Eco-friendly knitting and crocheting

Eco-Friendly
Knitting & Crochet

Ideas to craft towards a more sustainable future

As crafters, we often create with the intention of making something long-lasting (since we spend hours and hours on it), but there are many more ways to craft with greater awareness of our environment and sustainability. Knitting and crochet can be both creative and sustainable by incorporating eco-friendly materials, minimizing waste, and making mindful crafting decisions. Here’s how you can make your projects greener while still enjoying your favorite hobby.

Sustainable Materials

One of the best ways to ensure your knitting and crochet are eco-friendly is by using sustainable yarns and materials. Unraveling an old sweater is a cost-effective way to give it a new life, but there are also some other options to consider when deciding on materials or buying new yarns:

Yarn Scraps & Leftovers: Save every bit of yarn to use in scrappy projects instead of throwing them away.
Upcycled Yarn: Unravel old sweaters or blankets to repurpose their yarn for new projects.
Recycled Yarn: Many yarn brands now offer yarn made from recycled fibers such as cotton, wool, and even plastic bottles.
Plant-Based & Sustainable Fibers: Choose bamboo, organic cotton, hemp, linen, or Tencel, which are biodegradable and have a lower environmental impact.
Natural Dyes: If dyeing your own yarn, use natural dyes from onion skins, avocado pits, turmeric, or indigo instead of synthetic dyes.

Waste-Reducing Project Ideas

Reducing waste doesn’t mean sacrificing creativity! There are lots of projects that are fun to make and can help reducing waste, are a great substitute for a one-time-use item or something made out of plastic. Here are some creative and practical projects that make the most of every bit of yarn:

Use scrap yarn: Join small scraps into a colorful granny square blanket, striped scarf, or patchwork throw. You can also use leftover yarn for small amigurumis!
Fabric Yarn (T-shirt Yarn or “Tarn”): Repurpose old T-shirts into yarn for rugs, baskets, or bags.
Reusable everyday items: Replace disposable sponges and paper towels with crocheted cotton dishcloths, make scrunchies, market bags, make up remover pads or soap savers, or decorate your home with seasonal items you can reuse every year.
Darn & Repair: Extend the life of socks, sweaters, and blankets by learning to mend holes with duplicate stitch or patchwork crochet.
Zero-Waste Amigurumi: Stuff amigurumi toys with scrap yarn instead of polyfill to reduce waste.