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minh
Permanent Resident and Destasher Extraordinnaire
USA
3416 Posts |
 Posted - 03/28/2009 : 6:31:53 PM
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Many yarn manufacturers offer organic yarns or green yarns. By the way, Yarn Forward had a very good issue and interview on that topic (you can read the rest of the interview here.
Are you attracted to those yarns? Is your stash greener than it used to be? |
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stephcat
Gabber Extraordinaire
510 Posts |
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MindyO
Permanent Resident
USA
2493 Posts |
Posted - 03/28/2009 : 9:00:54 PM
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I buy what I like. Whether or not it's organic or green really isn't a selling factor for me. But I will say lately I've been more drawn to the hand dyed stuff whether it be from an indy dyer out of their kitchen or a larger company. I'm just really loving the hand dyed yarns and rovings.
My Ravelry
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lella
Permanent Resident
9701 Posts |
Posted - 03/28/2009 : 10:35:50 PM
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This new trend has an impact on my buying because I need organic/green yarns for at least three family members if I want to knit for them.
I'm very happy that new yarns are being produced from what could be termed waste products, and re-cycled products, that are not petrochemical based. Additionally, it's great that they are produced for the organic market, so the processing is better for all living organisms. Well, maybe not the bad little bugs.
My Blog @ Zippiknits
Knitting@ Flicker
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kbshee
Permanent Resident
USA
4130 Posts |
Posted - 03/29/2009 : 09:45:09 AM
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If I want to do a natural colored yarn, I'll look for organic. I don't make it a huge priority.
kim in oregon
http://kbshee.blogspot.com |
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jtamsn
Permanent Resident
USA
1585 Posts |
Posted - 03/29/2009 : 11:05:18 AM
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I like the idea of green yarns, but it doesnt really influence my purchases. I buy what will suit the project I wish to make and the ease of laundering. I am intrigued by the blends containing fibers such as soy and bamboo.
judy |
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minh
Permanent Resident and Destasher Extraordinnaire
USA
3416 Posts |
Posted - 03/30/2009 : 4:26:10 PM
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| My dream yarn would be both organic and superwash... |
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jgetha
New Pal
USA
43 Posts |
Posted - 04/01/2009 : 6:50:26 PM
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A few years ago the only "green" yarn I could find was called Eco-Yarn or Eco-Wool. They produced a nice basic wool yarn, dyed in the most ecologically friendly way they could devise at the time. It was a nice yarn, and not too expensive. I haven't been able to find it since that one yarn shop closed, so I don't know if it is still out there or not.
In general, if a product I want is available in an eco-friendly version and a non-eco-friendly version, I'll choose the eco-friendly as long as the price difference is not enormous. I agree with the person who said her ideal yarn would be "green" AND superwash. I agree. I would add "kitten soft alpaca" to that. Ah, that would be heaven... |
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mwenskay@hotmail.com
New Pal
9 Posts |
Posted - 04/01/2009 : 8:51:07 PM
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The people I knit for are requesting organic more frequently. I have used organic cotton for years for my wool allergy friends and family.
That is all the extra consideration I give it |
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sockjoan
Warming Up
Australia
50 Posts |
Posted - 04/01/2009 : 10:42:42 PM
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| My notion of "green" in yarns is chiefly "sourced within Australia" (which is where I live); I reckon the chief polluter is transport. |
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Bulldog
New Pal
USA
24 Posts |
Posted - 04/01/2009 : 11:55:59 PM
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Personally, I'm not into this whole "green" thing. It strikes me as yet another fad which will die out. While people are being more conscious about what they use and how they use it, using "green" yarn isn't going to solve anything. If anything, I go out of my way not to buy it - I like my yarn the way it is.
All indie, all the time. |
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scarfitup
Chatty Knitter
188 Posts |
Posted - 04/02/2009 : 04:20:29 AM
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I'm not AGAINST this trend, but I don't exclusively seek out such products either. I'm in the mode of recycle, upcycle, repurpose, and do so whenever I can to still create unique pieces that appeal to my customers. I am still trying NOT to buy any yarn to work off my stash. When I do buy lately, it's usually hand-dyed, hand-spun, hand-painted yarn and roving.
I'd like to know how you feel these "green" yarns knit and then hold up in the garments over time.
Scarf It Up!
http://scarf-it-up.blogspot.com
http://scarfitup.etsy.com
http://flickr.com/photos/scarfitup
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Atavistic
Permanent Resident
6604 Posts |
Posted - 04/02/2009 : 04:36:40 AM
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The greenest thing I can do is knit down my stash.
"I'm telling you, we're in a M. Night Shyamalan flick." |
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Corddrymum
Gabber Extraordinaire
USA
518 Posts |
Posted - 04/02/2009 : 06:23:06 AM
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I haven't changed my buying habits to make them exclusively 'green' but I do try to look for the 'green' products. I'm also trying to knit mostly in cotton too since I'm one of the people who are experiencing their 'own personal summers' frequently!
Robin C. |
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knitree
Seriously Hooked
688 Posts |
Posted - 04/02/2009 : 07:29:29 AM
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What I've noticed is the "cha-ching" factor... higher cost, or less yardage, from some manufacturers (ahem, Rowan). That factor knocks it off my list. I agree that local/less transportation is best when possible. My purchases have more to do with (1) discontinued yarns I already know I love or (2) a specific pattern that calls for a specific type of yarn or (3) SALE! I'm green in a lot of ways, but green yarn hasn't really made its way to my yarn purchases... yet.
Tree
Taking simple patterns and complicating them... |
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churchlady
Warming Up
Canada
81 Posts |
Posted - 04/02/2009 : 07:57:44 AM
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| I'll try to buy organic cotton or an alternative like bamboo or tencel, just because cotton is such a particularly big user of chemicals in its production (and runoff, worker exposure,etc). I'm not going to buy any of the yarns that use a food ingredient, rather than a by-product, as a raw material. I'm with 'sockjoan' when she talks about locally produced yarns, and eliminating shipping! As well, supporting indie producers of all kinds! I wish I put my money where my mouth is with every penny and stitch, but I'm convinced that we have power as consumers, in how and where we spend. |
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Lanea
Permanent Resident
USA
5159 Posts |
Posted - 04/02/2009 : 08:45:20 AM
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I love the concept of making knitting more environmentally sound. It is hard to really do that through just purchasing, though, because there is so much more to the equation than what a yarn is made of. Shipping is a problem, even natural dyes can be toxic, over-consumption is bad news, etc. I have recycled/upcycled a number of sweaters, try to knit from my stash as much as possible, I support small local yarn suppliers and dyers, and avoid impulse purchases. If I need to buy cotton yarn, I will certainly choose organic.
See proof of insanity: http://crazylanea.com/
Read my audiobook reviews: http://booksforears.com/
Buy handmade sock knitting bags: http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5031570
Join the KR Webring: http://www.crazylanea.com/fiberarts/2006/07/the_knitters_re.html
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Kathleen-NYC
Gabber Extraordinaire
USA
444 Posts |
Posted - 04/02/2009 : 1:02:59 PM
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| It's not even a consideration for me. My thing is color and texture. |
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msbeader
New Pal
12 Posts |
Posted - 04/02/2009 : 2:44:40 PM
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| Oh, that is great. From the scientist's name to the very desirable attributes of this yarn. A great April fool topic. Love it and it's so creative! |
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frenchknits
New Pal
USA
26 Posts |
Posted - 04/02/2009 : 2:56:42 PM
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| Thank you for the interview link! I really like the idea of green knitting and want to learn more about it to make good choices in the future. I like natural off-whites and don't have difficulties falling in love with undyed yarns. I think it's important to buy local, which I do as much as I can when buying groceries. I should extend that policy to yarn shopping! |
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hillstreetmama
Permanent Resident
USA
3448 Posts |
Posted - 04/03/2009 : 04:13:22 AM
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I read the newsletter about yarn from recycled kitty litter. What struck me was that some of the raw product was shipped to Texas first, then back to Illinois, then the process continued by being shipped to Wyoming, then on to Florida for the final step. How "green" is it, really, with all that transportation involved??
Jan
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Organic/green yarns - what's your take?
