.co.uk
References
‘History of machine knitting,’ Knitting and Crochet Guild
‘Fast Fashion: The Danger of Sweatshops,’ Earth.org
Fairtrade Foundation