I already highlighted it in my previous posts, that knitting per se is considered one of the most sustainable crafts. Nevertheless the changing world around us requires to rethink our life style in all aspects of our life’s and applying an eco friendlier mind set while choosing sustainable versions where possible.

With a few simple steps, knitters can participate in reducing their environmental impact and make sure their knitting is as sustainable and eco-friendly as possible. I hope to provide some new ideas that will find their way into your tool kit for a sustainable living.

Mindset

First of all it starts with the right mindset. Usually the proper decision making happens right before the finish line, aka right before the checkout.

But what about for a change thinking through the life cycle of a product before even getting into action. Below questions are a good starting point to zoom out and take a deep breath:

Are the materials already recycled? Can it be recycled in future? Is it biodegradable? How do I dispose of it? Will it end up in landfill at the end of its useful life?

And those questions can also be applied to your knitting project planning process:

Do I have space for that finished project? Is this going to be a gift somebody truly enjoys or will it end up in a drawer to collect dust? Does it have to be in that highly seasonal colour? Is the yarn brand a sustainably operating company? Is this yarn already recycled wool?

With these answered questions it will be way easier to plan your project and yarn demand which cannot be full filled from your stash.

Be cognizant of what you need and maybe you do not have to end up going shopping at all and can leverage a different level of the Knitterarchy of Need. If you order online, consider buying in bulk (your demand for multiple mindfully planned projects) or place an order together with a friend to limit the amount of packaging and processing steps needed. Less packaging and less carbon emissions make your knitting more eco-friendly.

Plus if you plan ahead you might find a sweet spot and be able to shop the yarn that you need with a discount. Did I already mention that I love planning and organizing?

Fibre choices

The most obvious impact on your footprint is your yarn choice. I already wrote about the benefits of the different types of yarn in my 101 yarn post. But to state the obvious, natural fibres will always be the sustainable choice over synthetics. They are biodegradable and renewable. Make sure the brand that your buying the yarn from is operating on ethical and sustainable standards by checking out their website.

Some examples of ethical and sustainable companies: Knitting for olive, Wool and the gang, Önling.

Many popular yarn brands started to introduce an Eco line to their yarn assortment. Eco yarn stands for not being treated with any chemicals and therefore it is a yarn that is as organic as it can be. You can find a selection of brands and yarn weights here.

And my favourite type of yarn when it comes to eco-friendliness is the recycled yarn. Not many people know that this exists but it is a great way to participate in the circular economy. If you want to learn about the process head to my previous post about Wool with a conscience. You can find a selection of brands and yarn weights here.

Reduce waste through knitting

A couple of years ago I started to switch out disposable items in my household from the kitchen all the way to the bathroom with sustainable ones. It is still a work in progress. However I also realized that there is even an opportunity to knit or crochet sustainable alternatives yourself. Just think about that tote bag, washcloth, gift bag, coffee mug cozies, to name a few.

If creating a sustainable alternative is something that interests you too, then head to this great selection of patterns.

Cherish your incredible skills and use them to make a difference! The decisions we make today can take a lot of the pressure off the future.

Which eco-friendly knitting tips do you have? Let me know, I am curious to hear them!