Sustainability isn’t just a trend, but it is becoming more and more of a concept that will help towards reducing our output of waste. Did you know that you can knit your way to sustainability and cut down on the usage of disposable items? It is most definitely possible from the types of items you make to the types of yarns produced. Just think, every face wipe used can be replaced by knit washcloths, also grocery bags, your towels—just about anything can be knitted. Some projects can be so small and simple that you can use up some of your small balls of yarn.
This article will share some knitting ideas to add to your home on the pathway to sustainability. The article will also advise what yarns you can use that are sustainably and ethically produced.
Knitting is Sustainable
One important thing to know is that knitting itself is a sustainable practice. You are creating your own clothing as a way out of wasteful fast fashion and other household items that save money and reduce output of trash. Think of the multiple uses of a hand-knit cloth rather than a single-use paper towel. It is also important to remember that some practices and shifts toward sustainability can also start out pricy to begin with, so work with accessibility. Changing to a sustainable home is a marathon and not a sprint, and the efforts you make will make you feel better about yourself. Even if you’re not making full changes, knitting is absolutely sustainable as you’re making long-lasting choices about the items you wear or use.
Think About Creating a Capsule Wardrobe
Think about the clothing you own. Are there items you have that you have never worn or found at a great price but it is sitting in the furthest depths of the closet? Plan out your wardrobe to prevent any waste and consider styles you like when looking at knitting patterns. Consider colors, the seasons, and if there are styles that are considered timeless to be worn for multiple seasons.
Use Sustainable Yarns
Again, you can take steps toward sustainability as your ability allows and that can mean making gradual changes to use sustainable yarns. Yarns that are cheaper like acrylic, polyester, and nylon are just that, cheap because they are synthetically made. They require the use of fossil fuels to produce and are plastic-based. Natural animal fibers are the most sustainable as the least amount of resources are needed to produce and they are biodegradable. Fibers from alpaca and sheep rank high in natural fibers but there are some caveats. Alpacas are unable to naturally produce lanolin, so once it is spun into yarn, it is good to go. Sheep produce their own lanolin which is a waxy substance that is within the woolen fibers. It requires water and energy to remove the lanolin.
Of course, if the treatment of animals is a concern or if you have allergies to natural fibers, there are plant-based options as well. Those plant-based options are a good idea as opposed to synthetic-made yarns but these take up much more water to produce. Also, there are yarns that are made from synthetic materials. Bottom line: check your labels!
A Note About Cotton and Tencel
Cotton is considered a plant-based fiber and is biodegradable but it falls in the middle between being sustainable and not sustainable. To grow cotton, the process requires the use of pesticides and manufacturing takes up so much water. You can scout out pesticide-free or organic cotton to use if you prefer to use cotton. For a more environmentally safe cotton yarn, look for recycled cotton. Once again, check the labels!
Lyocell, which is also known as Tencel is a plant-based fiber made from eucalyptus trees. It differs from cotton as growing eucalyptus trees are adaptable and can grow anywhere. Their growth rate is also very fast, making the fiber easy to produce and it requires less water than cotton to manufacture. When it comes to sustainable plant-based yarn, Tencel is a great bet.
Consider Upcycling Thrifted Sweaters or Shop Your Closet
Looking to update? Comb through your closet or go thrifting for sweaters and use the yarn to recreate your own designs. It’s a great way to find yarn for a fraction of the price and possibly find something made out of natural fibers to save as well. The cycle of clothing goes on and it won’t find itself in a landfill pile like where fast fashion pieces eventually end up.
Make T-Shirt Yarn
The same idea as upcycling old sweaters, you can do the same with t-shirts. There are many tutorials online that will guide you in how to dissect a shirt and how to make items with your new yarn. Think of the comfort a t-shirt makes when you wear it. With that softness, you can make washcloths, potholders, or cleaning cloths to fill the home.
Raid Your Stash
Have a collection of small leftover balls of yarn? Take an inventory of it and use those as references when you want to make something in the future. Remember to look for more of that yarn and use up that small bit you have left. You can use those fragments of yarn you have sitting there and make small household items like a dishcloth.
If you have yarn swatches that you made to gauge your stitches lying around, frog them and reuse that yarn too. If you have a number of them and if they are similar in size, stitch them together and make an afghan to stay warm this winter.
Some Projects You Can Make
Here are some ideas of household items you can make to add sustainable changes to your home or great ideas to use up some of that leftover yarn. All come straight from creators here at Creative Fabrica:
- My Tiny Mouse – great for using up those scraps of yarn!
- Sweetheart Fingerless Mitts – for your winter capsule wardrobe!
- Cardigan Sweater – another wardrobe staple!
All Free Knitting also has some great free ideas to quickly knit up for your own too.
This article was written by
